, 1890-12-04


opposition encountered to the work by
the enumora tors, who had considerable
difficulty In having some OF their ques-
tions answered, especially those relative
to diseases.
A great many editors throughout the
country made bitter and yituperatlVe
attacks against tho whole work, and
urged their readers not to answer the
questions of the cnumerators, whlch at
tucks were entirely unCnlled for.
This census will, IL Is believed, be
found to be reliable. To say that there
aro no errors In II would be to claim for
IL moro than can bo eNpe led OF any
such work. But those who lind the
most fault with 1t are those who nom
the beginning have endeayored 10 de-
feat 1t. The great body OF our people
are content with 1t.
The disputes that have arisen as to
certain cities, and even one STATE, nave
been patiently heard where 1t was asked,
and opinions given ut length scttlng
forth the reasons for the action taken.
Time alone can now test the eleventh
census, exposing errors, IL any exist, ana
confirming its substantial accuracy.
The work has certainly been most care
fully prepared, and as the result goes to
the country, the secretary feels that the
duty imposed upon the census oihce has
boen faithfully performed.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
As shown In the report of the director
of the geological survey, the important
industries and interests growing out OF
the mineral resources of the country are
steadily increasing In prominence, the
Increase in mineral productions in the
United States from lSSS to 1880 being in
round numbers $40 900, 900.
During the lust year the operations in
this department have been so extended
as to cover several new mining districts; ;
work has been industriously carried for
ward in tho study of the gold belt Of
California; by the study oil the coal and
mineral belts in Washington, Oregon,
Idaho, Montana and Colorado. The re-
searches in the mineral region in and
about Yellowstone park have also been
vigorously continued.
As during previous years, the director
has not confined his attention to those
regions already known to prospeCtors,
but has extended them to now helds and
the results OF his work have been most
satisfactory.
BUREAU OF RAILROADS.
The report of the commissioner OF
railroads contains full information in
regard to the condition of the several
railroad companies coming under the
jurisdiction OF his office, their roads, ac-
counts, and affairs, for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1S9o
The amount received from the bonded
roads this year Was slightly below the
receipts lor the preceding year. This is
not owing. however, to decrease in
business, but to the fact of unusual ex-
pendtures by the Union Pacific Rail-
way Company in the purchase OF rolling
stock.
As to the present financial relations
between the bonded roads and the gov
eminent, the same unfortunate condi-
ton OF things exists now that has al
ways existed since the bonds granted in
aid of their construction were issued,
viz, that the amounts annually received
from the roads fall largely below the
amounts OF interest annually accruing
upon the SUBSIDY bonds. The debts,
therefore, due the government from
these roads, instead OF being reduced. as
il was the evident expectation of con-
creasing year oy year. The per cent. of
net earnings required by law to be paid
In discharge of the government obliga-
tious is not great enough to meet the in
tcrest which annually accrues upon the
bonds issued to aid in the construction
OF the roads.
He attributes the cause for this reduc-
ton in the net earnings OF the bonded
roads to the fact that they are annually
building hundreds of miles oil roads with
their earnings, especially is this so on
the Pacific slope, and everywhere west
of the Mississippi river. Some roads
now actually have more miles of rail-
way than they actually need. But this
condition Will not long exist The
Western country 10 fast catching up
with the roads.
He recommends that we have some
legislation compelling the railway COM
panies to meet their obligations to the
govern ment. He does not think 1t
would be bad policy to extend the time
says the question of time is of little i'm
portance, as compared with that of Sc
curity in the adjustment of the subsidy
debts.
lie believes II would be great calam-
ity should the government be compelled
to acquire the ownership, and engage in
operating railroads.
a speedy aud equitable settlement of
the Indebtedness of the Union Pacific to
the government IL urged, but at the same
time the best interests of the people of
the Great West should be considered
paramount to all others IN the settlement
of the question.
The following table exhibits the
amount of precious metals yielded in
1889 by several states and territories
whose trade rs tributary to the Union
Pacific road and its branches: