Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1896-11-28

distribution of seeds and to express the
nope tnat the practice will be discontin-
ued' The work of the experiment stations
Is reviewed at some length.
lie opposes for the present tba os+a1,-
llshment of an agricultural experiment
station IN Alaska, but recommends an ap-
preparation of $4,000 for an examination
OF the agricultural resources of the terri
| tory.
| Lhe secretary suggests some form oe CO.
operation between the agricultural col
Ieges and the civil service commission
with a view to certifying more readily
! persons adapted for service in scientific
divisions of the department.
Work of the weather Bureau
Inc report concludes with a comprehen-
sive review Of the condition of American
farmers. Seventy-two per cent of the
farms in the United States, occupied by
their owners, are absolutely free from
mortgages or other membranes. The
secretary refutes the idea prevailing that
the farms of the west and south are more
heavily burdened with mortgages tnan
those of the east and northeast. States
alonS the North Atlantic, he says, ale
quite heavily incumbered with farm mort
cages, and New Jersey carries a debt Of
this kind greater in proportion to it's farm
valuation than any state in the Union.
The frequent claim that farmers are
almost universally in debt, respondent
ana suffering, he declares to be without
any foundation, belttlement of agricul-
ture and an indignity to every intelli-
gent practical farmer The farmers are
rot mendicants nor wards of the govern
ment, to be treated to annuities, but the
representatives of the Oldest, most hoA-
orable, most essential occupation of the
human family, upon which all other vo-
cations depend for subsistence and pros
perity.
"Legislation," he says, "can neither
pillow nor plant. The intelligent, practical
and successful farmer needs no aid from
the government. The ignorant, imprac-
tical and indolent farmer deserves none.
Il is not the business OF the government
to legislate in behalf of any class of citi-
zens because they are engaged in any
specific calling, no matter how essential
the calling may be to the needs and COM
forts of civilization.
"Law makers can not erase the natural
laws, nor restrict or efface the operation
of economic laws. 1t is a beneficial ar
rangement of the order Of things and the
conditions of human life that Legislators
are not permitted to repeal, amend or
revise the laws of production and dis
tribution.'
Referring to the stress of competition
which the American farmer is compelled
to endure, Morton calls attention to the
nearly 1000 900 of farms of so acres each,
civ en- away by the government under the
homestead act of 1886, during the past 80
years, and to the amount donated under
the timber agricultural culture law,
equivalent to over 900 more farms of
the same size. Lands long titled and rem
oered partially unfertile could not, 0t
course. enhance in value and sell in COM
petition with the virgin soil donated by
the government.
Referring to the impression that greater
rates of interest are charged for money
loaned upon farms than for that loaned on
other kinds of real estate, the secretary
saws the rate of interest charged on mort
cages upon residential property other
than farms. averages 84-100 of l per cent
less than the rate of interest charged
upon farm loans.
DIPHTHERIA IN Mr.. BRYAN'6 HOME