Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-11

courts and the division of their common
lands in severalty, and aiding in the settle
ment of the troublesome question of tribal
membership The reception of their first
| proffers of negotions was not encouraging;
bunthrough patience and such conduct on
their part as demonstrated that their inten-
| lions were friendly and in the interest of
| the best, prospect of success has become
| more promising. The efforts should be to
| save the Indians from the consequences of
| their own mistakes and improvidence, and
to secure to the real Indian his rights as
against intruders and professed friends who
profit by his retrogresson.
| A change Is also needed to protect lite and
| property through the operations of courts
| conducted according to strict justice and
| strong enough to enforce their mandates.
VS. a sincere friend of the Indian am ex-
| ceedingly anxious that these reforms should
| be accomplished with the consent and aid of
| the tribes and that no necessity may be pre-
| scented for radical or drastic legislation.
| hope, therefore, that the commission now
| conducting negotiations will soon be able to
| report that progress has been made toward
a friendly adjustment of existing Difficult
| ties.
| PACIFIC RAILROADS.
On January IL, 1897. with the amount
already matured, more than $4,000, 900 of
| the principal of the subsidiary bond issued
| by the United States in aid of the construc-
| ton of the Union Pacific railway, including
| its Kansas line, and more than Sc, 900, 600 of
| like bonds, issued in aid of the Central Pa
cific railroad, including those issued to the
Western Railway company will have fallen
| due and been paid or must on that day be
paid by the government. Without any ref
erencc to the application of the sinking fund
| now in the treasury this will create such a
default on on the part of the companies to
the government as will give it the right to
at once institute proceedings to foreclose its
mortgage lien. In addition to this indebted
ness which will be due January 1, 1897
there will mature between that date and
January 1, 1899 the remaining principal of
such subsidy bonds which must also be met
by the government These amount to more
than S20,0OO,0O0 on account of the Union
Pacific lines and exceeds S21. 100000 on ac-
count of the Central Pacific lines.
In the case of the Union Pacific company
the situation has become especially urgent.
Proceedings have been instituted to fore
close first mortgage upon those aided parts
of the main lines upon which the Govern
ment holds 4 second and subordinate mort
gage lien. In consequence of these proceed
ings and increasing complications, added to
the default occurring on the first dav of
January, 1897, condition will be presented
at that date, so far rs this company is con-
cerned that must emphasize the mandate of
the act of 1887 and give to executive duty
under its provisions a more imperative
aspect
Unless Congress shall otherwise direct or
shall have previously determined upon
different solution of the problem there will
hardly appear to exist any reason for delay
ing beyond the date of the default above
mentioned such executive action as will
promise to subserve the public interests and
save the government from the loss threat
ened by further inaction-
OFFENSIVE PARTJSANSHIP.
The progress made In civil service reform
furnishes cause for the utmost congratu-
lation. 1t has survived the doubts of its
friends as well 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 COM
petitivc classified service upwards of $4,000
places More than half of these have been
included from time to time since March T.
1898 most radical and sweeping extern
sion was made by executive order dated the
9th day of May 1896 And If fourth class
misunderstanding are not included in the
statement it may be said that practically
all positions contemplated by the civil SER
vice law are now classified. Abundant rea-
sons exist for including these postmaster
ships, based upon economy. improved SER
vice and the peace and quiet of neighbor-
hoods. IT, however. obstacles prevent such
action at present l earnestly hope that con-
gress will, without increasing postoflice APP
preparations, so adjust them as to permit in
proper cases a consolidation of these
postofces to the end that through this pro-
cess tho result desired may to limited eX
tent be accomplished.
The civil service rules as amended during
the last year provides for sensible and
uniform method of promotion, basing elig-
Utility to better positions upon demon
strated efficiency and fathfulness. The
absence of fixed rules on this subject has
been an infrmity in the system more and
more apparent, its other benefits have been
better appreciated The advantage of civil
service methods in their business aspects
are too well under stood to require argu- |
ment. Their application has become 4 ne
cessity to the executive work of the govern
ment. 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 appoint
ments demands from them, by way of re-
ciprocity, non-partisan and faithful per-
Torrance of duty under every administra-
ton, and cheerful fidelity to every chief. |
While they should be encouraged to de- |
Gently exercise their rights of citizenship |
and to support through their suffrages the |
political beliefs they honestly profess, the |
noisy, persistent and partisan employc, 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 likewise dis /
posed.
THE TARIFF LAW.
desire to recur to the statements else |
where made concerning the governments |
receipts and expenditures for the purpose |
of venturing upon some suggestions touch
ing our present tariff law and its operation. |
This statute took effect on the 2Sth day of |
August. 1894. Whatever may be its short
comings as complete measure of tariff |
reform. it must be conceded that it has
opened the way to a frecr and greater ex-
change of commodities between us and other |
and thus furnished wider mar
ket for our products and manufactures.
The only entire year during which this
law has been in force ended on the 30th day |
of June, 1896 In that year our imports in
creased over those of the previous year
more than Sc 100000 while the value of the
products we exported and which
found markets abroad was nearly $7O000,-
600 more than during the preceding year.
Those who insist that the cost to our peo-
pie of articles coming to them from abroad
for their needful use should only be in
creased through tariff changes to an extent |