Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-12-10

and the value OF free goods imported $40 s67, =
40, being an increase of 49, ,67s In the value
of dutiable goods and sol. 231034 in the value of
free goods over the preceding year. Our ex-
ports of merchandise. foreign and domestic,
amounted in value to sSS2, 1925. being an in
crease over the preceding year OF s7',o6S,772
The average ad vaiorem du ty paid on dutiable
goods imported during the year was 80 81 per
cent. and on free and dutiable goods taken to-
gether 20 SIS per cent
The total amount of gold exported was s1is,-
4o99 i7 and of silver $50 Sal. 60 being increase
of s45,94l ,446 of gold and slS,2i6,38i of silver
over the expectation OF the preceding fiscal
year. The imports OF gold were s}a2s. 0es and
OF silver S8,!7IlS6, being 1878 9,s95 less OF gold
and sS.s65Oo7 more of silver than during the
preceding year. The total stock of metallic
money In the United States at the close OF the
astfiscal year ending on the 3oth day of June
1896, was 81 o2S 3260 OBS. of which 1892 597 9A
Of gold and S6ss, 72s,o7f of silver.
On the lst day Of November, 1898. the total
stock of money OF all kinds in the country was
including that in the treasury holdings, was
81, s27 OBS, GIL being g.. 81 per capita upon
estimated population of II e)2, 900.
The production of the precious metals in the
United States during the calendar year 1895 Is
estimated to have been 2.254,7 fine ounces OF
gold OF the value of s46.6iO,000, and s., 1877 900
fine ounces of silver. OF the commercial value
OF $26.445o0o and the coinage value of s7s,-
O51 900.
The total coinage at the minis of the United
States during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1895, amounted to 81. 1882, Of which s5S,-
S7S. 49J in gold coin and S16809, 97S 30 in
standard silver dollars and minor coins The
number of national banks organized from the
time the law authorizing their creation was
passed up to October 81, 1885, was a,051, and of
this number 3.679 were at the date last men,
toned in active operation. having au-
thoriZed capital stock of S650.01i,S95.
held by 2Ss.90s shareholders, and orr
culating notes amounting to s21I.41a.62o.
The total outstanding circulating notes OF all
national banks the 3ist OF October. 1895
amounted to 234,a53, SU7, including unredeemed.
but fully secured notes of banks insolvent and
in process of liquidation. The increase in ma
tional bank circulation during the year ended
on that day was s21, 099, 400 On October, 1891,
when the condition of national banks was last
reported the total resources Of the 3.t7a active
institutions Ss,263. 49,. SO. which in
Guided 1888, 26s, $50 81 in loans and discounts
and S36,,16a,733 IS in money of all kinds GA
hand. OF their liabilities 1897 e9l ,05s due
to individual depositors and 20994i,0i9 con-
sisted of outstanding circulating notes
The War Department..
The report of the secretary of exhibits
satisfactory conditions in the several branches
of the public service intruSted to his charge
The limit OF our artillery force as fixed by law
is constantly and readily maintained. The
present discipline and morals of the army
excellent and marked progress and efficiency
are apparent throughout its entire organiZa-
ton. With the exception of delicate duties in
the suppression OF slight Indian disturbances
along our southwestern boundary in which the
Mexican troops co-operated and the compul-
sorry, but peaceful return with the consent of
Great Britain of a band Of Cree Indians from
Montana to the British possessions, no active
operation have been required of the army dur
ing the past year.
The organized militia numbers 1889 men,
The appropriations for it's support by the
eral states approximate 81. SOC. 0J0 annually and
100000 is contributed by the general govern
ment. Investigation shows these troops to be
unusually we'll drilled and inspired with much
to- t., ~
are so deficient in proper arms and equipment
that a sudden call to active duty would find
them inadeQuately prepared for field service.
therefore recommend that prompt measures
be taken to remedy this condition and that
every encouragement be given to this deserv-
ing body of unpaid and voluntary citizen SOL
diers upon whose assistance we must largely
rely in time Of trouble
During the past year rapid progress has been
made toward the completion OF the scheme
adopi ed for the erection and armament of for
tffcatlonS along our sea coast. while equal
progress has been made in providing the mate
these works. This i'm proved situation is largely
due to the recent generous response or congress
10 the recommendations OF the war department.
The Attorney Generals Department
The attorney-general presents detailed and
interesting statement of the import ant work
done under his supervision during the last
fiscal year. The ownership and management
by the government OF peniteutiarieS for the
confinement of the convicted In the United
States courts of violations Of federal laws,
which for many years has been q subject OF
executive recommendation, has at last to
slight extent been realized by the utIl1za-
ton of the abandoned military prison at Fort
Leavenwort as q United States penitentiary.
This is certainly a movement in the right di-
rection: but it ought to DE at once supple
mented by the rebuilding or extensive enlarge
ment of this improvised prison and the con-
struction of at least one more. to be located in
the southern states. The capacity OF the
Leavenworth penitentiary is so limited that
the expense of its maintenan nee, calculated at
d per capita rate upon the mum Der Of prisoners
it can accommodate does not make as econom-
ical an exhibit as it would If 1t were
larger and better adapted to prison
purposes; but thoroughly con-
WINGED that economy, humanity and proper
sense OF responsibility and duty toward those
whom we punish for violation of federal law
dictate that the federal government have the
entire control and management Of the peniten-
tiaries where convicted violatorS are confined
1t appears that since the transfer OF the Fort
Leavenworth military prison to its new uses
the work previously done by the prisoners con-
fined there and for which expensive machin-
cry has been provided has been discontinued.
This work consisted of the manufacture OF
articles for army use, now done elsewhere. On
all grounds it is exceedingly desirable that the
convicts confined in this penitentiary be al
lowed to resume work Of this description
The Post ONCE Department..
Our post Office department is in good cond1-
ton and the exhibit made OF its operations