Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1885-11-19
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Synopsis of Departmental Reports-Tho
Crops of 1SS5-The Work of the First
Assistant Postmaster General The Rail-
way Mail Servlce--What the Solicitor OF
the Treasury Has Been Doing.

crops OF lSo0-Ihe WORK Oh tuo rirse
Assistant Postmas ter General The Rail-
way Mail servlce-what the Solicitor OF
the Treasury Has Been Doing.
THE CROPS OF 1885.
WASHINGTON, d. c., November TO-
The following crop report was issued
by the Agricultural Department to-day:
The present crop OF corn is the first OF
full average in rate OF yield since 1880,
which was the last OF series of six full
crops of 26 10 2S bushels per acre. The
present crop, grown on an area OF sew
enty-three to seventyfour million acres,
is slightly above the average for period
of ten years, or 20 IA bushels per acre.
The highest rate of yield is 3S l-2
bushels, in Nebraska and Ohio. Three
corn growing States, which produce
four-tenths OF the entire crop, Ill
inois, Iowa and Missouri, each average
several bushels per acre less than in the
census year: Illinois, 81; Iowa, 32;
Missouri, 80; Utah averages So; Massa-
chusetls, Connecticut and Colorado, 80;
New Hampshire and Rhode Island, "a;
Michigan, SO; Wisconsin,, 80; Kansas,
81. The Southern States make an aver
age yield. The quality of the corn is
very good in the East and South; me-
dunn in the central parts OF the West,
and somewhat deprecated on the north
ern border from Michigan TO Dakota.
The cotton returns of November are
local estimates of yield per acre. They
are somewhat higher than those of the
past two years, but materially lower than
those OF 1880 and 1882. The increase
over the yield of last year is most marked
in Texas and Georgia. In Arkansas and
Tennessee, where the average yield is
usually high, the rate is depressed by the
unfavorable conditions of August and
September. The weather has been favor
able for picking, and killing frosts are
only reported in the northern border OF
the cotton belt. The top crop is very
light, and in many places scarcely an APP
preciable quantity. The drouth during
the early iruitng period caused she'd
ding and shriveling OF the bolls, and re-
duced the yield in North Carolina, South
Carolina and parts of Texas. In
large portion of the gulf coast
area, East of Texas an excess OF rain,
and destructive storms, proved almost
equally injurious. The injury by the
caterpillar and boil worm has been Sc
we're in Central Alabama, in parts OF
Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, and in
few counties in Georgia. Small loss
from insects is reported, except in the
States bordering on the Gulf Coast. The
past month has been generally favorable
for picking, which is well advanced,
more than three-fourths of the crop hav-
ing been gathered. Rains have inter-
ferred with harvesting more in Georgia
and Alabama than elsewhere. With good
weather hereafter the proportion to be
gathered in December will be confined to
localities favored with top crop worth
harvesting.
The potato crop is smaller than that OF
1884, in consequence of injury from rot,
which has reduced the New York crop
nearly one-third. There is much com
plant of rot in Wisconsin and Iowa, and
in some counties in Michigan, Illinois
and Minnesota.
] he reported yield of hay indicates a
crop of over $4,000, 900 tons, nearly as
large as that of last year.
The buckwheat crop will be large, and
the average yield will exceed fourteen
bushels per acre.
REPORT OF FIRST ASSISTANT PosTMAs
TER-GENERAL STEVENSON.
WASHINGTON, D. c., November H.
The annual report of First Assistant
Postmas;er-General Stevenson shows
that during the past fiscal year 2,l2l
Post. offices were established and $50
discontinued, leaving the total number
and OF Presidential offices 1888, or a
total of 5l,252 Post-ofllces of every
class In operation on the 90th Of June
1885. The number of appoint
ments made were as follows: Tt
I'LL vacancies caused by removal.
and suspension, 80; to fill vacan
cics caused by commissions expiring,
6,204; the changes OF names and sites
numbered POI. There were 4l2 deaths
of Postmasters, and the new of
fees established numbered 2,l2l. Dur.
ing the year there was an increase in Of
fees as follows: Middle States, Ill;
New England, 49,; Southern States, 6S2;
Western States, S76; Pacific States aud
Territories, 65. Virginia led all the
States In the increase, 100 being placed
to her credit, while Ncvada's Offices were
decreased.
Pennsylvania now has the largest num-
Der of Post-oflices, $50; New York
follows with $3.50. New York
has the largest number Of
Presidential Post-ofllces, 2l3 The total
number of money order offices is now
5000, being an increase of IA during the
last year. The number of changes in
Postmasters during the year was less
than during the preceding year.
General Stevenson states tnat all cities
entitled to it under the law are now op
Grating the free delivery system. Ht
recommends that new legislation be en-
acted authorizing the establishment o.
free delivery service In cities having /;
population of 10, 600, or showing annual
receipts of $4,000.
During the year there was allowed fol
clerk hire In the several Post
offices, S4,924, $50, and for salarie.
of Postmasters, $500. 600. Since April
1884, 80, 400 applications for review Of
salaries under the Spaulding act hav,
been received, and 5000 allowed, involv
ing an additional amount for compensa
ton and back pay OF S37s.922. As re
suit Of the annual adjustment OF salarie!
of Postmasters fourteen Offices hav,
been added to the Presidential list anS
l34 Offices relegated to the fourth-class
| General Stevenson says the business o.
the country, as reflected through thu
receipts OF the Post-office, shows tina
an era of prosperity is upon US which
necessitates an increase OF appropria
tions for salaries for the next fiscal year
The estimates for the expenses of mex
year are placed at $685. 300.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GENERAL SUPER
INTENDENr OF THE RAILWAY MAI
SERVICE.
WASHINGTON, d. c., November H.
Mr.. John Jameson, General Superintend
emit of the Railway Mail Service, ha
completed bis annual report for the fiscs
/ year euded lime 90th 1SSS From tn,