The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1896-11-26
THE FARM MINISTER
SECRETARY MORTON SUBMITS HIS
ANNUAL REPORT.
Considers the American TIIIer of
the Soil More Fortunate Than
His Foreign Brothers.

III iiio lOui III ItpOIlt just ND lt
public, shows that with $2SOO00, which
may be saved from the appropriations for
the current fiscal year, there will have
been covered back into the treasury since
March T. 1898. over s2.0O0,O0O out of a total
appropriation Of 81, ,174, 455.45. That this
great economy was effected without any
loss of efficiency he attributes in a de-
gree to the Improvement in the personnel
of the force under civil service rules,
which he declares to be absolutely In
dspensable to the maintenance of eff
cient administration of the public SER
vice." To complete "the already almost
perfect system of civil service" in his de-
partment, the secretary recommends the
| appointment of a permanent director IN
charge of bureaus and scientific investi-
cations. The chiefs of scientific bureaus
and their assistants, he declares. are not
adequately compensated and strongly
recommends that the salaries of this class
of employees be increased.
The inspection of animals intended for
food is treated of at length and stress is
laid upon the increased efficiency of the
work, due to the extension of civil service
rules, which has been rapid in this SER
vice. The total number of ante-mor.em
| inspections of cattle, sheep, calves and
| hogs during the year was 35,917 ,479, an in
| crease of over so per cent over last year.
The total number of post-mortem inspec-
tons was 23, ,S5S, an increase of 25 per
cent The total number of abattoirs UNI
der inspection in 1896 was 102 in 26 cities
in 1892 there were but so in IL cities. For
the sake of economy, the exports of mi
croscopically inspected pork to countries
not exacting such inspection have been
greatly discouraged. The total amount
thus inspected was, in round number, 49,
100000 pounds, of which 21,5OO,OOO pounds
went to countries requiring inspection.
Clearances were issued to S19 vessels
carrying cattle and sheep. The number
of cattle tagged for export was 377,6&, and
GO, 623 inspected sheep were exported. The
percentage of loss in transit was consid-
erably less than ever before.
Mr. Morton urges strongly that govern
ment inspection should be. extended to al
animals intended for human food, wheth
er for consumption in the United State:
or abroad.
Cattle and Meat Trade.
The cattle and meat trade of Grea
Britain is reviewed at length OF live mea
arriving in the United Kingdom durini
the first six months of 1896, the Unite'
States supplied 10 per cent of the cattl
and 40 per cent of the sheep. The testi
mony of the inspectors abroad is that cat
tie arrived in good condition. The Glas
gov market is especially commended t
American shippers
The report shows a steadily increasin
demand in England for American horses
During the first nine months of the pres
ent year more of these animals wer
shipped to that country than for any pre-
vious entire year.
Condition of Farmers.
Reviewing the work of the weather ht
reau, special stress is laid upon the valu
e of the many timely storm warnings whic
have been issued by the bureau and HAY
resulted IN the protection from loss
= damage of many thousands of dollar
worth of property, to say nothing of Il
many lives saved from impending danger
An increase in the percentage of verii
cations is quoted. During the year Il
department issued 376 publications, maii
ly for gratuitous distribution. The pu
fishing work has grown enormously iu
ing the past few years, and increased d
preparations must be provided, but Il
secretary declares neither the departmel
70 of agriculture nor the government ttse
can continue for the next five years to i
:, crease its publications for gratuitous III
II tribtuion in the same ratio as for the In
five years without discussing millions
dollars
He protests against the intrusion in t
act of appropriations for the departme
for the current fiscal year or $S2, 500 for I
y printing horse books and cattle books,
| be given away by congress.
The secretary again takes occasion
express his opposition to the gratuto
distribution of seeds and to express t
hope that the practice will be disconr
ued. The work of the experiment static
Q. is reviewed at some length.
He opposes for the present the ests
lishment of an agricultural experimC
station in Alaska, but recommends an {
preparation of $4,000 for an examinati
of the agricultural resources of the ter
tory.
The secretary suggests some form OF
operation between the agricultural :
leges and the civil service commiss
NJ with view to certifying more read
persons adapted for service in sciens
divisions of the department
Work of the Weather Bureau.
The report concludes with compreh
sive review of the condition of Ameri'
farmers Seventy-two per cent of
farms in the United States, occupied
WV their owners, are absolutely free fr
mortgages or other membranes.
secretary refutes the idea prevailing I
e'' the farms of the west and south are n
yh' heavily burdened with mortgages q
'ss' those of the east and northeast. Sta
OF along the North Atlantic, he says,
quite heavily incumbered with farm m
ed | cages. and New Jersey carries deb
this kind greater in proportion to Its Il
valuation than any state in the Union
The frequent claim that farmers
- almost universally in debt, despon'
ana suffering, he declares to be VIII
any foundation, belittlement OF agri
or ture and an indignity to every int
9S; gent practical farmer. The farmers
8 rot mendicants nor wards OF the gov
Il ment, to be treated to annuities, but
q representatives of the Oldest, most
- orable, most essential occupation OF
- human family. upon which all other
- cations depend for subsistence and !
- perity.
- 'Legislation' he says, "can ne
,ry, plow nor plant. The intelligent, prac
and successful farmer needs no aid
tl,o government. The ignorant, iml
yue tical and indolent farmer deserves ]
II is not the business of the govern
TO legislate in behalf Of any class of
Gu. zens because they are engaged In
for har