Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-03

Of the war Of the rebellion, and Of these
ACC, 344 are on the rolls under the authority
Of the act Of June q, 1880. sometimes call
ed the dependent pension law.
The total amount expended for pensions
during the year was $3.50. SO4. 461.O5. leaving
an unexpended balance from the sum ep-
propriated of s25.2O5, 1926.
The sum necessary to meet pensions ex-
penditures for the year ending June 50,
1896. is estimated at 10000, 600.
The commissioner Of pensions Is of the
opinion that the year 1895, being the Thrift
eth after the close of the war of the rebel
lion. must, according to all sensible human
calculations, see the highest limit OF the
pension roll. and that after that year 1t
must begin to decline.
The claims pending in the bureau have
decreased more than 10000 during the
year. A large proportion Of the new claims
filed are for increase Of pensions by those
now on the rolls. The number Of certifi-
Gates issued was SO.213.
The names dropped from the rolls for ell
causes during the year numbered 1881.
Among our pensioners are nine widows
and three daughters Of soldiers Of the
revolution, and forty-five survivors OF the
war Of 1872
Pension FRAUDS.
The barefaced and extensive pension
frauds exposed under the direction of the
courageous and generous veteran soldier
now at the head Of the bureau leave no
room for the claim that no purgation Of
our pension rolls was needed. or that con-
tinued vigilance and prompt action are not
necessary to the same end.
The accusation that an effort to detect
pension frauds is evidence of unfriendliness
toward our worthy veterans and denial
of their claims to the generosity Of the
government, suggests an unfortunate in
difference to the commission of any offense
which has for it's motive the securing Of
a pension. and indicates a willingness to
be blind to The existence of mean and
treacherous crimes which play upon dema-
gogic fears and make sport of the patriotic
impulse of a grateful people.
Census Matters.
The completion of the eleventh census Is
now In charge Of the commissioner Of la
Dor. The total disbursements on account
Of the work for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1894, amounted to 10,365, 676.S1
At the close Of the year the number of
persons employed In the census office was
67s. At pl esent there are about 400. The
whole number Of volumes necessary to
comprehend the eleventh census will be
twenty-five and they will contain 22.27O
printed pages The assurance il confident
ly made that before the close of the present
calendar year the material still incomplete
will be practically in hand and the census
can certainly be closed by the 4th Of
March. 1925. After that the revision and
proof reading necessary to bring out the
volumes will still be required. The text of
the census volumes has been limited. as
far as possible. to the analysis of the sta
tistics presented This method. which Is
in accordance with law. has caused more or
less friction and in some instances individ-
ual disappointment. for when the commits
sioner of labor took charge of the work he
found much matter on hand which, accord
ing to this rule, he was compelled to dis
card. The census is being prepared &C
cording to the theory that 1t Is designed to
collect facts and certify them to the pub
lic-not to elaborate arguments or to pre-
sent personal Views.
Secretary MOrtOn's Department..
The Secretary of Agriculture In his re-
port reviews the operations Of his depart
ment for the last fiscal year and makes
recommendation for the further extension
of it's usefulness. He reports a saving in
expenditures during the year of 100000
which is covered back into the treasury.
This sum Is % per cent of the entire ap-
preparation.
special study has been made of the de-
mand for American farm products in all
foreign markets. especially Great Britain.
That country received from the United
States during the nine months ending Sep
fap ,har
valued at SOC. 500 600. as against 1872 GIL cat
tie. valued at $685.. 900. during the same
period for 1893.
During the first six months Of 1891 the
United Kingdom took also 112,OOO,OOO
pounds Of dressed beef from the United
States. valued at nearly $1O.OOO.OOO.
The report shows that during the nine
months Immediately preceding September
80. 1894. the United States exported to
Great Britain 222 676.OOO pounds Of pork;
of apples. 100000 bushels. valued at ST.
100000. and of horses. 2S11, at an average
value Of $3.50 per head. There was a falling
of In American wheat exports Of 13. SOC, 600
bushels. and the Secretary Is inclined to
believe that wheat may not in the future
be the staple export cereal product Of our
country, but that corn will continue to ad-
vance in Importance as an export. on &C
count Of the new uses to which II Is con-
stantly being appropriated.
The exports Of agricultural products
from the United States for the fiscal year
ending June 30. 1894. amounted to $62s,-
863. OBS. being 72.2S per cent of American
exports of every description, and the
United Kingdom of Great Britain took more
than "a per cent Of all farm products find
ing foreign markets.
The Department Of Agriculture has I'M
dertaken during the year two new and i'm
portant lines of research. The first relates
to grasses and forage plants, with the pur-
pose Of instructing and familiarizing the
people as to the distinctive grasses of the
United States and teaching them how to
introduce valuable foreign forage plants
which may be adapted to this country. The
second relates to agricultural soils and
crop production, involving the analyses of
samples. Of soils from all sections of the
American Union, to demonstrate their
adaptability to particular plants and crops.
Mechanical analysis of soils may be of
such inestimable utility that it is foremost
In the new lines Of agricultural research.
and the Secretary therefore recommends
that q division having 1t In charge be per-
manently established in the department.
A Good Word for the Weather Bureau.