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 discontin-
ued or curtailed. Between July l and
November l, 1900. The first four months
or the present fiscal year there have
been l,S38 additional rural free delivery
routes installed supplying 922, S97 persons.
Recommendation is made for a reclassi-
hcat1on 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 l, 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
little over $4,000 and the probable cost
of the postal service for Hawaii for the
next fiscal year is $72,S04.
An appropriation of SIS, 900, 900 is asked
for compensat ton of postmasters for the
next fiscal year The regular free deIiv-
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 1875 Four free delivery offices have
been established in Porto Rico and Ha-
wall. Regular free delivery, 1t is esti-
mated Will cost 81, 140, 900 for the next
fiscal year, an increase of almost 9 per
cent. During the last fiscal year postal
money orders issued amounted to D.
o'OzzS, an increase of almost $31, 100000.
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 AGRICULTURE.
The estimates. of the department Of
agriculture for appropriations for the
next fiscal year aggregate $,659,O5O This
includes, however, $4,000 for agriau:-
tural experiment stations which cannos
be touched by the department. 81 1896, 92o
for the weather bureau and 1904, 230 for
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 department
for the usual distribution. Bids viii he
opened in this city Dec u, three months
earlier than the opening last year.
INTERNAL REVENUE.
The collections Of internal revenue fer
the month OF October aggregated $27, 46l,-
495. against $2G,147, AS Cor the same month
last year The receipts are classified as
follows: Spirits, 81, 095,55O; tobacco,
So, APO, SO; ferr1ented liquors. &c. 491, 4SS; OLE
omargarine, $231, 1856; special taxes, $50, ST.;
miscellaneous, SALT, 595.
For the first four months for the pres
ent fiscal year the receipts aggregated
SlO5, 935, Ills, an increase of $2,S3l,S3 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 not
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 who were
responsible for the Boxer outrages, the
foreign ministers are believed now to be
engaged with the difficulties OF indcm-
mites and guarantees.