The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-08

% .o"o"S. ltalH, bi,olb, with 0i.59 per
cent; Ireland. 37,496, with per cent.
Russia. 10. lSS. with ALA per cent: Aus
tria- Hungary and provinces. 57,O53, with
3s92 per cent; Germany, 25O3a, with
2.io per cent; Sweden, 1881, with
i.l6 per cent, while from Portugal there
came 2,OG'. of whom 77.69 per cent were
ii!iterate. There arrived from Japan
during the year only lilo immigrants.
ana MS the opinion of the immigration
authorities that the apprehension here
toiore existing to some extent OF large
immigration from Japan to the United
states Is without any substantial foun-
dation.
THE LTFE-SAVING SERVICE,
From the life-saving service 1t is re-
ported that the number of disasters to
uocumented vessels within the limits of
, lrs operations during the year was 437.
Ihese vessels had on board 46OS per-
sons, of whom 4.595 were saved and 10
lost. The value of such vessels is esti-
mated at SS.SS0,140 and of their cargoes
s''s4o'SSo, making the total value of
property imperiled si2,726520. OF this
amount ll.292, lIO was saved and s1.432,-
'oO was lost. SiSty-seven of the vessels
were totally wrecked. There were be-
SIDES 23i casualties TO small undocu-
mentcd craft on board of which there
were o94 persons. of whom 5S7 were
saved anu were lost The value of
80 f'VpCitS lIlNOlNeu III these latter
casualties is estimated at Sll9265 of
which Slli,9l5 was saved and $3.50 was
lost The life-saving crews during th.
year also rescued or assisted numerous
other vessels and warned many from
danger by signals, both by day and
night.
The number of disasters during the
year exceeded that of any previous
year In the history of the service. but
| the saving of both life and property was
greater than ever before in promotion
10 The value of the property involved
| ana TO the number of persons imperiled
The operations of the Marine BpsnI-
lal service, the revenue cutter service
me Steamboat Inspection service the
lighthouse service. the Bureau of Nayi-
cation and other branches of public
work attached 10 the Treasury DEPART
ment, together with various recon-
mtndatlons concerning their suDpOrt
| and Improvement, are fully stated in
the report Of the Secretary OF the Urea
Sury. tn which the attention of the
congress Is especially invited.
THE ARMY.
The report of the Secretary of War
| eNhloits satisfactory conditions in the
several branches of the pubic service
| ihtrusted to his charge The limit of
our military force. as fixed by law, Is
constantly and readily maintained
ne present discipline and morals of
| our army are excellent, and marked
| progress and efficiency are auT,arant
tnroughou its entire organization
| WIN the exception OF delicate dutias
N me suppression of slight Indian dis
tnrbances along our Southwestern
boundary, in which the Mexican troops
| oo-opcrated, and the compulsory but
peaceful return. with the consent Of
Ireat britain OF hand Of Cree Indians
from Montana to the British possessions
no active operations have been required
| Oh Ihe army during the year.
| changes In methods of administration
Inc abandonment of Unnecessary nosts
ana consequent concentration of troons
ana the exercise of care and yieiiancn
oE the various officers charged The re-
| spohsinll!ty in the eXpediture of the an
preparations, have resulted In REDUCING
| 10 minimum the cost of maintenance
OF our military establishment During
| the past year the work of constructing
permanent infantry and cavalry posts
mas been continued at the places here
| lotore designated. The Secretary ~
| war repeats his recommendation. that
| appropriations for barracks and omar.
| tSFs should more strictly conform To
, me heeaS OF the service as judged by
| the department rather than TO the
| wishes and opportunities of localities
| IL is imperative that much of the money
| PROVIDED Tor such construction should
now be allotted to the erection of neces.
sary quarters for the garrisons assigned
w tne coast oetenses. where many men
VIII be needed to properly care for and
| operate modern guns 1t Is essantiai
100. mat early provision be made to SIM.
ply the necessary force OF artillery To
meet the demands Of this service.
| me entire army has now been
eqn'ppen with the new magazine arms.
and wise policy demands tina, all avalla-