Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-08

nsnt holds second and subordinate
mortgage lien. In consequence of those
proceedings and increasing complications.
ladded to the default occurring on the first
iday OF January. 1897 condition will be
presented at that date, so far as this
company Is concerned, that must en-
lpilasize the mandate of the act of 1887 and
lgive to executive duty under it's proyis-
ioils d more Imperative aspect.
therefore, unless congress shall other
WISE dlrect or shall have previously de-
,erHlihed uaon different solution of the
problem. there will hardly appear to ex-
y. any reason for delaying beyond the
oate 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
Inc department of agricultural is so in
llH'ately related to the welfare of our peo-
PIE ana the prosperity of our nation. that
IL shouid constantly receive the care and
|'hcouragenent of the government From
snaah pesihnings it has grown to be the
tentre OF agricultural efforts. Large sums
OIL money are annually appropriated for
ne maintenance of this department. and
IL must De confessed that the Hesitation re-
latliiS 10 IL mas not always been directly
Ill the interest of practical farming or
properly guarding against waste and e-
traNaSance. So far, however. as pubIic
money mas pcen appropriated fairly and
sensibly to help these who act,alIv lin
the SOL, no expenditure has been more
profitabiy made or more generally an
proved by the people
Under the present mana remont of tho
department its usefulness has heon an
HANGED i'll every direction. and M tho
same sime strict economy has been en-
iofceu 10 me utmost extent permitted
by congressional action. From the re
port OF the secretary 1t appears that
through the careful and prudent financjoI
management he has annually saved a
large sum from his approximations ar
gregating during his incumbency and un
10 the close of the present fiscal vear
nearly one-fonrth of the entire amount
appropriated. These results have been
accomplished by conscientious studv of
the real needs of the farmer and such
a regard for economy as the genuine
farmer ought to appreciate, supplemented
by rigid adherence to civil service meth
DDS in Il department which should be
conducted in the interest of agriculture
instead of partisan politics.
The secretary reports that the value OF
our exports of farm products during the
last hscal year amounted TO $50 900 900
an increase of $l7.e00o0o over those OF
the year Immediately preceding. This
statement is none the less welcome be-
cause of the fact Notwithstanding such
increase the proportion Of exported agri-
cultural products to our total exports OF
all descriptions fell OF during the year
The benefits Of an increase in agricultu-
raj exports being assured, the decrease
IN It's proportion to our total exports is
the more gratifying when we consider
that il is owing to the fact that such
total exports for the year increased more
than $1,000 600.
The large and increasing expectation OF
our agricultural products suggests the
great usefulness of the organization late
~ established in the department for the
purpose of giving to those engaged in
farminS pursuits reliable Information
concerl ing the condition. needs and adj
yantages cf different foreign markets. In
asmUch as the success OF the farmer de-
Ponds 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 Of the conditions and wants
that affect those markets ought to re-
suit in sowing more intelligently and
reaping with Il better promise Of profit.
Such Information points out the way TO
a prudent foresight in the selection and
cultivation of crops and 10 a release from
the DHltildSt Va UNI tsiSttiiiiS UlOlltlOiN Oh
production. i 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 to 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
crf. no md itl1 bl
farmers themselves. are naturally ex-
pected TO be willing to rid a department |
devoted to the promotion of farming in |
terests of a feature which tends SO much |
to its discrcdit.
The weather bureau. now attached to |
the department of agriculture, has con- |
tinued to extend its sphere of usefulness. |
and by an uninterrupted Improvement in |
the accuracy of its forecasts has greatly |
increased it's efficiency as an aid and pro- |
lection to all whose occupations are re- |
lated to weather conditions. Omitting |
further reference to the OPERATIONS of the |
department, | commend the secretarys |
report and the suggestions it 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 |
.ongratu lation. 1t 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 CLASH
led service upward of $1,000 places. More
than half of these have been included
rom time to time since March 4. 1893.
A most radical and sweeping extension
was made by executive order dated May |
J. 1896. And If fourth-class postmaster
ships are not included in the statement. it
may be said that practically all positions
by the civil service law are
now classified. Abundant reasons exist
or including these postmasterships. |
oased upon economy, improved service
md the peace and quiet of neighborhoods. |
{. however, obstacles prevent such action
1t present. | earnestly hope that con-
sress will without increasing postoffice |
appropriations, SO adjust them to per
nit in proper cases a consolidation of |
hese postoffices, to the end that through
his process the result desired may to a !
United extent be accomplished.
The civil service rules as amended dur
ng the last year. provide for a sensible
md uniform method of promotion, bas-
ng eligibility TO better positions upon
demonstrated efficiency and faithfulness.
rhe absence of fixed rules on this sub
ect has been infirmity in the system
more and more apparent as its other
benefits have been better appreciated.