The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-12-12

within my sphere OF Official duty 10 pro-
tect our pension roll and make II what
The names thons disabi edI n thsr eoun
try's service and worthy OF their coun-
try's affectionate remembrance.
The Pacific Railroads.
The secretary calls attention 10 the pub
lie interests involved In an adjustment OF
the obligations or the Pacific railroads TO
the government. i deem II TO be an impor-
tant duty 70 especially present this subject
January /. 1897. with the amount Already
matured. moro than SIS. 900 900 OF tie prin-
cipal OF the subsidy bonds Issued by the
tho Union Pacific railway. including It's
Kansas line, and mors than 5000. 900 or like
bonds issued in aid OF the Central Pacific
Western Pacific Railroad company. will
have fallen due and been paid or must on
that day be paid by the government. With
sinking fund now In the treasury. this VIII
create such a default on the part or these
companies 10 the government as VIII give
II the right 10 at once Institute proceed
ings TO foreclose Its mortgage lien.
In addition 10 this indebtedness. which
will be due January ]. 1897. there VIII ma
the remaining principal OF such subsidy
bonds. which must also be met by the gov-
ernment. These amount % more than So
lines, and exceed S2l 100000 on account OF
the Central Pacific lines. The situation OF
these roads and the condition OF their In
debtedness TO the government have been
fully set forth I'm the reports OF various
committees 10 the present and prior con-
, Ehresoes ana as early as IN they were
sion appointed pursuant TO an act OF con-
gress. The considerations requiring an adj
the companies have been clearly presented
and the conclusion reached with practical
uniformity. that II these relations are not
Terminated they shonld be revised upon a
basis securing their safe continuance.
Must Take Action.
In the case OF the Union Pacific company,
however. the situation has become es-
pecially and Immediately urgent Proceed
ings have been instituted 10 foreclose n
first mortgage upon those aided parts OF
the main lines upon which the governs
ment holds a second and subordinate mort
gage lien. In consequence or those pro-
ceedngs and increasing complications,
added to the default occurring on the LIST
day OF January. 1897. condition will be
presented at that date so far as this COM
pnny Is concerned. that must emphasize
the mandate OF the act OF 1887 and give to
executive duty under It's provisions more
Imperative aspect. Therefore. unless con-
gress shall otherwise direct or shall have
previously determined upon n different So
tuition or the problem, there viii hardly APP
yond the date OF the default above men
TONED such executive action as VIII prom
Use to subserve the public interests and
ened by further inaction.
Department OF Agriculture.
Tho department OF agriculture IS so IN
timately related. 10 the welfare OF our peo-
pie and tho prosperity OF our nation Tint
Il should constantly receive tho care and
announcement OF the government. From
small beginnings II has grown 20 be the
center OF agricultural intelligence and the
source OF aid and encouragement 10 agri-
cultural efforts. Large sums OF money are
annually, appropriated for the maintenance
OF this department, and II must be con-
fessed that tho legislation relating 20 Il
has not always been directly In the inter-
est OF practical farming or properly
guarded against waste and extravagancc.
So far. however the nublic money has been
appropriated fairly and sensiblv to help
those who actually till the soil, no ex-
penditure has been more probably made
or more generally approved by the peo-
pie.
Shows Great Saving.
From the report OF the secretary II APP
pears that through careful and prudent
financial management he has annually
saved n large sum from his appropriations,
agEregating during his incumoency and up
10 the close OF the present fiscal year near
~ one-fifth OF the entire amount appro-
priated
Value OF Farm Products.
The secretary reports that the value OF
our exports OF farm products during the
last fiscal year amounted TO S570,oo0,0QO.
an increase OF $4,000, 900 over those or the
year Immediately preceding. This state.
the fact that. Notwithstanding such In
crease, the proportion OF exported Rgricul-
tural products to our total exports OF al
descriptions fell off during the year. The
benefits OF an Increase ia agricultural ex-
ports being assured. the decrease In its
TO our total exports II the more
gratifying when we consider that IL Is ow-
ing 60 the fact that such total exports Tor
the year Increased more than Nb,OO0.OO0.
Opposed 20 Free Seeds.
In my opinion the gratuitous dlstribu-
Hon OF seeds by the department as at pres
snt conducted ought to be discoptinued.
No one can read the statement OF the sec
rotary on this subject and doubt The eX-
travagance and questionable results OF
The Civn Service.
The progress made In civil service re-
form furnishes cause for the utmost con-
Oh it5 friends as wei! as The RANGER OF Us
and has gained permanent
place among the agencies destined 10
cleanse cur politics and 70 improve. econ
omize and elevate the public service. There
are now In the competitive classined sery-
ice upward OF $1,000 places; More than hali
OF those have been included from time TO
time since March T. 1898. A most radical
and sweeping extension was made by eN-
ecutivc order. dated the 9Th day Of May,
1896. And N fourlh-class postmastersnip5
are not Included In the statement, II may
be said that practically all positions con-
templated by the civll-seryice law are not
Gle ssined. Abundant reasons exist for
these p0stmastershlps, based up-
on economy improved service AID the
peace and quiet of neighborhoods. IT.
however, obstacles prevent such action at
present, / earnestly hope that congress
Will, without increasing post Office appro-
priations, 40 adjust them as TO permit In
proper cases a consolidation OF these post
offices, 20 the end that through this proc
rss the result desired may TO "a limited cx-
tent be accomplished.
Must Not $50 Offensive Partisans.
The clvil service rules. a. Amended curing
The last year. provide for a sensible ana
uniform method OF promotion, bashg eli-
giOinty TO better positions upon demon
stratcd efficiency ana faithtulncss. me
ibsence OF nXeu rules on tnis SUBJECT mas
been an infirinlty In the system more and
more apparent as It's other benefits have
been better appreciated. Ihe advantages
lf civil service methods IA 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 operation OF these metnoCs
3houiu be made to understand that the nom
scheme through whicn they re-
.eiVe their appointments demands from
.hcin by way OF reciprocity, nOnpartIaan
aud faithful performance OF duty unaer
,yVry administration and cheerful fidelity
10 every chief While they should be en-
To deccntly exercise their rights
81 citizenship and 10 support through tnptr