The Holly chieftain., 1899-11-10

has cash surplus on hand OF $685.
103 ,102, and the revenues are increas-
ing at such n rapid rate 1t is possible
the balance will pass the 1900, ,OOO, 600
mark by the first Of the new year. The
government has nearly $S3, 900, 600 de-
posted In national banks for the con.
venience of disbursing officers, but the
other $21O,OOO,O0o is locked up in its
vaults, unavailable for commercial
transactions. This Is tremendous
sum to be taken from the channels of
trade, and financial officials are dis
turbed by Its tendency to increase ruth-
er than diminish.
Chief Examiner Serven of the Civil
Service commission, in his annual re-
port, just made public. says 4S, 500 per
sons were examined for entrance to
the government service. Not quite rs
per cent. of the candidates passed. The
commission has decided to abolish the
internal revenue board of examiners
and examinations formerly conducted
by them will be hereafter conducted
by examiners sent from Washington,
Owing to the increased demand for
special tests the ordinary examina-
tions for custom house and internal
revenue branches and for first-class
postoffices will be held hereafter only
=
Of total Of 4,4l4 appointments to the
departmental and government print
ing services 1S4 were women and that
of the 24.213 women who have passed
examinations during the last ten years,
3,416, or over IA per cent, have been
appointed. The report recommends
the establishment by the commission
of standard of general intelligence
which would be considered as n prelim.
mary test.
Major General Fitz Hugh Lee, who
arrived In Washington late Saturday
night discussed the social, political and
industrial conditions of Cuba In an in
terview Sunday. General Lee SAYS the
island under the existing protection Of
the United States, is improving every
hour. He says there is little friction
OF any kind in Cuba, and that the peo-
pie are slowly but surely rebuilding
their war-wasted homes and repairing
their crippled fortunes. He thinks that
life and property are now secure ON
the island. and that Cubans generally
are not abusing their newly acquired
freedom. General Lee said that this
happy condition of things was due
largely to the salutary restraint exer-
cised by American military authority.
The native population, he says, is in
experienced In both the theory and
practice of self-government. General
Lee realizes that the United States gov
ernment is pledged to grant independ-
ence to Cuba after 1t has been thor
oughly pacified, and he feels strongly
that the pledge should be fulfilled as
swiftly as practicable. Until life can
be protected by purely Cuban govern
ment, however, he thinks the islands
should remain under the government
Of the United States.
Mrs. Mildred Hazen, whose engage
ment to Admiral Dewey has been an
nounced, is one Of the best known
women In Washington society, rs well
as one Of the cleverest. Her society has
always been enjoyed by the brightest
men In public life, among those who
frequented her mothers home being
Speaker Reed, Representatives Boutelle
and Hit and Adjutant General Corbin.
The admiral has known his future
bride since childhood, and before his
departure to command the Asiatic
squadron he often visited the home of
Mrs. Mclean. During his absence he
corresponded frequently with Mrs. Ha-
zen. The admiral has not yet an
nounced the date of his marriage, but
his friends sny that 1t will not be long
before his new home will have n mis-
tress. After their marriage Admiral
Dewey and his wife will reside during
the winter Mt his Washington home
and during the summer mt her summer
home at Woodley. AS the wife of the
ranking officer Of the navy. Mrs. Ha-
zen's position will be second almost to
none In Washington. Her fortune and
the liberal salary received by the ad-
miral will enable them to entertain in
the most lavish and elaborate fashion,
and as both are devoted to society the
residence of the admiral may be ex.
pected to be the scene of many bril-
liant entertainments during the coming
season.
Ellis H. Roberts. treasurer of the
United States. in his annual report to
Secretary Gage. says: The effect of the
new revenue law is shown In the re-
ceipts for the year. in which there
was an increase In 1898 OF S56. 553.4 .410
from customs and S102. .536.5 $50 from
internal revenue. The collections Of
Internal revenue were larger than those
for any previous year. with the excep-
tion only of 1866. and the total ordin-
ary receipts, which amounted to S515.-
96O,62O. were also the largest on record,
with the same exception. The net
ordinary expenses were n little over
SGO5, 100000. an amount exceeded only
twice-in 1863 and 1864. There was n
deficiency of $S9,111,550 in ordinary
revenues. Inclusive of loans and the
issue of notes and certificates the total
receipts of all accounts. by warrants,
were $1.O3S. .451.340. and the total dis
bursements $046. 900. 14S. With the ad-
1itf0n Of fha nrocaadc nf tha, va,,,
per cent. loan to the ordinary reve-
nunS fharn 1ync Arnnl rIii..,li liic af