Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-12-12

such subsidy bonds which muss also be met by
the government These amount TO more than
esl.00o.ooI account of the Union Pacific
lines and exceeds s2f y010.000 on account OF the
Central Pacific lines
The Agricultural Department.
The department of agriculture is so inti-
mately related TO { he welfare Of our people and
stantly receive the caro- and announcement Of
the government The secretary reports that
the value OF our exports Of farm products dur
ing the last fiscal year amounted to
100000 increase of sf7.o0o.00o over
those OF the year Immediately preceding
This statement is not the less welcome be-
cause OF the fact that Notwithstanding such in
crease. the proportion OF xported agricultural
products to our total exports Of all description
fell of during the year. The benefits of in
crease in agricultural products being assured.
the decrease in its proportion to our total ex-
ports is moro gratifying when we consider that
it is coming to the fact that ouch total exports
for the year Increased more than i7so1o.tc0
The large and increasing expectation of our
agricultural products suggests the great USE
fulness of the organization lately established
in the department Cor the purpose of getting
to those engaged in the farming pursuits
liable information concerning the condition
needs and advantages OF different foreign
markets. Inasmuch as the success of the
farmer depends upon The advantageous sale
of his products, and inasmuch as foreign mar
kets must largely be the destination OF such
products, it is quite apparent that a knowledge
of the conditions and wants that affect
sowing more intenigently and reap
| ing with better promise OF profit
Such information points out the way to a pru-
dent foresight in the selection and cultiva-
tion of crops and to release from the bond
age of unreasoning monotomy OF protection a
glutted and depressed market and constantly
recurring Improbable toll In nv opinion the
gratuitous distribution of seeds by the depart
ment at present conducted ought to be
discontinued
Civil Service Reform.
do in ivi1 refn
furnishes cause for the utmost congratula-
tion 1t has survived the doubts of its friends
as well as the rancor of its enemies, and has
gained permanent place among the agencies
destined to cleanse our politics and improve,
economic and elevate the public service.
There now in the competitive classified
service upwards 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 made by executive
| order dated the 9th day of May, 1885,
and if four th-class postma sterships are not in
cluded 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 postmaster
ships. based upon economy. improved service
and the peace and quiet of neighborhoodS If
however. obstacles prevent such action at
| present, earnestly hope that congress WILL
without increasing post office appropriations,
| so adjust them as to permit In proper cases OF
| consolidation Of these post offices to the end
that through this process the result desired
may to a limited extent be accom- plfshed.
| the last year provide for sensible and uni
| form method of promotion, basing eligibility
! to better positions upon demonstrated efi-
| cheney and faithfulneSS. The absence OF fixed
rules this subject has been an infirmity in
the system more and more apparent; its other
| benefits have been better appreciated. The
| advantages of civil service methods in their
| business aspects are too we'll understood to re-
/ quire argument Their application has be-
| come necessity to the executive work of the
| government But those who gain through
| the operation of these methods should
| be made to understand that the
non partisan scheme through which
mands from them. by way Of reciprocity nom
| partisan and faithful performance of duties
under every administration, and cheerful fdel-
1 ity every chief. While they should be en-
couraged to dece1tly exercise their rights of
citizenship and to support through their suf-
| frage the political belief they honestly pro-
fess, the noisy. peStileut and partisan en-
ploye. who loves political turmoil and conten-
tion. or who renders lax and grudgfng
service to administration not rep
resenting his political views. should be
! promptly and fearlessly dealt with in
| such way to furnish warning to others
who may be likewise disposed The annual
| report OF the commissioners will be duly trans
| mitted and conmmeld the important matter
| they have in charge to the careful cons idera-
| ton of congress.
| The Tariff.
| I desire to recur to the statements else
! where made concerning the government re-
| ceipts and expenditures for the purpose of
1
present tariff law and its operations This
| statute took effect the 18th day of August,
| 1894 Whatever may be its shortcomings as a
| complete measure of tariff reform it must be
| conceded that it has opened up the
| way to freer and greater ex-
| change of commodities between us and other
| countries and thus furnished a wider market
! for products and manufactures The
| only entire fiscal year during which this law
has been in force ended the 30th day of
June, 1896 In that year our i'm ports increased
| over those of the previous year more than
| ucts exported and which found mar
ketS abroad was nearly sIO,O-O,O0O
| more than during the preceding year.
Those who insist that the cost to our people
| of articles coming to them from abroad for
their needful use should only be increased
| through tariff changes to extent necessary
| to meet the expenses of the government. as
well as those who claim that tariff changes
| may be laid upon such articles beyond the
necessities of government revenue. and with
| the additional purpose of SO increasing their
price in markets as to give American
manufacturers and producers better
and more profitable opportunities,
must agree that our tariff laws
| are only primarily justified as sources of
| revenue to enable the government to meet the
| sidered as to its suf1ciency in this aspect the
| present law by means fail under just
condemnation During the only complete ifs
cal year of it's operation it has yielded nearly
g 600 600 more revenue than was received from
| tariff duties in the preceding year. There was
| nevertheless deficit between our receipts and
expenditures of a little more than g.. 00O,-
600 This, however, was not unexpected
The situation such in December last.
seven months before the close of the fiscal
year. that the secretary of the treasury fore
told a deficiency of 81 600 600 The great and
incr incya n