The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-12
Oldest Cabinet Officer May Re-
sign Soon, Is Report.
DIR. Wiley Incident and Ever
glades Reports Responsible.
SCOTT MAY GET THE PLACE
KanSan One of Three Now Be-
ing Considered.
Congressman Jackson Fights
Free Seed Distribution.

Washington, March 12--CongressInan
Fred Jackson. of Kansas, during the
consideration of the agricultural ap-
preparation bill on the floor of the
house, vigorously opposed the adoption
of the item making provisioS for the
congressional free distribution of gar
den and flower seeds.
This annual distribution is nothing
short of a big graft" declared MI
jackson. for the benefit of a lot %
seed contractors"
Mr.. jackson said: ct would cut out
all congressional distribution of seeds,
and that, in my judgment, is what we
ought to do about this matter. 1 am
Just as proud of the department of ag-
ricuIture as any other member of con-
gress or any other citizen of the Uni
ted States. 1 think this great depart
ment, the one perhaps the nearest TO
the hearts of the people of any depart
1nent of the government, should be I'D
orally supported but I can not see why
we should stand here and in the nane
of agriculture absolutely waste 100000
each year.
People Know Enough to Write.
81 voted very cheerfully the other
day for an amendment adding $IOO,OOV
to the appropriation to provide farm
1nauaEement experiments in counties
and in the states and bring to the peo-
pie Of the country the benefits OF TINS
great department because that was
<iu1ply providing the cornerstone, the
foundation of this great department
But, there is no reason why man,
woman or child who has enough IN
terest in this seed distribution to plah-
the seeds and give them a fair chance
should not notify the department that
they want the seeds and will use them
1t viii cost but a penny, or a tractor
of a penny, to do it, and say 1t is an
insult to the intelligence of the Amerl-
can people to say they will not take
enough interest to write for the seeds
There is another side to this ques-
ton continued Mr.. Jackson. Every
time the department of the government
makes a mistake, every time you put
upon the department something IL
ought not to do, some privilege or duty
that is not governmental in its essence
that moment you turn upon the gov
eminent the wrath of the people ana
the prejudice of all the people of the
country.
You are year by year perpetuating
this sort of graft for the benefit OF
the seed growers and contractors, and
YOU are not only doing that, but you
are destroying the popularity of TINS
department with all the people OF the
country. And you will keep it up unfli
ly crippled or driven out of existence
$50 1 beg of this committee of agri-
culture, which has sat here and talked
in the interest of the farmers, beg of
the many men who have delivered elo-
ouent orations for the benefit of the
farmer, to come to the defense of
this great department itself"
Wilson Is to Quit
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson is to
quit the cabinet President Taft. it is
understood on good authority, already
has offered the agricultural portfolio
to three possible successors since the
Florida Everglades scandal was taken
I'D by the house committee on expendf-
lures in the interior department.
Charles F. Scott, former member OF the
house from Kansas, is one of the three
men under consideration for the ap
pointment.
Further confirmation of the democrat
fzed condition of the department of ag-
ricu1ture developed when DR.. Harvey
W. Wiley, chief chemist and champion
of the pure food law. admitted that he
was seriously considering resigning his
position as head Of the bureau of chem
tstry. Admitting this in an interview
with the State Journal correspondent.
Dr. Wiley raid that while he had not
yet determined to offer his resignation,
It seemed that he could not be success
ful in hts efforts to secure harmony o s
long as there was 'incongruous ele-
menLS IN IKfS department.
There is every reason to believe that
either Mr.. Wilson or DIR. Wiley will
have to go, in order to clarity matters
in the department. since both are ad-
roftly opposing each other.
David NJ Hildreth. of Kansas for
many years connected with the coast
and gecdetic survey, has been appoint
ed by Postmaster General Hitchcock Is
s topographer of the postoffice depart
ment. Mr.. Hildreth will be employed in
the postal map-maHng division, at a
salary of s., 700 year.
Senator Curtis introduced in the
senate bill authorizing free or reduced
transportation to regular immigration
agents while actually engaged in the
performance of their work, and for
other purposes.
Congressman Rees has a bill to in
crease the cavalry garrison at Fort
Riley
Congressman Anthony presented a
. measure to reinstate Frank Ellsworth
McCorlxle as a cadet in the military
academy at West Point.
Congressman Young introduced a bill
ESTABLISHING the pensionable disabilities
of civil war veterans
Children learn politics as soon as they
do their a, b, cS if they live In Wash
ington. Congressman Phil P. Campbell
of Kansas and Congressman Nelson of
Wisconsin live across the street from
each other there. Each has a seven
year-old daughter. The other day the
ing to her playmate across the way:
your fathers one of those-whnt
you call 'em, insurgents, isn't hep"
'-Oh. yes" admitted Nelson's daugh-