Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1890-12-04

Europe. The only part of the wocl
upon the new ships that is threatened
by unusual delay IS the armor platins
and every effort is being made to reduc,
that to the minimum.
The Ghostiy Dancers
The several acts of congress lookins
to the reduction of the larger IndiaI
reservations, to the more rapid settle
ment of the Indians upon individual al
lottments, and the restoration to tht
public domain of lands in excess of theil
needs, have been largely carried into eff
feet, so far as the work was confided L
the executive. Agreements have beer
concluded since March 4, 1899. involv
ing the cession to the United States Of
about Il, 726, 600 acres of land. Atten
ton is also called to the fact that the
appropriations made in the case of tbs
Sioux Indians have not covered all tbs
stipulated payments.
Disability Pension Act.
The disability pension act. which wa:
approved on June 27 last. has been put
into operation as rapidly as wa:
force provided was selected and assigned
to work and a considerable part of the
force engaged in examinations in the
field was recalled and added to the work
ing force of the Office. The examina-
ton and adjudication of claims has, by
reason of improved methods, been more
rapid than ever before. There is nc
economy TO the government in delays
while there is much hardship and in
justice to the soldier The anticipated
expenditure. while very large, will not
it is believed, be in excess of the esti-
mates made before the. enactment oi
the law.
Mormons Doing Better.
The increasing number and influence
of the non-Mormon population in Utah
is observed with satisfaction. The re-
cent letter of Wilford Woodruff, presi
dent of the Mormon church, in which
he advised his people ''to refrain from
contracting any marriage forbidden by
the laws of the land" has attracted
wide attention, and it is hoped that its
influence will be highly beneficial in re-
straining infractions of the laws of the
United States, but the fact should not
be overlooked that the doctrine or belief
of the church that polygamous mar
riages are rightful and supported by
divine revelation remains unchanged.
Apportioument,M May be Made
The enumeration of the people of the
United States under the provisions of the
act of March 1, 1890, has been com.
pleted. and the result viii be at once
officially communicated to congress. The
completion of this decennial enumera-
tian devolves upon congress the duty Of
making new apportionlnent of repre-
sentatives among the several states, ac-
cording to their respective numbers. Al
the last session l had occasion to return
with my objections several bills making
provisions for the erection of public
buildings. for the reason that the ex
penditures contemplated were, in my
opinion, greatly in excess Of any public
need.
Farmers Should be Happy.
The report of the secretary of agri,
culture deserves special attention In
view of the fact that the year has been
marked, in a very unusual degree, by
agitation and organization among the
farmers, looking to an increase in the
profits of their business. A very sub
stantial improvement in the market
prices of the leading farm products dur
ing the year is noticed. The price Of
wheat advanced from 81 centsin October
1899. to 81 90 3-4 in October, 1890; corn
from 81 cents to so IA cents; oats. from
s19 IA cents to 43 cents, and barley, from
SO cents to 7S cents. Meats showed 8
substantial but not so large an increase
This export trade in live animals and
fowls shows a very large increase. The
total value of such exports for the year
ending June 80. 1890, was S33. .000, 600
year was over S15, ,000,0 900. Nearly 200,-
600 more cattle and over 5000 more
hogs were exported than in the preced-
ing year. The export trade in beef and
pork products and in dairy products was
very largely increased the increase in
articles of butter alone being from To-
504, ,97S pounds to %, 74S, ,049 pounds, and
the total increase in the value of meat
and dairy products exported being S34,-
900, 900.
The efforts of the secretary to estab-
hsh the healthfulness of our meats
against the disparaging imputations
that have been put upon them abroad
have resulted in substantial progress.
Veterinary surgeons, sent out by the de-
partment, are now allowed to pGrtici-
pate in the inspection of the live cat
tie from this country landed on English
docks, and during the several months
they have been on duty no case OF
pleuro- pneumonia has been reported.
This inspection abroad and the domestic
inspection of live animals and pork
products, provides for by the act of
Aug. 80, 1890, will afford as perfect a
guaranty for the wholesomeness of our
meats offered for foreign consumption
as is anywhere given to any food
product. The information given by the
secretary of the progress and prospects
of the beet sugar industry is full of in
terest. 1t has already passed the ex-
perimental stage and is commercial
success. The secretary of the treasury
concurs in the recommendation of the
secretary of agriculture that the official
supervision provided by the tariff law
for sugar of domestic production shall
be transferred to the department OF
agriculture.
Civil Service Satisfactory.
Inc law relaIlng TO Gne CIVIL service
has, so far as can learn, been executed
by those having the power of appoint
ment IN the classified service with fdel-
ity and impartiality, and the service has
been increasing satisfactorily.
Trade in Our Favor.
1 congratulate the congress and coun-
try upon the passage at the first session
of the Fifty-frst congress of an unusual
number of laws of very high import
ance. That the results of this legisla-
ton will be the quickening and enlarge
ment of our manufacturing industries,
larger and better markets for our bread
stuff and provisions both at home and
abroad, more constant employment and
better wages for our working people
and an increased supply of a safe cur
rency for the transaction of business,
do not doubt.
The general trade and industrial con-
ditions throughout the country during
the year have shown "A marked improve
ment. For many years prior to 1888 the
merchandise balances of foreign trade
have been largely in our favor, but dur
ing that year and the year following
they turned against us. 1t is very graft
flying to know that the last fiscal year
again shows balance in our favor of
over sos. ZOO, 900. The bank clearings,
which furnish good test of the volume
of business transacted for the first ten