Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-11
vanced, and promise TO reach a successful
contamination at an early date.
The GnnsuIar Seryica


The scheme Of examining applicants for
certain consular positions 20 test their
competency and fitness, adopted under ar
executive order issued on the 10th Of Sep
TENDER 1885, has fully demonstrated the
Usefulness Of this innovation. In connec-
ton with this plan Of examination, pro-
motions and transfers of deserving In
cumDents have been quite extensively
made, with excellent results. During the
past year 50 appointments have been mace
In the consular service, q Of which were
made TO fiji vacancies caused by death or
resignation or 10 supply newly-cr6 ated
posts, two 10 succeed ncumbents removed
for cause, two for the purpose OF dl2plGCicS
alien consular officials by American citi-
zens, and -four merely changing the Off
cial title of incumbent from commercial
agent TO consul. Twelve Of these appoint
ments were transfers or promotions from
other positions under the department OF
state, four of those appointed had rem
dered previous service under the depart
ment, eight were made Of persons who
passed a satisfactory examination, seven
were appointed 10 places not included IN
the order of September 20, 1880, and four ap-
pontments as above stated, involved no
change OF incumbency. The inspection Of
consular Offices provided for by an app"o-
sion Of the congress has been productive
Of such wholesome effects that hope this
important work will IN the future toe con
tinued. ! know of nothing that can be
done with the same slight expense so ina
proving 10 the service desire 10 repeat
the accommodation contained in my last
public expense official residences for our
ambassadors and ministers at foreign cap
itals. The reasons supporting this recon-
mendation are strongly stated In the re
port OF the secretary OF state, aDc the
subject seems Of such Importance that
hope II may receive the early attention OF
the congress.
Preservation of Seal Life.
We have during the last year labored
faithfully and against unfavorable condi-
tlons TO secure better preserva ton OF seal
states and Great Britain have lately dis
patched commissioners TO these waters TO
study the habits and condition of the seal
herd and the causes of their rapid de-
crease. Upon the reports of these COM
missioners soon TO be submitted, and with
the exercise OF patience and good sense on
the part Of all interested parties, ii is ear
nestly hoped that hearty cooperation may
be secured for the protection against
threatened extinction OF seal life in the
northern Pacific and Behring sea.
Our Finances.
The secretary of the treasury reports
that during lhe fiscal year ended June 90
1896, the receipts Of the government from
all sources amounted 10 s409 AIS, 40S7S. Dur
ing the same period It's expenditures We're
Si34,61S.6A 49, the excess OF expenditures
over receipts amounting 10 s25, 293, 2t5 TO-
The ordinary expenditures during the year
were A,0l5. S52.2l less than during the pre-
Cediag fiscal year. OF the receipts men
toned, there were derived from customs
the sum of $3.50 02l. 1917 and from internal
customs show an increase Of 81 500, 1874 p
over those from the same source for the
fiscal year ended June 60 1895. and the re-
ceipts from internal revenue an increase OF
1854, 5379l
Imports and Exports.
The value of our imported dutiable mer-
chandise during the last fiscal year Va !
$685. 49,, 10, aud the value Of free goods i'm
ported $09, s67 40, being an increase Of So
o23.675 in the value OF dutiable goods and
81 8l ,0Si In the value Of free goods over
the preceding year our exports Of mer-
chandise. foreign and domestic, amounted
in value to $3.50 .GO6.9 3S being an increase
over the preceding year Of S5,06S. 773. The
average ad valorem duty paid on dutiable
goods imported during the year was 1894
per cent. and on free and dutiable goods
taken together 20.55 per cent.
Production of Spirits.
The cost Of collecting our internal rev.
enue was us per cent. as against Isl per
cent. for the fiscal year ending June s..
1895. The total production Of distilled
spirits, exclusive Of fruit brandies. was
@,5SS,70S taxable gallons, being an increa sc
OF 6.63@, Jos gallons over the preceding year.
There was also an increase Of l. i43 sc gal
Ions of spirits, produced from fruit, a.
compared with the preceding year. The
number Of barrels of beer produced was
35,s59,250, as against S3,5S9,7S4 produced in
the preceding fiscal year, being an In
crease OF 2.269. 466 barrels
Movement OF Metallic Money.
The total amount Of gold exported during
silver 500. al $40, being an increase Of $45,-
9il .466 Of gold, and $l3246,S4 of silver over
the expectations of the preceding fiscal
year. The imports Of gold were S23, j25, o65.
and Of silver s2S.7771 s6, being s.. SO 695 less
OF gold, and SS.5GG.007 more Of silver than
during the preceding year. The total stock
OF metallic money In the United States al
the close Of the last fiscal year ended on
the Both day Of June, 1896 was Sl,22S 1885,
035. Of which $500. 1877 So was in gold, and
sos 2S, 07l in silver
p.r Cani,. tireuIatinp nj
on the first day OF November, 1896. the
total stock OF money of all kinds In the
country was $2,2S5. 4l0.5@0 and the amount
in circulation, not including mat in the
treasury holdings, was sl621, 055,Cil, being
500 GO per capita, upon an estimated popuia-
ton Of Il $4,000.
Production OF Precious Metals.
The production of the precious metals In
the United States during the calendar year
1898 is estimated 10 have been 2.2A. 100 fine
ounces Of gold. Of the value Of Sid6looCO,