The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-12-11
vanced and promise to reach a successful
consumraation at an early date.

vanced, and promise to reach successful
consumnation at an early date.
The Consular Service.
The scheme of examining applicants for
certain consular positions to test their
competency and fitness, adopted under an
executive order issued on the 10Th of Sep
TENDER, 1896, has fully demonstrated the
usefulness of this innovation, In connec-
ton with this plan OF examination, pro-
motions and transfers of deserving in
cumbents have been quite extensively
made. with excellent results. During the
past year 80 appointments have been made
In the consular service, "a of which were
made to- fill vacancies caused by death or
resignation or to supply newly-created
posts, two to succeed incumbents removed
for cause, two for the purpose of displa cling
alien consular officials by American citi-
zens, and four merely changing the off,
cial title of incumbent from commercial
agent to consul. Twelve of these appoint
ments were transfers or promotions from
other positions under the department of
state, four OF those appointed had rem
dered previous service under the depart
ment, eight were made of persons who
passed a satisfactory examination, seven
the order of September 20, 1895, and four APP
pointments as above stated, involved no
change OF incumbency. The inspection Of
priation for that purpose at the last ses-
sion of the congress has been productive
of such wholesome effects that hope this
important work will in the future be con-
t1nued. l know of nothing that can be
done with the same slight expense so i'm
proving to the service. / desire to repeat
the recommendation contained in my last
annual message in favor of providing at
public expense official residences for our
ambassadors and ministers at foreign cap
itals. The reasons supporting this recon-
mendation are strongly stated in the re-
port of the secretary Of state, and the
subject seems of such Importance that
hope 1T may receive the early attention of
the congress.
Preservation of Seal Life.
We have during the last year labored
faithfully and against unfavorable condi-
lions to secure better preservation of seal
life in the Behring sea. Both the United
States and Great Britain have lately dis
patched commissioners to these waters to
study the habits and condition of the seal
herd and the causes of their rapid de-
crease. Upon the reports of these COM
the exercise Of patience and good sense on
the part of all interested parties, 1t Is ear
nestly hoped that hearty cooperation may
threatened extinction Of seal life in the
northern Pacific and Behring sea.
Our Finances.
The secretary of the treasury reports
that during the fiscal year ended June 80
Iss6. the receipts Of the .governmaent from
ing the same period its expenditures were
$434, 67S, 654.4S, the excess Of expenditures
over receipts amounting to $25,203 245.70.
The ordinary expenditures during the year
were $,015,S5 less than during the pre-
ceding fiscal year. OF the receipts men
toned, there were derived from customs
the sum Of $50, 021 ,75167 and from internal
revenue STAG, $780, l566 The receipts from
customs show an increase of 81, 1863, 1874. %
over those from the same source for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1895, and the re-
ceipts from Internal revenue an increase of
SO, 6S4, 537. 81.
Imports and Exports.
The value of our imported dutiable mer-
chandise during the last fiscal year was
$685., 757 ,47o, and the value of free goods i'm
ported %09, 967, 470, being an increase of &c.
623,675 in the value of dutiable goods and
S11 231 ,0S4 in the value of free goods over
the preceding year. Our exports of mer-
in value to sSs2, 606,93S, being an increase
over the preceding year of SIS, 068,773. The
average ad valorem. duty paid on dutiable
per cent. and on free and dutiable goods
taken together 20.55 per cent.
Production of Spirits.
The cost of collecting our internal rev.
enue was 2.7S per cent, as against Psi per
cent. for the fiscal year. ending June 80.
1895. The total production of distilled
spirits, exclusive of fruit brandies, was
s., 5S8, 703 taxable gallons, being an increase
of $685. 0S gallons over the preceding year.
Ions of spirits, produced from fruit as
with the preceding year. The
number of barrels of beer produced was
81, 1859, $50, as against S3,5s9,7S4 produced in
the preceding fiscal year, being an in
crease Of 2,269,466 barrels.
Movement OF Metallic Money.
The total amount of gold exported during
the last fiscal year was $112, 409,9H and OF
silver sGO, $40, being an increase of s45.-
he expectations of the preceding fiscal
year. The imports of gold were $3S, 525, 065.
and OF silver S2S,777, 1885, being 81, $685. less
turing the preceding year. The total stock
If metallic money in the United States at
he close of the last fiscal year ended on
he S9th day Of so 5g Ia7 l 1896 was diG
62S, 72S071 in silver
Per Capita Circulation Of S22.63.
On the first day of November, 1896. the
otal stock of money of all kinds in the
country was 81, ,410, $50, and the amount
holdings. was 81, 627 O55,641, being
%. SO per capita, upon an estimated popula-
ion of H,902,000
Production OF Precious Metals.
The production of the precious metals In
he United States during the calendar year
$50 is estimated to have been 22N, 76e flne
unces of gold, of the value OF S46,6lO,0O0
nd 900 fine ounces of silver, of the
commercial value of $50, $4,000 and the coin
9e value of $72,051 900.
The estimated production of these metals
throughout the world during the same pc
iod was 9,6SS,S2l fine ounces OF gold, |
mounting to 5000 700 in value, and 1885,
49, 249 fine ounces of silver, of the CONNER |
ial value of $40, 654, 600 and of the coinage !
alue of $213 7S8, 100, according to our ratio. |
Coinage Statistics.
The coinage of these metals in the va
lols countries of the world during the ]
anne calendar year amounted to $232,7Ol,-
30 in gold and $12i 219 In silver. The
otal coinage at the minis of the United |
tates during the fiscal year ended June 30, |
s96, amounted to $n,1SS 46S.52, of which |
4, SIS, 400 was in gold coins and $l2,3O9.- |
1859 in standard silver dollars, subsidiary |
oins and minor coins.
National Banks.
The number of national banks organized |
rom the time the law authorizing their |
reation was passed, up to October 81, 1896,
,as 5,05l, and OF this number 1873 were at |
he date last mentioned In active operc-
ion, having authorized capital stock of /
$50, Ola, 1876, held by 2SS, 902 shareholders, and
REGULATING notes amounting to $211 ,412,62O:
II national banks on the 31st day of Oc-
ober 1896 amounted to 1924 ,S07 includ- |
IL unredeemed, but fully secured notes
banks insolvent and In process of liqui-
alton. The increase In national bank cir
llation during the year ending on that
ay was $21, 099429. On October s, 1896, when
10 condition of national banks was last
sported, the total resources of the 1913
ctVe Institutions was 1928, $50 1888, |
hich included 81 1893, 26S, $780, CO I'm loans and
iscounts and 1852 165, 1885 in money of all
Il ,05S.03 was due TO Individual depositor5
nd Oh 0op NJ mt 81 "a pdinO cir |