The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-12-09

The diminution of our enormous pen
sion roll and the decrease of pension ex-
penditrie, which have been so often con-
bdently foretold. still fail in material re-
alizaton. The number of pensioners on
the rolls at the close of the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1885, was 970,67S This is
the largest number ever reported. Tho
amount paid exclusively for pensions dur
Ing the year was s13S 214. 1884, a slight de-
crease from that of the preceding year
while the total expenditures on account
Of pensions, including the cost of main
tanning the department and expenses at
lending pension distribution, amounted to
g42. 2O6, 550. so, or within a very small frac.
tiIn of one-thrd of the entire expense
Of supporting the government during the
same year. The number of new pension
certificates issued was 9O,6i0 OF these
1894 represent original allowances OF
claims and 1888 increases of existing pen
sions.
In my opinion, based upon such state
ments as these and much other informa-
ton and observation, the abuses which
have been allowed to creep into our pen
sion system, have done incalculablc harm
in demoralzng our people and un1ermin
ing good citizenship. / have endeavored
within my sphere of official duty to pro-
tect our pension roll and make 1t what
II should be, roll of honor, containing
the names of those disabled in their
country's service. and worthy of their
country's affectionate remembrance.
Railroads. Obligations
The secretary calls attention to the pub.
lie interests involved in an adjust
ment of the obligations OF tho Pacific
railroads to the government. I deem 1t ia
be an important duty to especially pre-
sent this subject to the consideration OF
the congress.
On Jan. /, 1897, with the amount already
matured, more than $13, 900 of the prin
cipal of the subsidy bonds issued by the
United States in aid of the construction
of the Union Pacific railway, including
its Kansas line and more than Sc, 900 0W
of like bonds issued in aid of the Central
Pacific railroad, including those issued
to the Western Pacific railroad company.
will have fallen due and been paid, OF
must on that day be paid by the govern
ment without any reference to the ap.
plicaton of the sinking fund now in the
treasury
In the case of the Union Pacific COM
pany, however, the situation has become
especially and Immediately urgent. Pro-
ceedngs have been instituted to forecose
a first mortgage upon those aided parts
of the main lines upon which the govern
ment holds a second and subordinate
mortgage lien. In consequence of those
proceedings and increasing complications,
added to the default occurring on the first
day of January 1897 n condition will be
presented at that date, so far as this
company Is concerned, that must en-
phaslze the mandate of the act of 1887 and
give to executive duty under its provis-
Ions a more imperative aspect.
Therefore, unless congress shall other
wise direct or shall have previously de-
termined upon a different solution of the
problem, there will hardly appear to ex-
list any reason for delaying beyond the
date of the default above mentioned, such
executive action as will promise to SUBJ
serve the public interests and save the
government from the loss threatened by
further inaction.
Agricultural Interests.
The department of agricultural is so in
timately related to the welfare of our peo-
pie and the prosperity of our nation, that
1t should constantly receive the care and
encouragement of the government. From
small beginnings it has grown to be the
centre of agricultural efforts. Large sums
Of money are annually appropriated for
the maintenance of this department. and
1t must be confessed that the Hesitation re-
lating to 1t has not always been directly
In the interest of practical farming or
properly guarding against waste and ex-
travagance So far, however, as public
money has been appropriated fairly and
sensibly to help these who actually till
the soil, no expenditure has been more
proved by the people.
The secretary reports that the value OF
our exports of farm products during the
last fiscal year amounted to $50. zoo, 000
an increase of 900 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 off 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 1t is owing to the fact that such
total exports for the year increased more
than $75,0O000O.
In my opinion the gratuitous distrbu-
ton 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
friends of the farmer, and certainly the
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 it's discredit.
Civil Services Reform
The progress made in civil service re-
form furnishes a cause for the utmost
congratulation. 1t has survived the doubts
of it's 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 classi-
fed 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 executive order dated May
Q, 1896. And if fourth-class postmaster
ships are not included In the statement, 1t
may be said that practically all positions
contemplated by the civil service law are
now classified. Abundant reasons exist
for including these postmasterships.
based upon economy, improved service.
and the peace and quiet of neighborhoods.
If, however, obstacles prevent such action
at present l earnestly hope that con-
gress will, without increasing postoffice
appropriations, so adjust them as to per-
NIT in proper cases a consolidation of
these postofices, to the end that through
this process the result desired may to a
limited extent be accomplished.
The interstate commerce commission
has during the last year supplied abun-
dant evidence of its usefulness and the