Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-12-18

teen dlfferent States, OF which twelve
were organized In the Eastern States
with a capital Of $1.1sO,OO0. six In the
Western States with a capital Of 1915 900
INT ten in the Southern States with a
capital Of $1,19O,OOO. During the year,
however, thirty-seven banks voluntarily
abandoned their franchises under the
national law, and in the case Of twenty
seven others it was found necessary to
appoint receivers. Therefore, as COM
pared with the year. preceding, there was
q decrease of thirty-six In the number Of
active banks. The number Of existing
banks organized under State laws Is
sos.
Immigration.
The number of immigrants arriving IN
the United States during the fiscal year
was 3S,26I, of whom 34O,40S we're per-
mtited to land and 300 were debarred
on various grounds prescribed by law and
returned to the countries whence they
came ut the expense of the steamship
companies by which they were brought
In. The increase in immigration over the
preceding year amounted to S4,731. It is
reported that with some exceptions tho
immigrants of the last year were of a
hardy laboring class, accustomed and
able to earn a support for themselves,
and it is estimated that the money
brought with them amounted to at least
$5,OOO,OOO, though it was probably much
III excess of that sum, since only those
having less than $50 are required to dis
close the amount. and it is known
that many brought considerable sums Of
money to buy land and build homes.
The War Department..
The report OF the Secretary of War ex-
hibits satisfactory conditions in the sew
eral branches of the public service i'm
trusted to his charge. The limit Of our
military force us fixed by law is con-
stantly and readily maintained. The
present discipline and morale of our army
are excellent, and marked progress and
efficiency are apparent throughout its en-
tire organization. With the exception of
delicate duties in the suppression of slight
Indian disturbances along our southwest
ern boundary, in which the Mexican
troops c~o-operated, and the compulsory
but peaceful return, with the consent Of
Great Britain, Of a band of Cree Indians
from Montana to British possessions, no
active operations have been required Of
the army during the year past.
c Coast Defense.
During the last year rapid progress has
been made toward the completion Of the
scheme adopted for the erection and arma-
ment of Notifications along u seacoast,
while equal progress has been made in
providing the material for submarine de-
Tense in connection with these works.
This improved situation is largely due
tothe reccntgenerous response of Congress
to the recommendations of the war de-
| n y.tu,o1,f Th,,u ,x,o choM coo, b,,a o.-
plcte about one-fifth of the comprehensive
system, the first step in which was noted
in my message to the Congress of Dec. 4,
1898. When it is understood that a ma
sonry emplacement not only furnishes a
platform for the heavy modern high-power
| gun, but also in every particular serve
the purpose and takes the place of the
fort Of former days, the importance of the
work accomplished Is better compre-
hended.
We should always keep in mind that Of
oil forms of military preparation coast
defense alone is essentially pacific in its
nature. While 1t gives the sense Of Sc
curity due to a consciousness of strength,
it is neither the purpose nor the effect Of
such permanent Notifications to involve
us in foreign complications, but rather to
guarantee us against them. They are not
temptation to war, but security against it.
Thus they are thoroughly in accord with
all the traditions of our national diplo-
macy.
Fees of Federal officers.
It is most gratifying to note the salts
factory results that have followed the
Inauguration of the new system provided
for by the net of May IS, 1896, under
which certain Federal officials are COM
pensated by salaries instead of fees. The
new plan was put In operation on July 1.
1896, and already the great economy it
e~nforces. its prevention of abuses, and It's
tendency to a better enforcement Of the
laws are strikingly apparent. Detailed
evidence of the usefulness of this long
delayed but now happily accomplished
reform will be found clearly set forth in
the Attorney Generals report.
h Postal Service.
Our Postofice Department is in good
condition, and the exhibit made Of its
operations during the fiscal year ended
June so. 1896. if allowance is made for
imperfections in the laws applicable to 1t,
is very satisfactory. The total receipts
during the year We're So, 400, 2OS.4 Az. The
total expenditures were $9O,626. 22D6. 4
exclusive Of 1883, S9S.27. which was
earned by the Pacific Railroad for trans
portation and credited on their debt to
the Government. There was an increase
of receipts over the previous year of 3d.
516,OS0.21, OF IL per cent, and an in
crease Of expenditures of S 1886, 124.O2,
or 4.42 per cent. The deficit was ST.
G79,958.19 less than that of the preceding
year.
Our postal service should meet the
wants and eve the ~conveniences Of our
people ut a direct charge upon them SO
Night as perhaps to exclude the idea of our
postof6ce department being a money-mak-
ing concern; but in the face Of a constant
ly recurring deficiency in its revenues and
in view of the fact that We supply the
best mail service in the world, it seems to
me it is quite time to correct the abuses
that swell enormously our annual deficit.
I recommend that legislation be at once
enacted to correct these abuses and in
troduce better business ideas in the reSu-
lation of our postal rates. This involves
the following reforms, which I earnestly
recommend:
The Novv