The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-12-07

osa'os eee.neu 10 De expected upon the
reassembllng OF the congress led me tc
express Willingness to have tie
meeting still further postponed. 1t
seems to me that IL would be
wise to give general authority
TO the president TO invite other nations
TO such conference at any time when
there should be fair prospect of ac-
compllshing an international agree
ment on the subject of coinage.
GOVERNMENT BONDS.
desire also to earnestly suggest the
wisdom OF amending the existing stat
utes IN regard to the issuance of gov
ernment bonds. The authority now
vested in the secretary OF the tfeasurv
to issue bonds is not as clear as Il
should be, and the bonds authorized
are disadvantageous to the govern
menth both as to the tune of their
maturity aud rate of interest.
IMMIGRATION.
The superintendent OF immigration.
through the hesecretaiy of the treasury,
reports that during the last
fiscal year there arrived at
our l3 ports 440,79S Immigrants
OF these, 1908 We're not permitted TO
land under the limitations of the law
ana 0T7 were returned to the countries
from which they came by reason OF
their having become public charges.
The total arrivals were 1,4l0,34O less
than for the previous year.
The secretary in fis report gives an
account OF the operation OF the marine
hospital service and of the good work
done under its supervision ia preven-
tion OF the entrance OF contagious dis
eases.
The admonitions of the last two
years touching on public health and
the demonstrated danger of contract
ing diseases from foreign ports
has invested the subject OF
national quarantine with increased
interest. A more general and harmo-
NOUS system than now exists, acting
promptly and quickly everywhere and
constantly operating by preventive
measures to shield our country.
from the invasion of disease and at
the same time having due regard to the
rights and duties OF local agencies
would believe add greatly to the safe.
ty OF our people.
SECRETARY OF WAR.
The secretary OF war reports that the
strength of the army on September 80.
last, was 5,778 enlisted men and 3l44
officers. The total expenditures OF the
department for the year ending June
80, 1903 amounting to $5l, 966, ,O74. 80.
or this sam $l,002 5Sl. .95 was
Tor salaries and contingent expenses
$23, ,379, ,S2S. .35 for the support of the
military establishments, 500, 777n33 8
for miscellaneous objects and $20,516,
6Sl: 4O for public works. This:later sum
includes $l2,296, ,876.46 for river and
harbor improvements, and $780,
l41 20 for Notifications and other works
OF defense.
POSTMASTER GENERAL
The report OF the postmaster gem
eral contains detailed statement OF
the operations OF the postofiice de-
partment during the last fiscal year,
and much interesting information
touching this important branch of
public service. The business OF the
mails indicate with absolute certainty
the condition OF the business of the
country and depression In financial
affairs, inevitably and quickly re-
duces the postal revenues, therefore
a larger discrepancy than
usual between post Office
receipts and expenditures Is the ex-
pected and unavoidable result OF the
distressing strinRency which has pre-
vailed throughout the country during
much of the time covered by the post.
master generals report.
The expense OF free delivery for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1896. will be
more than $11 100000. and under the
administration now existing there
must be constant increase Of this ex
penditure. There were GAL additions
to the domestic money order Offices
during the last fiscal year, being the
largest In any year since the inaugural
tion OF the system. The total number
of these offices at the close OF the year
was i8,484. There were 12,309,7 1886
money orders issued from these offices,
being an increase over the preceding
year OF 1,240,293. and the value OF
these orders amounted to 1927 7,576,.
433 65, an increase OF $7,509, ,032. So.
There were also issued during the year
postal notes amounting to $l2, ,603, 076,-
~. The postofiice receipts for the last
fiscal year amounted to $75,696, 933 46,
and it's expenditures to $S1. .O74' 1O4 90.
This postofflce deficiency would
disappear or be immensely decreased
II less matter was carried free through
the mails, an item OF which Is upwards
OF three hundred tons OF seeds and
grain from the agricultural depart
ment. The total number OF postoffices
in the United States on the 3Oth day OF
June, 1893, was 68, ,403, an increase OF
1884 over the preceding year. or
those 1850 were presidential increase In
that class OF 204 over the proceeding
year.
THE NAVY.
During the past six months the de-
mands for cruising vessels have been
many and more urgent. There have
been revolutions calling for vessels to
protect American interests in Nicarau-
qua, Costa Rica, Honduras, Argentine
and Brazil. while the condition OF af-
fairs in Honolulu has required the
constant presence OF one or more
ships. With all these calls upon the
navy 1t becomes necessary TO make up
3 sufficient feet to patrol the Behring
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