Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-04

 s6, 5000 ,000, and of the coinage value of ST, ,576, LOO. It is estimated that on the 1st uay of July, 1894, the stock or metallic money in the United States, consisting of coin and bullion, amounted to q, ,25o, ,640,, 95S, of which y627 ,923, POI was gold and S62l 347 757 was silver.
 Fifty national banks were organized dur ing the year ending October 3l, 1891, with a capital of B, 2So, GOO, and seventy nine, with a capital oI s10, ,475. 900, went into vol with capital of S2,770, ,00), were placed in the hands of receivers. The total number of national banks in existence on the 31st day of October, 1891, was 3756, being forty less than on the Slst day of October, 1893. The capital stock paid in was S672, 61l ,36o, being S9, CTS, 491 less than at the same time in the previous year, and the surplus fund and undivided profits, less expenses and taxes paid, amount to s334 l2l, 0S2. 10, which was s16 OS9 7S0 less than on Ucto Der 31, 1893. The circulation was decreased S1,74l ,563. The obligations of the banks to each other were increased S1l, 25S ,334 and the individual deposits were s2G,- 294 4S9 less than at the corresponding date in the previous year. Loans and discounts were $l61, 206, 1923 more than at the same time the previous year, and checks and other cash items were S90, 3l9 ,963 more. The total resources of the banks al The date mentioned amounted to 8, 473 1922 ,055 as against s3, 109 .563 ,2S4 36 in 1883.
 IhE ARMY.
 From the reports of the secretary of war 1t appears that the strength of the army on September 30, 1894, was 2, l33 officers and 26 765 enlisted men. Although this is ap- parently very slight decrease compared with the previous year, the actual effective force has been increased to the equivalent of nearly two regiments through tne reor- ganization of the system of recruiting and the consequent release to regimental duty of the large force of men hitherto serving at the recruiting depots. The abolition of these depots, it is predicted, will further more effect an annual reduction approxi mating S250 900 in the direct expenditures, besides promoting generally the health, morals and discipline of the troops. The execution of the policy of concentrating the army at important centers of popula- tion and transportation, foreshadowed in the last annual report of the secretary, has resulted in the abandonment of fifteen of the smaller posts, which was effected under plan which assemblies organizations of the same regiments hitherto widely separated. This renders our small forces more readily effective for any service which they may be called upon to perform, increases the extent of the territory under protection without diminishing the security heretofore af- forded to any locality, improves the dis cipline, training and esprit du corps of the army, besides considerably decreasing the costs of its maintenance. Though the forces of the department of the east have been somewhat increased, more than three- fourths of the army is still stationed west o. the Miss issi ppi This carefully matured pollc,, which secures the best and greatest service in the interests of the general well fare from the small force comprising our regular army, should not be thoughtlessly embarrassed by the creation of new and un- necessary posts through acts of congress to gratify the amt itions or interests of local- ities. While the maximum legal strength of the army is 25 900 men, the effective strength, through various causes, is but little over 20, GOO men. The purpose of con- gress does not, therefore, seem to be fully attained by the. existing condition, while no considerable increase in the army is, in my judgment, demanded by recent events. # The policy of the sea coast Notifications, in the prosecution of which we have steadily augmented for some years, has so far de- veloped as to suggest that the effective strength of the army be now made at least equal to the naval strength. Measures taken by the department during the year, as indicated, have already considerably augmented the effective force, and the sec retary of war presents plan which rec- ommend to the consideration of congress to attain the desired end.
 Economies effected in the department in other lines of it's work will offset to great extent the expenditure involved in the proposition submitted. Among other things thls contempates the adoption of IQ6 luTHe DabtiilOu lOTIDdtlOU OI mentS. which fer several years has been indorsed by the secretaries ot war and generals com manding the army. Compact in itself it provides skeleton organization ready to be filled out in the event of war, which is peculiarly adapted to our strength and requirements, and the fact that every other nation, with a single exception, has adopted this forma- tioa to meet the conditions of modern warfare, should alone a n early consideration. It is hardly necessary to recall the fact that in obe- dience to the commands of the constitu- ton and the laws, and for the purpose of protecting the property of the United States, aiding the process of the federal to the performance by the government of its legitimate functions it became neces- sary in various localities during the year to employ a considerable portion of the regular troops. The duty was discharged promptly, courageously and with mark d discretion by the off ,ers aud m sn, and the most gratifying proof was thus afforded that the army deserves that complete con. fdence in its efficiency and discipline which the country has at all times mani Tested. The year has b.en frae from dis turoauces by Indians, and tho chances of further depredations on their part are con stantly becoming moro remote and i'm probable.
 he totdi eA peEuituTes TOT bue war Oe- partment for the year ending gJune 30, 1891, amount to t56, ,039 ,009.34. or this sum s2, 00o, ,6lI 99 Has for salaries and contin- gent expenses, s23 ,665, l56 l6 for the sup port of the military. establishment, S5, ,00l 6S2 23 for misc .lIaneous objects and S-5 ,S7i, ,555 96 for pIblic works This latter sun includes $l9, 49I ,0l7 49 for river and hartor Improvements ia B. 947 SIS 56 for deIenses. The ap pro p-iat ons or he current year aggregate S52, ,4z9,- 112. IS, and the estimates submitted by the secretary of war for the next fl seal year call for appropriations amounting to S52, ,3lS,, 629 55.
 The skill and industry of our ordnance off cers and inventors have, it is believed, overcome the mechanical obstacles which have heretofore delayed the armament of our coasts, and this great national under. taking upon which we have entered may now proceed as rapidly as congress shall determine. With s supply of finished guns of large caliber already on hand, to which additions should now rapidly follow, the wisdom of providing carriages and em- placements tor their mount cannot be too strongly urged. The totIl enrolment of the militia of the several states is IF ,5i3 ond o,If t.l