New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-27
NO MORE FREE SEED DISTRIBUTION.
THAT DIVISION OF THE AGRICULTURAL DEPART
NEXT ABOLISHED

THAT DIVISION OF THE AGRICULTURAL DEL an
MEXT ABOLISHED.
Washington. July 2s-Secretary Morton an
taeoni,m 10 the existence OF the seed division OF
the Agricultural Department reached It's iogca'
conclusion to-day In order abolshng the ol-
vision to take effect October !, by which date NJ
f. Fasan, chief OF the division. by the same order'
is directed to have his work wound up
In a letter announcing his purposes. Secretary
Morton ins;ructs Mr. Pagan that his executive re-
mort for me fiscal year ended June 30 lsso, must
state in detail the work OF the division. giving
the number of packages Of seed sent out, by whom
sent and where. and the aggregate weight OF all
seed transmitted gratuitously through the 'h'ted
States mails. The Secretary further directed MN
to include in the report excerpts from the news
papers Of the country, giving their opinions OF the
uselessness and extravaganza OF the gratuitous
promiscuous distribution OF seeds through mem
beers Of Congress by the Department OF Agrcult-
ure'
The letter was accompanied by documentary
history OF the movement instituted for the aboish-
ing OF the division. beginning with copy OF the
opinion OF Attorney General Olney relative to seed
distribution dated April 20. 1896. TO the effect that
the Secretary of Agriculture could legally pur-
chase for distribution only such seeds as are de-
scribed In Section 5H. Revised statutes. namely.
''rare and uncommon TO the country, or such as
can be made profitable by frequent change
from part Of our own country to another"
and that he could reject any and all bids made
under a call for proposals 10 furnish such seeds.
The letter also contained a copy OF the advertise
ment for seeds for the year ending June 20. 1896.
dated April q. 1885, drawn In accordance with the
language OF the section just quoted together with
the report OF the committee OF Department EN-
ployes who opened the BIDS submitted In response
TO that advertisement. three In number. dated
July G. 1885. that they "nnd that the same do not
meet the requirements OF the advertisement as
printed and therefore respectfully recommend that
all bids be rejected"
"As result OF all these things" says the Score
tary There will BE- no seeds purchased for gratui-
tous promiscuous distribution during the fiscal year
ure. In view Of the above. you will observe tina
the necessity OF your being continued In office to-
gether with the force immedia tey under you. Will
not exist after October J. 1885. by which date 1t is
shall have been thoroughly finished up and re-
ported upon"
Mr., Pagan acknowledged the receipt OF the letter
II will place my resignation in your hands on the
date named with complete report OF all work
| performed congratulate you upon the action
WINGED since my first examination OF the work OF
the division that no reasonable excuse could be- Of
fered In behalf Of its continuance and 40 stated In
my first annual report"
out Of employment ten people, besides the chief a,
OF occupation during the busy season-the winter
| OF the seeds. The chief has q salary Of 81 900 a
year There are two clerks at $500 and eight at
$40 The extra force employed In the winter sea-
able that Mr. Pagan win be appointed to another
branch OF the service after his ton as chief
! Of the seed division takes eject