The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-03-14

scnoois, 10 Do EXPENDED wipnm nueen years
In the states and territories In proportion to
illiteracy. Representative Willis has intro
ad itS;u ssn measure 70 set aside S
yldes for the annual appropriation OF $50
100000 from the internal revenue, and Rep
resentative Perkins introduced similar
measure for disposing OF 100000 900.
A subcommittee Of the senate committee
on postofiices and post-roads Friday exam
ager OF the associated press, In regard to the
relations of the association with the West
ern Union Telegraph company. Mr.. Smith
explained that the associated press IL q pri-
vate business, enjoying no exclusive con-
tracts; that It's news Is personal property;
selves the largest payments for expenses,
and that at some points IL pays the telegraph
company more than Is asked from the pa
pers receiving the reports.
Third Assistant Postmaster General IIazen
has sent to the speaker of the house a letter
in which he states that since June the issue
OF postal cards has decreased to such an ex-
tent that he feels justified in requesting the
appropriation committee to strike S35, 900
from the estimate originally submitted for
the manufacture OF postal cards. Tho
amount originally asked for was S26S, 900.
During a number Of months this year the
demand for postage stamps increased Is per
cent over last year, and the demand for
stamped envelopes increased % per cent
over last year. From these figures Mr.. Ia-
zen does not anticipate larger deficiency
than that mentioned In his estimate, and the
postoftice department may, he thinks, by
next July enter again upon self-sustain-
ing or paying career.
INTERNAL REVENUE TAXES.
Members of the ways and means commit
tee have given careful attention TO the argu-
ments presented last week by southern con-
gressmen In favor Of the present reduction
and the ultimate extinction of internal reve-
nue. taxes. Members Of the committee state
that, although no formal action has yet been
had, they have every reason tO believe that
the committee will recommend the removal
Of the tax on the spirits produced from fruit,
sometime before congress adjOurns. The
former tax yielded $25, 0:33, TAI 81 in 1888, and
the latter yielded 81, O95, 1854 90 in 1893 Prob
ably no action will be taken until the house
has Indicated the fate of the tax bill. At
present none but the republican members
are known to favor the scheme.
CORN AND wHEAT.
The report of the consumption and distri-
button of corn and wheat In the United
States, from returns to the department of
per cent of the corn crop has gone into con-
sumption, leaving IS per cent still remain
ing ON hand, against 80 per cent of the crop
of 1882 on March l, 1883. This shows re-
duct0n OF about 7U,WO,OOO bushels. In
Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota the
stock Is but 1900, 900 bushels, against "A OOO,-
600 bushels last March. In the belt includ-
ing Ohio, Indiana. Illinois, and Iowa, pro-
ducing 55S, 900, 900 bushels, the stock is only
l5o, 900, 900, which Is less by $4,000 900 than
the stock on March l, 1888. The proportion
of merchantable corn Is TO per cent, or 1885,
600, 900 bushels. In average years, accord
ing to these returns, 1t Is 80 per cent Five
siXths of all understandable corn, or more
than SOC, 000, 900 bushels, Is found north of
the Ohio river and west Of Pennsylvania.
The average price of merchantable corn Is
placed at about 81 cents per bushel, or $780,
600, 600. Unmerchantable makes an average
of ~ cents per bushel, or Sl6i, 900 900. Seven
per cent Of the crop is yet In the fields UNI
harvested. The wheat of 1893 remaining OH
hand is returned AZ ll9, 000, 900 bushels, or %
per cent of the crop. On March l, 1883, the
quantity on hand aggregated 143 000, 900
bushels. The report will give the results of
the investigation of the comparative quality
of the crop Of 1888.