The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1896-12-07

ADDED 10 the default occurring on the nrst
day of January. 1897. a condition will be
presented at that date, SO far rs this
company u concerned. that must en-
phasize the mandate OF the act Of 1857 and
give to executive duty under it's provis-
IONS more imperative aspect.
therefore, unless congress shall other
wise direct or shall have previously de-
termined upon different solution Of the
problem, there will hardly appear to ex-
list any reason for delaying beyond the
date OF the default above mentioned. such
executive action as will promise TO sub
serve the public interests and save the
government from the loss threatened by
further inaction.
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.
The department of agricultural Is so In
timately related TO the welfare of our peo-
pie and the prosperity of our nation. that
IL should constantly receive the care and
encouragement OF the government. From
small beginnings II has grown to be the
centre OF agricultural efforts. Large sums
OF money are annually appropriated for
the maintenance OF this department, and
II must be confessed that the Hesitation re-
iating TO II has not always been directly
In the interest OF practical farming or
properly guarding against waste and ex-
travagance. So far. however as public
money has been appropriated fairly and
sensibly to help these who actually till
prohtabiy made or more generally ap-
proved by the people.
Under the present management of the
department It's usefulness has been en-
hanced In every direction and at the
same time strict economy has been en-
forced TO the utmost extent permitted
by congressional action. From the re.
port OF the secretary it appears that
through the careful and prudent financial
management he has annually saved a
large sum from his appropriations ag-
gregating during his incumbency and up
to the close OF the present fiscal year
nearly. one-fourth of the entire amount
appropriated. These results have been
accomplished by a conscientious study of
the real needs of the farmer and such
regard for economy as the genuine
farmer ought to appreciate. supplemented
by rigid adherence to civil service meth
DDS In department which should be
conducted In the interest OF agriculture
instead of partisan politics.
The secretary reports that the value o,
our exports of farm products during the
last fiscal year amounted to 500. .00o. 600.
an increase of Sl7,OO0,OO0 over those OF
the year Immediately preceding. This
statement IL none the less welcome be-
cause OF the fact Notwithstanding such
increase the proportion of exported agri-
cultural pro 1ucts to our total export ot
all descriptions fell of during the year.
The benefits of al Increase i'm agricultu-
raj exports being assured. the decrease
In its proportion 10 our total exports Is
the more gratifying when we consider
that IT Is owing to the fact that such
total exports for the year Increased more
than s15,000000
The large and increasing expectation OF
our agricultural products suggests the
great usefulness Of the organization late
l-, Ii..l,. tn
purpose of giving to those engaged in
farming pursuits reliable information
concerning the condition. needs and ad-
vantages OF different foreign markets. In
asmuch as the success of the farmer de-
pends upon the advantageous sale OF his
products and inasmuch as foreign mar
kets must largely be the destination of
such products, IL is quite apparent that
a knowledge of the conditions and wants
that affect those markets ought to re-
suit I'm sowing more intelligentN and
reaping with a better promise of profit.
Such information points out the way TO
a prudent foresight I'm the selection and
cultivation OF crops and to q release from
the bondage OF unreasoning monotony o!
production. a glutted and depressed mar
ket and constantly recurring improbable
toll.
In my opinion the gratuitous distribu-
tion of seeds by the department as at
present conducted ought 10 be discon-
tinued. No one can read the statement
of the secretary on this subject and
doubt the extravaganza and questionable
results of this practice. The professed
friends of the farmer and certainly the
farmers themselves, are naturally ex-
pected 10 be willing TO rid Il department
devoted TO the promotion of farming in
terests of a feature which tends SO much
to its discred!t~
The weather bureau. now attached to
the department of agriculture has con-
tinued to extend it's sphere OF usefulness,
and by an uninterrupted Improvement i'm
the accuracy of its forecasts has greatly
increased its efficiency as an aid and pro-
lection to all whose occupations are re
lated to weather conditions. Omitting
further referenne W the operations OF the
department. / commend the secretarys
report and the suggestions il contains to
the careful consideration Of the congress.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
The progress made in civil service re-
form furnishes a cause for the utmost
Ii has survived the doubts
Of its friends as well as the rancor of its
enemies, and has gained a permanent
place among the agencies destined to
cleanse our politics and to improve, econ
omiZe and elevate the public service.
There are now In the competitive classi-
Hed service upward or Si,WO places. More
than half OF these have been included
from time to time since March 4, 1899.
A most radical and sweeping extension
was made by executive order dated May
6, 1896 And II fourth-class postmaster
ships are not included I'm the statement, II |
may be said that practically all positions
by the civil service law are
now classified Abundant reasons exist |
for including these postmasterships, |
based upon economy, improved service, |
ard the peace and quiet of neighborhoods |
II. however obstacles prevent such action |
at present / earnestly hope that con- |
gress will. without increasing postoffice |
appropriations, so adjust them as to per-
init In proper cases a consolidation OF |
these postofces, to the end that through |
this process the result desired may to
limited extent be accomplished.
The civil service rules as amended dur
ing the last year, provide for sensible
and uniform method of promotion, bas-
ing eligibility to better positions upon
efficiency and faithfulness
The absence of fixed rules on this sub
ject has been an inhrmty I'm the system
more and more apparent az its other
benefits have been better appreciated.
The advantages of civil service methods
I'm their business aspects are too well
N yrt. |