The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-07

formity. that II these relations are not
terminated they should be revised upon
q basis securing their safe continuance.
In the case Of the Union Pacific COM
pany, however. the situation has become
especially and Immediately urgent. Pro-
seedlings have been Instituted to foreclore
4 first portgage upon those aided parts
VI the main lines upon which the govern
ment holds q 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, condition will be
presented at that date, so far Is this
company Is concerned, that must en-
phasize the mandate OF the act OF 1887 and
give to executive duty under Its provis-
Ions more imperative aspect
Therefore, unless congress shall other
wise direct or shall have previously de-
termincd upol. n 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 sub
serve the public interests and save the
government from the loss threatened by
further inaction.
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.
The department OF agricultural Is so In
timatoly related to the welfare OF our peo-
pie and the prosperity OF our nation. that
IL should constantly receive the care and
announcement OF the government. From
small beginnings II has grown to be the
centre or agricultural efforts. Large sums
OF money are annually appropriated for
the maintenance of this department, and
IL must be confessed that the Hesitation re-
lating TO IL 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 nelp these who actually till
the soil. no expenditure has been more
profitably made or more generally ap-
proved by the people.
Under the present management Of the
department its usefulness has been en-
hanced in every direction, and at the
same time strict economy has been en-
forced to the utmost extent permitted
by congressional action. From the re-
port OF the secretary II appears that
through the careful and prude0 financial
management he has annually saved
large sum from his appropriations, ag-
gregating during his incumbelcy and UP
10 the close of the present Dscal year
nearly one-fourth OF the entire amount
appropriated. These results have been
accomplished by a conscientious study of
the real needs Of the farmer and such
regard for economy as the genuine
farmer ought TO appreciate. supplemented
by rigid adherence to civil service meth
DDS In a depArtment which should be
conducted in the interest Of agriculture
instead of partisan politics.
The secretary reports that the value OF
our exports OF farm products during the
last fiscal year amounted to $5I0, 000, 900.
an increase of sl7.oOo00o 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
ali fAn ~ h.
The benefits Of an increase in agricultu-
raj exports being assured, the decrease
In its proportion to our total exports is
the more gratifying when We consider
that IL is owing 10 the fact that such
total exports for the year increased more
than SIS. 000.
The largo and increasing expectation Of
our agricultural products suggests the
great usefulness OF the organization late
ly established in the department for the
purpose of giving to those engaged IN
farming pursuits reliable information
concerning the condition. needs and ad-
vantages OF different foreign markets. In
asmuch as the success OF the farmer de-
pends upon the advantageous sale OF hts
products, and inasmuch as foreign mar
kets must largely be the destination OF
such products, II is quite apparent that
a knowledge Of the conditions and wants
that affect those markets ought to re-
suit in sowing more intelligently and
reaping with better promise of profit.
Such information points out the way to
a prudent foresight I'm The selection and
cultivation of crops and to a release from
the bondage OF unreasoning monotony OF
production, q glutted and depressed mar
ket and constantly recurring unproftabls
toll.
In my opinion the gratuitous distribu-
ton OF seeds by the department. as at
present conducted ought to be 6iscon-
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 department
devoted TO the promotion of farming In
terests OF feature which tends so much
10 its discredit.
The weather bureau. now attached to
the department of agriculture, has con-
.iuued to extend its sphere OF usefulness.
and by an uninterrupted Improvement In
the accuracy OF its forecasts has greatly
increased it's efficiency as an aid and pro-
lection TO ali whose occupations are re-
lated to weather conditions. Omitting
further reference to the operations or the
department. / commend the secrctarys
report and the suggestions IL contains to
the careful consideration of the congress.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The progress made in civil service re-
form furnishes cause for the utmost
-cnn-Eral lula4lnn- It Aas survived Tire doubts
OF its friends as well the rancor of It's
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 T. 1893.
A most radical and sweeping extension
was made by executive order dated May
6. 1896. And If fourth-class postmaster
ships are not included in the statement, Ii
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.
II, however, obstacles prevent such action
at present, l earnestly hope that con-
gress win. without increasing postoffice
appropriations. so adjust them as TO per-
NIT in proper cases consolidation OF
these postofiices. to the end that through