Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-12-10

oA0 u1Gudr1 l. 1885 the remaining pE-ECl pal VI
such subsidy bonds which must also be met by
the government These amount 10 more than
Sso,0OO,0o) on account of the Union Pacific
lines and exceeds s2i 100000 on account OF Tia
Central Pacific lines
The Agricultural Department..
The departments OF agriculture is so inti-
mately related to the welfare of our people and
the prosperity OF our nation that it should con-
stantly receive the care and encouragement of
the government The secretary reports that
the value OF our exports of farm products dur
ing the last fiscal year amounted TO
) 1o.Ooc,OOO. an increase of s17,Oo0,Ooo 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 exported agricultural
products to our total exports of all description
fell on 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 consider that
1t is coming to the fact that such total exports
for the year increased more than SIS. Oo0,Cc0
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. Iuasmuch the 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 knowledge
these markets ought to result in
sowing more intelligently and reap
ing with better promise of profit.
Such information points out the way to pru-
dent foresight in the selection and cultiva-
ton Of crops and to release from the bond
age OF unreasoning monotomy of protection.
glutteG and depressed market and constantly
recurring Improbable toll. In nv opinion the
gratuitous distribution OF seeds by the depart
ment as at present conducted ought TO bs
discontinued.
Civil Service Reform.
The progress made in civil service reform
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,
economize and elevate the public service.
There are now in the competitive CLASSIFIED
service upwards of $4,000 places. More than
half OF these have been included from time to
time since March 4, 1893. most radical and
sweeping extension was made by executive
order dated the 9Th day of May. 1896,
and If urth-claSS misunderstanding are not in
cluded in the statement it may be said that
practically ali 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, L earnestly hope that congress will,
without increasing post office appropriations.
so adjust them to permit in proper cases OF
that through this process The result desired
may to limited extent be accomplished
The Tariff.
1 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. it must be
conceded that 1t has opened up the
way to freer and greater ex-
change of commodities between and other
court tries and thus furnished wider market
for our products and manufactures The
only entire fiscal year during which this law
has been in force ended the 30th day OF
June 1895. In that year our imports increased
over those Of the previous year more th--a
s65o0,0JO while the value Of the domestic prod
ucts exported and which found mar
more than during the preceding year.
Those who insist that the cost to people
of articles coming to them from abroad for
their needful 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
tae additional purpose of increasing their
price in our markets as to give American
manufacturers and producers better
must agree that our tarin laws
are only primarily justified sources OF
revenue to enable the government to meet the
necessary exp-n SeS of its maintenance Con-
Sidered to its sufficiency in this aspect the
present law can by no means fall under just
condemnation During the only complete rs
cal year of its operation it has yielded nearly
Ss. 0OOO 900 more revenue than was received from
tariff duties in the preceding year. Tn ere was
nevertheless a deficit between our receipts and
of little more tn an $780,
600 This, however, 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 900 The great and
apprehension and timidity in bust
ness circles and the depression in all activities
since that time, resulting from
causes perfectly well understood and entirely
with our tariff law or operation.
seriously checked the imports we would have
received and readily account for the
difference between this estimate of the Secre-
tary and the actual deficiency as well as for
deficit
I believe present tariff law. If allowed
fair opportunity, will in the near future yield
Il revenue which. with reasonably economical
expenditures. viii overcome al difficulties.
In the meantime deficit that has occurred
or may occur need excite or disturb US
To meet such deficit we have in the treasury.
in addition to gold reserve OF $1,000 100, a
surplus of more than 1928. 0O0. 0J0 applicable to
payment Of expenses of the government, and
which must, unless expended for that purpose,
remain a useless hoard, or. If not extravagantly
wasted, must in any event be perverted from the