davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
LOVES HER TEACHER.

Augusta, Texas--Dear Haphammer:
My teacher told me to write you letter
and she would have it printed in your
happy corner. We have all come to
school the first week after Christmas.
| went home with my teacher to spend
Christmas. l had nice time. My
teacher lives at Palestine. Her name is
Miss Lynn Burnett. | dearly love her;
think she is so good and kind. / will
tell you my studies: History, grammar,
geography, arithmetic, physiology and
spelling. | got q nice album and box
Of stationery tit is n plush box Christ
mas. | will ask riddle: What time is
II when the clock strikes thirteen? Well,
as it is nearly time to say my history
lesson will close, hoping to see tbs
printed. Love to all the Hnps.
Carma l.. Lively
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
HIS FAYoRITE WON.

townsville, Tcxas.--Dear Hapham-
mer: Here l am to tell You how en-
joyed my two weeks during Christmas.
Our teacher gave us two weeks vacation
and | had great deal of fun popping
hrecrackers. Santa Claus brought me
an air-gun, two waists, rubber ball
and a little horn. | was so glad to see
my favorite tree win in the contest and
he our pet for the mocker to sit in.
viii be So glad when it SHOWS so | can
set trap to catch some birds TO pct.
have one little snowbrd now | have
had ever since last spring. AS ever,
William Sparks
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
A DELAYED LETTER.

Dear Haphammer: You see have moi,
forgotten you, though ! have not wrote
to YOU for some time, MS ! have been
going to school, Now | am home for
Christmas. | see the oak is ahead in
the contest, but | must cast my vote
for the magnolia. rs think it is beau
tiful tree and has beautiful flower.
| send Won some yolets. the cube en-
bem. Please pin them on your coat ON
Christmas dav to remember your little
friend. My httle brother Henry wishes
to become Hap. his name is Henry
Baker, and he also casts his vote for the
grand Old magnolia; and also my little
Aunt Daisy Robertson votes for the mag
nolia. | wish all the Haps merry
Christmas and also to you, Mr.. liaphnm-
mer. Your little friend,
Lily Bell Baker.
Uily's letter was misplaced and not
found until after thc contest closed. The
Haphammer appreciated the violets and
has put them In his scrap book
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
WANTS TO CORRESPOND.

Houston, Texas.--Dear Haphammer:
Being constant reader of your page l
have Mt last concluded to write. l am
very glad to hear that my favorite, the
oak, was the winner. ! am girl III
years old and would be very glad in,
deed to correspond with some boys and
girls near my age. l go TO the Houston
high school and am in the seventh grade;
was well remembered Christmas and
hope all the other HapS were as well.
will close now wishing success to
The Post and Haps. Your friend,
. Nlaude 1usten.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
HER FIRST LETTER.

Douglass. Texas.-Dear Haphammer;
/ am little girl s years old and wish
to join the Happy hammers and become
one of their band. This is the first time
ever wrote to paper. My father
takes The Post and we all like to read
it very much My father is doctor and
my mother is Baptist. J. have no pets
except my little brother. He is years
old. / have two pet kittens and SIX
young calves and lots of playmates. II
this escapes the basket may write
again. Your friend,
MYRTLE Campbell.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
THE CLUB.

|. uanpyhammers are the young PEG.
sbo read the Youths Department of
ara no fees or charges of any
Pe noonnected with the club. Boys and
uhn read The Post may be enrolled
, W members by sending the Hap
liner their full name age ana ad'
n. the object of all Happyhammers
hammer happiness when ana where,
possible Hence the club name ana
w. club flower is the violet, the club
the live oak and the club pet is the
hing bird, all being chosen by the
bhers themselves.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
HER BROTHER HURT.

Augusta, Texas.--Dear Haphammer:
Please enroll me as Happyhnmmer.
20 TO school and like my teacher. Her
name is Miss Lynn Burnett. We play
ball at recess every day. We had thirty.
two scholars before Christmas. but there
are only twenty-four now. like to 20
to school very much. am ii years old.
have four brothers and one sister
had a nice time Christmas My brother
got thrown" from horse and got hurt
he has been in bed ever since. Well, |
must say goodby. Your friend,
lucy Scarborough.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
DRESS THAT BABY WILL WEAR

Ihis is the dress that my baby will wear;
Touch II with care. for my heart leth
there.
Filmy and white like garment of mist
Show me the fold that I yet have not
kissed.
Give TO my needle song and a prayer;
This is the dress that my baby will wear.
This little sleeve with its rufiie aud lace
soon will encompass In tender embrace
Baby's wee arm and the little pink
hand,
Waving goodby back to shadowyland--
Waving farewell to the sweet angels
there:
This is the drcss that my baby will wear.
Here In my room--in my temple--I pray,
Sewing and dreaming, peace to the day,
Each tiny band Is band round my
heart,
Each bit of lace makes the fond tear
drops start:
Every stitch ia a stitch and n prayer:
This Is the dress that my baby will wear,
Chicago Record,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
WANTS A Fruit CONTEST.

Wootan Wells, Texas.--Dear Hapham.
mer: Good morning to you. What kind
of a contest are you going TO have next
time? ! think fruit contest or a nut
contest would be nice. What kind of IA
Christmas did you have? | had nice
time. Old Santa Claus did not forget
me- | will soon be 8 years old. Your
loving Hap, Katie billiard.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
JOINS THE BAND.

Augusta, Texas.--Dear Haphainmer:
wish to join your happy band. am
country. l am going to school and !
IKE my teacher. Her name is Miss
Lynn Burnett We play ball at dinnss
and recess. | had nice time Christmas.
AT school l study arithmetic, fourth
reader, grammar, spelling and geog-
raphy. There are about thirty scholars
coming. Papa went to Palestine and
got us new wagon. This is my first
letter to the Haphammer. Your friend,
Edna Lively.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
NEW HAPPYHAMMERs.

Henry Rookie ............,.y Victoria
Myrta Campbell ........... Douglass
Pearl White ..............C omanche
Maud Tusten ................H Houston
Dudley Weaver ..........W Warren
Roxie Huddleston Dale
Maggie Sheernn ............D inero
Carma and Edna Lively, Hester
Hogan and Lucy Scarborough. Augusta
Mabel Kendall and Lilly MAY Stult.
,, ing ,;,;........ 49,. Gonzales
Henry Baker and Daisy Robert
son ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Corrigan
Estelle Rays .......... Greenvilc, s. G.
New members lG
Last weeks total .4.176
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19

on which l dwell. I used to ask that
Thou shouldst prepare me for death.
Thy main province is TO prepare for life.
i am In want of Thee, not to help me
out OF the world, but to help the In the
world. God often speaks TO me In q
cloud-reveals himself thrugh that which
seems an absence Of revelation. The hour
ion, and the silence of earth is vocal
with the songs Of heaven"
l bid you all goodby. Your friend.
Nicholas Belden.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
PREFERRED THE PINE.

Anaqua, Tcxas.--Dcar Haphammer:
After n long absence l will endeavor to
write again and will try TO be smong
you all through the new year. Christ
mas Nquite dull. but nevertheless had
nice time. Some of my little friends
came TO see me and took Christmas dim
ner and we had jolly time. AS for
New Years, it was quite dull. hope
that the Haps spent nice time during
the holidays. saw in The Post that
the oak had won in the contest. l nm
so sorry that the pine did not win, for
think it IL the most useful of ALL What
are the Haps going to select for con-
test now? think songs would be
good subject. l am interested in con-
tests and love to read the letters on the
children's page. | will close with love
to the Haps. l am your friend,
Ada Dykes,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
SHE WAS FOR THE OAK.

Forest, Texas.--Dear Hsphammer: AZ
II has been some time since | have writ
ten to this department ] concluded TO
write this rainy evening. have been
attending school the last few months.
Nv teacher's name IL Professor Easter
ling. | like him very much. Now we
are having another, contest After care
each ae 10 the choice of tree, and after
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
HOUSTON BOY IN CALIFORNIA.

Houston, Texas Dear Haphammer:
was happy to see my name in the list
of your happy band, and also my letter
in The Post When ] left New Orleans
went TO Los Angeles. Cal, where |
spent six months. 1t is a very pretty
city about the size of Houston. but very
billy. Some houses are built on the top
of the hills. Our lnndlady's was built
on the top of the hin. but very high. |
ran up and down often to see her.
liked very much TO run up and down the
hills. The cable ears also went up and
down the hills, There is n beautiful park
in the center of the city, which has lovely
flowers and beautiful trees. The city is
very clean, and as for water, there is
none better; ii ia u.s. clear as crystal; ii
comes from the mountains. We used to
60 walking not far out of the city some
times, and on the road we picked very
nice pears and apricois. which were very
sweet. In our yard there were some
eucalypta trees With the bark they
make tonic and tea also for the fever.
had never seen such high tree like
that. We also had n very large walnut
tree. The only summer resort in the
city IL lake called West lake. There
ia music on Sundays and Tuesdays, also
boat races. On those days there is al
ways large crowd. There is no market
like Houston's, only small places where
and large Holsters. The vegetables are
sold by Chinese, who go around in
cart. When asked how they sell veee-
tables the answer is; Ten cents all and
. cents half ALL" For 10 cents You get
enough to last almost week of all kinds
of vegetables. The lnundries are kept
by Chinese. The servants also are Chi
nese. They live all on one side Of the
city, which is called Chinatown. Chinese
labor is very cheap. l was afraid OF
them, but / am no more. There are
very few negroes. will tell you all
about Mexico in my next. That was the
next place went to. My aunt has many
father had while liying--tbat is my
Looking over them /
came across this one. which touched my
heart. think all the little Haps will
like il:
spirit of Christ, fit me for the earth
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19

making up my own mind, I have con-
cluded to cast my vote for the onk.
Really, think It Is the most beautiful,
historical and useful tree we cousins are
familiar with. Its beauty h beheid in
every grove; Its history points far back
days: Its usefulness ie seen In every
home and factory Of the land. and II
is the favorite tree Of the mocker. l am
true Hap, Maggie Robinson.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
A NEW MEMBER.

Dinero, Texas.-Dear Haphammer: |
come to join your happy band. Please
enroll my name as one of the Haps. l
was o years old in September. | think
Ray Perrenot writes very nice letters.
nave never voted in any contest.
hope the Haps will have another con-
test. Sending love to all the Haps. your
little friend, Maggie Sheeran.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19

IAN, am a little girl 10 yens old. I am
soins 10 school now. like my teacher
nett. study mrithmctics rrammar.
t : n'ted states history, physiology, alge,
bpra, writing, geography and spelling We
nuve society every Friday evening. We
say speeches, sing songs and say dia.
,ogues. We'll. l will close for fear my
1e'ter VIII be too long to publish and
friend, Hester Hogan.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
aAMPFYHANNGRS
Hammer happiness when and wherever you can.

scripuon Of some California lime kilns
last week, and his specimens are very
interesting In that connection. The Hap
hammer collected all kinds of rocks when
ne was boy and found it very in
structive pasime. His collection has
been lost, but he Is still interested in
rocks and we will all talk about this
part OF Natures work in some of our
future letters.
Something to think about this week.
Our mistakes will always tell us some
thing for our good, if we but heed the
lesson. Your friend,
The Haphammer.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
PRATTLE or THE YOUNGSTERS


Teacher Now, Tommy, tell liz what
the index finger Is.
Tommy Nes'm it's that'un you lick
when You turn over tn pages.
Bobby Papa, Jack Mason SAID his
father gave him 30 cents, and
Papa Well
Bobby-rd like TO say the same Of you,
Teacher-And what il meant by keep
ing the Sabbath holyf
Ethel--lt means-it means to think OF
something you would like to do, oh, ever
so much, and then not doing il, cause
It's Sunday.
A little Boston girl who had recently
asked Ivy her mother IL she knew the
meaning Of Forgive us our trcspasses."
Why, yes" she replied, sit means ex-
cuse US for going ON the grass"
Mother When the boy in the other
house threw stones at you, why didn' {
you come and tell me?
Bobhy-BecauSc, mamma, | can throw
them back better than You. He's more
likely TO get hit.
Say, paw"
"Oh, pswl"
What thc-whst do you want7'
IF reindeer got fro2c, would he be
an cedeer?"
(which do you love most, your papa or
your mammaW
Little Chsrlie--I love papn most.
Charities Mother~-Why, Charlie,
thought you loved me- most.
Charlie-Can't help II, mamma. We
men must hold together.
Mothcr-Well, my little daughter, whn,
did Miss GoldenteSt teach you at Sun
lav school this morning?
Little Daughter (sadly)--She nebhcr
teach me nuzzn cep take my penny away
frnm
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
THE PIRATE.
l was bloody pirate once, full many

I was bloody pirate once, full many
years ago,
Though you that see my piety may
scarce believe It so:
I've shot and butchcred countless scores
of helpless cherubims,
And hung their signing mothers high
upon the eross-t tree limbs.
Their fathers, fighting to the last, I've
forced into the sea--
All! there is naught but evil wrought but
has been done by me.
All this took place in that far time when
] was still hoy,
Yet even now. when think how with
what hloodthirsty joy,
secured the wilds Of Washburne's pond
for merchant ships to burn,
I'd give n score Of years-aye, moro
TO be allowed to turn
The faded leaves Of Times III hook back
where thy were that night
When fathers slipper attacked my clipper
and put my crew TO flight.
No buffet should be without bottle OF
Angostui'a Bitters, the South American
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
BUILDING A BIG COURT HOUSE

Bay City, Texas.-Dear Haphammer;
1t has been so long since ! wrote 10
you that / thought l would try again. !
am 10 years old l am going TO school
now 10 the first organized school in Bay
City. Bay City is the new county seat
of Matagorda county. They are building
u big court house and already have .
good brick Jail. / am studying arithma'
tic. grammar, geography, history. writ
ing and spelling / will join the willing
send my love TO all the Hals Your
friend, Albert Benedict
HER STUDIES.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19
Ping cuBAxs BELlIGEREN3
ssman NcMillln AnthorlI
for the Statement.
RIsIs SEEMINGLY AclJfI
4 Dioker Between spaia 81
and Would ne . Casus usflE Fl
Reception TO Campes.

Ao"ciseu th1U oxky q
m Washington and In IN intsl
with him concerning the cuH
d he had good grounds Tor Il
F. that President Cleveland IN !
would send a message to congrs2
'g the Cubans as belligsrents. II
Millin says he Ia satisfied th{l
ne and that the rumors connsel
md with the purchase Of cut
ng matters to a crisis. IA
illlln spoke with posItiveness
tho early recognition OF tS'
lists. IA
ton, January 2o.--Senators shs \
gan and Lodge. who constitus
ommittee on foreign relation Y
n a,s,,,ss .n. HI
- "a
oy OF the CUBAN 4 II
inc meeting was private ep
as given out concerning di
ason to believe the sub-cpmna| !,
recommend recognizing tn ii
next Meeting N
n
january so-rbe r,.run,,.
wy '" eiie soverhor 81 enc
Q Union this inquiry: 'koufEE
Ifhe purchase of Cubo ~, ,e NJ
cca,,o, a.. ~
Wy asion
Y uoctrihe7 What In the mill
of your State, armed Al
a how ouickiv ,,,,,a IX
rs
; &
eceivcd show that the gov n
@ United States nI,a thoro,,,.ty} n
an ,ha n,.t..,,,o ~
'e' ', .' H n,
: among those who nnswesd KS
nors McLaurin of Mississipu ~
Missouri. Matthews of yraI IL
l., :, ~, $50, n.
y" VI w" "eN'co' Sa'T 4,
ina and Oates OF Alabama. ~
u
january 2O.-The Republic tn,
=. IN summarizing dispatchf i{s
l. New York and Washingto X Z
,y
Us been reached In the Cuba
milton of the billegerency Oh
trmy BY the United States 4
PRESIDENT Cleveland is said
d proclamation. which md sx
I. It Is declared, intended 4 81
, insurgents last week. wha
{ the recall OF General CAM =
fr the circumstances the ~ ~ h
Iht that such action would Il:
nopportune and unfricndlv &kk
!. therefore, withheld tho I'D 3
iment impending the all \
: n successor TO CaYnpot r.
mt forety-eight hours, how
Mt Cleveland is said to hav
pain. despairing OF q Success
N OF the war. had offered 4
Great Britain.
held In some quarters thd
lying squadron 10 destine
waters. II this Is SO, NJ
fficial information from N
is lacking, but It Ii evidert
Complications are at hand.
/, head OF the Cuban part
States, wires from4yYashin6
O In complete; the BresidcSl3
will recognize the inuureer
adds that II r. not nece1
Insurgents should hold K
az a matter OF fact Qener(> +
ken half dozen ports I &
leaving the Spanish arSr
Havana. 4!
II. II Is said. VIII issue i
Immediately. Authoriti&
executive aud not congra1 =
the initiative. Prenide& * =
hes,tated 10 take 40 m u
while the official head Ii Il
a.. ...t. .n.,,tr,, To .s,fovtvl
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19

No buffet should be without bottle OF
Angostula Bitters, the South American
appetizer and invigorators
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19

! on Third rsss
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19

Teacher-N Now, Tommy, tell us what
the index finger Is.
Tommy Yes'm; it's that'un you lick
when you turn over TIL pages.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19

HER STUDIES.
Augusta, Texas.-Dear Haphammes'
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-19

-, Ne haphammer starts off the talk
vou' Ord nests and will now look for
rai letters from the members upon
SUBJECT. Five specimens of lime rock
o., 80 received from Guy Fagen, for which
are Returned. Guy wrots q de
The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-09-02

Observation-Disclosures northwest re-
ceIpts and heavy exchanging of De-
cember md September wheat by n
prominent elevator firm, were rcspon-
sible for o break of nc In December
wheat To-day. Corn made n new low re-
cord: May closed &c lower: May oats
closed &c lower. Final provision prices
were 2iEc lower to TIC higher.
Flour unchanged.
Wlslat-Cash. No. . spring 555Sc; No.
3 Spring 59I53&c; No. . red 59H G6Oc;
September 555SG66& G55kc; December
Esq d59%@5SHc: May 63ls664MI63Mc.
Corn-Clsh, No. .. 20%c: No. . yellow
2OK@2lSc: September 20M@20MI 2O%c;
October 2OI5T ?lMG2O%c: December
2lhGT22A I2l%c: May 24&T25A@2i&c.
oats-Cash, No. 2. l5Ac: No. . white
1914 I90Ac; No. 3 white l4EG19kc: Sep
TENDER l5HIl5% Gl5,sc; October l5%I
16A6l5Bc; May lS% Gl9@lS%c.
Rye-No. ., 3Ohc,
Barlcy-No. ., nominal: No. 3, 2e@32c;
No. 4. 20T92c.
FlaXseed-Flp. /, 63hc.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. So so.
Mess Pork-Cash. per barrel, IS TO6
S 70; September S. 52iGG6 75I5 20; Oc-
lober s. G565 S5G5 10; january So S2iA@
c STkR6 S2E.
Lard-Cash, per 100 lbs. So 20; Sep
tcmbcr 81 27hG3 32kI3 27ik: October
3 10
Short Rlbs-Cash, sides, 50 15G3 20:
September 81 O7is63 15IS Is; October
81 @2MN3 2iG3 rs; January 50 45G3 i7h@
. 45.
Dry sailed shoulders 3& G4c.
ShDrt clear Sides 3iam3Mr
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. finished goods,
per gallon, 81 10,
Buttcr-Stcaly; creamerlcs 9Il6c;
diaries 9Gl4c.
Chccse-Stcndy at 7EGSHc.
Eggs-Stcndy: fresh Ice.
NEW YORK.-Flour, receipts "a, 100
bnrrcis: exports 5000 barrels; easy tone,
but not GuotablN lower; southern flour
steady ut 81 2O&D3 80. Wheat, receipts
35i 500 bushels: exports 10000 bushels:
spot weak: No. l hard 67Ac: options
closed lGlMc net decline: September
closed at CAKE; December closed at
Ghkc. Corn, receipts 2!t. 900 bushels; cx-
ports 293,3 300 bushels; spot weak: No. .
25Ac: options closed %@&c net decline;
September closed ut 25Gc: December
closed at 27T$c. Oats. rcce!pts 800
bushels; exports 300 bushels: SPOT
weak; No. . 2Oc; options weak and lower
and closed &c net loss; September closed
mt l9&c; December closed ut PIKE.
Feed dull. Hay and hops dull. Hides
and leather quiet. Beef steady. CUT
meats firm. Lard quiet: western stram-
cd! 81. 7@h nominal: refined steady. PORK
steady. Talluw ilrmer. Cottonsced oil
firmcr. Rosln quiet. %Tuipentlnc quiet.
Rice firm, MolasScs steady. Coffee,
options closed stcndy and unchanged to
20 points net decline. Sugar, raw easier;
5fIIr refining 23Sc: centrifugal, DC test,
axe; refined quiet.
BALTlMORIG-Flour dull and un-
changed: receipts 1900 barrels; cx-
ports 5000 barrels, Wheat weak; spot
and month 6lQGlIc; December GtA1
6ihc; steamer No. . red b5& 05Gc; re-
sceipts 47.i00 bushels: exports none;
The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-09-02
SECRETARY SMITH RETIREs
From the Interior DepartInrnt-LenveS n
Tair Record Behind.


WASHINGTON, D. c.. Sept. 1.-Sec-
rotary Hoke Smith closed his admInIs-
tratSn OF the affairs OF the Interior de-
partment to-day and retired from the
cabinet. The last papers In the rou-
tine business OF the department were
signed and his active work closed yes
terday afternoon. To-day the Secre-
tary was at the department, but he de-
voted almost his entire time TO callers
and to taking leave OF his associates
and Of the employees In the department.
When Ex-Governor Francis will ar
rive from Missouri and take the oath
OF Office Is not yet definitely known,
though II will be before the end OF the
week. The arrangement OF his affairs
at ST. Louis preparatory to his removal
to Washington has taken more time
than was expected. but 1t Is yet posi-
BILE he will be here tomorrow after
noon. In that event. Secretary Smith
has planned to leave for Atlantasto-
morrow night, but IL advised that his
successor Will not arrive here until nf-
ter that time, 1t Is probable that he will
go this evening, leaving assistant Sec
rotary Reynolds In charge. All import
ant matters that have been pending
have now been disposed Of so that Mr..
Francis as secretary, will have a clear
field to begin with.
The record of the department for
volume OF work performed during the
past three a half years IL probably
ahcnd OF any period of its history. Sec
rotary Smith has enforced the s;rIctest
civil service rules. making merit tho
sole ground OF promotion both In and
outside the civil services. He has un-
hesitatlngly discharged his own ap-
polntees II their work was mol well
done and the force OF the department
all over the country has been brought
to a high state OF proficiency.