Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1890-12-05

June 80, 1880, were $463, 1863, ,O80.55. and the
total expenditures for the same period
were $3586l8,5S4.52. The postal receipts
have not heretofore been included in the
statement of these aggregates, and for the
purDOse of comparison the sum of S60,8S2.-
| O97.92 should be deducted from both sides
OF the account. The surplus for the year,
including the amount applied to the sink
ing fund, was $105344 496.03 The receipts
for 1890 were $16,030 ,92S79 and the ex-
penditures $15,7S9,871 in excess of those of
1889 The customs receipts increased
$5:835, ,84288, and receipts from internal
revenue $11, ,725 1879, while on the side of
expenditures, that for pensions was $19,-
SI2'O79.96 IN excess of the preceding year.
| fiscal year, partly actual and partly esti-
mated, is as follows: Receipts from all
sources, $406, 100000; total expenditures,
1854 ,O00,O 900, leaving asurplus Of 52,00O,0OO,
! not taking the postal receipts into account
on either side. The loss of revenue from
customs for the last quarter is estimated at
$25 900 900, but from this is deducted the
gain of about $16,000,000 as realized during
the first four months of the year. For the
year 1890 the total estimated receipts are
$373,000,000. and the estimated expenditures
are SS57 ,852, ,2O942, leaving an estimated
surplus of Bis, 147, ,790.5S, which, with the
cash balance of 1852, ,000,0 at the beginning
sum available for the redemption of out
standing bonds or other uses.
THE SILVER ACT.
An act "directing the purchase of silver
bullion and issue of treasury notes there
on," approved July IA. 1890, has peen ad.
ministered by the secretary of the treasury
with an earnest purpose to get into circu-
latiOn at the earliest possible dates the full
monthly amounts in treasury notes con-
templated by its provisions and at the
same time to give to the market fer silver
bullion such support as the law cOntem-
plated Some months OF further trial will
be necessary to determine the permanent
effect of the recent legislation upon the
silver values, but it is gratifying to know
the increased circulation secured by the
act has exerted and will continue to exert
most beneficial influence upon the busi-
ness and upon general values. While it
has not been thought best to review for
mally the suggestion of an international
conference looking to an agreement touch
ing the full use of silver for coinage at a
uniform ratio, care has been taken to OBJ
serve closely any change in the situation
abroad, and no favorable opportunity will
be lost to promote the result which it is
confidently believed would confer very
large benefits upon the commerce of the
world.
THE INTERNAL REVENUE RECEIPTS
increased nearly S12,000,000, and the cost
of collection was less by $9O,617 than for
the same period in the preceding year.
The percentage of cost of collecting the
customs revenue was less for the last fiscal
year than ever before.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT..
The report of the secretary of war ex-
hibits several gratifying results attained
during the year. The percentage of de-
sertions from the army ian evil which both
congress and the department have long
been seeking remedy, has been reduced
during the past year 24S per cent, and for
the months of August and September, dur
ing which time the favorable objects of the
act Of June 10th were felt, 33 per cent as
compared with the same months OF 1889.
The results attained by the reorganization
and consolidation of the divisions having
charge of the hospital and records of vol
unteer soldiers are very remarkable. This
change was effected in July, 1889, and at
that time there were 1864 cases awaiting
attention, more than half of these being
calls from The pension Office for iDfOrma.
tiOn necessary to the adjudication of pen
SION claims. On the Both day of June last,
though over three hundred thousand new
calls had come in, there was not single
case that had not been examined and
answered. concur in the recommends
tions of the secretary that adequate and
regular appropriations be continued for
coast defense works and ordinance. The
encouragement extended to the militia of
the states generally and most appropriate
ly designated "National Guard" should be
continued and enlarged.
THE REPORT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
is, under the law, submitted directly to
congress, but the president calls attention
to the election cases and the prosecution of
those interfering with pOstm asters in some
sections. He reneWS the recommendation
that the laws be so amended as to require
more full and searching inquiry into all
facts necessary to naturalization before
any certificates are granted.
THE REPORT OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL
shows most gratifying progress in the
important work committed to his direction.
The business methods have been greatly
improved. A large economy in expendi-
lures and an increase Of four and three
quarter millions in receipts has been
realized. The passage of an act to amend
certain sections of the revised statutes
RELATING TO LOTTERIES
has been received with great and deserved
favor. The postoffice department and de-
partment of justice at once entered upon
the enforcement of the law with sympa-
thetic vigor, and already the public mails
have been largely freed from fraudulent
and domoralizing appeals and literature
emanating from lottery companies.
y.sss THE NAVY. <
The construction and equipment Of new
ships for the navy have made very salts
factory progress. Since March 4, 1889, nine
new vessels have been put in the commits
sion and during this winter four more will
be added.
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
The president commends the suggestions
of the secretary Of the interior, and says:
Several acts Of congress looking to the re-
duction Of the larger Indian reservations,
sto = = more rapid ettlement OF Indians upon