Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1894-12-06

1923 more than at the same time the pre-
vious year, and checks and other cash
items were 9J,349,963 more. The total re-
sources of the banks at the date mentioned
amounted to S3475. 1922, 055, as against
So, l09, 563.284.3 in 1893.
The War Department.
From the report of the secretary of war
it appears that the strength OF the army on
Sept 30 1894, was 2 135 officers and %, 765
enlisted men. This is apparently q
very slight decrease compared with the
previous year.
The execution of the policy of concen-
trating the army at important centers OF
population and transportation, fore
Swallowed 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 or
CARNATIONS of the same regiments hitherto
widely separated. This renders our small
forces more readily effective for any ser
vice which they may be called upon to per-
form, increases the extent of the territory
under protection without diminishing the
security heretofore afforded to any locality,
improves the discipline, training and esprit
de corps of the army, besides considerably
decreasing the cost of its maintenance.
While the maximum legal strength OF
the army is 25,O0) men, the eff ctlVe
strength, through various causes, is but
gress does not therefore seem to be fully
attained by the existing condition. While
no considerable increase in the army 49, IN
my judgment. demanded by recent events,
1T is hardly necessary to recall the TACT
that in obedience to the commands or the
constitution and the laws, and for the pur-
pose of protecting the property of the
United States, aiding the process of the
Federal courts and removing lawless OBJ
structions to the performance by the gov
eminent of its legitimate functions, 1T be-
came necessary in various localities during
the year, to employ considerable portion
of the regular troops. The duty was dis
charged promptly, courageously and with
marked discretion by the officers and men,
and the most gratifying proof was thus af-
forded that the army deserves that COM
plete confidence in it's efficiency and disci-
pline which the country has at all times
manifested.
The total enrolment of the militia of the
several states is III ,533 officers and enlisted
men, an increase of 5,343 over the number
reported at the close of the previous year.
In recognition of the long and distin-
guished military services of and faithful
discharge of delicate and responsible civil
duties by Major-G General John M. Schofield,
now the general commanding the army, 1T
is suggested to congress that the temporary
revival of the grade of Acknowledgement
act.
Union Pacific Railway.
A subject of pressing moment referred to
by the attorney general is the reorgeniza-
ton of the Union Pacific railway company
on basis equitable as reg ards all private in
terests and as favorable to the government
as existing conditions will permit The
operation of a railroad by a court through a
rec eiver is an anomalous state of things
hCln La tod oil n
public and private, at the earliest possible
moment. Besides, not to enact the needed
enabling legislation at the present session
postpones the whole matter until the as
Sembling Of u new congress and inevitably
increases oil the complications of the situa,
ton, and could not but be regarded as O
signal failure to solve a problem which has
pending more complete reform, practically
been before the present congress ever since
its organization.
Postoffce Department.
the report of the postmastergeneral pre-
sents comprehensive statement OF the
operations OF the postoffice department for
the last fiscal year.
The receipts of the department during
the year amounted to S75 $50, 479. GA and the
expenditures to $S4, 324, 4l4.15.
The transactions of the postal service in
di ate with barometric certainty the fiuct-
try.
The postmaster general states that the
deficit is unnecessary and might be obviated
at once il the law regulating rates upon
mail matter of the secondclass was modi-
fed. The rate received for the transmits
sion of this second-class matter is | cent
per pound, while the cost of such transmits
sion to the government is eight times that
amount In the general terms of the law
this rate covers newspapers and periodicals.
The extensions of the meaning of these
terms from time to time have admitted to
the privileges intended for legitimate
newspapers and periodicals a surprising
range of publications and created abuses,
the cost of which amount in the aggregate
to the total deficiency of the postoffice de-
partment Pretended newspapers are
started by business houses for the mere
purpose of advertising goods, complying
with the law in form onl ~ and discontinue
ing the publications soon as the period
of advertising is over. Sample copies
of pretended newspapers are issued in
great numbers for a like purpose only.
The result is a great loss of revenue to
the government, besides its humiliating.
Use as an agency to aid in carrying out
the scheme of business house to advertise
its goods by means of trick upon both its
rival houses and the regular and legitimate
newspapers. Paper covered literature con
tent of many thousands of tons is sent
through the mails at one cent per pound,
while the publishers of standard works are
required to pay eight times that amount in
sending their publications.
About the Navy.
Attention is called to the report of the
secretary of the navy, which shows very
gratifying progress in the construction OF
of ships for our new navy. All the yes
sells now building including the three tor.
pedo boats authorized at the last session OF
congress, and excepting the first class bat
tie ship Iowa. will probably be completed
during the coming fiscal year.
The estimates for the increase of the
navy for the year ending June 30. 1896, arc
large, but they include practically the en-
tire sum necessary to complete and equip al
the new ships not now in commission, sc
appropriations for the naval service fol
fall below the estimates for the coming
year by at least Sl2,001,000.
The secretary presents with much earnest
! ness a plea for the authorization of three
| additional battleships and ten or twelve
! torpedo boats While the unarmored yes
| sells heretofore authorized, including those
now nearing completion, will constitute a
| fleet, which it is believed is sufficient for
! ordinary cruising purposes in time of peace,
| we have now completed and in process of
| construction but four first class battle
! ships and but few torpedo boats. If we
I are to have navy for warlike operations,
| offensive and defensive, we certainly