The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-11-21

ment compiled from the books of the Of
nee show that from December 1899 to
NoVeber 1, 1900, 439 star routes and mail
messenger services have been disconti1l-
ued or curtailed. Between July / and
November l, 1900 The first four months
OF the present fiscal year there have
been l,3SS additional rural free delivery
routes installed, supplying 922, ,397 persons.
Recommendation is made for a reclass-
ncatlon OF the poStoffice clerks for five
special agents of the division of salary
and allowances, and for fifteen days leave
OF absence with pay each year for the
on rural routes. During the last year
2S4 fourth-class postoffices were made
presidential
July 1, it is proposed to include the cost
of the postal service Of Porto Rico and
Hawaii in the regular appropriation as
at present.
The total cost Of the Porto Rican pos
tai service for the last fiscal year was
a little over $105, ,0O0 and the probable COST
of the postal service for Hawaii for the
next fiscal year is $72S04.
An appropriation of SIS 600 900 is asked
for compensation of postmasters for the
next fiscal year. The regular free deliv-
cry service was established in sixty-two
cities neceSSitating the appointment of
40 carriers, making the total number of
free delivery offices in operation June 80,
last 795. Four free delivery offices have
been established in Porto Rico and Ha-
wall. Regular free delivery, 1t is esti-
mated will cost s17,14o,9 900 for the next
fiscal year, an increase of almost per
cent. During the last fiscal year postal
money orders issued amounted to . s.
6IO,22S, an increase of almost $31, 900 600.
DESIGNS FOR NEW SHIPS.
Secretary Long has finally passed upon
most Of the recommendations of the
board of naval construction relative to
the division of responsibility for the de-
signs of naval ships among the various
naval bureaus. He has continued the
practice of making the chief constructor
the person to whom the contractors are
to look for details Of the new vessels and
has continued in the construction depart
ment the responsibility already placed
there.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICUITUKE
The estimates. Of the department Of
agriculture for appropriations for the
next fiscal year aggregate $4,659, ,050 This
includes, however, $760,00a for agriau;-
tural experiment stations which canno.
be touched by the department. 81, ,096, ,3321
for the weather bureau and $2O4,23O fo1
salaries. The total represents an in
crease Of 10 per cent over last year.
The department has advertised for bids
for furnishing seeds to the departnen nt
for the usual distribution Bids viii lie
opened in this city Dec. II, three months
earlier than the opening last year.
INTERNAL REVENUE.
The collections Of internal revenue fer
the month Of October aggregated $27 ISL
495, against SIC, ,147, 446 Cor The same month
last year. The receipts are classified as
follows: Spirits, 81, ,O95,550 tobacco,
So, 42Q, SO; fermented liquors, $6,491, ,4SS; OLE
omargarine, 1921, 1856; special taNes, $53, ,571
miscellaneous, $4,171, ,595
For the first four months for the pres
ent fiscal year the receipts aggregated
$l05,935, HIS. an increase of $2,S3l, 1873 over
corresponding period Of last year.
THE CHINESE SITUATION.
The Chinese situation was the main
topic under consideration at today's cabi-
net meeting. The administration is not
disposed to joint with the other govern
ments in making demands upon the
Chinese Imperial authorities which the
Chinese government cannot comply with
So far as our government is advised
the foreign ministers at Pekin have no1
yet agreed upon all points under discus
sion Mr.. Conger has reported from time
to time the various propositions under
. consideration, but he has not yet in
dicated that the end is at hand.
Having passed over the stage of pros
criptior of the Chinese leaders vino wert
responsible for the Boxer outrages, The
foreign ministers are believed now to be
engaged with the difficulties OF indcm
mites and guarantees.