The Republican journal., 1897-12-02
Our Washington Letter.

smoothly, SO far as relates to farmers, and
also as relates to the revenues of the Gov
eminent. A document just issued by the
Treasury Department showing the Sep
TENDER importations points out that there
has been marked falling off in the impor-
tations of numerous articles of farm pro-
duce compared with September of last
year, while the expectation of the pro-
ducts of agriculture has increased very
greatly, despite the insistence of free
traders that an increase in our tariff rates
would damage our markets abroad The
September expectations of agricultural
products amounted to $74, POI, 573 against
$50, 529, 66S in the corresponding month of
last year. While the general expectations
of domestic merchandise increased 25 per
cent. in September over those of the same
month last year, the increase in farm pro-
! ducts was even greater, being, as will be
seen by the above figures, about 40 per
cent. In September of 1897 agricultural
products formed Y per cent of the total
expectations, while in September, 1896,
they constituted but 81 1-2 per cent. of
| the total expectations. In importation of
decrease in many articles. The September
importation of unmanufactured cotton fell
off 50 per cent, being but 5S1, 903 pounds
against 172, 629 pounds in September Of
last year The importation of flax, hemp,
and other vegetable 1ibres, unmanufac-
tured, amounted to less than one third
of that of last year, being $3.50, 900 in
value in September 1897, against nearly
81 900, 600 in September, 1896. The i'm
portation of flax, which amounted to SOS,
729 in September, 1896, dropped to Sal,
$50 in September, 1897. The manufac-
lures Of flax, hemp, jute, etc, imported
in September, 1897, were but about one half
in value those of September, 1896, being
but 81, 142, ia against g, 1879, $50. The
/ importations OF sugar in September, 1897,
amounted to less than $500, 900 against
more than ZOO, 600 in September, 1896,
while those of vegetables dropped from
! S14S. 345 in September, 1896, to $50, 994 in
| September OF the present year. The most
noticeable decrease is in wool, which fell
from 4, 795, 476 pounds IN September of last
year to 2.5Q5, 672 pounds in September,
1897, while the manufactures of wool fell
o.. in a much larger ratio being in value
but 1896, 1913 in the present September
against -, 066, 101 in September 1896.
In the matter of exports there has been
marked increase in almost every line of
farm production. The September exporta-
| ton of cattle amounted to So, 272, 36S
against s., 80, 100 in September of last
year. The value of the horses exported
was S67S, 1872 against S234,315 in the
corresponding month of 1896. The ex-
portation of barley amounted to 81, Oh
S22 against s7Ss, 431 in September of last
year; corn. So, 200, 723 against 50, 962, 612
in September of last year. The exporta-
| tion of corn meal increased from $47, $50
| in value to S119, 461; oats from $201, 677 to
in September, 1885, to 5,516, $50 pounds
in September, 1897. The expectation of
rye practically doubled, being in value
1910, 322 in September of last year against
s626, 140in September of the present year.
Of hops the expectation in September,
1897, was more than four times in value
that of September, 1896, being $50, 265
against S15, AS. Of bacon the exporta-
lions were, in September, 1897, over So
600, 600 pounds against 81, 600, 900 pounds
in September OF 1896. OF hams the
pounds exported in September, 1897, was
over II, 200, 900 against 5000, 600 in
September of last year, while the exporta-
ton of butter jumped from 50, 494 ,532
pounds in September, 1896, to 5, 933, 467
pounds in September, 1897.
At the Treasury Department the new
law is proving equally satisfactory. The
receipts are steadily increasing, and for
the month of November average fully
million dollars for each bust ness day,
while there is every reason to expect that
the increase in the importation of manu-
featured articles and sugar which will
come with the beginning of the new year
will add from to 10 million dollars per
month to the receipts, thus bringing them
above the requirements for the running
expenses of the Government, and putting
the Treasury in a position to again ac-
cumulate sufficient surplus to carry on
the business of the Government with safe
ty, and reduce somewhat, at least, the
Indebtedness incurred under the Wilson
law by liberal contributions to tile sink
ing fund, and the creation of such a gen
eral surplus as will be needed to meet the
outstanding bonds when they fall due.
Porgies and BrotherIy Love.
The good people of Brooklin in this
State appear to be very wroth over the
change in the porgy law made by the last