Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1888-12-03
THE NATIONAL SOLONS.
The Fiftieth Congress Near
ing the End.
SOME ENTERTAINING REPORTS.
A Republican Majority In tho Next House.
Secretary Endicott Urges Increased DE.
fcnses-our Postal system tho Best IN
tho world-The Nationm Coinage.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3-The Washington
Post, which for a hong time claimed "a major
ity IN the next house for lhe Democratic
party now admits that tho Republicans win
have the disputed Tennessee district and At
least one Of the four districts ID West Vir
ginia, and that tho roll Of the house win boai
the names Of l66 Republicans and i59 Demo.
crats-a Republican majority Of z
Ihe tiitieth congress met to-day at noon
20 begin its second aud final session II is
expected that this will be ono Of the busiest
sessions IN the history Of congress. When
congress agreed 10 a recess less shan two
months ago there was untouched on the
calendars Of both houses much important
legislation. II Is not possible that an OF this
viii be disposed Of, as the discussion Of the
annual appropriation bills will occupy much
OF the time of the house and senate between
Dec. and March a.
1t Is not expected that much progress will Dc
made during the coming week with the bust
ness Of the session. In tho senate, the undn-
ished business is tho finance commttee's sub
stituto for the Mills tariff bin When congress
adjourned, Senator Allison, who was in charge
OF tlfe bill. gave notice that when congress
should again assemble he would insist ON the
senate devoting its time 20 the tariff ques-
ton, TO the exclusion Of all other business
until it had been disposed OF IL was even
understood that there would be no recess az
Christmas time II the bill had not been
disposed Of Conditions have changed since
congress adjourned, and although no policy
has been formally discussed by the members
Of the ruling party IN the senate. it Is con
siderod possible that tho tariff measure will
be laid aside after further discussion TO
give the senate opportunity to consider other
business.
To-day, Of course, will DO devoted 10 the
presidents message.
The house is prevented by its own rules
from taking up any OF the unfinished bust
ness Of last session for six days after It's first
meeting, with the exception of such as may
have been made a special order for particu-
lar day. There is no special order for the
coming week.
Besides the tariff question, which Is the
most important bit Of unfinished business on
the calendars Of congress, there are Is be
considered bills for thu admission Of Dakota.
Washington and other Of the territories; the
Blair educational bill, which sleeps III the
room OF the house educational committee.
several pension bills, and a large number II
measures Of interest 70 certain localities or
sections viii be urged for consideration.
SECRETARY ENDIcoTTis ANNUAL REPORT.
I Secretary Endicott, in his annual report.
alludes feelingly 70 the death OF Gen. Shcri-
dan, which he says deprived the army of
chief pre- eminently fitted for such command.
whose wide experience, ready resources. and
personal qualities made him a tower OF
strength in council and action. The secre-
tary again invites the attention OF congress
TO the defenseless condition Of our sea coast
and lake fronts For the construction of
neeled defenses in which 60 place the new
guns, for which appropriations have already
been made, an appropriation OF 81 $40, 600 is
asked for Torpedoes and submarine mines.
the secretary says, are now Acknowledged by
all nations 70 be absolutely necessary TO tho
efficient defense Of harbors and seaports, and
for the purchase Of these and the necessary
appliances for operating them and for ex-
perimenting 70 ascertain the best OF the
many torpedo inventions an appropriation
Of 81 ,S9O, 600 is recommended.
Secretary Endicott renews the recommen-
dation made IN previous reports for the ap
pointment Of an assistant secretary of
war Such an officer is imperatively needed
he says, for the proper and efficient admins
tration of the war department.
The secretary's estimates Of appropriation,
to the war department for the year ending
June 80, 1890, calls for S44, ,G32, ,507. This in
cludes 81, ,293, ,372 for the military establish
ment and Sl3, ,7S5, ,254 for public works and
river and harbor improvements. The appro
priations for the last fiscal year amounted to
S4l, lG5, l07, and for the current year $50
65Y,934.
SECRETARY Villas REPORT.
In his report OF the department Of the in
terror, Secretary Villas makes the general
recommendations that the secretary Of tho
department be relieved Of his present en-
barrassing complexity OF duties BY legisla-
tion permitting the further delegation Of his
work 10 his assistants
The report shows that over S. 500. 900 ncres
was the aggregate quantity Of land for which
title was passed during the year, over 500 900
acres OF which were for railroad purposes
The receipts from the disposal Of public lands
were the largest since 1885
The report of the land Office shows that
over y, 900, 900 acres of land have been re-
stored TO the public domains during the
present administration. and recommends the
restoration Of over &, ,OOO, 900 more.
Over third Of the entire report Of the
department is devoted TO the subject of
Indian affairs 1t states that the general
condition of the Indian people and Of the
department Of the government directed to
their care has been satisfactory.
On the subject of pensions the report pre-
sents a summary, showing that the amount
paid for pens-o -ons during the year was nearly
I9,O0OOl-an increase over the previous
year Of s5,O0O,OOO
The incomplete report for the past year Of
the operations Of the labor bureau shows
that in the period from 1881 to 1886 the
number OF persons involved in successful
strikes was only 80 10 per cent. of the whole
number Of strikers II is computed that.
for the same period Of six years. the loss TO
strikers was SOL ,Sl4, ,7e3, aud the loss to en-.
ployes through lock out s., ,157,7l7 or a total
wage loss to employees Of S59,g72, ,44O.
THE POSTAL SERVICE
Postmaster General Diclxinson's annual re-
port presents concisely the condition and
history OF every branch Of the postal service
for the fiscal year ended June 30. 1888. with
many comparisons with previous years.
showing a remarkable expansion OF business
and large increase in expenditure. The
gross revenue for the year was $50 6a5. .l76.
while the expenditures amounted 10 $50 ss5.-
4O3. The estimated deficiency is therefore
81 lo0,2S. The deficiency for the fiscal year
ended June 80, 1885, was S6,973, ,944; for 1885
it was 81, l66, ,594, and for 1887 the cash de-
fieiencies were s4,297, ,2s5. The revenue for
the current fiscal year is estimated at sea-
Dos, ,65s, and the expenditures for the year
are estimated at S65,sl2,0 with probable
deficiency this year OF about s., ,5O0.O 900.
During the past year l9, 2SS postmastert
were appointed-6,521 upon designations anG
commissions expired, l,2l4 upon removals.