The Caucasian., 1895-11-28
SECRETARY MORTON MUST EXPLAIN
Congress Will Ask Him Why He Does Not
Execute the Seed Law.

Congress Will Ask Him Why He Does Not
Execute the Seed Law.
In a House that will be overwhel-
mingly Republican it is to be expec-
ted that Investigations of the acts Of
the administration will be frequent.
One of the things that is to be looked
into is the action of Secretary Nor
ton in nullifying law of Congress
which directs the purchase and dis
tribution of seeds.
Congressman Baker, of Now Hamp-
shire, who was, in the last Congress,
a prominent member of the commit
tee on agriculture, and who may be
the chairman in the Congress about
to convene, is already preparing to
institute an inquiry into Mr.. Nor
toms acts. A few days ago he wrote
letter to the Secretary, courteously
inquiring when his quota of seeds
would be ready for delivery, and if
there would be the usua! quota. To
this note the Secretary did not deign
to respond, but delegated his cabi-
net clerk to reply that there would
be no distribution of seeds this year,
inclosing q printed circular giving
his reasons for this decision. Not to
be undone in the matter of having
others work for him, Mr.. Baker d.
rected his private secretary to con-
tinue the correspondence, as follows:
Mr. Baker wishes me to remind you that
| in both House and Senate the committee on
| agriculture, after patiently considering all
the arguments you presented against the
appropriation for the purchase and distri-
button of seeds, almost unanimously, a.
you well know, voted to maintain the appro-
priation and that their action was sustained
in both branches with great unanimity. He
also instructs me to ask your particular at
tention to that part of the act of March 2,
1895, which directs that the seeds for which
appropriation is made shall be ready for de-
livery on the 10th day of January, or at the
earliest practicable time thereafter. He also
wishes to be informed by what authority
you expend one part of that appropriation
and refuse or neglect to use another part,
the use of which is more mandatory than
the other?
1.-THE decision Of the Attorney
General, which Mr.. Morton quotes" }"
said Mr. Baker to q Post reporter
yesterday, "does not give him au-
thority to nullify q plain provision
of law. AS matter of fact, the
distribution of seeds was stopped
because it interfered with tho bust
ness of the seedsmen. In the report
of Secretary Morton for last year
the special agent for the purchase
of seeds submits letter, in which
he says that in the light Of my ex-
perience as q scotsman, l consider
the free distribution of seeds by the
department as an infringement upon
and an interference with q legiti-
mate business He then goes ON to
tell how seeds furnished by q mum
Der of firms can be purchased, aud
he objects to having these seedsmen
lose their business. Having been in
the seed business himself, he wants
the farmers to buy the seeds, 80 that
the business concerns can continue
to make money. That is the real
reason why the farmers of the coun.
try, who in the past have been bene'
fited by the distribution of seeds,
are now to be deprived of that privi.
lege. Mr.. Morton will find, when
Congress convenes, that he canno,
ignore and nullify a plain law anG
set up q rule for himself without be-
ing called to account therefor.