The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1896-12-09

VII t. eesssieted about March I. and
At least four more gunboats will be
ready for sea In the early spring.
II II gratifying to state that our ships
and their outfits are believed to be
equal to the best that can be manu-
featured elsewhere. and that such not
their cost, az to justify the statement
that quite q number OF vessels are now
being constructed at rates as low as
those that prevail In European ship
yards.
1t Is most gratifying to noe the sat
isfactory results that have followed the
inauguration Of the new system provid-
ed for the act OF May 2S 1899. under
which certain federal officials are COM
pensated by salaries instead OF fees.
The new plan was put In operation on
the lst day of July. 1896 ana already
the great economy IL enforces. its pre-
vention of abuses. and Its tendency TO
a better enforcement Of the laws. are
strikingly apparent Detailed evidence
Of the usefulness OF this long-deiayed
but now happily accomplished reform
will be found clearly set forth In the
attorney generals report.
Our postoffice department IL In good
condition. and the exhibit made or its
operations during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1896, If allowance Ia made Tor
imperfections In the laws applicable TO
Il is very satisfactory. The total re-
40. The total expenditures were $780,
626, 296. "a, exclusive of 81 .559. S9s.27 which
was earned by the Pacific railroad Tor
transportation and credited on their
debt TO the government. There was an
increase of receipts over the previous
year of $3.50, 0S021, or IL per cent. and
an increase of expenditures or $3,o5e,-
124.02. or 4.42 per cent.
The number of emigrants arriving
In the United States during the fiscal
year was 343, 1867. of whom 34O,46S were
permitted to land. and 2.199 were de-
barred on various grounds prescribed
by law and returned to the countries
whence they came at the expense OF
the steamship company by which they
were brought in. The increase In i'm
migration over the preceding year
amounted TO SAL 1t is reported that
with some exceptions the immigrants
OF the past year were or hardy Ia
boring class. accustomed and able TO
earn a supper for themselves, and IL Is
estimated that the money brought with
them amounted to at least $4,000, 900.
Though it was probably much in ex-
cess of that sum since only those hav-
ing less than $50 are required to dis
close the exact amount and ii is known
that many brought considerable sums
OF money to buy land and build homes.
Including al the immigrants arriving
who were over IA years of age, 2S63
per cent. we're llllterdte as against SVos
per cent. OF those Of that age arriving
during the preceding fiscal year. -"
There arrived from Japan during the
year only LILO immigrants, and ii Is the
opinion of the immigration authorities
that the apprehension heretofore ex-
listing TO some extent of large immi-
grafton from Japan to the United
States is without any substantial foun-
dation.
In concluding this communication its
last words shall be an appeal TO the
congress for the most rigid economy in
the expenditure of the money it holds
In trust for the people. The way to
perplexing extravaganza is easy. but
return TO frugality is difficult. When,
however. ii is considered that those
who bear the burdens of taxation have
no guarantee of honest care save in
the fidelity of their public servants, the
duty Of all possible retrenchment is
plainly manifest.
When our differences are forgotten
and our contests of political opinion are
no longer remembered, nothing in the
retrospect of our public service will be
as fortunate and comforting as the rec
objection of official duty well performed
and the memory Of a constant devotion
to the interests Of our confiding fellow
countrymen.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Dec. Z, 1896.