Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-12-09

l,awes chairman of the commission in n
letter TO the secretary of the interior un-
der date of Oct. IL, 1897, says; individual
ownership is in their 1.-THE commssion's)
opinion absolutely essential to any per-
manent improvement in present conditions,
of nearly all the evils which so
previously feet these neople.
YELLOW FEVER.
The recent prevalence Of yellow fever
in a number of cities and towns
throughout the south has resulted in
much disturbance of commerce ana DEM
onstrated the necessity of such amend
nents to our quarantine laws as will
make the regulations of the national
quarantine authorities paramount. The
secretary of the treasury, in the portion
of his report relating to the operation Of
the marine hospital service. calls atten-
ton to the defects in the present quar-
antine laws, and recommends amend
ments thereto which will give the treas
ury department the requisite authority
20 prevent the invasion of epidemics
from foreign countries. and. in times Of
emergency like that Of the past summer,
will add to the efficiency Of the sanitary
measures for the protection of the peO-
pie, and at the same time prevent I'M
necessary restriction Of commerce.
| concur in his recommendation in fur
the United States by yellow fever. The
Importance Of the discovery OF the exact
cause Of the disease, which a. D the
present time has been undetermined, is
obvious, and 10 this end systematic
psychological investigation should be
made / therefore recommend that son-
gress authorize the appointment o. a
commission by the president to consist
Of four expert baoteriologists. one Go be-
selected from the medical officers Of the
marine hospital service. one 70 De ape
pointed from civil life one 10 be de-
JAILED from the medical officers Of the
army ana one from the medical officers
Pacific RAILROADS
Bv the decree Of the court the upset
price OF The sale Of the Kansas Pacific
win yield TO the government the sum Of
s. 600 over all prior liens costs and
charges If no other or better bid !s
made. this sum is all the gov
eminent Will receive on Its claim Of
nearly s13000000 The government has NJ
Information as 70 whether there viii be
other bidders. or better bid than the
minimum amount herein stated The
question presented therefore is: Whether
the government shall under the author
ity given II by the act Of March 3, 1891,
purchase or redeem the road in the
event that bid is not made by private
parties covering the entire government
claim. To qualify the government 70 hI
al the sale will require deposit of $780,
600. as follows; on the government
cause. $1,000 and in each Of TIE Hr>t
mortgage causes. $4,000, and in the Ia,-
ter the deposit must be In cash. Pay
ments OF the sale are as follows Upon
she acceptance OF the bid a sum winch,
win the amount already 3pp)sitc,, sl..i
equal Il per cent Of the BID. the b4lJHc-
IN instruments Of - per cent 50, 90 and
80 days after the confirmation of the
sale The lien on the Kansas PACING
prior 10 that Of the government on the
Both OF July. 1895, principal and Interest,
amounted TO S.2Sl0iSu
The government. Their, fore, should It be-
come the highest bidder will have to paw
the amount Of the first mortgage lien
J believe that under the act Of 1887 fl has
the authority 10 do this. and IN the alb
sence Of any action by congress snail
direct the secretary Of tie treasury to
make the necessary dep3sit as required
by the courts decree 10 qualify az a
bidder and To iid at the sale. sum
which viii p; least equal the prize pal OF
the debt due 70 the govern ment: but /
suggest in order tore move Al Contr0-
veIsY thar am amendment Of the law be
Immediately passed explicitly giving such
powers and apprcpiating IN general
terms whatever sum Is sufficient there
FOR
In So important matter as the govern
ment becoming the possible owner q
railroad property. which il must peIforce
conduct and operate. I feel constrained 70
lay before congress these facts Tor It's
consideration and action before the con-
summation Of the sale. II Is clear TO my
mind that he government should not
permit the property to be sold az p-ica
which win yield less than one half Of
the principal Of its debt and less than
one-iifth of its entire debt principal and
interest: hat whether the governm nj.
rather than accept less than its claim
should become a bidder and thereby the
owner Of the property I submit to the
congress for action
CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY.
The library building provided for BY
the act Of congress approved April Is.
1856, has been completed and opened 10
the hubble II should be a matter Of con-
graduation that, through the foresight
and munincence OF congress. the nation
possesses this noble treasure house OF
knowledge, 1t IS earnestly to be hoped
that having done so much toward the
cause of education, congress will con-
tinue to develop the library in every
phase Of research 20 the end that IL
may be not only one Of the most magni-
hcent. but among the richest and most
useful libraries in the world.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The Important branch of our govern
ment, known as the civil service. the
practical Improvement Of which has long
been a subject Of earnest discussion. has
Of late years received increased leeisla-
tive and executive approval Durirr +ha
past few months the service has been
placed upon a still firmer basis n BUSH
ness methods and personal merit. While
the right Of our veteran soldiers to re-
nstatemeni in deserving cases has been
asserted. dismissals for merely political
re1so-s Fave been carefully guarded
aga-ns- the examinations for admit
tfe service enlarged. ana al fbs
same time rendered less technical and
ncte practical; and a distinct ada
vance has been made BIZ giving
] hearing before dismissal upon all easas
where incompeJeacy Is charged or de-
nanu made for the removal Of officials IN
my OF the departments. This order has
leen made TO give she accused his right
O be heard. but without In any wav i'm
airing the power OF removal which
hould always be exercised In cases Of in
Efficiency and furnfssrr.t....oa