The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-12-27
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
New Offices That VIII Farnish Com
Portable Positions for Many Patriots.

foftabie Tositous tuf many u otss't--
WASHINGTON, Dec. 96.-Representative
Cutcheon, from the committee on mill
tary affairs to-day reported favorably to
the house the bill that passed the senate
some days ago 10 establish a record and
pension office Of the war department and
appoint the officer now In charge OF that
work, colonel in the army. In the report
the committee states the establishment OF
the Office will greatly facilitate the work
Of the pension bureau and Of all branches
connected with or depending upon the
examination Of the records OF the volun-
teer army.
The recommendations OF the inter.
national American conference for the es-
Enlistment of an American monetary
union and he issue of common silver
coin has been adopted by all the Ameri.
can republics, except Guatemala, Ura-
quay and Paraguay, which have not yet
been heard from. The first meeting
takes place in the department OF the state
Office on Wednesday, January IL.
Andrew Caldwell, special agent OF the
general land Office, appointed 10 make an
investigation as 10 the giant trees (sequoia
gigantea in Stockton and Vasalia land
districts in California, reports that in the
Vasalia district there is one small and
one large grove Of the giant trees.
The latter is a virgin forest
and contains over 1900 giant sequoias and
many small trees. Some five years ago
cooperative colony located about 40 en'
tries in the neighborhood and are con-
structing road TO this timber belt. The
colony, IL is asserted, numbers about six
hundred members, and has recently en-
grated the Bellamy idea as its leading
attraction. There is danger. the agent
believes, that these people, If unmolested,
will soon destroy this most wonderful and
perfect gigantea in the world.
In table giving the number and size
OF the trees in the groves visited, only
those As feet in circumference and
more, measured three feet from the
| ground, are classed as giants. or these
2,67j were found and foriy.four are over
50 feet In circumference and several are
more than 100. One is log feet in circum-
ference, or more than IS in diameter.
Secretary Noble has requested the sec
retary of war 10 station company OF
cavalry in the Sequoia national park. and
another in the Yosemite park 10 prevent
depredations on the mammoth tree
groves. II is stated the so-called Bellamy
colonists, who have in part perfected title
TO the lands on which these trees stand,
have expressed their purpose to hold their
claims in spite of all opposition.
The Star says: United States Treas
urer Huston has reconsidered his resig-
nation and agreed 10 remain in his pres
eut position until the end of the Harrison
term.
| WASHINGTON. Dec. %. = Washing Ion
has experienced the heaviest snow storm
in years and this morning travel of all
kinds was almost suspended. The snow
is 10 inches deep on the level. Street car
riding was precarious and pedestrianism
difficult. Through trains from the south
and west were delayed.
The division Of vital statistics Of the
census office mas prepared bulletin con-
tanning a summary Of results of the
special inquiry concerning the Jews in
this country. The inquiry resulted in
the return of 10,6ls completed family
schedules embracing 6O,6D living persons
on the 3lst day of December, 1889, and in
these families there have been 2,lis mar
riages, 6.03s births and 2,062 deaths dur
ing five years ending that date. The
social condition Of the families Is indi-
Gated to some extent, by the number Of
servants kept by them and as about two
thirds are reported as keeping one or
more servants the families reported may
be said to be i'm easy circumstances. The
average number Of persons TO each family
on December 3lst, 1889, was 5.7l. and the
average annual number for five
years covered by the statistics was
5.F. The average annual number OF
marriages per 1000 of the total popula-
ton was much lower than the general
rate-but 7i-and the average age al
marriage greater than among the general
population. The low marriage rate and
increased average age at marriage are
the principal reasons for the low birth
rate. The deaths reported for Ave years
give an average annual death rate OF I'll
per GOO the population, being about hall
of the average rate for the general pop.
ulation. Contrasting the birth and death
rates for those Of native-born parents in.
dicates that the birth rate is decreasing
and the death rate increasing with pro,
longed residence in this country, but the
general results indicate that the Jews
here retain many Of the peculiarities
which have been noted among them in
| Europe.