The record-union., 1895-01-18

ROAD LAWS.
Considering the present DEVELOPMENT of
transportation lines, and the authority
vested in the several States, it does not
seem necessary or wise for the General
government to do more for the rural
highways than to disseminate educational
reports, unless simple road construction
be taught in the public schools.
PLANT REGISTRATION.
For several years the california Joint
Committee on Plant Registration" has
| urged the establishing of Bureau of
Plant Registration in the Department of
Agriculture. 1t is in the interest of
| rewarding of genius, and every horti-
culturist should work for the passing of
| this law.
RURAL POSTAL DELIVERY.
! Many arguments can be adduced to
! show the advisability of establishing
rural postal delivery, the most weighty
! OF which is the Intellectual and CONNER
cial bearing which the extension OF the
| postal service would have upon the rural
! districts. Ia Postmaster q eneral Bissel's
report recently submitted to the Presi-
! dent, he says: "AvQid expensive expert
ments like the postal telegraph, rural
free delivery, etc. Develop the postal
/ service on existing lines OF administra-
| ton. viz: Extend free delivery in the
/
towns already entitled to it under the
! law. Quicken railroad transportation"
In addition he advises the increase of
postage on second-class matter. In other
words, Mr.. Bissell proposes, as the policy
! Of the Government, to sacrifice the farmer
and fruit-grower-to deny him the right
even of ezperiment-to build up the
| towns and cities, to the destruction of the
rural districts.
The Government has no right to dis
! crlminate III the privileges accorded her
citizens, no right to destroy farmers to
! 1atten manufacturers. The dweller in
! the city has no Inherent rights as citizen
that the ruralist does not possess. II it
! should be necessary to increase letter
postage to lnaugurate free delivery for
all, let 1t be done at once, in the interest
/ of sound, impartial Government policy.
! The ten block system" of mum bering
! county houses, invented by 4. l.. Ban
croft Of san Francisco removes the last
obstacle 10 rural postal delivery, and the
! time is opportune to enact new free
postal delivery law.
FORESTRY.
! No one is more directly interested in
! forestry legislation than the farmer. Our
! watersheds are being denuded and tim
| Der resources are dwindling away under
! lax legislation, and 10 renewal system
! has been devised. We are fast becoming
! the prodlgal son OF history. a danger
! Gus course is being pursued. We are not
creatures OF to-day alone for our actions
are inseparably connected with the future
| prosperity OF the country. Let the
farmer, therefore, urge forestry laws.
IMMIGRATION.
The increasing tax for public institu-
tiOns anu the labor question seriously
confront the farmer. Lax and vicious i'm
migration laws have copgested the cOun-
| try with the pauper and criminal rabble
OF foreign lands, the labOrer has become
demoraLzed, and 1t is in vain that we
look for etlclent, reliable and steady
help. This ceaseless inpouring of litter
acy, pauperism, anarchy and criminality
Is crushing the spirit OF the independent
! American workman, and our franchise is
! fast becoming Dyword OF contempt.
L have stood at Castle Garden and
! watched the human scum pouring in by
the hour, with the mockery of an exam
/ inatlon only to stay it. When visiting
] Palermo, Sicily, a high city official in
/ formed me that the worst element was
| encouraged to emigrate; | asked him
! where To, and he answered with single
word, America" The farmer should
work for an immigration law, based
! on consular certificates, intelligence,
clearly defined occupation and means of
/ support, and the laws should be enforced
/ by Americans.
The development OF irrigation systems
/ believe TO be matter for private enter
prise rather than Tor the General Govern
meut.
PURE FOOD LAWS.
All pure food legislation is in the inter-
est OF the farmer and laws relating thereto
should be heartily welcomed and en-
/ couraged. 1t is hard TO conceive of an
| honest man advocating the selling Of
| foods under false names and it is tair 10
presume that such person is interested
/ III their adulteration.
STATE LAWs-TAXING ORCHARDS.
In constructing the Constitution of CAL
! ltOrnla II was not IOreseen that horticult-
/ ure would become the chief Industry of
/ the state, and the language used has made
/ II possible TO tax fruit trees and vines,
/ Many Of the political administrations
! since have Eeen eXtraVagant to the last
! degree and all efforts to nave this tax re-
! moved have met with failure, owing TO
! the alleged necessity for revenue. AT The
/ last general election the people approved
/ by vote an anendment removing the tax
! from IruItbearlng trees under four years
! anu grapeYInes under three years OF age.
Taxing fruit trees and vines is like
! taxing uudug gold and is unjust. An in
/ creased tax has to be paid on the en-
| hauced value OF the land and then the
! growing crop itself is taxed. The wheat
grower plants his crop every year. The
/ truIt-GrCWer keeps his crop over for sew
| eral years. The wheat crop NAV or NAV
not prove valuable. The same is true OF
| the IruiJ crop, but the increased land
/ value and tree tax has TO be paid. Neither
! crop Is certain nor permanent improve
ment, aRd therefore neither should be
/ taxed.
STATE BOARDS AND CO1IcIIssIoNs.
! Several hundred thousand dollars
would be saved the State annually by
| aDolIsnlng useless State boards ana COM
/ missions, and combining those Of scien-
/ tlLC character with established inStitu-
/ tIons OF learning, thus taking them en-
] LreIy out OF politics ana political patron
age. The long lists OF complimentary
! commissioners could well be abolished
ana the remaining boards and commis-
sions, then reOrgauized as bureaus, each
| with lis secretary or chief officer, and al
/ under the department OF State. An hon
! orary commission, to be elected by the
! people, could be created, with power to
! remoN e bureau officers for specified cause,
/ the Governor retaining The power 10 re-
! appoint, under civil service regulations.
! TINS would greatly reduce the political
/ pasture, bu! would be good thing Tor
the tax paying fruit-growers.
IRRIGATION Laws.
/ Tho Wright irrigation law and it's
amendments have Deen of vast import
/ ance 10 the horticulturisss OF California,
/ and has given an impetus TO irrigation III
! other parts OF the country. All legisla-
/ lion tending to alter or supplement these
! laws should be carefully watched by the
! IruIL-growers.
INSECT PESTS AND DISEASES.
! In laws relating 10 the destruction of
/ injurious insects and Diseases ana the
/ prevention OF their importation and dis
! tributon, California eNcels. The laws
i pnarG tho Cafp- hy ia,ll and nv Spa ,nJ