Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-10

I, 1907. there will mature between that date
and January l. 1900, the remaining principal o
such subsidy bonds which must also be met b!
the government. These amount to more than
es1,0O0,JW on account Of the Union Pacific
lines and exceeds eel, 0)OO0j on account Of tn
Central Pacific lines.
The Agricultural Department.
The department Of agriculture is so init
mately related TO he welfare Of our people AMI
the prosperity Of our nation that 1t should con
stantly receive the care and encouragement O.
the government The secretary reports tina
the value OF our exports OF farm products dur.
ing the last fiscal year amounted t,
: n,0OO0O. an increase Of fl7000,00 owe
those OF the year Immediately preceding
This statement Is not the less welcome be
cause OF the fact that withdrawing such In
crease. the proportion Of exported agriculture
products to our total exports Of all description
fell Oh during the year. The benefits OF an In
crease In agricultural products being assured
the decrease In its proportion to our total ex'
ports Ia more gratifying when We consider thai
1t Ia coming 70 the fact that such total exports
for the year increased more than s7S,nO.t00
The large and increasing expectation Of our
agricultural products suggests the great use
fitness OF the organization lately established
In the department for the purpose OF getting
to those engaged In the farming pursuits re-
liable Information concerning the condition
needs and advantages Of different foreign
markets. Inasmuch as the success Of the
farmer depends upon the advantageous sale
Of his products, and inasmuch as foreign mar
Kors must largely De the destination OF such
products, 1t Is quite apparent that knowledge
Of the conditions and wants that AFFECT
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-
tion Of crops and TO release from the bond
age Of unreasoning monotomy Of protection o
glutted and depressed market and constantly
recurring Improbable toll In my opinion the
gratuitous distribution OF seeds by the DEPART
ment as at present conducted ought to be
discontinued
Civil Service Reform.
The progress made In civil service reform
furnishes cause for the utmost congratulate
tion. 1t has survived the doubts Of its friends
as we'll as the rancor Of its enemies, and has
gained permanent place among the agencies
destined 10 cleanse our politics and improve,
economic and elevate the public service
There are now in the competitive classified
service upwards OF $1,000 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 executive
order dated the 9TH day Of May 1896,
and II fourth-class postmasterships are not in
cluded in the statement 1t may be said that
practically all 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, earnestly hope that congress will,
without increasing post office appropriations,
so adjust them as to permit In proper cases OF
a consolidation Of these post offices to the end
that through this process The result desired
may to limited extent be accomplished.
The civil service rules as amended during
the last year provide for sensible and uni
form method Of promotion, basing eligibility
to better positions upon demonstrated eff
cheney and faithfulness The absence OF fixed
rules on this subject has been an inhrmity In
the system more and more apparent Its other
benefits have been better appreciated The
advantages of civil service methods In their
business aspects are too we'll understood to re-
quire argument. Their application has be-
come necessity to the executive work Of the
government But those who gain through
the operation OF these methods should
be made to understand that the
non partisan scheme through which
they receive their appointments de-
mands from them, by way Of reciprocity nom
partisan and faithful performance Of duties
under every administration, and cheerful fidel-
ity to every chief. While they should be en-
Outraged to decently exercise their rights OF
and to support through their SUI
frage the political belief they honestly pro-
fess the noisy pestient and partisan en-
ploye, who loves political turmoil and conten-
ton, or who renders lax and grudging
service to an administration not rep
resenting his political views, should be
promptly and fearessly dealt with in
such way as to furnish wlrning to others
who may be likewise disposed. The annual
report Of the commissioners will beduly trans
mitted and commend tn important matter
they have in CHI arge to the careful considera.
ton of congress
The Tariff
,.. $50