Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-08

such increase, the proportion of exported
agricultural products to our total exports
OF all descriptions fell off during the
year.
This benefits of an increase in agricul-
tural exports being assured the decrease
in its proportion to our total exports is
the more gratifying when we consider
that it is owing to that fact such exports
for the year increased more than $75000,-
900.
The large and increasing expectation of
our agricultural products suggests the
great usefulness of the organization late
ly established in the department for the
purpose of giving to those engaged in
farming persuits reliable inform ton
concerning the conditions needs and adj
vantages of different foreign markets.
Inasmuch as the success of the farmer
depends upon the advantageous sale of
his products, and inasmuch as foreign
markets must largely be the destination
of such products, it is quite apparent that
a knowledge of the conditions and wants
that effect those markets, ought to result
in sowing more intelligently and reaping
with better promise of profit. Such in
formation points out the way to O pru-
dent foresight in the selection and cu1ti-
walton of crops and to release from the
bondage of unreasoning monotony of pro-
duction quilted and depressed market
and constantly recurring Improbable
toll.
SEED DISTRIBUTION.
In my opinion the gratuitous dstribu-
ton of seed by the department, as at
present conducted, ought to be discon-
tinued. No one can read the statement
of the secretary on this subject and doubt
the extravaganza and questionable re-
suits of this practice. The protested
friends of the farmer, and certainly the
farmers themselves, are naturally ex-
pected to be willing to rid a department
devoted to the promotion of farming in
terests of feature which tends so much
to its discredit.
WEATHER BUREAU.
The weather bureau, now attached to
the department of agriculture, has con-
tinued to extend its sphere of usefulness
and by an uninterrupted Improvement in
the accuracy Of it's forecasts has greatly
increased it's efficiency as an aid and pro-
lection to all whose occupations are re-
lated to weather conditions.
Omitting further reference to opera
lions of the department, 1 commend the
secretary's report and the suggestions It
contains to the careful consideration Of
the congress. ig'
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. '''
The progress made in civil service re-
form furnishes cause for the utmost
congratulations. 1t has survived the
doubts of its friends as well as the ram
cor of it's enemies and has gained a per-
manent place among the agencies des-
tined to cleanse our politics and to I'M
prove, eCOnOliliZc anu SteNdtt lIc PdOhC
service. There are now In the competi-
tive classified service upward of $4,000
places More than half of these have
been included from time to time since
March 4, 1898. A most radical and
sweeping extension was made by an ex-
ecutive order dated the 9th day of May,
1886, and If fourth-class postmasterships
are not included in the statement 1t may
be said that practically all positions con-
templated by the civil service law are
now GIo csified hhunGa Mt REASONS exist
for including these postmasterships,
based upon economy, improved service
and the peace and quiet of neighborhoods.
IT, however obstacles, prevent such ac-
ton at present earnestly hope that con-
gress will, without increasing the post
office appropriations, so adjust them as
to permit in proper cases a consoidation
of these postoffices to the end tnat
through this process the result desired
may to limited extent be accomplished.
METHOD OF PROMOTION.
The civil service rules. as amended
during the last year, provide for a SEN
sible and uniform method or prcmotion,
basing eligibility to better positions up
on demonstrated efficiency and faithful
ness. The absence of fixed rules on this
subject has been an infirmary in the
system more and more apparent as its
other benefits have been better appre-
ciated. The advantages Of civil service
methods in their business aspects are too
we'll understood to require argument,
Their application has become necessity
to the executive work of the government,
but those who gain positions through the j
operation of these methods should be
made to understand that the non-par-
tisan scheme through which they received
their appointment demand from them by
way of reciprocity non-partisan and
faithful performance of duty under ev-
cry administration and cheerful fidelity
to every chief. While they should be
encouraged to decently exercise their
rights of citizenship and to support