The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-11-01

room where years ago the Father Of his coun-
try whispered sweet things to his good
Martha. The ceremony was performed in
the presence Of a number Of strangers visit
ing there.
The heads Of the different departments
aud their chief assistants have been at work
with their coats Off and their sleeves rolled
up, for some weeks past preparing the var
ious reports which accompany the Presi-
dents Annual Message 10 Congress, and
their estimates of funds required to be aP-
propriated for the use of the different but
reaus during the next fiscal year. Most of
these reports and estimates are now ready,
or nearly SO. What their recommendations
are or what there is in them of special in
terest l may be able TO summarize; briefly,
in future letter. It may be stated that
the War Department reduces it fgures this
year and will only ask about 100000,
which is nearly half million less than was
called for last wear. Touching the opera
tiens of the Post Office Department the
forthcoming report will show that S,O4s, new
Offices have been established during the
year and ,O79 old ones discontinued, leav-
ing gain of nearly 1000 offices. The total
number now in existence is Al PA. The
revenue OF the Department received from
the money order business has increased
$4,000 during the year, which indicates a
large increase in the business done, us it
takes a good many orders at r charge of ten
to fifteen cents each to aggregate $4,000.
Secretary Schurz has not completed the
Interior Department budget, but it Is safe to
assume that there will be some interesting
items in it when ready. Among other things
the Indian question will be treated. The
talk of transfer Of this bureau to the War
Department is again revived and with all
of the able Secretary's mastery Of language
and argument l shall not be surprised to
see him worsted this time. General Sher-
man is decidedly in favor of the tranfer, as
is General Sheridan, whose newspaper con-
troversy with Secretary Schurz on the sub
jcct last winter will be remembered. In
deed the Indian problem promises to be one
of the most important questions before Con-
gress at the approaching session. Some
time ago Congress called upon the Treasury
Department for information as tO the amount
of money that had been expehdcd for the
Indian service since the beginning OF the
Government, but for the lack of an approp-
ration to print, the statement prepared has
not yet been put in type. 1t may be stat
ed however, that the footings of this i'm
mense mass Of tables show that to the lst of
last July the Government has expended on
account Of the Indians, total Of $lSl ,OOO,-
900. The estimated number of Indians,
now living is 100000.
The President and family returned from
Ohio on Tuesday, but there was no demons
tration and few callers. During their alb
sence the White House has been renovated
and spruced up considerably, and the rooms
present a brighter appearance from the
change of worn chairs and faded carpets for
new ones. Governor Shepherd, better known
as "Boss" Shepherd also returned a few days
ago, after an absence of three months, look
ing into the mining affairs in Mexico and
New Mexico. He thinks he has banana
in that line. The old Governor rejoices in
the Grant boom, but says Sherman's chances
are not to be despised. By the way all the
talk here lately is of Presidential booms,
and specuations as to what effect the late
and coming elections will have upon the
chances of candidates in both parties. My
judgment is that, as the weather is getting
frosty it isn't safe for any OF the candidates
to leave their booms out over night.
Dom PEDRO.