Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-08

by the government. These amount to
more than $4,000, coo on account of the
Union Pacific lines and exceed $21, O00,0 900
on account of the Central Pacific lines.
The situation of these roads and the
condition OF their Indebtedness to the
government have been set forth in the
reports of various committees to the pres
ent and prior congresses. AS early as
1887 they were thoroughly examined by
special commission appointed purSu-
ant to an act of congress. The consider
alton requiring an adjustment of the
governments relations to the companies
has been clearly presented and the con-
clusion reached with practical uniform
ity that if these relations are not termi-
mated they should be revised upon a
basis securing their safe continuance.
Under section of the act of congress
passed March 8, 1887, the President is
charged with the duty in the event that
any mortgage or other encumbrance
paramount to the interest of the United
States in the property of the Pacific rail-
roads shall exist and be lawfully liable
to be enforced to direct the action of
the departments of treasury and of JUS
tice in the protection of the interests of
the United States by redemption or
through judicial proceedings, including
foreclosures of the government liens
ACTION ON THE UNION PACIFIC.
In view of the fact that the congress
has for number of years had almost
constantly under consideration various
plans for dealing with the conditions
existing between these roads and the
government, / have thus far felt justified
in Withholding action under the statute
above mentioned. In the case of the
Union Pacific company. however, the
case has become especially and imme-
diately urgent. Proceedings have been
instituted to foreclose a first mortgage
upon those added parts of the main lines
upon which the government holds sec
ond and subordinate mortgage lien. In
consequence of these proceedings and in
creasing complications added to the de-
fault occurring on the LIST day of Janu-
airy, 1897, condition will be presented at
that date so far as this company is con-
cerned that must emphasize the mandate
of the act of 1887 and give to executive
duty under it's provisions more impera-
tive aspect. Therefore, unless congress
shall otherwise direct or shall have pre-
viouSly determined upon different solu-
ton of the problem, there will hardly ap-
pear to exist any reason for delaying
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
threatened by further inaction.
AGRICULTURE.
The department of agriculture is SO in
timately related to the welfare OF our
people and the prosperity of our nation,
that it should constantly receive the care
and announcement of the government
From small beginnings 1T has grown to
be the center of agricultural Intelligence
and the source of aid and encouragement
to agricultural efforts. Large sums of
money are appropriated annually for the
maintenance of this department, and 1t
must be confessed that the legislation
relating to it has not always been direct
ly in the interest of practical farming
or properly guarded against waste and
extravaganza. So far, however, as pub
lie money has been appropriated fairly
and sensibly to help those who actually
till the SOIL the net expenditure has
been more profitably made and more gem
orally approved by the people. Under
the present management of the depart
ment it's usefulness has been enhanced
in every direction. and at the same time
strict economy has been enforced to the
utmost extent permitted by congressional
action.
ECONOMY EXERCISED.
From the report of the secretary it ap-
pears that, though careful and prudent
financial management, he has annually
saved a large sum from his appropria-
tions, aggrogating during his incum-
bency and up to the close of his present
fiscal year, nearly one-ffth of the entire
amount appropriated. These results
have been accomplished by conscienti-
Gus study of the real needs of the farmer
and such q regard for economy as the
genuine farmer ought to appreciate. sup
plemented by rigid adherence to the
civil service methods in a department
which should be constructed in the inter-
est of agriculture instead of partisan pol
itics.
VALUE OF FARM PRODUCTS. ~
The secretary reports that the value of
our exports of farm products during the
last fiscal year amounted to s570,000,e00.
an increase of SIT 900 over those of
the year Immediately preceding. This
statement is not the less welcome be-
cause of the fact that, Notwithstanding