Evening star., 1896-12-07

eStS ana save Inc .sSQSernment from the
loss threatened by further inaction.
| DEPARTMENT of AGRICULTURE.
The Department ehAgriculture is so in
timately related to theswelfare of our peo-
pie and the prosperity of our nation that it
should constantly ieceive the care and
| encouragement of the, government. From
small beginnings itshas grown to be the
center of agricultural Intelligence. and the
| source of aid and Encouragement to agri-
| cultural efforts. Largf1sums of money are
! annually appropriatedsfor the maintenance
| of this department2a and it must be con-
fessed that the legislation relating to it
| has not always been directly in the interest
| of practical farming OF properly guarded
| against waste and textfavagance:: SO far.
| however as public money has been appro-
| priated fairly and sensibiy, to help those
! who actually till thf SOIL no expenditure
! has been more profitably made and more
| generally approved by the people under
| the present management of the depart
| ment Its usefulness has been enhanced in
| every direction. and at the same time Strict
| economy has been enforced to the utmost
| extent permitted by congressional action
| From the report Of the Secretary 1t ap-
pears that through careful and prudent
| financial management, he has annually
saved large sum from his appropriations,
! aggregating during his incumbency and up
| to the close of the present fiscal year near
| ly one-fifth of the entire amount appro-
rriated. The results have been accom-
| plished by conscientious study of the real
| needs of the farmer, and such Il regard
| for economy as the genuine farmer ought
| to appreciate, supplemented by rigid ad-
| herence to civil service methods in a de-
partment which should be conducted in the
| interest of agriculture, instead of partisan
politics.
| The Secretary reports that the value Of
| our exports of farm products during the
| last fiscal year amounted to s570O0.WO, an
| increase Of s17.oOo.O0O over those of the
| year Immediately preceding. This state
| ment Is not the less welcome because Of the
| fact that, Notwithstanding such increase,
| the proportion of exported agricultural
| products to our total exports of all descrip-
| tions fell off during the year The benefits
| of an increase in agricultural exports be-
| iEg assured, the decrease in it's proportion
| to our total exports is the more gratifying
| when we consider that it is owing to the
| fact that such total exports for the year
| increased more than $75,T0.pO.
The large and Increasing expectation Of
| our agricultural products suggests the
! great usefulness Of the organization lately
| established in the department for the pur-
| pose of giving to those engaged in farming &
| pursuits reliable information concerning
| the condition, needs and advantages Of diff
| ferent foreign markets. Inasmucn as the
| success of the farmer depends upon the ad-
| vantageous sale of mis- products, and mas
| much as foreign markets must largely be
| the destination of SUCH products, il is quite
| apparent that a knowledge Of the condi-
| tions and wants that affect those markets.
| ought to result in sowing more Intelligent
| ly and reaping with 4, better promise of
| profit. Such information points out the
way to prudent foresight in the selection
and cultivation of Gross and to a release
from the bondage of nunreasoning mon
| otony of production. a glutted and depress-
| ed market. and constantly recurring IN
profitable toll.
Seed Distributions.
In my opinion the 'gratutous distribution
! of seeds by the deJa tynent as at present
conducted ought to- bei discontinued. No
| one can read the statement of the Secre
| tary on this subject and'doubt the extra:a-
gance and questionable results of this prac-
| t1ce. The professcd friends of the farmer.
and certainly the fatrntirs themselves are
| naturally expected 10 beiwilling TO rid a de-
| eartment devoted to the promotion of
farming interests of A feature which tends
| SO much to its discredit .'5-
| The weather bureau, rlS% attached tn tho
| Department of Agriculture, has continued
to extend its sphere OF usefulness. and
| by an uninterrupted improvement In the
| accuracy of its forecasts has greatly in
| creased its efficiency rs an aid. and Dro-
| lection to all whose occupations are re-
| lated to weather conditions
| omitting all further reference to the
operations OF the department. 1 commend
| the Secretary's report and the suggestions
| it contains to the careful cunsidera lion
| of the Congress.
|
| CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
The progress made in civil service re-
| form furnishes a cause for the utmost con-
| graduation. 1t has survived the doubts
of its friends well as as the rancor of
its enemies. and has gained a permanent
| place among the agencies destined to
cleanse our politics and to improve, econo-
| miZe and elevate the public service
| There are now in the competitive classi-
| fled service upward of $1,000 places. More
| than half of these have been included from
time to time since March 4, 1898. most
| radical and sweeping extension was made
| by executive orders dated the 9th day Of
| May. 1896, and If fouFtil-class postmaster
| ships are not included in the statement
it may be said that practically all positions
| contemplated by the civil service law are
| now classified Abundant reasons exist
| for including these misunderstanding, fased
upon economy, improved service, and the
| peace and quiet Of neighborhoods. If how
| ever, obstacles prevent such action ct pres
| ent earnestly hope that Congress will.
without increasing post Office appropria-
| ticps. so adjust them as to permit in
proper cases a consolidation of these post
| offices. to the end that through this pro-
cess the result desired may to a limited
| extent be accomplished.
| The civil service rules as amended dur
| ing the last year provide for sensible and
| uniform method of promotion, basfng eli
| gibility to better positions upon demon
strated efficiency and faithfulness. The
absence of fixed rules on this subject has
| been an infirmity in the system. more and
| more apparent as it's other benefits have
been better appreciated.
| The advantages Of civil service methods
! in their business aspects are too well un-
| derstood to require argument. Their appli-
cation has become necessity to the ex-