The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-12-29
DOMESTIC MISCELLANY.

The Franking Abuse.-The Post Master General
says il costs the country FIVE millions of dollars an
nually to carry the ranked matters in the mails
If he had said ten millions he would have been
nearer the mark. And this immense expense
making the Department burden upon the people,
is incurred with no adequate return in advantage
or profit in any way A vast amount Of the mat
ter is in the shape Of eleetOneering documents
Some members OF Congress frank their private
business circulars in quantities only equalled by the
leaves Of autumn. One is spoken of who franks
the circulars of the school that his cousin runs
Another sends his dirty linen home to be washed
and returned under the cover Of his frank.
Public sOhOOls-The Nelo York Observer says
that, Gerrit Smith has put forth proposal to set
tie the question of public schools and religion by
leaving the whole subject Of education to the volun-
tary action of the people, having no schools sup
ported BY the State at all. There have been many
worse suggestions than this We have often had
occasion to say that if the people will better sup
port churches without than with the aid of the
State, they will certainly support schools if left
to themselves, We prefer this voluntary system
to that Of Church and State union, which comes
OF supporting schools BY general taxation.
The scOtoh.-A few days ago we were pleased to
meet Mr.. Mckay, Scotch gentleman. who has
purchased lands about five miles trOIB Due West.
s. O., aud opened farm which he proposes to
work by Scotch labOrers. He has already FIVE
Scotchmen, and Is expecting five other families
soon. Mr.. Mckay is an intelligent and refined
gentleman, aud a Presbyterian, of course He
proposes to gather around him colony of the
better class of Scotch laborerS, and he feels conf
dent that he can make white labor pay. He is
introducing the best agricultural improvements,
and will cultivate his lands after the most approved
style We wish him abundant success. Such en-
terprises deserve the approving smiles and the fos
tering care OF our people In every respect. They
bring into the country class of citizens that we
very much need, and they will introduce style Of
farming, that will prove greatly advantageous to
themselves and to the country, we have no doubt
We are ready to welcome all such people,. Il.
Presbyterian.
Commissioner Wells Report.-The fourth annual
report of the Special Commissioner of the Reve-
nue. just published, contains much valuable in
formation. The following are some OF the prOml
nent facts; The population Of the country does
not vary far from 49, 0O0 000 its increase is about
100000 per anuum, due to the excess of births
over deaths and to immigration; $50 500 foreigners
have come to our shores this year, OF which r.,
STA were Chinese; the property of our population
is valued at S23 400 100000 an increase Of 65 per
cent. In ten years; 5000 miles OF new railroads
have been laid IN 1869; the Internal revenue ex
ceeds the expenditures by S50,OO 900 per annum,
and ten Southern States have made gratifying
strides towards recovery from the effects of the
war; On the other hand, the state Of agriculture
and trade Is not encouraging. Large numbers OF
men have abandoned productive pursuits and
sought employment in business and speculative
channels" Oar increase Of wealth Is due to our
great natural resources, rather than to the opera
ton of the true laws of political and commercial
economy.
Florida paper reports that a steamer with an
exploring party has assembled the st. John River
three hundred and seventy-6ve mileS-One hun
dred and fifty miles further than ever before &C
eomplished. The lakes through which they passed
are said to be indescribably beautiful and the
country more diversified than lower down the river
Gen. D. Il. Kill proposes starting weekly paper
in Charlotte, on the 9th Of January next, to be
styled the SOUtherT Conservative.
Working Girls are becoming prominent feature
in great cities. Ii Is said that in New York there
are more than sc, 600 girls and young women who
earn their subsistence in the shops. To provide
suitable houses for them IS becoming an object of
vast importance In New York four large estab-
hshments are in operation, and fifth Is being
built all designed to provide board for them at the
lowest rates. Teachers, artists SaleSwOmeD, fold
ers and binders, needlewOmen, etc, cOngregate at
these places. Although not necessarily charitable
institutions they ought always to be under the su-
peryiSiOn of Ladies Society.
On the Pacific Railway fuel aud provision cars
are to be .un with every train the coming winter
so that In the event OF being showed up passengers
viii not freeze and neither they nor the locOmo-
& tiveS need go hungry.
1t is estimated in the December number of the
Missionary Herald that 100000 church members
in America contribute to the treasury Of the Amer-
can Board, 1t is also computed that one cent per
day from each of this number would bring an in
come to the Board in a year of 81, 6S9,95O.
GOld-Last Wednesday, the 22d, gold touched
the lowest point it has reached since September,
1862 According to the New York Herald, the
opening price in the morning was l2O}, but it
gradually sunk to ll9i recovering finally to the
opening figures.
gentleman in Boston, who takes a business view
of most things, when recently asked respecting a
person Of quite a poetic temperament, replied ;
"Oh he Is one of those men who have soarings
after the infinite, and divngs after the untathOma
be, but who never paws cash.