Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-12-25

| posing an international conference. There
| Is, however, | an sure. growing sentiment
In Europe IN favor Of a larger use of silver,
| and know of no moro efsctual way OF pro-
| noting this sentiment than by accumulating
| gold here. \ scarcity o. gold in the Euro
| pean Reserves will be the most persuasive
| argument for the Use OF silver.
! DISPOSAL OF THE SURPLUS.
The presence CT a large cash surplus in
| the Treasury has for many years been the
subject OF mucl unfavOrable criticism ami
has FURNISHED an argument 70 those who
| have desired to place the tariff upon purely
revenue basis. IL was agreed By all that the
| withdrawal from circulation of so large an
| amount OF money was an embarrassment TO
the business OF the country and made nee
| essary the Intervention Of the Department at
| frequent intervals, TO relieve threatened
monetary panics. The surplus on March l,
| 1889, was SlS3, S27, 1870. 90. The policy of APP
| plying this surplus TO the redemption
! OF the interest-bearing securities OF the
| Unite1 States thought TO be preferable
| to that Of depositing it without interest in
| selected National banks There have been
| redeemed since the date last mentioned of
interest bearing securities $3.50 01J $50, re-
sutting in a reduction Of the annual interest
OF 81, 6S4, 675. The money which had been
deposited in banks without interest has baan
gradually withdrawn and used in the re-
demption of bonds
The result of this policy, of the silver legis-
cent. bonds has been a large increase OF the
money in circulation. At the date last
named the circulation was 81, 4O4 205 S96, or
$23. Oh per capita, while on the 1st day OF
December. 1891 it had increased to 81, ST.
2j2 07O or "a. IS per capita. Hhe offer of the
Secretary of the Treasury to the holders of
the ~ per cent. bonds to extend the time
of redemption, at the option of the Govern
ment, at interest of per cent was
accepted by the holders of about One-half
the amount and the unextende1 bonds are
being redeemed on presentation.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
Progress has been ma lie in securing sites
for harbor defenseS and in the manufacture
of guns for their armament. The Secre-
tary's recommendation for three-battaion
formation of infantry regiments Is c0ncurret
in, as is that for the adoption of smOkeleSs
powder Seven companies of Indians have
been enlisted, and seven more being
formed.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
Revenues of the Posoffice Department have
increased over s., OO0O00 Estimates for
1898 show a anticipated surplus Of receipts
over expenses.
OUR NEW NAVY.
Four vessels, aggregating II, 900 tons, have
been placed in commission during the year.
Twenty-four more are in course OF con-
structiOn.
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
Solution of the problem of Governmental
dealings with the Indians sought in legsla-
ton recommended, which shall have in view
the making of the Indian into a citizen.
The Sioux outbreak will be made the
subject OF a special message.
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN INCREASED.
Since March 4, 1899, about %, 600, 600 acres
have been separated from Indian reserva-
tions and added to the public domain for the
use of those who desired to secure free homes
under our benefcent laws. 1t is difficult to
estimate the increase of wealth which will
result from the conversion of these waste
lands into farms, but it is more difficult to
estimate the betterment which will result to
the families that have found renewed hope
and courage IN the ownership Of a home and
the assurance of a comfortable subsistence
under free and healthtul conditions. It is
also gratifying to be able to feel as we may,
that this work has proceeded upon lines OF
Justice towards the Indian, and That he may
now, if he will, secure to himself the good
influences of a settled haoitatiOn, the fruits
of industry and the security OF citizenship.
THE PENSION BUREAU.
The administration Of the Pension Bur- III
has been characterized during the yea by
great diligence. The total number of pen
sloners upon the roll on the Both day of June,
1891, was $40, 1850. There were allowed dur
ing the fiscal year ending at that time $50,
lowed under the law OF June 81, 1890. The
issuing OF certificates has been proceeding at
the rate of about 30, 900 per month, about
seventY-fre Ter cent. Of these being cases
under the new law The Commissioner eX-
presses the opinion that he will be able to
carefully adjudicate and allow $50, 900 claims
during the present fiscal year. The appro
priation for the payment OF pensions for the
fiscal year 1S9O-91 was S127, 6S5, 1913 49, and
the amount expended Sis, $50, $40 25 leaving
an unexpended surplus of 50, 155, 144.f4.
The estimate for pension expenditures for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898, sS14,-
956 900, which, after careful examination of
the subject, the Commissioner is of the opin-
ion will be sufficient. While these disburse-
ments to the disabled soldiers of the great
civil war are large they do not realize the
exaggerated estimates of those who oppose
this benefcent legislation. The Secretary Of
the Interior shows with great fulness the
care that is taken to exclude fraudulent
claims, and also the gratifying fact that the
persons to whom these pensions going
are Iuen who rendered, not slight, but sub
stantial war service.
THE ELEVENTH CENSUS.
The work of the Census Bureau is now far
in advance and the great bulk of the enOr-
nous labor involved completed. 1t will be
more strictly statistical exhibit and less
encountered by essays than its immediate
predecessors. The methods pursued have
been fair, careful and intelligent, and have
secured the approval of the statisticans who
have followed them with scientific and non
partisan interest. The appropriations neCes-
sarv to the early completion and publication
of the authorized volumes should be given in
time to secure against delays which increase
the cost and at the same time diminish the
value of the WORK.
AGRICULTURE.
,ei