The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1891-12-10

offensive. This government Is, now
awaiting the result of an investigation
by the criminal courts at Valparaiso,
which result is looked for soon. This
whole matter will be the subject of q
special message to congress if Chill does
not render due and speedy account of
herself for that unjust and murderous
attack upon our seamen.
A friendly but firm protest has been
made to Russia against the hard meas
ures offered against Jews in that
country.
The Nicaragua canal project receives
the hearty endorsement of the presi-
dent, who urges that government aid be
extended, if necessary, to complete the
canal speedily, and he hopes that neither
party nor sectional lines may act as a
drawback to this great project which
means much for Americans.
The Treasury Department..
The president insists that tariff and
other legislation of the last congress has
been only beneficial to all classes. Dur
ing the twelve months from Oct. l.,
1890, to Sept. 30, 1891, the total value of
our foreign commerce Imports and ex-
ports combined) was $1,747, 1906, 400,
which was the largest of any year in the
history of the United States.
During the year ending Sept. 80. 1891,
our imports Of merchandise amounted
to 1924, TO, 270, which was an increase
Of more than eleven million dollars over
the value of the imports Of the CORES.
ponding months of the preceding year.
The value of free imports during the
twelve months ending Sept. 30, 1891,
was SIS, 092, 1877 more than the value of
free imports during the corresponding
twelve months of the preceding year.
The Silver Question.
Under the law of July IA, 1890, the
secretary of the treasury has purchased
since Aug. Is, during the fiscal year 49,
393,113 ounces of silver bullion at an
average cost of $1.045 per ounce. The
highest price paid during the year was
$1.2025, and the lowest SO. 9636. In ex-
change for this silver bullion there have
been issued $50, 577, 49S of the treasury
notes authorized by the act.
The surplus on March ], 1889, was
$1S3, S27, 1920. The policy of applying
this surplus to the redemption Of the
interest bearing securities of the United
States was thought to be preferable to
that of depositing it without interest In
selected national banks. There have
been redeemed since the. date last men
toned Of interest bearing securities
$259, 679,3 $50, resulting in reduction Of
the annual interest charge of 81, 1884,
kS5.
The result of this policy, of the silver
Legislation, and Of the refunding of the
~ per cent. bonds has been a large ir,-
grease in the money in circulation. At
the date fast named the ejaculation was
81 .4O4, 205, 1896, or $2S.03 per capita;
while on the first day of December. 1891
# mad increased to $l,677, 262, 07O, or
ga. IS per capita
The Postofiice Department..
The revenues of the department show
an increase of over five millions of dol
lars, while the estimates for the year
1855 s iio;rs q surplus of receipts over
expenditures. Eight Thousand miles Of
new postal service has been established
upon railroads. The president recon-
mends that free mail delivery be ex-
tended to all towns Of 5000 inhabitants,
that all country postoficess be made
money order stations, and that the sys-
tenn Of free mail delivery in country
districts be tried.