Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-03-04
Secretary Morton suspiciousIy Scientific.

Secretary Morton, the irrepressible, ani
in some ways Irresponsible, official heat
of the agricultural department. at Wash
ington, the member of the cabinet who
assumed to act upon his desire to do as he
pleased regarding the distribution of seeds
than to do as he was hidden by Congress,
whose authority in the matter is
aud has been unquestioned, has been
beard from again. Presumably be can't
help it. Probably he does not see,
as others do, what vast improvement
there would he for him to lie low, allow
his fertile intellect to lie fallow for at
least brief period But he simply can Z
do it Moreover it is but fair to credlt
him with q shrewd perception of his posi-
ton, a sort OF half coinprehended idea
that he would be altogether unnoticed did
he Lot occasionally lift his voice.
This time Nj Morton approaches Con-
gross with a measure to provide for a
dircctor-inc chief of scientific bureaus and
investigations to serve during good be-
hayior. to have authority to act as assist
ant secretary, and to perform such other
duties as the secretary may direct, at a
salary of $4,000
At first thought this proposition seemed
quite plausible. There have been many
to wonder of what earthly good the office
of secretary of agriculture now is, but
no one Of intelligence could seriously call
in question, the excellent work which has
been performed in many Of the expert
ment stations. And people i'll this state,
in view of what has been done ut the
Maine experiment station, would surely
not feel disposed to oppose anything
which should tend to advance that work
and would unhesitatingly favor an APP
preparation of $4,000, $40, 900 or $50, 600
and any amount of civil service regula-
ton and non partisanship, if by so doing
they could be assured that the results
would be beneficial to this fruitful branch
of the public service. They will however,
be inclined TO question the ACCESSIBILITY
of such director being under the direction
of the secretary of agriculture. especially
if that secretary is to be Mr.. Norton they
may question the need of any secretary
with such a director in charge; they will
above all be greatly surprised to find Mr.
Morton posing as a civil service reformer
as an advocate of profound learning and
ability at the heads of departments
They will inevitably conclude that either
Mr.. Morton has turned his back squarely
on his previous record in this respect or
else that he has an interest in some col
ored person under the woodpile.
There ought to be little difficulty in re
calling the fact that Mr. Morton at the
outset of his career, rs exponent of the
coDstitutionality OF seed laws, wagcd war
upon intelligence. When President
Cleveland removed Prof Harrington
from the head of the weather bureau,
Secretary Morton took occasion to accom-
pany the act with a TRADE against edu-
Gated men, college education and econ
founded books" 1t will also be remem
bered that Prof Mcndenhall. superinten-
dent of the coast and geodetic survey
was forced to resign, and Prof Davidson
who had charge of that branch of tie
service Of the Pacific coast, was kicked
out of Office. People are forgetful, but
surely they have not forgotten the sum
mary removal of these men, who as re-
garded their. qualifications and character
were unimpeachablc and whose only
fault, if fault it be, was that they We're
not partisans Of the Cleveland stripe
Nor were they the only scholars and
scientists who were not allowed to hold
their Office during good behavior" be-
cause they were not Democrats There
was Rufus S. B. Clarke and Judge Henry
Ii. Bates, veteran examiners in the
patent office, men of unimpeachable
cnardctcf anu e8cell9nUly equipped TO per
form the duties of their respective offices
They We're summarily removed to make
way for political friends of the admins
trat!oD, which has carpcd necessarily
about its love for civil service reform.
The public would like to retain such men
in public service aad gladly endorse any
honest measures to do so; but they are
hardly prepared to place implicit faith in
Secretary Morton eleventh hour repent
ance If such an office as Secretary Nor
ton advocates is to be established it will
hardly be safe to leave the filling of it to
the present administration.