Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1886-02-23
FACTS ABOUT UNCLE SAM.


DENTAL postofiices is more than three
quarters OF the revenue of the postoflice
department.
The number of passengers carried on
American steam vessels during the last
year was about 600,000,000, against
100000 in 1852.
During last year the government lost
nearly $1,000 on deficient vardage in
the twine purchased for use of the post
office department
Congress is not such an expensive in-
stitution, directly, as some people ina
glne. Three millions and little more
are sufficient to pay its bills.
1t cost the people of this country So
100000 to feed and blanket the Indians
last year. In 1882 the cost of these
wards reached nearly $l0,000.0O0.
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 is $75,000,-
600.
Government now maintains 1900
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 1925, 100000 in 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 $16,000,0O0 greater than
in 1884, and the receipts S25, 200, 900
less. There was, nevertheless, a surplus
of S17, 100000
Government receipts during the last
Year were exactly the same as in 1865,
excluding loans. But in 1865 the ex-
penditures were 81, ,217, 900, 900, against
only $3.50, 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 $25, 900 TO 81 100000.
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 a 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 effcte East sup
port armies containing more officers
than there are privatcs in our little
band.
The exports of domestic merchandise
from the United States to foreign coun-
tries last year amounted to $726,0OO,-
600; the imports S0,000,000, showing
a balance of S146,000,0 900 in favor of the
Yankeeland.
The governments receipts during the
year ending June 80, 1885, were $322,-
600, ,000-a little more than million
for each working day. Uncle Sam is
still ahead of any plumber or coal deal
er in the country.
1t cost the government million and
a 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 5l,252 post
offices in this country, 2,233 of these be-
| ing filed by presidential appointment.
New York has a greater number of pres
idential offices than any other State
213 Illinois being next with 1871.
Uncle Sam looks pretty carefully after
the welfare Of his subjects who go down
TO the sea ia ships. He maintains more
than 200 life-saving stations. the crews
of which saved more than 1900 lives
during the year, losing eleven.
The revenue marine service (gnard-
ing coasts, Inspecting merchant vessels,
visiting lighthouses. ETC.. under direc-
tion Of treasury department), is larger
than most people think. 1t contains a
fleet of thirty-ninc vessels. manned bv
more than / ZOO men.
Ine pension Office is one of Uncic
Sans biggest concerns. 1t bears upon
its rolls the names Of S45, 900 persons, Of
whom 241,000 are army invalids and
5000 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 150 men
to inspect steamboat boilers and exam
inc masters, engineers and pilots. These
men inspected $500 steamers during
the year, and did their work so care
fully that only thirty-onc accidents oc-
CURED, causing the loss Of 133 lives.
This i the smallest loss vet recorded.
being but one life to every forfy-three