Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-12-08

action. Estimated cost, exclusive OF armor and
armament, S36o0,000 each. 2. Three sbeathcd
and coppered armored cruisers OF about $4,000
tons trial displacement carrying the heaviest
armor and most powerful ordnance for YES
sells OF their class, and TO have the highest
practicable speed and great radius OF action.
Estimated cost, exclusive OF arnor and arma-
ment, 81, 600. 900 each 3. Three sheathed and
coppered protected cruisers OF about 5000 tons
trial displacement; TO have the highest prac-
ticabe speed and great radius OF action, ana
10 carry the most powerful ordnance suitable
for vessels OF their class. Estimated cost, ex-
elusive Of armor and armament, 81, 100, 600 each.
4. Six sheathed and coppered cruisers OF about
900 tons trial displacement; to have the high
est speed compatible with good cruising quail
ties, great radius Of action and 10 carry the
most powerful ordnance suited to vessels OF
their class. Estimated cost, exclusive OF ar
mament, 81 141 500 each. l join with the secre-
rotary Of the navy In recommending that the
grades OF admiral and vice admiral be tenn
porarily revived, 10 he filled by officers who
have specially distinguished themselves In the
war with Spain. ] earnestly urge upon con-
gress the Importance OF early legislation pro-
viding for the taking OF the twelfth census.
This is necessary In view OF the large amount
OF work which must be performed In the prep
aration OF the schedules preparatory to the
enumeration Of the population.
Large Additions to the List of Pen
sioners.
1893, 993, TIA names, an increase OF nearly $4,000
over the number on the rolls the same day
Of the preceding year. The amount appropriate
ed by the act Of Dec. %. 1896. for the pay
ment Of pensions for the fiscal year 1893 was
s14O 0O0, 900. Eight million seventy thousand
eight hundred and seventy-two dollars and for
ty-six cents was appropriated by the act OF
March 81, 1898, TO cover deficiencies In army
pensions and repayments in the of $12,-
020 80, making total of $14s. 0s2 S92 10 available
for the payment Of pensions during the fiscal
year 1893. The amount disbursed from that sum
was $144, 651 $3.50. leaving balance Of 3d.
431 ,0l2.99 uneypended June &c. 1893, which
was covered into the treasury. There were $50
names added to the rolls during the year by
special acts passed at the second session OF the
hfty-1fth congress, making total OF 6,4s6 pen
sioners by congressional enactments since 1861.
The total receipts of the patent Office dur
ing the last year 81 253 ,04s.44. The ex-
penditures were 81 ,0s1, 633.79, leaving a sur
plus OF $172, 314.65.
Report or Dawes Commission.
while II has not yet been practicable TO en-
force all the provisions OF the act OF June %,
1885, for the protection OF the people OF the
Indian Territory and for other purposes 1t 10
having a salutary effect upon the nations COM
posing the five tribes. The Dawes commission
reports that the most gratifying results and
greater advance toward the attainment OF the
objects of the governments have been secured
in the last year than In any previous year. 1
cannot too strongly indorse the recommendation
Of the commission and OF the secretary OF the
interior 1Or the necessity OF pTONlulUg TOT the
education OF the 10000 white children resident
In the Indian Territory.
Work of the Department of Agriculture
''The department Of agriculture has been ac-
tive I'm the last year. Explorers have been sent
TO many OF the countries of the eastern and
western hemispheres for seeds and plants that
may be useful 10 the United States and with
the further view OF opening up markets for
our surplus products. The forestry division OF
the department is giving special attention 10
the treeless regions Of our country and is IN
Producing species specially adapted TO semi-arid
regions. Forest fires, which seriously interfere
with production, especially In irrigated regions,
are being studied, that the losses from this
cause may be avoided. The department is in
quiring into the use and abuse OF water in many
states OF the west and collecting informa ton
regarding the laws OF the states, the decisions
of the courts and the customs of the people
in this regard that uniformity may be Sc
cured Experiment stations are becoming more
effective every year. The annual appropriation
| OF ST20. 900 10y congress is supplemented by
500, 900 from the states. Nationwide expert
ments have been conducted TO ascertain the suit
ableness to soil and climate and states for
growing sugar beets. The number of sugar fac
tories has been doubled In the last two years
and the ability OF the United States to produce
| its sugar from this has been clearly
demons trated. The weather bureau forecast and
| observation stations have been extended around
/ the Caribbean Sea TO give early warning OF the
approach OF hurricanes from the south 10
our fleets and merchant marine.
/