The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1896-12-16
La. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 1896

Deferring the choice Of ways and meth.
ODDS until the time for action arrives, we
should make til. NJ pend upon the precise
conditions then existing; and they should
not be determined upon without giving
careful heed to every consideration involv-
ing our horor and interest, or the interna-
the contingencies suggested or the situa-
ton is by other incidents imperatively
changed VIZ should continue in the line Of
conduct h. -etofors pursued, thus in all
circumstaI >s exfytasing our obedience to
the requirements Of public law and our re-
gard for the duty enjoined upon us by the
position we occupy In the family OF nations
A contemplation of emergencies that
may arise should plainly lead us to avoid
their creation, either through careless
disregard of present duty or even an undue
stimulation and ill-timed expression Of
feeling. But have deemed It not amiss
to remind the congress that u time n ~
arrive when q correct policy and care for
our interests, AS we'll US regard for the
interests Of ether nations and their c!ti-
zens, joined by considerations Of humanity
and desire to sec rich and fertile coun-
try, intimately related to US, saved from
complete devastation, will constrain our
government to such action as will subserve
the interests thus involved and at the same
time promise to Cuba and its inhablta1 Is
an opportunity to enjoy the blessings OF
peace.
Venezuelan Boundary Dispute.
The Venezuelan boundary question has
ceased to be matter Of difference between
Great Britain and the United States, their
respective governments having agreed up
on the substantial provisions Of treaty
between Great Britain and Venezuela sub
uniting the whole controversy to arbitra
ton. The provisions Of tho treaty are SO
eminently ast and fair that the assent Of
Venezuela thereto may confidently be an
ticipated.
Negotiations for treaty Of general arhi-
tratlon for all differences between Great
Britain and the United States are advanced
and promise to reach successful con-
summation at all early date.
Consular Positions.
The scheme of examining applicants for
certain consular positions to test their COM
potency and fitness was adopted under en-
has fully demonstrated the usefulness Of
this innovation. In connection with t. is
plan of examination. promotions asNl
transfer of deserving incumbents have
been quite extensively made with excel
lent results.
Residences For Ambassadors.
desire to repeat the recommendation
contained in my last annual message In
favor of providing at public expense +
fetal residences for our ambassadors and
ministers atforeign capitals.
The Trea:ury.
The secretary of the treasury reports re-
ports that during the fiscal year ended
June 50. 1885. the receipts Of Che govern
ment from Ill sources amounted to &4OH,
475.i00.7S. During the same period It's ev-
penditures were 344334. CTS, 654 48. the ex-
cess Of expenditures over receipts thus
amounting to s25.2ns, 22a570. The ordinary
Expenditures during the year were S4,Gls,-
S53.21. less tran during the preceding rs
cal year. CT the receipts mentioned there
was derived from customs the sum Of
$50 e21 ,15l.67, and from internal revenue,
SAG, SEQ. Gl5,e8. Tia receipts from customs
show an increase Of Il $50, lS4. q over those
from the s; me source for the fiscal year
ended June 70. 1894, and the receipts from
81. The value OF overimported dutiable
merchandise during the last fiscal year
Was $3.50 7551., 40, and the value Of free
goods imported, s4G9, S67 40, being an in
crease Of s8,5 23,675. Our exports Of mer-
chandise, foreign and domestic, amounted
i'll value to 1892, 606,933, being an increase
over the preceding year O. So, 0s8,713. The
average advalOrem duty paid on dutiaV lie
goods imported during the year was 39e94
per cent, and on free and dutiable goods
taken together, 2O.55 per cent. q
The cost OF collecting our internal w.
enne was 9. 7a per cent as against 2.8l Der
cent for the fiscal year ending June 10,
1925.
The total production of distilled spir1s,
exclusive OF fruit brans1ies, was S5,5S8XB
taxable gallons, being an increase Of
6,G30, l0s gallons over the preceding ydtr.
There was also an increase OF LAS, 076 gal
compared with the preceding year. The
number of barrels of beer produced WAS
35, s59,250 rs against 49, $50, 7S4, being an
increase OF 2.3G0, 466 barrels
The total amount of gold exported dur-
ing the last fiscal year was Sll2, 49, 947 and
of silver s60.54l $40, being An increase Of
1884 ,44G If gold and 81, 246, 1854 Of silver,
over the g -portations of the preceding
fiscal year The imports Of gold wero
2,s59, eos less of gold and &, &c., 07 more Of
silver than during the preceding year. The
total stock Of metallic money In the United
States at the close of the last fiscal year,
ending on the Both day Of June, 1895, waa
$f.92s, st, 035. of which S509, 397 ,B6A was Vi
gold and SOS, T2sS OIL Ia silver.
On the hrst day Of November, 1895, tho
total stock of money Of all kinds In tie
country was - .2s5, AZ, $50, and the amount
In circulation, not including that In tla
treasury holdings, was 81 ,6e7, 0oo, 64l, being
lation of II. 9G3, 900.
The production Of precious metals in the
United States during the calendar year
1895 is estimated to have been z, 254.7 00 fine
ounces of gold, of the value Of az, SIC, 900,
and s55. 727 GOO fine ounces Of silver, Of the
commercial value Of $50. -, 600, and the
coinage value Of a72,05l, 900. The esti-
mated production of these metals through
out the world during the same period was
f2O0, 2Sj, 100 in value, and l69. l8o, ~ fne
ounces Of silver, of the commercial value
of Sic, s54 goo, and o! the coinage value o.!
$ala, 75S, 100, according to Our ratio. The
coinage of these metals In the various
countries Of the world during the same
calendar year amounted to $3.50, 70l ,43S in
gold and sl2l SOC, 219 In silver.
The total coinage ri the mints Of he
United Sta rs during the fiscal year en- ed
June &c, 1899. amounted to 81 les, 4es. Sc, OF
which s6S.81S, 4a0 was In gold coin end
s12, 800 ,97s 81 in standard silver dollars and
minor coius
The number OF national banks organized
from the time the law authorizing their
creation was passed up to October 81, 1896,
was 505l. ar1 of this number 3s7D were a.:
the date last mentioned In active operation,
having authorized capital stock Of $3.50.
OIL ,s95, held by 2ss.962 shareholders and
circulating notes amounting to $211 ,412 62t.
The total outstanding circulating notes OF
all national banks on the 3lst day Of Oct.-
Der, 1893, amounted to 49,. 553, s07, includ.
ing unredee ned but fully secured notes u
banks insolvent and in process Of liquida,
ton. The increase in national bank circu.
lation during the year ending on that day
was SCI CISCO. On October 6. 1895, WREN