The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-08
INCREASING IMMIGRATION.


The number of immigrants arriving In
the United States during the fiscal year was
3i3 ,2d7. of whom 0.46S were permitted to
land and 2I99 were deba'red on various
grounds prescribed by law and returned TO
the countries whence they came at the ex-
pense of the steamship companies by which
they were brought in. The increase in ini-
migration over the preceding year
amounted to s4.T3l. 1t is reported that
with some exceptions the immigrants of The
past year were Of hearty laooring class.
accustomed and able to earn support for
themselves, and 1t is estimated that tie
money brought with them amounted 20 at
least $4,000. O00. though 1t was probably
II UGH in excess of that sum, since only
those having less than $50 are required TO
disclose the exact amount and 1t is known
that many brought considerable sums OF
II oney to buy land and build homes. IN
GLIDING all the immigrants arriving who
were over II years 1858 per cent were
iilitorate, as against 20.37 per cent of
those of that age arriving during the pre-
ccdiag fiscal year. The number OF immi-
grants over IA years old, the countries from
which they came and the percentage of i'll
literatee among them We're as follows:
81 .ies, with per cent; Russia, 35,iSS, with
4.1A per cent; Austria Hungary and Frovi-
iuces, 81 .053, with 3S.52 per cent; Germany.
% 334 with 2qG per cont; Sweden, 1881.
with lie per cent; while. from Portugal
there came 2067 Of whom 1I.Ga per cent
were illiterate. There arrived from Japan
during the year only lll0 immigrants. and
1t is the opinion of the immigration au-
thorltiea that the apprehension heretofore
existing TO some extent OF n large immigrn-
ton from Japan to the Uni'ed states Is
without any substantial foundation.
THE LIFE SAVING SERVICE.
From the life saving service is reported
that the number of disasters to documented
vessels within the limits OF It's operations
during the year was 437. These vessels had
on board i6lS persons, of which 1895 were
saved and 10 lost. The value OF such ves-
sells Is estimated at $3.50 40, and of their
careoes 3,si6,3S0, making the total value Of
property imperired sl2.72G,520. or this
amount sll. 292, 7o7 was saved and 81, 432. $50
was lost Siytyseven OF the vessels were
totally wrecked. There were besides 2i3
ca suaitics 10 small undocumented crafts.
on board of which there We're 59i persons,
of whom $50 We're saved and were lost.
The value of the property involved in
these latter casualties is estimated at sll9.-
go. of which Slli,9l5 was saved and $3.50
was lost. The life saving crews during the
gear also rescued or assisted numerous other
vessels and warned many from danger by
signal, both by day ard night. The nufii-
bor of disasters during the year exceeded
that OF any previous year in the history OF
the service. but the saving of both iife and
property WAS greater than ever before In
proportion to the value OF the property in
VOWED and to the number OF persons I'M
reIilCd.
The operations of the marine hospital
service, the revenue cutter SERVICE the
steamboat inspection service. the light
house service, the bureau of navigation and
other branches of public work attached TO
the treasury department together with
various recommendations concerning their
support and Improvements are fully stated
in the report Of the secretary Of the treas
MY 10 which the attention of congress Is
Csuocially invited