The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-12-10

executions, the immigrants of the past
wear were of laboring class accus-
toned and able 10 earn subsistence 1or
themselves. and it is stated the money
brought with them amounted to at least
1000 600, though it was probably much
in excess of that sum, since only those
having less than $50 are required TO DIS
close the exact amount. and II Is
known that many brought consid,
cradle sums of money TO buy land
and build houses. Including all the
immigrants arriving who were over
IA years Of age, 2S.G3 per cent were
illiterate as against 2O.31. per cent OF
those of that age arriving during the pre-
cedng fiscal year.
The number of immigrants over "a
wears of age. the countries from WhIcn
they came and the percentage Of illiterate
among them. were as follows: Italy,
57.515 with $3.50 per cent; Ireland, d.
49S with per cent; Russia, 33,lSS, with
AHA per cent; Austria Hungary and
nroyinces. 57,053, with 1882 per cent;
Germany. 25.334. with 2.96 per cent;
Sweden. 1881, with 1.16 per cent; whiIe
from Portugal there came 2,O61, Of whom
1851 per cent were illiterate.
There arrived from Japan during
the year only lilo Immigrants
and il is the opinion of the Immigration
authorities that the apprehension mere
tofnro twisting TO some extent of large
Immigration from Japan TO the United
States is without any substantial touhua-
ton.
LIFE SAVING SERVICE.
From tbe life-saving service it is re-
,orted that the number of disasters TO
documented vessels within the limits Of
its operations during the year Was 49,
These vessels had on board 4ooo pep pen
cons of which were saved 459J, ana loo
lost The value of vessels Is estimates ~
at $3.50, $40 and of their cargoes co.
S46 $50 making the total value OF prop
orty imperilled S12,T26,520. Of this
amount 81. 292, 701 was saved ana Sl,-
432.75O was lost. SiXty-seyen OF the yes
sells were totally wrecked. There were
besides 243 casualties to small uhlocu-
mented crafts on board OF when there
were 594 persons, of whom oSf were
saved and z lost
The value of the properly involved ~
those latter casualties is estimated az
S110265. Of which $114,915 was saved
and $4.3J0 was lost.
The life-saving crews during the year
also rescued or assisted numerous other
vessels and warned many from danger
by signals both by day and by night.
The number of disasters during the
wear exceeded that of any previous year
in the history of the service, Dut the
saving of body, life and properly was
greater than ever before in proportion 10
the valne of the property involved and
10 the number Of persons imperliied
THE TREASURY BRANCHES.
The operations Of the marine hospital
service. the revenue cutter service, the
steamboat inspection service, the lighl-
bouse service, the bureau of Navigation
and other branches of public work attach
cd To the treasury department, together
with various recommendations concern
ing their support and improvements are
fully stated in the report OF the secre-
tary of the treasury to which the atten-
ton of congress is especially invited
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the secretary of war ex-
hibits satisfactory conditions in the sew
eral branches of the public service IN
trusted to his charge.
The limit of our military force as fixed
by law is constantly and readily main
tanned. The present discipline and mo.
rale of the army are excellent and marked
progress and efficiency are apparent
throughout its entire organization. with
the exception of delicate duties in the
suppression of slight Indian disturbances
along our Southwestern boundary IN
which Mexican troops co-operateo, anu
the compulsory but peaceful return WIN
the consent of Great Britain OF BAND
of Creek Indians from Montana to the
British possessions, no active operations
have been required of the army during the
past year.
Changes in the methods of admnistra-
ton, the abandonment OF unnecessary
nosts and consequent concentration OF
troops and the exercise of care and vigil
lance by the various officers charged with
the responsibility in the expenditure oil
the appropriations, have resulted in re-
ducipg to a minimum the cost or main
tenance of our military establishment.
During the past year the work OF con
structing permanent infantry and cavalry
posts has been continued ut the places
heretofore designated.
The secretary of war repeats his recon-
mendation that appropriations Tor par-
racks and quarters should more stfic,'!
conform to the need of the service as
Judged by the department rather IMAM
respond to the wishes and opportunities
of localities.
1t is Imperative that much of the money
provided for construction should be al
lowed for the erection of necessary
quarters for the garrisons assigned TO the
coast defenses, where many men VIII be
needed to properly care for and operate
modern guns. 1t is essential, too, that
early provision be made to supply the
necessary force of artillery to meet the
demands of the service. The entire army
has been equipped with new magazine
arms and wise policy demands that all
available public aid, and all resources
should be so emphasized as to pro
vide within reasonable time sufficient
number to supply the state militia, with
these modern weapons and provide an
ample reserve for any emergency.
THE STATE MILITIA.
The organized militia numbers H.
$40 men. The appropriations for its sup
mort: by the several states approXlmates
$500, 900 annually and 100000 is con
tributed by the general government, IN
yestigation. shows these troops to be
usually well drilled and inspired with
much military interest, but in many IN
stances they are so deficient in proper
arms and equipments that sudden call
to active duty would find them made,
suately prepared for field service.
therefore recommend that prompt meas