Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-12-14
ernment, as compared with the fiscal year

ernment, as compared with the fiscal year
1893
There was collected from the customs
S131, ,8l8, 1902, and from internal revenue
$147, ,163, ,4497O. The balance OF the income
for the year, amounting to $99, ,S15, ,5T91
was derived from the sales OF lands and
other sources.
The value of our total dutiable imports
amounted to $275, 199, ,036. being $146, 657, ,625
less than during the preceding year, and the
importations free Of duty amountedto $780,
795, $780, being $64, 675 less than during
the preceding year. The receipts from GUS
toms were $73, ,596, ,4S6. II less, AMI from in
ternal revenue $13, 1886, 53997 less than In
1893.
The total tax collected from distilled spirits
was $S5, ,259, ,250.25 on manufactured tobacco
SIS, ,617, ,S9S.62, and on fermented liquors, S3l,-
14,7SS.04.
Our exports of merchandise, domestic and
foreign, amounted during the year to $780,
140, ,572 being an increase over the preced-
ing year Of S44, ,405,S70.
The total amount of gold exported during
the fiscal year was $40, 49,, ,06l, against SlO5,-
$50, ,444 during the fiscal year 1893. The
amount imported was $72, 449, 1lS, asagainst
$21, ,174, ,3S1 during the previous year.
The imports of silver were $13, ,296, ,552,
THE ARMY.
The execution of the policy OF concentrat-
ing 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
readily effective for any service they may bo
called upon TO perform, increases the extent
of the territory under protection Without
diminishing the security heretofore afforie
TO any locality, improves the discipline, train
ing and esprit de corps of the army, besides
considerably decreasing the cost OF its main
tenance.
Though the forces Of the Department OF
the East have been somewhat increase, !,
more than three fourths Of the army are still
stationed west OF the Mississippi. This care
fully matured policy. which secures the besG
and greatest ssrvice in the interest OF the
general welfare from the small force COM
prising our regular army, should not be
thoughtlessly embarrasse by the creation OF
new and unnecessary posts through acts OF
Congress 10 crafty the ambitious or interests
of localities.
1t is hardly necessary to recall the fact
that in obedience to the commands OF the
Constitution and laws, AMI for the purpose
of projecting the property OF tine United
, States, aiding the process OF Federal courts
and removing lawless distractions to the
performance by the Government OF its legiti-
mate functions, it became necessary
in various localities during the year
to employ considerable portion OF the
regular troops. The duty was discharged
promptly, courageously and with marked
discretion by the officers and men, and the
most gratifying proof was thus Afforded that
the army deserves that complete confidence
in its efficiency and discipline which thi
country has at all times manifested.
The year has been free from disturbances
by Indians, and the chances OF further dep
relations on their part are constantly becon-
ing more remote and improbable.
The skill and Industry OF our ordnance Of
fcers and inventors have, 1t 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 may de.
termfne. With supply OF finished guns OF
large calibre already on hand. to which adj
ditions should now rapidly follow, the wis
dom OF providing carriages and emplace
ments for their noun. cannot betoo strongly
urged.
The total enrolment OF the militia OF the
several States is 1T. .533 officers and enlisted
men. an increase Of 5343 over the number
repor.ed at the close of the previous year.
| The reports of militia inspections by regular
army officers show a marked increase in in.
terest and efficiency among the State organ
izatIons, and I strongly recommend con-
tinuance of the policy OF affording every
practical encouragement possible TO this I'M
portant auxiliary Of our military establish
ment.
The condition of the Apache Indians.
| held as prisoners by the Government for
eight years at cost Of half million do.'
lars. has been changed during the year IRON
captivity to one which gives them an oppor-
tunity 10 demonstrate their capacity for SELF
support and at least partial civilization.
Legislation enacted at the late session ol
Congress gave the War Department au'
ebority to transfer the survivors,
numbering 946 from Mount Vernon
Barracks, in Alabama, to any suitable reser-
vation. The department selected as their
future home the military lands near Fort
Sill, Indian Territory, where, under military
surveillance, the former prisoners have been
established in agriculture under conditions
favorable to their advancement.
In recognition OF the long and distin'
| QniSn60 military SeTViC6S anu W.
charge of delicate and responsible Civil
duties by Maior-General John M. Schoheld
now the General commanding the Army, II
is suggested to Congress that the temporary
revival OF the grade Of Northumberland
in his behalf would be just and gracious
act. and would permit his retirement, now
near at hand, with rank beAtting his merits.
DEFICIENCY IN THE POSTAL SERVICE.
The transactions ofthe postal service indl'
cate with barometic certainty the fluctuations
In the business OF the country. Inasmuch
therefore, as business complications con
timed TO exist throughout the last year to ar
unforeseen extent it is not surprising that th'
deficiency OF revenue TO meet the expendi
lures OF the Postofflce Department, Which
was estimated in advance at about eigh
million dollars, should be exceeded D.
nearly one and quarter million dollats
The ascertained revenues OF the last year
which were the basis OF calculation Tor the
current year. being less than estimator, th'
deficiency for tho current year Will be coz
respondingiy greater, though the Postmas
ter-General states that the latest INDICATIONS
are so favorable that he confidentlaly pre-
diets All increase of at least eight per cent
I'm the revenues OF the current year ovel
those Of the last year.
The expenditures increase steadily an.
necessarily with the growth and needs o. thu
country, so that the deficiency is greater Oh
less in any year depending upon the volume
OF receipts.
The Postmaster-General says that this
deficiency Is unnecessary and might bC
ohvlated at once II the law regulating rates
upon mail matter OF the second-cla>S was
notified. The rate received for the trans
mission OF this second-class matter is one
cent per pound, while the cost of such trans
mission to the Government is eight time;
that amount. In the general terms OF tn.
law this rlte covers newspapers an