The evening times., 1895-11-22
now It Is MR. MI)RI9I : RI \
Republican Congressman Say
They will Investigate His Acts.
ALL BECAUSE OF THE SEEDS
Haul the Secretary Over the Goals
for Stopping the supply He Claims
1t Ii Done to Favor the Dealers
In Them.

Republican Congressman, who are arriy-
ing In Washington by every train, promise
great things in the way OF Investigations at
the coming session of Congress.
All sorts of charges against the Democratic
management of public affairs are 10 be in
vestigated by committees, il the enthusiast
Repu blicau statesme are true to their word.
One of the things that is TO be looked into
is the action OF Secretary Morton in nulli-
flying law OF Congress which directs the
purchase aud distribution of seeds, and In
abOlistins outright the seed division OF the
Agricultural Department.
Congressman Baker of New Hampshire,
who was in the last Congress member of
the Committee on Agriculture, and who may
be its chairman in TIE Congress about to
convene, is air, ady preparing 10 institute
an inquiry into Mr.. MortCn's acts. --.--,.
DID NOT RESPOND.
A few Gays ago Mr.. Baker Wrote a letter
TO the Secretary, courteously iDquirinS
VIXEN his quota of seeds would be ready
for delivery, and If there would be the usual
quota. To this note the Secretary did
not respond, but delegated his chiefc clerk to
reply that there would bc no distribution OF
seeds this year. enclosing printed cir
cular giving his reason Tor this decision.
others work for him. Mr.. Baker directed
his private secretary to continue tie Cur
respondence as follows:
''Nr. Baker wishes me TO remind you
that in both House and Senate the Commit
tee on Agriculture, after patiently con-
siderinS all the arguments you presented
against the appropriation for the purchase
aud distribution of seeds, almost unani-
mously, as you well know, voted To main
he r.Yr ri.1ti null "a IAf M
ton was sustained i'll both branches with
great una nimity.
He also instructs me TO ask your par
tirIlar attention TO that part OF the act
of March 2, 1895, which directs that the
seeds for which appropriation Is made
shall bc ready for delivery on the 10Th
day of January. or at the earliest practi-
cable time thereafter He also wishes Ia be
informed by what authority you expeud
one part of tia, appropriation and refuse
or neglect to use another part, the use of
which is more mandatory tlau the other"
The Secretary has not Yet replied to this
letter.
STOPPED THE DISTRIBUTION.
The decision OF The Attorney General,
which Mr.. Morton quotes" said Mr.. B.l ker,
does no give him mauthoritytonuliify PLAIN
provision of law. As Il matter OF fact the
OF seeds was stopped because it
iuterfcred with the business of the sccdsmen
In the report Of Secretary Morton for last
year The special agent for The purchase Of
seeds submits a letter in which he "a Us that
'in the light OF my experience as a seeds
man, consider the free distrihut ion of seeds
by the department as an inf ingeinent upon
aud interference with legitimate business
He then goes On to tell how seeds fur
nishcd by number of firms eau bc pur-
chased. and he objects to having these
sccdsmcn lose their business, Having been
in the seed business himself, he wants the
farmer TO buy the seeds so bat the bust
ness concerns can continue 10 make money.
That is the real reason why the farmers
of the country. who in the past have been
benefited by the distribution OF seeds. are
now 10 be deprived OF that privilege. Mr..
Morton will find, when Congress convenes.
that he cannot ignore and haliify n plain
law and set up rlle for himself without
being called To account therefor"