Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1886-01-21
FACTS ABOUT UNCLE SAM.

ucHllhi pOetOITiceS IS more than tnree~
quarters Of the revenue of the postofiice
department.
The number of passengers carried ON
American steam vessels during the last
year was about 600.00O.000. against
100000 in 1852.
During last year the government lost
nearly 81 900 on deficient yardage in
the twine purchased for use of the post
office department.
Congress is not such an expensive in
stitution, directly, as some people ina
gine Three millions and little more
are sufficient to pay IFS bills.
II cost the people of this country So
5OO.0O0 to feed and blanket the Indians
last year. In 1882 the cost of these
wards reached nearly $l0,OOO,000.
Pensions is the one item of public ex-
penditure which seems TO have no peace
basis. The pension estimate for the
year beginning july next il $4,000
900.
Government now maintains 1000
lighthouses, lightships and stakelights
on coasts and rivers, besides innumer-
able fog signals and whistling and other
buoys.
The United States mails last year car
ried 10000 tons of newspaper and peri
odical matter, not estimating the free
circulation allowed within the county of
publication.
Since 1916 the government has spent
the snug sum of $s225, 100000 i'm taking
care of the noble red man, not counting
the cost of killing or hunting him with
the military.
During the last year the governments
expenses were SIC, 100000 greater than
in 1884, and the receipts &25, ,0OO, 900
less. There was, nevertheless, a surplus
of 81, ,000,0 600.
Government receipts during the last
year were exactly the same rs in 1865,
excluding loans. But i'm 1866 the ex-
penditures were S1,2l7. 10000 against
only $260, 100000 in 1885.
Uncle Sans building operations are
extensive. He is now practically at
work upon eighty new structures, scat
tered all over the country, and designed
to cost from $4,000 to $l,500,000.
The sinking fund is per cent of the
entire public debt This must be set
aside. each year and used In the redemp-
ton of bonds To It is added all frac-
tional currency redeemed by the Treas
ury.
Exclusive of Alaska, about three
fifths of the national domain has been
sold or subjected to contract or grant.
OF the remaining two-fifths q consider
able portion is either mountain or
desert.
The United States army now consists
of 2, ,150 officers and 24,7O0 men. Most
of the big nations of the effete East sup
port armies containing more officers
than there are priyates in our little
band.
The exports of domestic merchandise
from the United States to foreign coun-
tries last year amounted to $726, ,OO0,-
600; the imports S5S0.O00,O0O, showing
a balance of 81 ,0e0, 600 in favor of the
Yankeeland.
The government 5 receipts during the
year ending june 30, 1885, were 1922
600, ,0O0-a little more than a million
for each working day. Uncle Sam is
er in the country.
1t cost the government million and
half last year to maintain the District
of Columbia, the law being that the
government shall pay one-half of the
expenses of the District, and the inhabi-
tants thereof the other half.
June 80 last there were 51.252 post
offices in this country, 2.233 of these be-
ing filled by presidential appointment.
New York has greater number of pres
idential offices than any other State
2l3-Illinois being next with 1s1.
Uncle Sam looks pretty carefully after
the welfare Of his subjects who go down
to the sea in ships. He maintains more
than 200 life-saving stations, the crews
of which saved more than 1000 lives
during the year, losing eleven.
The revenue marine service GUARD
ing coasts, inspecting Jnerchant vessels,
visiting lighthouses. etc. under direc-
ton of treasury Department., IS larger
than most people think. 1t contains a
fleet of thirty-nine vessels, manned by
more than l 900 men.
The pension office is one OF Uncle
Sans biggest concerns. 1t bears UPON
its rolls the names of 345, 900 persons. of
whom 24l 600 are army invalids and
TS, 600 widows and minor children of
deceased soldiers. The survivors of the
war of 1872 are still with us to the num-
Der of 295, while the widows of those
who served in that war number 1900.
Our watchful Uncle employs 1j0 men
to inspect steamboat boilers and exam
inc masters, engineers and pilots. These
men inspected a.3O0 steamers during
the year, and did their, work so care
fully, that only thirty accidents oc-
CURED, causing the, loss Of. 133 lives.
This. Is the smallest loss yet-recorded,
being. outcome. life 10 every fOrty-three
vessels insperfpd. 90 ..ls ! s....