Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1892-12-16

| year, it is estimated will be reduced to ST.
! 3D., 423, which will not only b. extinguishei
| during the next fiscal year, but a surplus OF
nearly one million dollars should then be
| shown. In these calculations the payments
| to be made under the contracts for ocean
mail service have not been included.
| The number Of postoffices has been in
creased by 279G during the year; and during
the past four years and up to October %
last the total increase in the number OF Of
! fees has been nearly nine thousand. The
| number of free-deivery offices has been
| nearly doubled in the last four years, and
| the number of money-order offices more
| than doubled within that time.
For the three years ending June 81, 1892,
| the postal revenue amounted to S191, I44, 359,
which was an increase of $50, 263, $50 over the
revenue for the three years ending June 30,
1888, the increase during thelast three years
being more than three AMI a half times as
great as the increase during the three years
ending June 30. 1855.
OUR NAVAL PROGRESS
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
exhibits great progress in the construction
| OF our new navy. When the present Secre-
tary entered upon his duties only three
modern steel vessels were in commission.
The vessels since put in commission and to
be out in commission during the winter will
make a total of 10 during his administra-
ton of the Department. During the cur
rent year 10 war vessels aud 3 navy tugs
have been launched, and during the four
years 25 vessels will have been launched.
Two other large ships and torpedo boat
are under contract and the work upon them
well advanced and the four monitors are
awaiting only the arrival of their armor,
which has been unexpectedly delayed, or
they would have been before this in com.
mission.
Contracts have been let during this ad
ministration, under the appropriations for
the increase of the Navy, including new YES
sells and their appurtenances. to the amount
Of $50, OOO. 900, and there has been expended
.during the same period for labor at navy
yards upon similar work s., O00, OOO without
the smallest scandal or charge of fraud or
partiality.
THE NAVAL MILITIA.
The development of a naval militia, which
has been organized in eight States and
brought into cordial and cooperative rela-
tions with the Navy, is another important
achievement. There are now enlisted in
these organizations 1900 men, and they are
likely to be greatly extended. [ recommend
such legislation and appropriations will
encourage and develop this movement.
THE SUBJECT OF PENSIONS.
The report of the Commissioner of
Pensions to which extended notice is given
by the Secretary of the Interior in his
report, will attract great attention.
Judged by the aggregate amount OF work
done the last year has baen the greatest in
the history of the Office. [ believe that the
organic alton of the Office is efficient, aud
that the work has been done with fidelity.
The passage of what IS known as the disabil-
itV bill has as was foreSeen, very largely
increased the annual disbursements to
the disabled veterans OF the civil war. The
estimate for this fiscal year was S144-
956, 900, and that amount was appro-
priated. A deficiency amounting to $10,-
sos CPL must be provided for at this session.
The estimate for pensions for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1894, Is $4o3 900, COO. The
Commissioner of Pensions believes that if
the present legislation and methods are
maintained and futher additions to the pen
sion laws are not made, the maximum ex-
penditure for pensions will be reached June
80 1894 and will be at the highest point
$lSS, OOO 600 per annum.
[ adhere to the views expressed in previous
messages that the care Of the disabled SOL
diers of the war of the rebellion is a matter
of national concern and duty. Perhaps no
emotion coos sooner than that Of gratitude,
but cannot believe that this process has
yet reached a point with our people that
would sustain the policy OF remitting the
care Of these disabled veterans to the made
quate agencies, provided by local laws. The
parade on the Goth of September last upon
the streets of this capital OF sixty thousand OF
the surviving Union veterans OF the war of
the rebellion was a most touching and thrill
ing episode and the rich and gracious well
come extended to them by the District Of
Columbia and the applause that greeted
their progress from tens Of thousands Of peo-
pie from all the States did much to revive
glorious recolIections of the grand review.
when these men and many thousand others
now in their graves were welcomed with
grateful Joy as victors in a struggle in which
the national unity, honor and wealth were
all at issue.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT WORK.
The report Of the Secretary of Agricul-
ture contains not only most interesting
statement Of the progressive and valuable
work done under the adm iniStration Of
Secretary Rusk, but many suggestions for
the enlarged usefulness or this important
Department. In the successful effort to
break down the RESTRICT ons to the free in
PRODUCTION of our meat products IN the |
countries of Europe the Secretary has been |
untiring from the first. stimulating and aid
ing all other Government officers, as nome |
and abroad, whose official duties enabled !
them to participate in the work.
The total trade IN hog products with |
Europe in May, 1892 amount ted to 81, oOO,-
900 pounds, against 46 9OO.0 in the same
month of 1891; in June 1892, the exports
aggregated S., 100 600 pounds, against 40
500 OOJ pounds in the same month or the !
previous year; in July there was an increase
of Al per cent. and in August OF ID per cent.
over the corresponding months OF 1891. over
40. 900. 900 pounds of Inspected pork have
been exported since the law was put into
operation and a comparison OF the four
months OF May, June, july and August,
1892, with the same months of 1891, show an
increase in the number of pounds OF our ex-
port of pork product of 62 per cent. and an
increase in value of 6615 per cent.
The exports of dressed beef increased from
137, 900, 900 pounds in 1889 to 22o, 3d. JO
pounds in 1892, or about 20 per cent. Dur
ing the past year there have been exported
1914. 6J7 head OF live cattle as against POS, 7S6
IYnF Sp7 a.