Bridgeton pioneer., 1896-12-10

drst commission three first class and two
second class battleships, two armored
cruisers, one harbor defense ram and five
| double turreted monitors, including the
Maine and the Puritan, just completed.
Eight new unarmored cruisers and two
new gunboats have also been commits
stoned. The Iowa, another battleship,
will be completed about March 1, and at
least four more gunboats will be ready for
sea in the early spring.
1t Is gratifying to state that our ships
and their outfits are believed to be equal
to the best that can be manufactured else
where, and that such notable reductions
have been made in their cost as to justify
the statement that quite number of YES
sells are now being constructed at rates as
low ~ those that prevail in European
shipyaras.
Discipline among the officers and men
Of the navy has been maintained to high
standard, and the percentage of American
citizens enlisted has been very much in
creased.
The naval militia, which was authorized
few years ago as an experiment, has now
developed into body Of enterprising young
men, active and energetic in the discharge
Of their duties and promising great useful
ness. This establishment has nearly the
same relation to our navy as the national
guard in the different states bears to our
army, and 1t constitutes a source of supply
FOR our naval forces the Importance of
which is Immediately apparent.
The Interior Department..
The report Of the secretary of the interior
presents comprehensive and interesting
exhibit of the numerous and important af-
fairs committed to his supervision.
The money appropriated on account of
this department. and for it's disbursement
for the fiscal year ended June 80, 1895,
amounted to more than S157, 900, 900, or a
greater sum than was appropriated for the
antire maintenance of the government for
the two fiscal years ended June 80, 1851.
Our public lands, originally amounting
TO 1,S40, 900, 900 acres, have been so reduced
that only about 800. 000,0 900 acres still re-
main in government control, excluding
Alaska.
agree with the secretary that the re-
mainder of our public lands should be
more carefully dealt with and their alien
alton guarded by better economy and great
er prudence.
The total Indian population of the Unit
ID States is III, 1856, according to census
made in 1895, exclusive of those within
the state of New York and those compris-
ing the five civilized tribes. Of this num-
oer there are approximately 3S, 900 children
of school age. During the year 90, 1913 of
these were enrolled in schools.
Pensions.
The diminution of our enormous pen
sion roll and the decrease of pension expend-
iture, which have been so often confident
ly foretold, still fail in material realization.
The number of pensioners on the rolls at
the close of the fiscal year ended June 30,
1896, was 970,679. This is the largest
number ever reported The amount paid
exclusively for pensions during the year
was $13S, ,214, 1884 a slight decrease from
that of the preceding year, while the total
expenditures on account of PENSIONS in
Guiding the cost of maintaining the depart
ment and expenses attending pension dis
tribution, amounted to $142, ,206, $50. SO, or
within very small fraction of third
Of the entire expense of supporting the
government during the same year. The
| number of new pension certificates issued
was 80, $40. Of these, 40, 374 represent
original allowances of claims and 15, S7s
Increases of existing pensions.
Department of Agriculture.
The department Of agriculture is so in
5imately related to the welfare of our peo-
pie and the prosperity of our nation that it
| should constantly receive the care and en-
couragement Of the government.
Under the present management of the
department. it's usefulness has been en-
| hanced in every direction, and at the same
time strict economy has been enforced to
| the utmost extent permitted by congress
sional action x
In my opinion, the gratuitous distribu-
5ion of seeds by the department. as at pres
ent conducted ought to be discontinued.
| No one can read the statement of the Sec
retary on this subject and doubt the ex-
| travagance and questionable results of this
practice x
The Tariff.
| desire to recur to the statements else
where made concerning the government S
receipts and expenditures for the purpose
| of venturing upon some suggestions touch
| ing our present tariff law and its opera
| lion.
This statute took effect on the 2Sth day
If August, 1894. Whatever may be its
shortcomings as a complete measure of tar
| iF reform, it must be conceded that it has
| opened the way to freer and greater ex-
| change of commodities between us and 9TH
er countries, and thus furnished wider
market for our products and manufactures.
The only entire fiscal year during which
this law has been in force ended on the
Both day of June, 1896. In that year our
imports increased over those of the previous
year more than Sc, 500, 900, while the value
Of the domestic products we exported, and
which found markets abroad, was nearly
$40, 900, 600 more than during the preced-
ing year.
believe our present tariff law. if allow
I'd q fair opportunity, will in the near fu-
jure yield revenue which, with reasonably
economical expenditures, will overcome all
deficiencies. In the meantime no deficit
that has occurred or may occur need excite
1r disturb u.s. To meet any such deficit we
have in the treasury, in addition to gold
reserve of 800, 900, 900, a surplus of more
than S12S, ,000,0 900 applicable to the pay
| ment of the exnenses of the povernment