The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-12-09

barred on various GROUNDS prescribed
by law and returned to the countries
whence they came at the expense of
the steamship company by which they
were brought in. The increase in i'm
migration over the preceding year
amounted to S4,131. 1t is reported that
with some exceptions the immigrants
of the past year were of a hardy Ia
boring class, accustomed and able to
earn a support for themselves, and IL is
estimated that the money brought with
them amounted to at least $4,000, 900,
though ii was probably much in ex-
cess of that sum since only those hav-
ing less than $50 are required to dis
close the exact amount and IL is known
that many brought considerable sums
of money to buy land and build homes.
Including all the immigrants arriving
who were over IA years Of age, 2S.63
per cent. were illiterate as against 20.37
per cent. of those of that age arriving
during the preceding fiscal year
There arrived from Japan during the
year only Lilo immigrants, and 1t is the
opinion Of the immigration authorities
that the apprehension heretofore eX-
listing to some extent of large immi-
grafton from Japan to the United
States is without any substantial foun-
dation.
The department Of agriculture is so
intimately related to the welfare Of
our people and the prosperity Of our
nation that 1t should constantly re-
ceive the care and encouragement of
the government. From small begin
nings 1t has grown to be the center Of
agricultural intelligence and the source
Of aid and announcement to agricul-
tural efforts. Large sums of money are
annually appropriated Cor the mainten-
ance of this department and IL must
be confessed that the legislation relat-
ing to ii has not always been directly
in the interest of practical farming or
properly guarded against waste and
extravaganza. So far, however, the
public money has been appropriated
fairly and sensibly to help those who
actually till the soil. No expenditure
has been more profitably made or more
generally approved by the peole. I'm
der the present management of the de-
partment of it's usefulness has been en-
HANGED 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 it appears that
through careful and prudent financial
management he has annually saved a
large sum from his appropriations, ag-
gregating during his incumbency and
up to the close of the present fiscal
year nearly one-fifth Of the entire
amount appropriated. These results
have been accomplished by conscien-
tious study of the real needs of the
farmer and such a regard for economy
as the genuine farmer ought to appre-
ciate.
The secretary reports that the value
Of our exports of farm products during
the last fiscal year amounted to $780,
000, 000 an increase of SIT ,000,0 900 over
those of the year Immediately preced-
| ing.
This statement Is not the less well
! come because of the fact that, nowith-
| standing such increase, the proportion
of exported agricultural products to our
total exports of all descriptions fell off
| during the year. The benefits of an in
| crease in agricultural exports being as
sured, the decrease in it's proportion to
| our total exports is the more crafty
| ing when we consider that ii is owing
to the fact that such total exports for
| the year increased more than $75,000,-
| 600.
The weather bureau. now attached to
| the department of agriculture, has con-
| tinued to extend its sphere of useful
ness, and by an uninterrupted improve
ment in the accuracy of its forecasts
has greatly increased it's efficiency as
an aid and protection to all whose oc-
equations are related to weather con-
ditions.
Progress made in civil service re-
form furnishes q cause for the utmost
congratulations. 1t has survived the
doubts of it's friends as well as the
rancor of it's enemies, and has gained
a permanent places among the agen-
eies destined to cleanse our politics and
improve. economize, and elevate the
public service. There are now in the
competitive classified service upward
of $4,000 places. More than half of
these have been included from time to
time since March 4, 1893 A most radi-
nol nd
by executive order dated the 9Th day
of May. 1896.
| The civil service rules as amended
during the last year provide for sensi-
BILE and uniform method of promotion,
basing eligibility to better positions
upon demonstrated efficiency and faith
fulness. The absence Of fixed rules on
this subject has been an infirmity in
| the system more and more apparent as
its other benefits have been better APP
preciated.
In concluding this communication its
last words shall be an appeal to the
| congress for the most rigid economy in
the expenditure of the money it holds
in trust for the people. The way to
perplexing extravaganza is easy, but a
return to frugality is difficult. When,
however 1t is considered that those
who bear the burdens of taxation have
| no guarantee of honest care save in
the fidelity of their public servants, the
| duty of all possible retrenchment Is
plainly manifest
When our differences are forgotten
and our contests of political opinion are
no longer remembered, nothing in the
retrospect of our public service will be
as fortunate and comforting as the rec
objection of official duty well performed.
and the memory OF a constant devotion
to the interests of our confiding fellow
countrymen.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion. Dec. z. 1896.