Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-12-12


with the year preceding, thero,was decrease
OF 80 in the number OF active banks. The num-
Der OF existing banks organized under state
laws is b.70S.
IMMIGRATION
Tho number OF immigrants arriving in the
United States during the fiscal year was 343,-
267, OF whom $40 1853 were permitted to land and
2,799 were debarred on various grounds pre-
scribed by law. and returned to the countries
from whence they came ut the expense OF the
brought In. The increase In immigration over
the preceding year amounted to @7Si. 1t is re-
ported that, with some exceptions, the immi-
grants OF tho past year were OF hardy labor
ing class accustomed and able to earn n sup
port for themselves and IL Is estimated that
tho money brought with them amounted to at
least S5, ,O00, 600 though IL was probably much in
excess of that sum, since only those having
less than $50 are required % to disclose the exact
considerable sums OF money to buy lands and
build homes. Including all the immigrants
arGvns aFe es per Cen.
against 2oS7 per cent OF those OF
that age arriving during the preceding fiscal
year There arrived from Japan during the
year only LILO immigrants, and 1t is the opin-
ion OF the immigration authorities that the ap-
OF n large immigration from Japan to the Uni
ted States is without any substantial founda-
tion
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
The report OF the secretary OF war exhibits
satisfactory conditions in the several branches
OF the public service intrusted to his charge
The limit OF our military force, as fixed by law.
is constantly and readily maintained. The
present discipline and morale of our army are
excellent. and marked progress and efficiency
are apparent throughout its entire organiza-
the suppression of slight Indian disturbances
along our southwestern boundary, in which the
Mexican troops co-operated, and the compu1-
sorry but peaceful return with the consent of
Great Britain, of n band OF Cree Indians from
Montana to the British possessions, no active
operations have been required OF the army
during the wear past.
The entire army has now been equipped with
the new magazine arms, and wise policy de-
mands that all available public and private re-
sources should be so employed as to provide
within reasonable time q sufficient number
to supply the state militia with these modern
weapons and provide an ample reserve for any
emergency.
The organized militia numbers 1i2,s79 men.
The appropriations for its support by the sev-
and 100000 is contributed by the general
government Investigation shows these troops
to be usually we'll drilled and inspired with
much military interest, but in many instances
they are so deficient in proper arms and
equipment that sudden call to active duty
would find them inadequately prepared for
field service / therefore recommend that
prompt measures be taken to remedy this con-
dition and that every encouragement be given
to this deserving body of unpaid and voluntary
citizen soldiers upon whose assistance we must
largely rely in time of trouble,
During the past year rapid progress has been
made towards the completion OF the scheme
adopted for the erection and armament of for
thcattcns along our sea coast; while equal pro-
'ress has been made in providing the material
for submarine defense in connection with these
works.
During the year Immediately preceding the
message referred to. the first modern gun car
riage had been completed and eleven more
were in process of construction. All but one
were of the non-disappearing type. These
however. were not such as to secure necessary
cover for the artillery gunners against the in
tense fire Of modern machine, rapid-tire and
high-power guns. The inventive genius OF ord
nance and civilian experts has been taxed in
designing carriages that would obviate this
fault resulting, 1t is believed in the solution Of
this difficult problem. Since 1898 the number
of gun carriages constructed or building has
been raised to a total OF l29, of which 80 are on
the disappearing principle, and the number Of
mortar carriages to l52, while the 95 emplace-
ments which were provided for prior to that
time have been increased to 80 built and build
ing.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
The attorney general presents a detailed
statement of the important work done under
his supervision during the last fiscal year.
The ownership and management by the gov
ernment of penitentiaries for the confinement
of those convicted In United States courts OF
violations of federal laws. which for many
years has been q subject of executive recon-
mendation has ut last to slight extent been
realized by the utilization of the abandoned
military prison at Fort Leavenworth as a
United States penitentiary. This is certainly
n movement in the right direction: but II
ought to be at once supplemented by the re-
building or extensive enlarge nent OF this i'm
provised prison, and the construction OF at
least one more to be located in the southern
states.
Leayenworth military prison to its new uses
the work previously done by prisoners con-
fined there, and for which expensive machinery
has been provided, has been discontinued
This work consisted of the manufacture of ar
ticleS for army use, now done elsewhere. On
all grounds it is exceedingly desirable that the
conVicts confined in this penitentiary be al
lowed TO resume work Of this description.
1t is most gratifying to note the satisfactory
results that have followed the inauguration Of
the new system provided for by the act OF May
%, 1896, under which certain federal officials
are compensated by salaries instead of fees
The new plan was put in operation on July /
1926, and already the great economy 1t en-
forces, it's prevention OF abuses, and its ten
dency to better enforcement OF the laws are
strikingly apparent
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
Our post Office department Is in good condi-
tion and the exhibit made of its operations
during the fiscal year ended June 80, 1895, II al
lowance is made for imperfectionS In the laws
applicable to It, is very satisfactory. The
total receipts during the year were 49,, 499, 208
The total expenditures We're $9O, ,626, ,296, exclu-
sive OF 81 sos, s9s which was earned by the
Pacific railroads for transportation and
credited on their debt ty the government
There was an increase Of receipts over the
previous year OF s5, ,0S0 or IL per cent, and
an increase of expenditures OF 1885, l24, OF
4.i2 per cent
preceding year. The chief expenditures of the
postal service are regulated by law and are not
in the control OF the postmaster general. AL
that he can accomplish by the most watchfu
administration and economy Is to enforce
prompt and thorough collection and accounting
for public monies and such minor savings in
small expenditures and in letting those con-
tracts for post office supplies and star service
which are not regulated by statute.
The years report shows large extensions OF
both btar route service and railway mail serv-
ice with increased postal facilities. Much
higher accuracy in handling mails has also
been reached as appears by the decrease OF er-
rors jn the railway mail service and the reduc-
tion OF mail matter returned to the dead letter
ONCE. The deficit for the last year, although
much less than that of the last and preceding
years. emphasizes the necessity for Legislation
to correct the growing abuse OF second-class
rates 10 which the deficiency Is mainly attrib'
ut lble,
The average revenue from each pound Of
f1rst-class matter was 93 cents. From each
pound OF second-class 891s mills From each
pound of third class 1871 cents From each
pound of fourth-class 1873 cents, The growth
of weight OF second-class matter has beer
from 800 900 900 to 3l3 900 in 1892 and to al
most 3t9,0j0,0O) in 1866. and It Is quite evident
this increasing drawback Is far outstrippinp
any possible growth OF postal revenues.
Our mail service should, of course. be such as
to meet the wants and even the conveniences
OF our people at direct charge upon them sc
light as perhaps to exclude the idea of our