Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1896-12-08

| IMMIGRATION.
The number of migrants arrived
in the United States during the fiscal
year was 343, ,567, of which $40, HOS
were permitted TO land and 2,199 de-
barred oh, various grounds prescribed
by law and returned TO the countries
whence they came, at the expense OF
che steamship companies by Whlch
they were brOu hit in. The increase ia
immigration over the preceding year
amounted to about S4,13l IL is re-
ported that, with some exceptions the
| immigrants of the past year were OF a
hardy laboring class, able TO earn "A
SUPPORT for themselves. 1t is known
that many brought considerable sums
of money to buy land and build homes.
Including all the immigrants arriving
they were over fourteen years Of age,
2S SO per cent. we're illIterate against
20. 81 per cent. of those Of that age ar
rlving during The preceding fiscal
wear. The number Of immigrants
over ii years old the countries from
which they came and the percentage
of illiterates among them were as fol-
lows Italy, 81 ,5l5 with 54.59 per cent. 4;
Ireland, "a, 400 with per cent; Rus
sia. 35,1SS with 14.14 per cent; Au-
stria- -Hungariay and provinces, 57,053
with 80 90 per cent Germany, 25,334
with 2 296 per cont; Sweden, 1881
with 1 IS per cent; while from POrtu-
gal there came 2,067, of which 1896
per cent; were iliterate. There ar
rived from Japan duringsthe year only
LILO immigrants.
GUNS AND FORTS.
In the hone the work of building up
Al l. ~ Cd mi Il raf
less yigOr in the future, the secretary
of the navy has submitted an estimate
by what, il allowed, will be provided
and either built or building by the
end of the next fiscal year such addi-
tiOnal guns, moTtars, gun Carriages
and emplacements as Will represent
not far from One-third of the total
work to be done under the plan
adopted for our coast defenSes, thus
prospect that the entire
work will be substantially completed
within six years. In less time than
that, however, we shall have obtained
a marked degree of security.
THE FEE SYSTEM.
1t is most gratifying to note that
the satisfactory results that have fol-
lowed the inauguration of the system
"
certain federal officials are cOmpen-
sated by salaries instead Of fees. The
new plan was put in operation on the
first day of July, 1896, and already the
great economy il enfOrceS, its preven-
tion of abuses, and its tendency to a
better enforcement Of the laws are
apparent.
THE POSTOFFICES.
fnH 1arN Pt nf ic N
The total receipts during
the year were SS2, ,499, ,2OS. 40. The to-
tai expenditures were 800 626, 1856 81,
inclusive of 81 800, ,S98.27, which was
earned by the Pacific railroad for
and credited on their
lebt to the government. There was
IN increase of receipts over the pre-
Tious year Of S., ,0S0.21, or IL per-
,ent, an increase of expenditures of
S3, 1886, 124, ,.02, or 4.42 per cent. The
leficit was ST ,679, ,956.19, ess than that
# the preceding year. The deficit Off
asst year, although much less than
that of last aud preceding years, en-
Dhasizes the necessity for legislation
10 correct the growing abuSS of second |
class rates, to which the deficit is |
mainly attributed. The transmission
at the rate of one cent a pound of |
serial libraries, advertising sheets, |
house organs" periodicals advertis-
ng some particular "houie" or insti-
ution), sample copies and the like,
ought to be discontinued.
If such second-class matter paid |
merely the cost of it's hand
ing our deficit would disappear
ind a surplus result which might
)e used to give the people still better
nail facilities or cheap rate Of letter
l recommend that legiSla-
ion be at once enacted to correct these
Ibuses and introduce better business
deas in the regulation of our postal
'ates. Experience and observation
lave demonstrated that certain i'm
in the organization Of the
)ostoffice department must be Sc
cured before we gain the full benefit
If the immense sums expended in its
administration. This involves the
reforms, which l earnestly
recommend: There should be small
additions to the existing inspector
ervice, to be employed in the super
7ision of the carrier force. There
should also be appointed a few in
ipectors who could assist the central
)ostoffice leases, sites, allowances for