The advocate., 1896-12-09

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. Lnasmuch As the success OF the
farmer depends 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
these markets ought to result In
sowing more intelligently and reap
Ing with n better promise OF profit
Such information points out the way to pru-
dent foresight in the selection and cultiva-
tion OF crops and to a release from the bond
age OF unreasoning monotomy OF protection, q
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 20 b0
discontinued.
Civil Service Reform.
The progress made in civil service reform
| furnishes o cause for the utmost congratula-
tlon It 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 TO cleanse our politics and improve
economic and elevate the public service.
There are now In the competitive classified
service upwards OF $4,000 places. More than
half OF these have been included from time 60
time since March 4, 1898. most radical and
sweeping extension was made by executive
order dated the 9th day Of May 1885,
and II fourth-Class postma sterships are not In
cluded in the statement 1t may be said that
practically oil 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 nelghhorhoods IT.
however, obstacles prevent such action at
present, earnestly hope that congress WILL
without increasing post ONCE appropriations,
50 adjust them Rs to permit In proper cases Of
q consolidation OF these post ofices 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 d sensible and uni
form method OF promotion basing eligibility
TO better positions upon demonstrated en-
cheney and faithiulness The absence OF fixed
| rules on this subject has been On infirmity 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 hdel-
ity to every chief. While they should be en-
couraged to deoently exercise their rights OF
citizenship and to support through their suf-
49,. % VNWf
sess, the noisy, pestllent and partisan en-
ploye. who loves political turmoil and conten-
tlon, or who renders lax and grudging
service to an administration not rep
! resentinR his political views should be
promptly and fearlessly dealt with In
such q Way as 20 furnish warning TO others
who may be likewise disposed. The annual
report OF the commissioners will be duly trans
mitted and commend th Q important matter
they have in ch argo to the careful considera-
tion Of congress.
The Tariff.
I desire TO recur to the statements else
where made concerning the government re-
ceipts and expenditures for the purpose OF
Venturlng upon some suggestions touching our
present tariff law and its operations. This
statute took effect on the 2Sth day OF August,
1894 Whatever may be It's shortcomings as a
complete measure OF tariR reform, 1t must be
conceded that It has opened up the
way to freer and greater ex-
change Of commodities between US and other
countries and thus furnished . wider market
for our products and manufactures The
only entire fiscal year during which this law
has been in force ended on the 3Oth day OK
June 1895. In that year our imports increased
over those Of the previous year more than
S85OO,O 900 while the value OF the domestic prod
ucts exported and which found mar
kets abroad was nearly HO,000OOO
more than during the preceding year.
Those who insist that the cost to our people
OF articles coming TO them from abroad for
their needful use should only be increased
through tarifl changes to an extent necessary
TO meet the expenses OF the government, as
| ,zolI IA those who claim that tarin changes