Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-12-02
Sfraps aud fafts.

instead or dying OUT the reports made TO the
National Grange show that the order is in.
creasing, and the recent growth is said to be
of healthy and permanent nature.
Secretary of War Ramsey indorses the
ative to placing the uniformed State mill
tia on the same footing in respect to its rules
and forms as the regular forces, and calls at
tention to the necessity of providing by legisla'
tion for the organization, arming and dis
ciplining of the militia.
- Johnathan H. Greene once the most no.
torious aud successful gambler in America,
and afterwards known as an exposer of
gamblers tricks, is now aged and poverty
stricken in Philadelphia. From 1881 to 1912
he won money right and left, not only from
amateurs, but heavily from professional play
ers. On one occasion he took $36, 900 from
a party of card sharpers in three days.
- 1t is said that subterraneous conhagra.
tion has been raging in the anthracite regions
of Pennsylvania since 1885. 1t is estimated
that millions of dollars worth of coal have
been consumed, and that an area of half a
mile in every direction has been burned.
Blue sulphurous flames issue from crevices in
the ground. The stones are hot, and snow
will not rest there. The space is entirely de-
void of vegetable growth.
"A remarkable family of fat children live
in Barron county, KY. The father, Smith
land Chamber, weighs 130 pounds, and his
wife only l12, but six year old daughter
weighs 230 pounds. The latter is about as
tall as other girls of her age, but measures
eighty-four inches about her waist. A son
died when about FIVE years old weighing 200
pounds, and some younger members of the
family are growing fat rapidly.
Mrs Elizabeth L. Comstock, the Quaker
ess who has labored faithfully for the relief of
the negro arrivals in Kansas, reports two
thirds of them without work and in suffer
ing and destitute condition. Even the most
philanthropic, says the Springfield Repubk-
can, will eventually become wearied Of main
tanning these people in suffering and idleness
every winter in Kansas, and the colored people
themselves are already learning that they do
not escape all their ills when they leave the
South.
The forthcoming report of Commissioner
of Revenue Raum, will be of unusual interest,
coming as it does when reduction of internal
revenue taxation on several articles is agita-
ted. In general way the report will show
a large increase in the revenue, except only
that laid upon tobacco, and this because of
the reduction of taxation. On cigars. howev.
ever, the increase is very large. The tax
upon matches and bank checks brings in a
revenue of about FIVE millions of dollars
which could now be easily dispensed with.
These taxes are considered troublesome and
burdensome, and now unnecessary.
Speculation is rampant in New York once
more, and the prices of all kinds of stocks
and bonds have advanced with amazing rapid
ity. The "craze" is very similar to that ofone
year ago and may precipitate similar crash.
1t is doubtful, however, whether the general
business of the country can any longer be se-
riously affected by disaster of this kind, for
it seems to be established on too solid basis
now. to be disturbed by the manipulations of
stock, spectators, as was the case in the fever,
and uncertain periods which preceded the re-
vival of prosperity. At the same time, over
speculation must bring ruin to many home,
and it is to be hoped that the warnings which
are being sounded in New York may have
the effect of checking it.
The recent decline in coffee, of which this
country uses more than any other nation in
the world and FIVE times as much as Great
Britain, will probably prove permanent, as it
is due not to casual over-supply, but to a
change in the manner of conducting the trade
Railroads, recently constructed from Rio Ja-
neiro, bring the coffee more speedily from the
plantations and steamers, which have sup
planted sailing vessels, have already shortened
the trip from Brazil to this country. The
trade in coffee, in other words, has gone
through the same secular change as the trade
in tea The day for great firms buying by the
ship load and carrying great stocks has passed.
Orders by cable, shipments by steam and
purchases by job lots have taken the place of
the slow but princely method of a few years
back.
The report of Acting Commissioner Mar
BILE, of the Indian Bureau, is full of encourag-
ing particulars in regard to the wild and half
civilized tribes under the tutelage of the Uni.
ted States. They are making steady advance
ment in industry and education, are becoming
anxious to grow crops of their own, to possess
lands, to stock them, and to acquire education.
There are now in the United States 255, 1888
Indians exclusive of Alaska, and all but 49,
900 are under the direction of government
agents. In the Indian territory there are CO.,
$50 civilized and 1880 uncivilized. Indus
trial schools are being established and are ap-
preciated. According to this report the In
dians raised last year 100000 bushels Of
grain, l6,S00 bales of cotton, 971 900 bushels
of vegetables, 10000 tons of hay, and pastur.
ed $4,000 head of cattle, 1854, 900 sheep, and
100000 hogs.
The money order system, one of the great.
est of public conveniences, continues to grow
in favor, its operations having been increased
from little over 81 100000 in 1865, to more
than slOOOO0,OO0 in the past year. At the
present rate of charges the business has been
conducted during the past FIVE years with
no cost to the government. The fees have
covered the expenses with slight margin of
profit. The system is so near absolute perfec-
tion that losses to senders or payees of money
orders are only possible through their own neg.
lect The Postmaster. General recommends
a reduction of the fee for money orders not
exceeding S5 to cents, and to extend the
maximum limit of an order from $50 to 500.
He also suggests the establishment of
postal savings system, and also of postal tele-
graphs in this country. The first by the in
corporation into the department of a system
of postal savings.
The Chicago Times announces that, in
few months more the LARGER mart of the type