Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-12-12

of the recent legislation upon silver values,
but it is gratifying TO know that the increased
circulation secured by the act has exerted
and will continue TO exert a most beneficial
influence upon business and upon general
values.
While it has not been thought best to
renew formally the suggestion of an inter
national conference looking to an agreement
touching 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 viii be
lost to promote result which it is confident
ly believed would confer very large benefits
upon the commerce of the world.
The recent monetary disturbances in Eng
land are not unlikely TO suggest A re-exami-
nation of opinions upon this subject. Our
very large supply OF gold will, if not lost by
impulsive Legislation, IN the supposed interest
of silver give position of advantage in
promoting a permanent and safe interna-
tional agreement for the free use of silver as
a coin metal.
The efforts of the Secretary to increase she
volume of money in circulation by keeping
down the Treasury surplus to the lowest
practicable limit have been unremitting and
in very high degree successful. The tables
presented by him, showing the increase of
money in circulation during the last two
decades, and especially the table show
ing the increase during the nineteen
months he has administered the affairs
of the department, are interesting and
instructive. Thu increase of money in circu-
lation during the ninet en- months has been
in the aggregate 1913, $50, S13 or about 81. so
per capita and of this increase only 81, 00O, 900
was due to the recent silver legislation. That
this substantial and needed aid given to COM
merce resulted in an enormous reduction Of
the public debt and of the annual interest
charge is matter of increased satisfaction.
There have been purchased and redeemed
since March 4, 1889, 4 and ~ per cent.
bonds to theamount of $211, S32, $50, at cost
of S246, $40, al, resulting in the reduction of
the annual interest charge Of s., 967, 6O9 and
total saving of interest QfS5l, 576, 700.
[ notice with great pleaSV che statement
of the Secretary that the rece1Rts from inter-
nal revenue have increased d4ring the last
fiscal year nearly St2 900, 900 and that the cost
of collecting this larger revenue was less by
800 617 than for the same purpose in the pre-
ceding year. The percentage Of cost OF col
Letting 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 by wise and unostentatious
methods. The percentage Of assertions from
the army ian evil for which both Congress
ard the department have long been seeking
a remedy has been reduced during the past
year "a per cent and for the months of Au-
gust and September, during which time the
favorable effects Of the act of June 26 were
felt, 33 per cent, as compared with the same
months of 1889.
| concur in the recommendations of the
Secretary that adequate and regular appro-
priations be continued for coast defence
works and ordnance. Plans have been prac-
tically agreed upon, and there can be no
good reason for delaying the execution of
them; while the defenceless state of our
great seaports furnishes an urgent reason for
wise expedition.
The encouragement that has been extend
ed to the militia of the States, generally and
most appropriately designated the National
Guard" should be continued and enlarged.
These military organizations constitute, in a
large sense, the army of the United States,
while about five-sixths of the annual cost of
their maintenance is betrayed by the States.
PUNISHMENT OF vIOLAToRs OF THE LAW.
The report of the Attorney General is I'M
der the law submitted directly to Congress-
but as the Department Of Justice is one of
the Executive Departments some reference
to the work done is appropriate here.
A vigorous and, in the main, an effective
effort has been made to bring to trial AM
punishment all violators of the laws; but, at
the same time. care has been taken that friv-
olous and technical Offenses should not be
used to swell the fees Of officers or to harass
well-disposed citizens. Especial attention is
called to the facts connected with the prose
cutiOn of violations of the election laws and
of offenses against United States officers
The number of convictions secured, very
many of them upon pleas OF guilty, WILL it
is hoped, have sa1utary restraining in
fuence. There have been several cases where
DOstmasterS appointed by me have been
subjected to violent interference in the
discharge of their official duties and to
prosecutions and personal violence of
toe most extreme character Some
of these cases have been dealt with through
the Department of Justice, and in some
cases the pos offices have been abolished
or suspended. [ have directed tie Post
master-General to pursue this course in all
cases where other efforts failed to secure for
any postmaster, not himself in fault, an op- :.
portunity peacefully to exercise the duties
of his office. But such action will not sup
plant the efforts of the Department of JUS
tice to bring the particular offenders to
punishment.
WORK OF THE POSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Postmaster General shows
the most gratifying progress in the important
work committed to his direction. The bust
ness methods have been greatly improved. A
large economy in expenditures and an in
crease of four and three-quarter millions in
receipts have been realized. The deficiency
this year is IS, 1885, 300, as against S. $50, 1873
last year, notwithstanding the great en-
larsement of the service. Mail routes have
been extended and quickened, and great
accuracy and dispatch in distribution and
delivery have been attained.
The passage of the act to amend certain
sections OF the Revised Statutes relating to
lotteries, approved September 19, $780, has
been received with great and deserved popu-
lar favor. The Postoffice Department and the
Depertm ent of Justice at once entered upon
the enforcement Of the law with sympathetic
vigor, and already the public mails have been
largely freed from the fraudulent and demon
alizing appeals and literature emanating
frNr no lnL