Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1894-12-06
KANSAS AGtTAT0R: GARNsrr, KANSAS, DEC. 8, 1894.

subsidiary silver coin and s7i6oi92 20 in minor
coin
During the calendar year Of 1897. the pro-
d.ctlon OF precious metals in the United
States was estimated at ,739, 80 fine ounces OF
gold OF the commercial and coinage value OF
SIS 055 900 and 60 100 900 fine ounces OF silver OF
the bullion or market value OF S4S 100000 and
OF the coinage value OF s77,576.000. 1t is estim-
ated that on the first day Of July 1884, the
stock OF metallic money in the United States,
consisting OF coin and bullion, amounted to
ST. 25i. $40 95s of which s6.7,92L2)i wal gold,
1924 3i7, 1853 was silver
Fifty national banks were organized during
tho year ending October 81. 1891, with capital
OF S. y g. 900 and seventy-nine with a capital OF
s10.i75.0O) went into voluntary liquida tion
Twenty one banks with capital OF S., 10000
we're placed In the hands OF receivers. The
total lumber of national banks in existence
on the 3lst day OF October last was 375f, be-
ing forty less than on the 3lst day Of October,
1897. The capital stock paid in was sS72,6
1885, being 80 67s, 4ol less than at the same time
in the previous year and the surplus and un'
divided profits less expenses and taxes paid
amounted to 1914. III 0s2 10 which was sl6.Os9,-
$50 less than on October 81, 1891
The circulation has increased Si,7il, 56}.
rhe obligations OF the banks to each other
were increased sllI 26) 1884, and the individual
deposits were s297 24.IS9 less than ut the
corresponding date In the previous years
Loans and discounts were Sl6l, eO6,923 more
than at the same time the previous year and
checks and other cash items were 9J,3i9. 1858
more. The total res ources OF the banks AT
the date mentioned amounted to 50, 4i3 90, OBJ
as against 50, lO9,5 63 2sL 80 in 1893
War Department.
The message reviews and comments on the
report OF the secretary of war. The president
does not believe there Is any necessity for in
creasing the army to 1000 men. as recon-
mended by Secretary Lamont He advises
against the creation of new military posts
The secretary's plal OF the adoption OF the
battalion system Is recommended The strike
troubles of last summer are briefly referred TO
and the action Of the military commended
In recognition OF the Ion and distinguis he'd
military services and faithful discharge Of
delicate and responsible civil duties by Major
General John NJ Schoheld now the general
commanding the army. 1t Is sugg ested to con-
gress that the temporary revival OF the grade
of lieutenant general in his behalf would be
just and gracious act
Department of Justice.
The report OF the attorney general notes the
gratifying progress made by the supreme
court in overcoming the arrears of its bust
ness and 10 reaching condition in which 1t
will be able to dispose OF cases as they arise
without any unreasonable delay. This result
Is OF course very largely due to the successful
working OF the plan inau gurating circuit
courts OF appeals In respect to these trlbun
ais the suggestion Is made in quarters entitled
to the highest consideration that an addi-
tional circuit judge for each circuit would
greatly strengthen these courts and the
confidence reposed in their adjudications
and that such an addition would not create
greater force OF judges than the increasing
business OF such courts requires. / commend
the suggestion to the careful colsideratitn OF
the congress Other important topics are
adverted to the report accompanied by recon-
mendations many OF which have been treated
at large In previous messages. and at this
time they need only be named. refer to the
abolition OF the fee system rs o measure OF
compensation to federal officers. The en-
largement of the powers of United States
commissioners in the territories. the allowance
OF writs of error in criminal cases on behalf
OF the United States and the establishment OF
degrees in the crime of murder A topic dealt
with by the attorn ey general of much import
ance is the condition OF the administration Of
Justice in the Indian Territory The perma-
nent solution OF what Is called the Indian
problem is probably not to be expected at
once, but meanwhile such ameliorations OF
present conditions OF the existing system will
admit ought not to be neglected am salts
fled there should be n federal court estab-
llshed for the territory with sufficient Judges
and that this court should sit within the ter
ritory and have the same jurisdiction rs to
territorial affairs as now vested in the federal
courts sitting in Arkansas and Texas.
Eight years ago In my annual message
urged upon the congress as strongly as could
the location and construction of two prisons
for the confinement OF United States prison
ers A similar recommendation has been
made from time to time since and u few years
ago q law was passed providing for the selec-
ton OF sites for three such institutions No
appropriation has, however, been made to
carry the act into effect and the old and dis
creditible condition still exists
II is not my purpose at this time to repeat
the considerations which make an impre
nable case in favor OF the ownership and man
avement by the government OF the penal in
institutions In which federal prisoners are
confined 1 simply desire 10 aVain urge
former recommendations on the subject and
to particularly call the attention of the con.
gress 10 that part of the report OF the socre-
tary OF war, in which he states that the mil
itary prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
can be turned over to to the government as a
prison for federal convicts without the leas
difficulty and with an actual saving OF money
from every point OF view
Pending more complete reform, l hope
that by the adoption Of the suggestion OF the
secretary OF war this easy stop may be taken
in the direction OF the proper care OF its con
victs by tine government OF the United States
Postal and Navy Departments.
The message next takes up the report OF the
postmaster general and strongly urges the
recommendations Of that ofllcial looking to
the correction OF the abuses OF the second.
class mail matter privilege by publis hers Of
advertising matter. who send tons OF papers
through the mail and deiraud the government
out OF millions OF dollars postage annually.
The free carriage OF seeds of grain throu h
the mails Is also condemned II these abuses
were rectifed the department would be self
sustaining. The report OF the postmaster.
general which has already been published, is
reviewed at length.
Attention Is called to the report OF the sec
rotary OF the navy which shows very crafty
ing progress in the construction OF ships for
our new navy.
recommend that provision be made for the
construction OF additional battle. ships and
torpedo boats The secretary recommends
the manufacture not only OF reserve supply
OF ordnance and ordnance material fos ships
Of the navy but also supply for the auxi-
larry feet Guns and their apprentices
should be provided and kept on hand for both
those purposes We have not to-day n single
gun that could be put upon the ships Paris or
New York OF the International Navigation
company or any other ship OF our reserve
navy The manufacture OF guns ut the