The age-herald., 1900-12-04


 nues and the accomplished savings togeth- CT materially reduce the net cost. The evidences which point to these conclusions are presented in detail in the annual re- port of the Postmaster General, which, with its recommendations, is recommended to the consideration of the Congress. The full development of this special service, however, requires such large outlay of money that 1t should be undertaken only after careful study and thorough under standing of all that it involves.
 The Navy.
 Very efficient service has been rendered by the navy in connection with the insur- rection in the Philippines and the recent disturbance in China.
 A very satisfactory settlement has been made on the long-pending question of the manufacture of armor plate A reasonable price has been secured and the necessity of a government armor plant avoided.
 I approve of the recommendations of the Secretary of the Navy for new vessels and for additional officers and men wnlcn uns required increase of the navy makes neces- sary.
 I commend to the favorable action of Congress the measure now pending for the erection of a statue to the memory of the late David D. Porter. 1 commend also the establishment of a national naval reserve and for the grade of vice admiral. Pro- vision should be made, as recommended by the secretary, for suitable rewards for spe- clal merit. Many officers who rendered the most distinguished service during the war with Spain have received in return no recognition from the Congress.
 The total area of public lands, as given by the Secretary of the Interior, is approxi- mately 1,071, ,SS1 662 acres, of which 9l7935,- SS0 acres are undisposed of and 154 745,7 ,7S2 acres have been reserved for various pur- poses. The public lands disposed of during the year amount to 13, 453 SS7 96 acres, in- cluding 62, ,423. 09 acres of Indian lands, an increase of 4,271, ,474SO over the preceding year.
 The total receipts from the sale of pub lie land during the fiscal year were A,319,- 75S. 10 an increase of S1,309 ,620.7 76 over the preceding year.
 The results obtained from our forest pol icy have demonstrated its wisdom and the necessity of the interest in the public for its continuance and increased appropria- tons by the Congress for the carrying on of the work. On June 30, 1900, there were thirty-seven forest reserves created by Presidential proclamation under section 24 of the act of March B. 1891. embracing an area of 46, 425.529 acres.
 During the past year the Olympic reserve in the State of Washington was reduced 2e5, ,040 acres, leaving it's present area at l. 923 $40 acres. The Prescott reserve in Ari- zona was increased from 10240 acres to 423, ,6SO acres, and the Big Horn reserve in Wyoming was increased from 1,127,69O acres to 11S0SOO acres. A new reserve in Santa Ynez. in California, embracing an area of 145 0O0 acres, was created during this year. On October 10, 1900, the Crow Creek forest reserve in Wyoming was created, with an area of 56,320 acres.
 Pensions.
 At the end of the fiscal year there were on the pension rolls 993,225 names, net increase of 2010 over the fiscal year 1853. The number added to the roll during the year was 45,44. The amount disbursed for army pensions during the year was $134. TOO O97. .24 and for navy pensions $3,76l- 5S3 fl. a total of $12S, 462, ,13O65 leaving an balance of $5,542, 76S.25 to be covered into the treasury, which shows an increase over the previous years ex- penses thereof of $107, OTTO. There were 634 names added to the rolls during the year by special acts passed by the hrst session of the Fifty-sixth Congress. The act of May, 1900, among other things pro vides for an extension of income to widows pensoned under said act to $250 per annum
 The Secretary of the Interior believes that by the operations of this act the num- Der of pensions pensioned under 1t will in crease and the increased annual payment for pensions will be between three million and four million dollars.
 The government justly appreciates the services of it's soldiers and sailors by mak- ing pension payments llberal beyond prec- edent to them, their widows and orphans.
 There were 26,54O letters patent granted, including reissues and designs, during the fiscal year ended June 301900; 660 trade marks, 6S2 labels, and 93 prints registered. The number of patents which expired was 19 9SS. The actual receipts for pensions were $1, ,S5S, ,22S 8. The expenditures were $1, PAT, ,S27 5S, showing a surplus of sl10, ,400T.
 The attention of Congress is called to the report of the Secretary of the Interior, touching the necessity for the further es- Alaska and favorable action is invited thereon.
 Government of Hawaii.
 Much interesting information is given in the report of the government of Hawaii as 10 the progress and development ;.i the island during the period from July 2, 1898, to the date of the approval of ahe joint re olution of the Congress providing for their annexation up to April 2H, 1900, the date of ;Ne a.Ii1rn"sl f,t!i:o act prov iding d government of the territory thereafter.
 The last Hawaii census, taken in the year 1896 gives a total popula tion of 10O,- 020, of which 31 ,019 were native Hawaiians. The number of Americans reported was s ,435. The results of the Federal census taken this year shows tle islands to have a total population of 154,00l showing an increase over that reported in 1896 of A. 9S1, GIT 41.2 per cent.
 There has been marked progress in the educational, agricultural and railroad de- velopment of the island.
 In the territorial act of April 30, 1900, Section of said act repeals Chapter 34 of the civil laws of Hawaii, whereby the government was to assist in encouraging and developing the agricultural resources of the Republic, especially irrigation. The Governor of Hawaii recommends legisla- tion looking to the development of such water supply as may exist on the public lands with view of promoting land set clement. The earnest consideration of the Congress is invited to this important rec ommendation and others as embodied in the report of the Secretary of the Interior.
 Twelfth Census.
 The director of the census states that the work in connection with the twelfth census is progressing favorably. This nat ional undertaking ordered by the Congress of each decade has finally resulted in the collection of an aggregation of statistical