The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-08

been directly in the interest of Drac-
teal farming or properly guarded
against waste and extravaganza. So
far, however, as the public money has
been appropriated fairly and sensibly
to help those who actually till the soil,
no expenditure has been more profit
ably made or more generally approved
by the people.
Under the present management OF
the department its usefulness has been
enhanced in every direction and at the
same time strict economy has been
enforced 20 the utmost extent per
mitted by congressional action. From
the reports of the secretary it appears
that through careful and prudent finan-
cial management he has annually
saved large sum from his appropria-
lions, aggregating during his incum-
bency and up to the close of the fiscal
year, nearly one-fifth of the entire
amount appropriated. These results
have been accomplished by conscien-
tious study of the real needs of the
farmer and such a regard for economy
as the genuine farmer ought to appre-
ciate, supplemented by a rigid adher-
ence to civil service methods in the de-
partment 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 fiscal year amounted to $780,,
100000, an increase Of s17,0O0,000 over
those of the year Immediately preced-
ing.
This statement is none the less well
come because of the fact, notwith-
standing such increase, the PROPORTION
OF exported agricultural products to
our total exports of all descriptions
fell over during the year. The bene-
hts OF an increase in an agricultural
exports being assured, the decrease in
its proportion to 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 SIS, 000,0 900.
The large and increasing expectation
OF our agricultural products suggests
the great usefulness of the organiza-
ton recently eSta bliShed in the DEPART
ment for the purpose of giving to
those engaged in farming pursuits re-
liable information concerning the con-
d1t1on and 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 markets must
largely be the destination of such prod
ucts, 1T is quite apparent that. a knowl-
edge OF the conditions and wants that
aHect those markets ought to result in
sowing more intelligently and reaping
with a better promise of profit
Such information points out the way
TO prudent foresight in the selection
and cultivation of crops and to a re-
lease from the bondage of unreasoning
monotony of production, glutted and
depressed market, and constantly re-
curing improbable toll In NV opin-
ION, the gratuitous distribution of seeds
Dy the department as at present con-
Quoted ought to be discontinued. No
one can read the statement. of the sec
rotary on this subject and doubt the
extraVagance and questionable results
of this practice. The professed friends
of the farmer, and certainly the farm
ers themselves. are naturally expected
TO be willing to rid a department de-
voted to the promotion of farming in
terests oc q feature which tends so
much to its discredit.
THE WEATHER BUREAU.
The weather bureau, now attached to
the department of agriculture, has con-
t1nued to extend it's sphere of useful
ness, and by an uninterrupted improve
ment in the accuracy of its forecasts
has greatly increased it's efficiency as
an aid and protection to all whose oc-
equations are related to weather con-
ditions.
Omitting further reference to the OBJ
erations of the department, 1 commend
the secretary's report and the sugges-
tions it contains to the careful con-
sideration of the congress.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The progress made in civil service
reform calls for the utmost congratula-
its friends, as we'll as the rancor of it's
enemies, and has gained a permanent
place among the agencies destined to
cleanse our politics and to improve,
economic and elevate the public serv-
ice. There are now in the competitive
classified service upward of $4,000
places. More than half of these have
been included from time to time since
March 4, 1893. A most radical and
sweeping extension was made by exec
utive order dated the 9Th day of Nav.
1896. And if fourth-class postmaster
ships are not included in the state
ment, it may be said that practically
all positions contemplated by the civil
service law are now classified Album
dant reasons exist for including these
postmasterships, based upon economy,
improved service and the peace and
quiet of neighborhoods. If, however,
ent, l earnestly hope that congress will,
without incre asing rostoffice appropria-
tons, so adjust them as to permit in
proper cases a consolidat ton of these
postofices to the end that through this
process the result desired may to a
limited extent be accomplished.
The civil service rules as amended
during the last year provide for a SEN
sible and uniform method of promo
ton, basing eligibility to better posi-
lions upon demonstrated efficiency and
The absence of fixed
rules on this subject has been an in
trinity in the system more and more
as its other benefits have
been better appreciated. The advan-
tages of civil service methods on their
business aspects are too we'll under
stood to require argument. Their ap-
plication has become a necessity to the
executive work of the government. But
those who gain positions through the
operation of these methods should be
made to understand that the non-par-
tisan scheme through which they re-
ceive their appointments demands from
them, by way of reciprocity, non-par-
tisan and faithful performance of duty
under every administration and cheer
full fidelity to every chief While thew
should be encouraged to decentIy ex-
ercise their rights of citizenship, and
to support through their SURFACES the
political beliefs they honestly profess.
the noisy, pestilent and partisan en-
ployee who loves political turmoil and
contention, or who renders lax and
grudging service to an administration
not representing his political views,
should be promptly and fearlessly dealt
with in such a way as TO furnish a
warning to others who may be like