Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-12-12

such numerous aud diverse details, ami the
advantages OF an uninterrupted policy are so
apparent that hope the change suggested
will meet the approval OF the Congress"
Pensions.
! The diminution of our enormous pension
] roll and the decrense Of pension expendt-
! ture, which have been so often confidently
| foretoid, still fail in material realization.
The number OF pensioners on the rolls at the
close OF the fiscal year ended June 80, 1896,
was 9T0.67S. This is The largest ever report
CT. The amount paid exclusively for Len-
slight decrease from that Of the preceding
year. while the total expenditures ON
account Of pensions, including the
! cost Of maintaining the Depart-
ment and expenses attending pen
sion distribution, amounted to S142, 206,-
5;0.59. or within very small fraction OF
ona.third or the entire expense OF support
The number OF new pension certificates
issued was y),G40. OF these 4O,374 represent
original allowances Of claims and l5,s7S in
grasses of existing pensions.
The number OF persons receiving pensions
from the United States but residing In for
eigr countries at the close Of the last fiscal
year was 378l, and the amount pnid to them
during the year was S5S2, 1888.
The sum appropriated for the payment OF
pensions for the current fiscal year ending
June 80. 1897, is 100000 900, and for the
succeeding year it Is estimated that the same
amount will be necessary.
The Commissioner OF Pensions reports
that during tho last fiscal year 339 indict-
ments were found against violators OF the
pension laws. Upon these indictments 167
convictions resulted.
In my opinion, based upon such state
mcnts ms these and much other information
and observation, the abuses which have been
allowed to creep iuto our pension system
have done incacuable harm in demornliz-
ing our people aud undermining good citi-
zenship. I have endeavored within my
sphere OF official duty to protect our pension
roll and MAKE 1t what 1t should be, u roll of
honor, containing the names OF those
disabled in their countIy's SCI
vice and worthy OF their vt eoun;
have seen those who pose ns the soldiers
friends, active and alert in urging greater
laxiry and more reckless pension expendi-
ture, while nursing selfish schemes, have
deprecated the approach OF situation when
necessary retrenchment and enforced econ
omy may lead to an attack upon pension
abuses, so determined us to overlook the
discrimination due to those who, worthy OF
nations care, ought to live and die under
the protection OF II nations gratitude.
Agriculture.
Under the present management of the De-
partment Of Agriculture its usefulness has
beeh enhanced in every direction, and at the
samo time striut economy has been enforced
to the utmost extent permitted by Congress
sional action. From the report Of the Secre-
tary 1t appears that through careful and
prudent financial management he has an-
nually saved alarge sum from his appropria-
tions, aggregating during his inoumbency
and up to the close of the present fiscal year
nearly one-ffth Of the entire amonnt ap-
proprlated. These results have been accom-
plished by conscientious study of the real
needs of the farmer and such a regard for
economy as the genuine farmer ought TO ap-
preciate, supplemented by a rigid adherence
to civil service methods In Department
which should be conducted In the interest of
agriculture instead OF partisan politics.
The Secretary reports that the value OF our
cal year amounted to S57O, 900, 900, an increase
Of |17 ,00O, 900 over those OF the year immedi-
ately preceding. This statement Is not the
less welcome because OF the fact that, not
witbstanding such increase. the proportion
OF exported agricultural products to our
ing the year. The benefits OF an increase In
agricultural exports being assured, tho de-
crease in its proportion to our total exports
4, tho moro srotifyins whom wo eonsidor that
1t is owing to the fact that such total exports
The large and increasing exporrHrion OF
our agricultural products suggests the great
usefulness OF the organization lately estab.
lished In the Department for the purpose OF
giving to those engaged in farming pursuits
reliable information concerning the cOndi-
tion, needs and advantages Of different
foreign markets. Inusmuch rs the success
ofthe farmer depends upon the advantageous
sale OF his products, and inasmuch as foreign
markets must LARGELY be the destination
OF such products, 1t Is quite apparent that
a knowledge Of the conditions and wants that
affect those markets ought 10 result In SOW
ing more intellisentlv and reaping with
better promise Of profit. Such information
points out the way to prudent foresight in
the selection and cultivation of crops and to
q releass from the bondage OF unreasoning
monotony OF production, q glutted and de-
pressed market and constantly recurring
Improbable toll.
Opposed to Free Seeds.
In my opinion the grntuitious distribution
of seeds by tho Agricultural 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
Ok travaganoe of questionable results of this
practice. The professel friends Of the
farmer, anil certainly the farmers them
selves, are naturally expected to be willing
ton OF farming interests Of feature which
tends go much to its discredit.
The Weather Bureau, now attached to the
Department OF Agriculture, has continued to
extend Its sphere OF usefulness, and by an
uninterrupted improvement In the accuracy
Of its forecasts has greatly increased its efd-
oiency as an aid and protection TO all whose
occupations are related to weather condi'
tions.
The progress made in OWL Service Reform
furnishes cause for the utmost congrRtula.
tion. 1t has survived the doubts OF Its
friends as we'll rs the rancor OF Its enemies,
and has gained a permanent place among
the agencies destined to cleanse our politics
public service.
The OWL Service rules as amended during
the last year provide for a sensible and uni
form method OF promotion, bastng eligibility
to better positions upon demonstrated efhci.
ENJOY and faithfulness. The absence OF liked
In the system more aud more apparent az Its
other benefits have been better appreciated.
The Matter Of Tariff.
Concerning the tariff the President says
that "our tariff laws are only primarily Jus.
titled us sources OF revenue to enable the
Government to meet the necessary expenses
OF it's mainte tenance," and adds: "I believe
our present tarlH law, IL aiowou ar w
portunity, will In the near future yield
revenue which. with reasonably economical
expenditures, will overcome all deficiencies
In the meantime no deficit that has occurred
or may occur need excite or disturb u.s. TO
meet any such deficit We have In the Treasury
in addition to gold reserve Of $10O, 600, 900, /
a surplus Of more than a128 ,O00, 900 applica-
BILE to the payment Of the expenses. OF the
Government, and which must. unless ex- |
pended for that purpose, remain useless
hoard, or, II not extravagantly wasted, must |
In any event be perverted from the purpose
of it's exaction from our people. The pay
ment, therefore, Of any deficiency In the
revenue from this fund Is nothing more than |
Its proper and legitimate use The Govern
nent thus applying a surplus fortunately in |
~ Treasury to the payment OF expenses not |
met by its current revenues, is not at all to
be likened to man living beyond his in
come and has incurring debt Or encroaching
on his principal.
s,Jt "a not nne of the functions of our Gov.