St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-02-23
MORTON TO SHORTRIDGE.
DAK0Tk'S GOVERNOR T.KEN TO TASK
FOB MISREPRESENTATION
THE SECRETARY DID NOT SAW

That the Russian Thistle w ms a
Blessing to the Farmer-The
People Interested should Ex-
terminate the Weed-Testi-
mony From tho Northwest FAR
mer and q Dakota Gran ger. )
WASHINGTON, Feb. 90. secretary of
Agriculture Morton has written a letter
to Representative Sibley, of Pennsylva-
MIA. which furnishes another chapter in
the sharp controversy going on or late
over the determination Of Russian
thistles. Dir. Morton encloses. a letter
which he wrote to Gov. Shorlridge, of
North Dakota, in which the following
language occurs: ID
mo one more than myself appreciates
the Importance of eXterminating this
and other noXiOus weeds which infest
the farms of the United States. But l
do not think it business for the govern :
ment to destroy weeds for the people,
II more than 1t IS to raise wheat for
them or 10 cut corn by appropriations
from the public fund. Having given
ANAiNAc ~ oSSlic lk ali
intelligent self-interest on the part of
all the Donates should inspire them to
so cultivate lands as TO bring the highest
possible price for the labor bestowed
in that cultivation. The law of self
preservation ought to make jealous
every farmer in the Dakotas. Nebraska
and Kansas to apply with might and
main every means at his command for
either utilizing or discriminating the
Russian thistle. But fed raj legislation
can neither exterminate weeds by
statute nor by attempting to vest
powers in others, which. In the minds of
many. do not pertain to ITSELF"
Mr.. Morton cites from letters and
agricultural papers as to the use which
can be made OF
II RUSSIAN THISTLE.
A letter from Mr.. Waugh, Of the
Northwest Farmer. Winnipeg, Man,
states Dakota farmers viii! do we'll to
turn out sheep IN the thistle lands, as
the thistles will furnish good food. Mr..
Roberts, in the Dakota Farmer, is cited
to the effect that the thistle is a benefit
rather than a curse. and that they can
be used for hay or as a fertilizer. The
Northwest Farmer is also quoted as
stating: We do not look at the Russian
thistle as some do. 1t is one of the very
best forage plants known, and certainly
is one OF the best in Dakota-for when
1t Is SO dry that nothing will grow then
the thistle grows the thickest, and one
acre of Russian thistles will produce
more food than w acres of clover"
Referring to the extracts, Mr. Morton
says, in his letter to Gov. Shortridge:
lin view of the diversity of opinion
as to the possibilities of the Russian,
thistle in the Dakotas. above expressed
by practical farmers. l see no reason for.
changing my position as to the pro-;
pfietv of appropriating a million Of
dollars out of the treasury of the United
States for the purpose of employing
commissioners and weed eXterminators.r
whose special energies shall be directed
to the determination of this weed" !
Secretary Morton's letter to Repre-
sentative Sibiey bears date of Feb. 90.
1t states that neither Gov. Shorlridge
nor any other person has a letter from
me stating that | regard the Russian
thistle as a blessing to the farmer"
The Shortridge letter is enclosed to
show just what the secretary has said.
The secretary proceeds: You remark
that ain reported as a~ntagOniStic to
the bureau of animal induStrv.S on.
posed TO meat inspection and adverse to
the distribution of &
SEEDS TO FARMERS. "a
"a copy of the annual report of the
secretary of agriculture for 1893 is
transmitted to you this day. Be kind
enough, if you can spare the time, to
read this report. and permit it to indi--
cate my views. RumOrs are vague, and
of uncertain origin. Official reports are
the direct statements of the officers
making them. You cite also other of
fetal utterances, without foundation in
some cases., and IN others grossly dis
torted. But l nave neither inclination
nor time to ever deny reported
~utterances. Nor is it necessary
to anticipate the vindication which
time always brings to recti-
tude and truth. May l hope that the
enclosed letter(to Gov. Shortridge) may
be given the ssme publicity which was
given the statement that the secretary
af agriculture had declared the Russian
thistle to be q benefit and a blessing in
disguise. 1t will afford me great salts
faction to meet you at the department
whenever it may suit our
to call. Meantime, l respectfully as
sure you that, after having lived iii the
country. on the same farm, among real
farmers, for nearly forty years, l have
a very strong and abiding interest in
the welfare of American agriculture,
and a wholesome and honest am bition
to, in every legitimate manner, eXalt it's
character and increase Its usefulness.
With assurances. etc.
j. STERLING MORTON,