Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-12-12


toned in active operation. having au-
thorized capital stock of s6zooIi.ss5
held by 2ss,90s shareholders, and cir
culating notes amounting to s2Ii.4I2.62n
The total outstanding circulating notes of all
national banks the 3lst OF October, 1896
amounted to sss4- 1857, including unredeemed.
in process OF liquidation The increase in
tional bank circulation during the year ended
on that day was +21.o99.4so- On October. 1896.
when the condition of national banks was last
reported, the total resources of the 3.e79 active
institutions sa.263, 81. 3I3s3. which in
cluded S1s9S.26s, $50 81 in loans and discounts
and $36,.16S. 733 s. in money of all kinds
hand OF their liabilities sl.597. s9I .05s was due
to Individual depositors and 500 .OI9 con-
sisted of outstanding circulating notes
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 artillery force fixed by law
is constantly and readily maintained The
present discipline and morals of the army
excellent and marked progress and efficiency
are apparent throughout its entire organiza-
ton With the exception of delicate duties in
the suppression of slight Indian disturbances
along southwestern boundary in which the
Mexican troops co-operated and the compul-
sorry, but peaceful return with the consent OF
Great Britain of a band OF Cree Indians from
Montana to the British possessions, active
operation have been required of the army dur
ing the past year.
The organized militia mum ers 112s19 men.
The appropriations for IT'S support by the sew
eral states approximate s2.s0O.oJO annually and
100000 is contributed by the general govern
ment- Investigation shows these troops to be
unusually well drilled and inspired with much
military interest. and in many instances they
are so deficient in proper arms and equipment
that a sudden call to active duty would find
them inadequately prepared for field service
therefore recommend that prompt measures
be taken to remedy this condition and that
every encouragement be given to this deserv-
ing body of unpaid and voluntary citizen SOL
diers upon whose assistance we must largely
rely in time of trouble
During the past year rapid progres IS has been
made toward the completion of the scheme
adopted for the erection and armament of for
tifcationS along our sea coast while equal
progress has been made in providing the mate
rial for submarine defense in connection with
these works. This improved situation is largely
due to the recent generous response of congress
10 the recommendations OF the war department
The Attorney-,ienerars Department.
The attorney-general presents detailed and
interesting statement of the important work
done under his supervision during the last
fiscal year. The ownership and management
by the government of penitentiaries for the
confinement of the convicted in the United
States courts OF violations OF federal laws
which for many years has been subject of
executive recommendation, has at last to
slight extent been realized by the utiliza-
tion of the abandoned military prison at Fort
Leavenworth United States penitentiary.
This is certainly movement in the right di-
rection: but it ought to be at once supple
mented by the rebuilding extensive enlarge
ment of this improvised prison and the con-
struction of at least one more. to be located in
the southern states. The capacity of the
Leavenworth penitentiary is limited that
the expense of its maintenance. calculated at
a per capita rate upon the number of prisoners
it can accommodate does not make as econom-
ical an exhibit it would if it
larger and better adapted to prison
purposes: but I am thoroughly con-
WINGED that economy, humanity and a proper
sense of possibility and duty toward those
whom we punish for violation of federal law
dictate that the federal government have the
entire control and management of the peniten
tiaries where convicted violators confined
1t appears that since the transfer of the Fort
Leavenworth military prison to its new uses
the work previously done by the prisoners con-
fined there. and for which expensive machin-
cry has been provided. has been discontinued
This work consisted of the manufacture of
articles for army use, now done elsewhere On
all grounds it is exceedingly desirable that the
convictS confined in this penitertiary be al
lowed to resume work of this description.
The Post Office Department..
Our post Office department is in good condi-
ton and the exhibit made of its operations
during the fiscal year ended June 80, 1896. if
allowance is made for imperfections in the
laws applicable to it, is very satisfactory. The
total receipts during the year 49, 499 POS TO-
The total expenditures were 500 6a6, 296 "a, ex-
elusive OF S1.o59s9S %, which wasearned by the
Pacific railroad for transportation and credit
on their debt to the government There was
increase of receipts over the previous year
of $685. Sl21 or IL per cent, and an increase
of expenditures of SS,SS5,1240,, or 4 AZ per cent
the preceding year The chief expenditures
of the postal service regulated by law and
are not in control of the pOStmaSter-general.
All that he can accomplish by the most watch
full administration and economy is to enforce
prompt and thorough collection and account
ing for public moneys and such minor saving S
in small expenditures and in letting those con-
tracts for post office supplies and star service
which are not regulated by statute
The average revenue from each pound of
frst-class matter was 90 cents From each
LOTS (nf RI
class 81. 34s,.97 county free matter). From
each pound OF third-claSS, 1871 cents. From
each pound of fourth-class, 15.6 cents The
growth in weight of second-class matter has
been from 2e9. 0JO,0J0 pounds in 1894 to 312000,-
600 in 1895, and to almost $40 100000 in
1885, and it is quite evident this in
creasing drawback is far outstripping
any possible growth of postal revenues
Our mail service should, of course. be such
as meet the wants and even the conven-
fences of the people, at a direct charge upon
them SO light as perhaps to exclude the idea Of
post office department being a money
making concern. but in the face of constantly
recurring deficiencies in its and in view
of the fact that supply the best mail serv-
ice in the world, it seems to me 1t is quite
time to correct the abuses that swell enor-
mously our annual deficit If We concede the
free in the county of publication and
even the policy of carrying at
less than one-tetnh OF their cost
other bona fide newspapers and periodicals.
ice to the further immense and increasing loss
involved in carrying at the nominal rate of one
cent pound the serial libraries. sometimes
including trashy and even harmful literature
and other matter. which under the loose inter-
probation of a loose statute has been gradually
given second-class rates. thus absorbing all
profitable returns derived from frSt-claSS
matter, which pays three or four times more