The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-12-10

AUSTI,
e @hs made by executive order dated +h.
oeh gay OF May, 1896, and If fourtbl ola on y
ptoathiasters are not included In 81,
o oii 1t may be said that practicaII
an posltions contemplated by the DIV;
ro as,ce Jaw are now classified. Abundan-
n reasols exist for including these most
nd based upon economic imnroy
na;o SeLSIe ana the peace and quiet al
nrasaU AZ, however, obstacle,
h =, such action at present, | earnest
croa nGpe that congress will without in
i uss thg postofiice appropriations, SO adj
consolidation of these postoffices fo tba
end that through this process the res NH
ueslred may be to limited extent ac.
cohpllshed. The civil service rules rs
amended during the last year provide for
y sensible and uniform method of nrono.
non, Daslng eligibility to better positions
on demonstrated efficiency and faithful.
ness. The absence of fixed rnles IN
tnls subject has been an infirmity in tbp
system more and more apparent as other
n Dehehts have been better Appreciated
ne advantages of civil service methods
IN tneir business aspects are too well
unuerstood to require argument. Their
apphcation has become necessity 70
Iae executive work of the government,
t Hut tHose VINO gain through the opera
tlon OF these methods should be made
10 understand that the non-partisan
scheme through which they receive tbe;r
appointments demands from them nv
way OF reciprocity non-partisan and faith
1ui performance of duty under every adj
mlnistratlon, and cheerful fidelity to ey-
cry chief, while they should be encour-
aged TO decently exercise heir rights of
clti2zenship and to support through their
SURFACES the political beliefs they hon
estly profess, the noisy pestilent and mar
tlsan employe who loves political turmoil
and contention or who rendered lax and
grudging service to an administration
not expressing his political views should
De promptly and fearlessly dealt with in
such way as to furnish warning to
others who may be likewise disposed.
Inc annual report of the commission
ers VIII be duly transmitted and | COM
mend the important matter they have in
charge to the careful consideration of
congress.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE COM
MISSION.
lHe Interstate commerce commission
has during the last year, supplied abund-
ant evidence of its usefulness and the i'm
pOrtance of the work committed to its
charge. Public transportation is a uni
versal necessity and the question of Just
and reasonable charges therefor has be-
come of vital Importance, not only to
shippers and carriers. but also to the vast
of producers and consumers.
The justice and equity of the principles
embodied in the existing law passed for
the purpose of regulating these charges
are everywhere conceded and there APP
pears to be no Question that the policy
thus entered upon has a permanent place
N our legislation. As the present stat
ute, when enacted, was in the nature of
The. case more or less tentative and ex-
detrimental it was hardly expected to sup
ply complete and adequate system.
While its wholesome effects are manifest
and having amply justified its enactment,
t is evident that all desired reforms in
methods have not been
fully accomplished.
In view of the judicial Interpretation
which some provisions of this statute
lave received and the defects disclosed
~ the efforts made for its enforcement,
is revision and amendment appear to be
essential to the end that it may more eff
ectually reach the evils destined to i c
/ hope the recommendations
If the commission upon this subject will
,e promptly and favorably considered by
he congress. | desire to refer 10 the
statements elsewhere made concerning
he governments receipts and expendi-
ures for the purpose of venturing upon
ome suggestions touching our present
ariff law and its operation.
This statute took effect on the 2Sth day
# August 1894. Whatever may be its
hortcomings as complete measure Of
ariff reform, it must be conceded that
/ has opened the way to freer and
reater exchange of commodities between
S and other countries and thus furnish.
wider market for our products and
ear during which this law has been in
orce ended on the Both day. of June,
500. In the year our imports increased
yer those of previous year more than
100000, while the value of the do
lestic products we exported and which |
)und markets abroad was nearly &c. !
100000 more than during the preceding |
ear. !
THE TARIFF.
Those who insist that the cost to cur |
eople of articles coming to them from |
broad for their needful use should only |
g increased through tariff charges to
n extent necessary to meet the expenses |
the government, as well as those who |
aim that tariff charges may be laid
pom such articles beyond the necessities
government revenue and with the ad
tional purpose of so increasing their
rice in our markets as to give American
anufactures and producers better and
ore profitable opportunity, must agree
lat our tariff laws are only primarily
.stiied as sources of revenue to enable
lie government to meet the necessary
ipenses of its maintenance. Considered
resent tariff law can byno means fall I'M
nr Just condemnation. During the only
,mplete fiscal year of its operation it
IS yielded nearly $S000,000 more reve-
lie than was received from tariff duties
the preceding year. There was, never
eless, between our receipts and our en-
little more than S25, OOO, 600.
his. however, was not unexpected. The
tuation was such in December last
ven months before the close of the
seal year that the secretary of the treaS-
y foretold a deficiency of $117.OO0,0OO,
e great and increasing apprehension
I'd timidity in business circles and the
preston in all activities intervening
nee that time from causes perfectly
ell understood and entirely disconnect-
with our tariff law or its operation,
checked the imports we would
I'VE otherwise received and readily ac' |
unit for the difference between tins es-
mate of the secretary of the treasury |
nd thc actual deficiency as well as for