The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-12-11

this Indebtedness Wnlcn Will De 0Ie January
I, 1897. there viii mature between that date
and January l. 1893, the remaining principal OF
such subsidy bonds which must also be met by
the government These amount TO more than
s. 200. 0OJ on account OF the Union Pacific
lines and exceeds S2I.Ol9,O0O on account OF the
Central Pacific lines.
The Agricultural Department.
The department OF agriculture is 50 init
mately related to { he welfare of our ueOple and
the prosperity of our nation that it shoul con-
stantly receive the care and encouragement OF
the government The seer etary reports that
the value o. our exports OF farm products dur
ing the last fiscal year amounted to
: 7OO0O.0O0. an increase of s17.000.WO ovee
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 exported agricultural
products to our total exports Of all description
fell of during the year The benefits OF an in
crease in agricultural products being assured.
the decrease in its proportion to our total ex-
ports is more gratifying when we consider tn 1t
e is coming 10 the fact that such total exports
for the year increased more than 7',mO.'0O
The large and increasing expectation of our
agricultural products suggests the great use
fulnesS of the organization lately estabh he'd
in the department tor the purpose OF getting
to those engaged in the farming pursuits re-
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
these mn !Iets OUGHT to result in
sowing more intelligently and rean-
ing with better promise OF profit
Such information points out the way to q uru-
dent foresight in the selection and cultivI-
tion of crops and TO release from the bond
age OF unrea soning m lnotOmv of protection a
glutted and depressed market and constantly
recurring Improbable toll. In nv opinion the
gratuitous distribution OF seeds by the depart
nent as at present conducted ought to be
discontinued.
Civil Service Reform.
The progress made in civil service reform
furnishes q cause for the utmost congratula-
ton 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 are now in the competitive classified
service upwards of sI.OOI places. More than
half Of these have been included from time to
time since March 4, 1893 A most radical and
sweeping extension was made by executive
order dated the 9th day Of May, 1896,
and II fourth-claSS poStmI Sterships are not In
cluded in the statement 1t 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 TO permit in, proper cases OF
flNn "A
hat through this process The resu desired
may to q limited extent be accomplished.
The civil service rules as amended during
the last year provide for a sensible and uni
form method of promotion, basing eiigtbi tty
to better positions upon demonstrated eff
cheney and faithfulness. The absence of fixed
rules on 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 well understood TO re-
quire argument. Their app ication 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
they receive their appointments de-
mands from them. bv way Of reciprocity nom
partisan and faithful performance OF duties
under every administration, and cheerful fidel-
ity to every chief. While they should be en-
couraged to decently 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 grudzing
service to an administration not rep
resenting his political views. should be
promptly and fearlessly dealt with in
such way as to furnish warning to others
who may be likewise disposed. The annual
report Of the commissioners will be duly trans
mitted and 1 commend the important matter
they have in charge to the careful cons idera-
ton Of congress.
The Tariff.
/ desire to recur to the statements else
| where made concerning the government re-
ceipts and expenditures for the purpose OF
venturing upon some suggestions touching our
present tariff law and its operations. This
statute took effect on the 18th day Of August,
1894 Whatever may be its shortcomings as a
complete measure Of tariff reform. IL must be
conceded that 1t has opened up the
way to q freer and greater ex-
change of commodities between US and other
countries and thus furnished a wider marXet
for our products and manufactures The
only entire fiscal year during which this law
has been in force ended on the S0th day OF
June, 1890 In that year our imports increased
over JnOSe OF the previous year more Inau
g. 500 90 while the value of the domestic prod
| ucts exported and which found mar
kets abroad was nearly 400 .0,00J
| more than during the preceding year.
Those who insist that the cost to our peopls
Of articles coming to them from abroad for
their needful use should only be increased
through tariff changes to an 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 our markets cas- 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
| necessary expenses OF its maintenance. Con-
| sidered as to its suf1ciency in this aspect the
present law can by no means fall under just
condemnation During the only com plete ifs
cal year Of its operation it has yielded nearly
| g. 900. 900 more revenue than was received from
tariff duties in the preceding year. Tn ere was
nevertheless a deficit between our receipts and
| expenditures of a little more tn an S25 Co.,
| OOO This, however. was not unexpected.
| The situation was such in December last
seven months before the close OF the fiscal
! year. that the secretary OF the treasury fore
| told deficiency of S17.O0000Q The great and
! increasing apprehension and timidity in bust