Nebraska Newspapers

    ilcport of the Secretary of the
ireasnrj. .
In hm report the Secretary of the Treiurr
c;niainie me transactions tu-Duin;r toe re
funding of the d! : that urce.xeful bidders have
-"en ap til former bids and hold option for the
rem now reo. I. i ne sinking luna 1 over S),
0 behind.. . The , Sccreurjr not only takes
ftrcing grround in favor of spucte payment, but
-t lortu a definite Dlan for rcachinz the same.
lie rocommt-nda the repeal of tbe Lentil-Tender
act at a nxotl day. A to contracts thereafter
made, and except an to official salaries and ordi
nary expenditures or trie (iovernment under ex
isting appropriations, the Secretary recommends
iubi. aumoruy oe trvea ror tne immediate Issue
of convertible bonds bearing a low rate of inter
eat, lie aks that a day may be fixed for the re
sumption or specie payment, not more remote
than three years, at the end of that time the Sec
retary to be authorized to raise cold by selling
u--uui iu iicu aiuuuuis ms may Mcume necessary,
from time to time, to keep the Treasury In condi
tion to redeem greenbacks as presented. It is
recommended that fractional currency be re
placed by silver, and to accomplixh this the Sec
retary deidres to sot the mints all at work coin
ing silver, and that as rapidly as it
is produced the fractional currency be recalled
and dextroyed, beginning with the smallest de
nominations. The Secretary alee auks that the
coinage or cold be made free in the United States,
as it m in London, In ordT to prevent the ea
I'ortaticn "f bullion for coinage. In regard to
printing all Varieties of Government botes, bonds
atld stamps, the Secretary recommends that the
iv hole be done exclusively at the Treasury De
partment. Government has all the necessary
machinery, obtained at great cost, and all the
needed facilities. It can perform tbe work
at the same or a less cost than private
firms, when the coot of transportation by ex
press is considered. Afide from these minor
considerations, the Secretary regards tbe ques
tion of safety as one which ehould control. At
the end of the present contracts, or as soon as
they can be legally terminated, he recommends
that all the work of this nature be performed in
the printing division of the' Treasury.
The Secretary recommends free banking as
part of the plan' for the resumption cf specie pay
ment) and this branch of the subject is not elabo
rated. Concerting internal revenue the Secretary
recommends that the tax be taken off bank
checks, matches, roe mctics and drags, and to
meet this loss an additional tax of ten cents per
gallon oe imposed on wlilnky. ihls will raise the
revenue a little greater than is now received from
tnc articles enumerated. The practical workings
of putting tea and cotlee ou the free list have been
fully examiued bv the Treasury Department. Care
fully-prepared tables of prices la f.jrcign markets
and prices to consumers for a period subsequent
10 me taking off or the tax snow tbM, wnne the
country lort from f,OU0,UUO to $r2,000,UU from
the decrease of revenue on this account, the re
moval of the tax simply added to tbe price in
foreign markets aud bas not benentea consumers
here in tbe least. The Secretary recommends
the restoration of this tax.
The attention of Congress Is called to the great
danger to the revenue attending all attempts to
modify the penalties which have hcreUifore ex
isted, and which the Treasury has sought to en
force. The Secretary is no believer in the system
of moieties, and does not dosim its restoration in
any shape; but he expresses serious doubts
whether any benefit has followed certain modifi
cations of penalties for the violation of customs
regulation.
The Secretary dees not regard the Treasury De
partment as a proper place lor the adjudication
of cotton cases. These are for the most part of
a complicated cnaractcr, require the taking or
much evidence, and a Judicial investigation, lie
therefore recommends that all cotton cases be
withdrawn at once from the jurisdiction of the
Treasury and turned over to the conns.
Upon the question of tariff the Secretary, with
out entering upon much discussion, says at pres
ent it Is only necessary to treat it purely asm
question of revenue, aud not one either of pro
tection or free trade, iu the interest of business
he does not think any changes should be hastily
made, and if Congress desires to revise tbe pres
ent rates he recommends that a commission be
appointed to take the whole subject into consid
eration, with instructions to report to the next
Congress.
Great economv is recommended in the expendi
tures for public buildings. The Secretary recom
mends that Congress go over the appropriations
and estimates for these works with great care,
with a view of reducing come and wholly sus
pending others, lie expresses the belief that the
needs of the Government do not require such
elaborate and costly structures as have of late
been erected, but that plainer, and at the same
time substantial, buildings will answer every
purpose, and save many millions. lie thinks
there i needless extravagance in furnishing pub
lic buildings, and that much greater economy
should be practiced in all direcuons in this mat
ter, lie has transmitted the estimates, which
have already been carefully revised, but he ear
nestly requests Congress to unite with him In
scanning them still more closely, with a view to
their further reduction.
The force of tbe department has been reor
ganized and diminished exactly in accordance
with tbe laws and appropriations of last session,
bat tbe Secretary thinks the lowest limit of
economy consistent with prompt and efficient
performance of public business has not yet been
reached.
The Secretary does not believe the present con
dition of the Government Jnstiiies the extending
of aid in any form to private enterprises of any
kind.
rostal Statistics.
The following interesting statistics are
compiled from the annual report of P. M.
Gen. Jewell:
BEAD I.ETTEnS.
liomber of domestic letters received at the
Dead-Letter Office during the year. 4.an, 473: num
ber of foreign letters received, -J53.3W); total 4,
01,7?3 representing an actual or nominal value
of f4.637,i!fc0ts. Number of letters delivered,
1,392,224, representing $909,b68.4 (includ
ing foreign letters returned un
opened to the Countries whence thev
came); number filed for reclamation, 24.Uti3.
representing f40.1r3.oi; number at the
close of the year either remaining not acted
upon or outstanding in the hands of Post
masters for delivery, 561,767, representing $4S7,
377; number which, containing circulars, or fail
ing in delivery and being worthless, 'were de
stroyed. 2.622.619. The number of applications
for dead letters was e,4:X). i n 2.140 or these cases
the letters were found and properly delivered.
The amount received during the vear and de
posited in the Treasnry from unclaimed dead let
ters and from proceeds of sale of waste paper was
$13,548.68.
KKetSTERSD X.ITTIRS.
The issues of registered packages to Postmas
ters upon their requisition duiing the past vear
were 20 per cent, greater than during the previous
year. The increase is attributable in part to the
reduction of the fee for registering domestic let
ters from fifteen cents to eight cents, which took
effect on the 1st of January last, and in part to
the increased care which the department has
given to tbe subject.
THROUGH MAILS.
Tbe throngh-mail tables show that for the vear
ending Sept. 80, J874, the average time to San
Francisco from New York was 173 hours 32 min
utes, against 179 hours 4 minutes the previous
vear a gain of 5 hours 32 minutes; and to New
York from San Francisco. 171 hours l minute,
against 175 honrs 28 minutes the previous year a
gain of 4 hours 27 miuntes. The number of mails
carried thrwugh wetwardlv between the same
points in schedule time this" rear was 597, and be
hind time 44, against 457 in time and 105 behind
time last year; and eastwardly 337 in time and HS
behind time this year, against J5 in time and 130
behind time last year. Between Washington and
New Orleans the average tlmegoingsouth this year
was seventy-eight hours forty-eight minutes,
against eighty-one honrs forty-five minutes last
year a gain of two hours fiity-seven minutes;
and going north the average was seventy-one
hours three micntes this year, against seventy
two hours fifty-three minutes last year a gain of
tme hour and fifty minutes. And on most of the
other throngh-mail routes there is a perceptible
improvement both in speed and regularity com
pared with the tables for the preceding year.
MAIL DEPREDATIONS.
The number of recorded complaints for the
pest year of missing letters of value was 5,233, of
which 2.040 were registered and 3,193 unregis
tered. The registered letters contained, as re
ported, in bonds, drafts and currencv, $105,778-80,
and the unregistered $1851,301.70. Of the regis
tered letters, 915 were satisfactorily accounted
for, 507 are reported as actually lost, and 61S
cases are iu tbe hands of special agents for in
vestigation. During the year 2S5 persons were
arrested for violations of the postal laws and
regulations. Of these ninety-nine have been
convicted, fifteen havo been acquitted, five es
caped before trial, two forfeited bail; prosecu
tion was abandoned in thirty-eight cases, and
126 are awaitiug trial.
aii.wat ronTorricTS.
The number of peetooce lines in operation on
June 80, 1T4, was sixty-three, extending over
1 :.! mue oi raiirouu a uu vimnwtai routes, mu
i'irr.je of four lines aud 1.54S miles over tbe
preceding year. The number of clerks employed
wa8.0. atan annual cost or si.tro.auu, earn
crtace of ninety-eight clerks and $U7,4X).
rOUEIfcS MALL STATISTICS.
Tbe total number of letters exchanged during
the ear with foreign countries was 28.579.045. an
increase of 1.119.860 over the number reported
f.jr a. Of this number 14.SS3.PS9 were sent
t.- ni,. and 14.S84.0i6 were received in. the United
Mates. The Eusibcr of letters (single rates') ex
cLi;ntl is the United States and European
n-.i'. wa 13.Po7.042, an lacreasa of Sel-25 over
the canjber reported for 1S73. The total post
age on the letters exchanged with foreign
countries amounted to $3,051,803.81, an Increase
or Ji3,4i.9; over the amount reported for 1873.
h aggregate amount of postage tsea, inland
and foreign) on the letter malls exchanged
with the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and ireland, Germany. France, Belgium, thsi
rietncrlands, Switzerland, Italy. Denmark,
pwroen ana Norway was $l,435,!'UQ.6o, an In
crease of $3t,2S3.l5 orcr the amount reported
for 1873. The postage, on letters sent exceeded
the postage on letters recnived from: the same
countries in tbe sum of $72,833.1 being 5.06 per
cent, oi ine aggregate amount, xae aggregate
weight of mails sent to EuroDe waa 916.911
pounds, and of mall received from Europe 89,-
o. i ue weignt or letter correspondence sent to
Europe was 216.590 nounda. and of letter cor
respondence .received from Europe 187.647
pounds. Tbe total cost of the United States
ocean mall steamship service for the year 1874
(Including 16ti2.50J oaid from soccial annronrta-
uon tor stearanbtp service to Japan and c nina,
to Brazil and to the Hawaiian islands) waa WD.-
KH..
rOStOmcH AKW AVPOIWTlfUVTB.
Nnmber of postofficea established during
the vaar flia
dumber discontinued I.eiKj
Increase l.O.'i)
Somber In o Deration on Jane 3i. 197t
Number in operation on June 30, 1874
somber filled by appointments of the Presl-
dint 1 Af.Q
. ;- .
is umber filled by appointments of the Post-maste.r-Ocneral.
. : . . i . i - 32.R.S4
,-. Appointments were made during the rear:
Ou resignations..:.......; ..; ... B.SVt
On removals D07
On change or names and sites 47
On deaths of Postmasters 814
On establishment of new postofflccs. ....... 2,318
in Northern Texas and New Mexico from pilfer
ing ana raurucruus aixacKS vj suiau parties or
by individuals of these tribes. The remedy
suggested is to Procure from the Cherokees,
Choctaws and Chlckasaws a sufficient quantity
or land. In live different tracts, suited to herding
and agriculture, disarm and dismount these wild
Indians and remove them to these localities, fur
nishing tnem cattle In return for their ponies
and .rations, and clothing fu return for their
labor in building houses and opening farm for
luetuseives. ... .
The Commlseloner concludes .by stating Ala
conviction of the feasibility of Indian cITUki
tlon. and that the difficulty of its nro'blem' t. ndt
so inherent in the race, character and disposition
of tbe Indian, great as these obstacles are, a6
in his anomalous relations to the Government
and In his surroundings affected by the influence
auu in teres i oi wniie neooie: mat uie main
difficulty, so far as the Government is concerned,
lies in the fact that the Indian's deepest nncd is
that which the (iovernment. throueh its Dolltiral
organizations and operations, cannot well bo-
Slow, lhe first heln which a man in barbarism
requires if not that which can be afforded through
a inimical party, but that which is oUnred by a
Irilow-man wiser than himself, coming person
ally and extencing a hand of srmpathv and
tru:k: that no araount of appropriations and no
governmental machinery can du much toward
lifting an ignorant and degraded people, except
as it work" through the willing lianU of men
made strong and constant by their love for their
feUoW-tiitin.
r m -
A NarroTr Escape.
The isat.
Total appointments 9.374
Tho number of snerial agents, ronte a rents.
mall-route inessensrera. raihvav pontoffice clerka
and local agents in service during the ve:tr ended
Jnne 80, 1874. wa 2,175, at an aggregate corapen
eauon oi eop.e:!.
THE MONET-OROFR STSTEM.
Number of new moncv-or'er otilces established.
io; discontinued. 11 nikin; the present num
ber 3.401. Number of ilomestiri r.ionev orders
issned during tho year. 4 KTUVVI. the negregate of
value or Which was S7t.UM851.72i Tho fees re
ceived by Foftmasters for the issne of domestic
money orders amounted to .4'il.:e. '; A earn of
Slft.ft&U'fii.O'.J. or 2.94 ner cr-ut.. in the amount of
orders Ifsned and of SfWi.TSO.O.'V. or SMI percent..
n tho amonnt of fees received, is sh;iwn by tbfiwe
ngnres over the traus'icuons of t he previous yenr
l he revenue account of the domestic moncv-
order system as aijiif ted and reported by the
Auditor anows tne receipts to have been S -bisin
53; expenditure. $ 'S7.t;'8.11 ; excess of receipts
over expenditures, $.05,196.11. x.
The amount of revenne U greater by $!6.614.12
than that of the previous year, an increase of 53.4
per cent.
ESTIMATES.
The total expenditure for the fiscal vear end
ing June M, 187. are et!m-Med at C.r6IJ
estimated revenue $S.14S.t.-6. These estimate
do not include appropriations for stenmbhip ser
vice ana stamps, amounting to $2,!-!ttw0..
Indian Statistic?.
In Ms report the Commissioner of Indian Af-
lairs classifies tho Indians under three heads, as
follows:
Firtt Those who are wild and scarcelv tracta
ble to any extent bovond that of comiRg near
enough to the Government Agent to receive ra
tions and blankets. This class numbers about
P9.P13, and may be catalogued a follows:
4-1.354 out of about 52.000 Sioux; 4J0 Mandan.
l.fcM tiros Ventres. 4.2U) Crows, 5,450 Black
feet, Bloods, and Picgans; 6,163 Utes in Colo
rado, Utah and New Mexico; 9.057 Apaches in
New Mexico and Arizona; 4.if75 Kiowas and
Comanche? in Indian Territory; 7.:ii4 Cheycunes
and Arrapahons in Indian Territory, Wyoming
and Dakota : 5Ji6J Chipncivas iu Mlnuewotn. Wis.
confin and Michigan: 3u0 Nez Perces ia Idaho;
1.6J0 Mioshoues aud Bannocks in W yoming; 1,0 0
Bboehones, Bannocks and Piutcs in Oregon.
Second Those who are thoroimhlv convinced
of the necessity of labor and are actually un
dertaking it, and will more or less accept the
direction and ax-istance of Government Agents
to thiB end. Thee n umber about 51.4z. and are
summed Jjp as foliows: 5,709 Cliipprwa aud
Araenomouce in Miituueota and WL-conxiu,
3J8 Sacs and Foxes in Iowa, 4.622 Sioux. 7:'
I'oncas and 97.J Rces iu Dakota:
Pawnees, Omahan, Ottoos, Sacs and Foxes
in Nebraska; 1.H20 Flathcad.- in Montana,
and 2,5") mixed Shoshone and Ban
nocks and Sheep-eaters and 1,9V Nez Perc-s in
Idaho; 295 Klckspoo. 3 A Uaws and 2,372 Omiges
in the Indian Territory; 10j Pali Utes on reserva
tion in Nevada, 575 Ules in Utah, 1,450 Mohave
snd Il'ulapuos in Arizona. 9.(HiS Navajocs in New
Mexico, aud 15,0.Vi among tho different tribes in
Washington Territory, Oregon and alirornla.
Third Thope who huve come i'lto poso!ion
of allotted lands and o'her stork property in
stock and implements belonging to a landed es
tate. This class comprises 5, 40 Ser.-ras and
other Indians in New Yo 11.774 Chippcwas
and other Indians in Michigan, Wisconsin aud
Minnesota: 2.YW Sioux at &it.setn. Santec and
Handreuu agonoios; 'Mj Iowaa and 1.7:i5 Wiunc
bagoc in Nebraska; 750 Pottawattamies and
Kickapoos in Kansas; 50 osages. la.oju tuos-
taws, 1.30J Crwks, EOO Chukasaws, 2.43H
hemino'es, 17,217 Cherokeo and 4,141
belonging to smaller baurts in the In
dian Territory; liX) Fastern Cherokees in North
Carolina; l.7 Nez Perces in Idaho; 5.112 Yako-
mas and others In u a&htngton lemtorr. ana
lti.9115 Pueblos iu New Mexico. Within the abovu
cluj-slilcatton, modified somewhat, might bu in
cluded 4.:iO liitas snd Marlcopas and v,0I0
Pnpagues in Arizona, aud a majority of the 5,0.0
Mission Indians in California, who have al
ways been self-supporting nnd only wilulu a
short time have lecu furnUhed by the Govern
ment w 1th an agent and a few employes.
A fourth class of roamers inj vagi ants is
enumerated, consisting of CO Wii.mlingot In
Wisconsin. 250 Klcknp.H in Kansas, known as
Mokohoko's Baud. 5.1.0O Dic-'ers and -tlers in
California, 3.000 Indians on the Columbia Kivcr.
Utes in Nevada. Utah. Colorado and A rizona ; 2.taW
Yumss nnd othera in Arizona, and 1 ,2 JO seatierod
Indians in North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia,
Florida and Texas.
The Commit.sioner savs a decide 1 advonc has
been made danng ihe year in the direction of se
curing control and influence over the lnl:ans
embraced in Class 1; and the way has opeued
quite perceptibly for a much lnrgT and more
uopelul wort among them u ing tnc coming
year. The first r-qtuslte in the treatment or an
Indians of this chss is firmness. Any outrages
or depredations should be followed up promptly
and punished at all hazards and any cost. Any
leniency which comes In to prevent thiais an ex
pensive and mistaken kindness.
rue &1.4X9 people embraced in Class z. ine com-
misMoncr savs, mnv be pioperly ciassmed as
Indian novitiates in civilization. 1 hey have
largely broken away from heathenish practices.
are generally abandoning the medicine dance,
and have come directly under the influence and
control of religious teaching. For this class of
Indians, the beginnings of civil government, a
large increase of school facilities, lands in sev
eralty, and generous assistance in furnishing
teachers of trades and agriculture, together with
farming implements, seeds aud stock, are needed.
The third clas. composed of Indians who;
without violence to the term, may be called civil
ized, is most numerous. All of them h.ve be?.n
greatly assisted iu Attaining to this condition by
me uirrci uo long-cominuea reiipio'i. imttuui(:n
aud influences of missionaries. They need some
form of civil covernmcm and the inauguration
of a process through which they may erase to be
Indians by Decorum g American citizens.
Of the roamers, numbering abont 14.003. little
con be said, except that they are generally as
harmless as vagrants and vagabonds csn be tn a
civilized country.. They are lonnd in all stages of
degradation.prodoecd by "licentiousness. intrmper
ance. Idleness and poverty, without a land, un
willing to leave their haunts for a homestead
upon a reservation, and, scarcely in any way
related to or recognized by the Government, they
dra3 out a miserable life.
The report sta'cs that the Sioux unmoor so.noo.
tbe greater portion of them "yet unreached by
civilization." Four thousand four hundred and
fortv-four of tbe more tractable received rations
from the Government at eleven different agen
cies, and from 5,Ot) to 10.000 of the wilder clas
consented to visit the agencies ' when on "an
occasional raid for ratious." . The wildness of
the Sioux and the non-adoptability of the coun
try they Inhabit to their support in a civilized
nioo.ee: me maitc ine miuru oi ni inue a seri
ous problem.
In reference to the Black Hills tbe commis
sioner savs that all legislation looking to settle
ment of this region by Iho whites should no
frowned down, as it would create demoralization
tbM Sioux. The re.linmlshment of the
right given In 188 to the Bed Cloud and Spotted
Tail Agencies to bunt in Nebraska. It is believed.
run be obtained by paving the lnniaus s -,'.
Their right to roam In Wyoming still exists, al
though their repeated violations of the
treaty made with -them would Justify the
Government, the report states, in abrogating it.
Without calling for vigorous operations by tbe
military, it would be impossible. Commissioner
Smith asserts, to put a stop to the constant and
mnrderons raiding bv Indians belonging In the
southwestern portion of the Indian Ten Itonr.
But the necessity of fighting these Indian would
have been obviated by flrmuefs nnd promptness
in proenrinz the punishmeut of the crimes of in
dividual Indians and of white marauders in their
territory. ....
The qnestlon of the future of the wild Indians
in the Indian Territory, he says, is very seri
ous one. as their deep and avowed aversion to
any settled life cannot be overcome so long aa
thev are on the border of vast, unoccupied plains
and" aisiost within sight of herds of buffalo, and
makes it welj-plgh impossible to secure settler
The annual renort of the Pecretsrv of th Navt
snows the navy tti be in a remarkably efficient
condition, both as regards the number of vctsscls
aud their awmament aud bi?a-wing qualities. The
navy at present consists of 163 ve.tseU, with 1,314
guns. Orjrou-cl.id or armored vessels, sixteen
are of a class and in condition for actual and
eUicient service. Four others, of tho class of
powerful dotible-tnrretcd monitors, arc acluiill
on h.uid :iudcr2oiUi reDairs. and n fifth l we
worm ine same attention, bnt tho ro-
mindor may be counted as really useless for
any active ard efficient nurwose. O:io-ha!f
ot the et-'am navy adapted to cruising la In com
mission and in actual Service. This number of
vcsFels Cannot be nrndentl v diminished : hut. if
it is to bo iuaintaiaed. lh'.'t must be a "radii HI
nnd coustaut addition to the tiairr to rply iho
psnces oi tijoee wruci are earn vear round to oe
worn ont and auiil for fun her s rvicei and for
mis parpose a nxeu amount ror tonnage should
ho buiil every year. .Thli tuir.ic -e mav be small.
bit it should bj constant and unfailing. To
this end the dnnartment haa accumnlated a
largo ninotiLit of liv-uak tinibor ia various navy
v a. l.-!, whefe it will yearly improve iu condition
aud bo available as the very best material for the
I'raiae.t of anv shins it mav at anv li.rlu be neces-
sary or deslrablo to baild. '1 he rapid and almost
couipieto disappearance of this moat valuable
ship-lumber from our shores, larire Quantities
being seat abroad, ahoitlu arrest tbe attention of
vongrefcs, and iuc-uure; should be taken to se
cure what roLiuiiejt.
1 U'l .Secretary ruciies the facts in tho VlrInins
aa'air, and rxi.eis to tho yellow-fever epidemic at
Penaacula and the "nsat naval trial oil' thu coast
of Florida, lie rccouiineiila that if tho Icelandic
cwmraitico soul out Iu a Government vossel to
examluo t-overal points ou tho AlasJa coait with
a view to teftleuiuut by their cotiutijmen sluill
Cud at auv Poiu! on the I'aciuc coast a satisfac
tory ktcauoa, whatever ass-ietuueu the Govern
ment is couiDetuut to exlund towntd t.-i-
taWlixhing an Icelandic colony there be
promptly offered, as tho Icelanders would
be a valuable and fruitful source of supply to the
navul scrvico of trained American seamen in
,t line of noed. The Secretary calls attioil n to
the importance of tbe Ilydro-raphic ofiice. lis
thinks special attention should bo gtveu to sur
veys of the North Pacific Ocean, and nrgi-s the
propriety of increasing and developing the re
sources of tho nay yards. The approba
tions applicable to the fiscal vear ondiu June
SO, 1971, including the unctpended balance
of appropriations for tho building of now
sloops, and epocktl appropriations to reimburse
the bureaus for their great expenditures, during
the threatened comolicutiou with Spain.
amoyutcd in the aggregate o Si7.147,ST7, aud the
actual expenditures lor the same period from
Uteso apprci'iiatious anumnted to .2V4.i5.,. or
about VAy-Oo less than the whole amount. The
appropriation made available for the current
year, commencing July 1, 1.S74. amount in
thu aggregate to Sl'J.29.74I. 1 ho amount
f these appropriation. for the cur
rent year, drawn for the five moutl'.s jiice July
1 up to Iec. 1, 1174, is S'l. !.. wiTich i.t re
ducd by amount refunded durinir the period
aud that remaining In. hands of psTiiia.-te.rs and
agents of the (ovTiincnf, wh'ch will laveallu)e
les than ATi.O 0.i4 as the sum actually expended
from the cnrn;nt appropriation duiini: the live
working summer months of this year.
Public Lauds nod Patent Statiftlcs.
The follbviing statement and statistics
arc taken from tlie lute report of tlie
Secretary of the Interior:
PUBLIC
During the fiscal vear cndlnff Jnne 3 1S74.
public lands were uUposed of as follows: Cash
sales, 1. 41.:i45.4d -ncres; miiitary-warrnat loca
tions, l&CHA); hmeMtadeutiie.3.M3,til."; tim-bor--ulnire
onfriert, tSi,91.Y-7; Agricaltural Col
lege scrip location. ltiUL.2Tftj; approved to Stales
na swamp, "ir, lS.Ul; cortiSed to railroads, 3.2-sl.-
8L4.42; certlllxtd for wagon-roads. 57.9-21.il: certi-
t.ol for .Vgricultnr:U Colleges. It4.xtl3.lfl; ceriitlod
tor ooiuQiou achowis, 6U,tb i; certiiied for uni
versities, t4.tiJo.5J; approved to States for inter-
n ul improvements, l.i4,c).7; Sioux lutlf-breud
scrip locations. 7JU; Chivpewa, do., 11,671.71.
Total. 9, :X).H."Xio acres a quantity less by 3.4W,
73i.b4 ceres than tUoX diaposed of the preceding
year.
Cash receipts J.J'jPSS , being $933,577 less
than those of the prefiedlug year.
v lurlugtae vi:a iy, ji2,;iu.4'; acres were snrveyed.
maklug 6tu,oW -,U5J acres already surveyed, and
le:ing ua.-urvej ed .,j85.60 -,aw acres.
The (liuiiuutioii in the aggregate qu.intlty .of
landk dls,o?ed of during the vear is chiefly owing
to the amount certUlcd to railroads 3.-61.H14.-i
acres in lite year ending Jnne 3u, 1KM, aguiust
6.0-3,"16.57 cci-ee in that ending June i. l-i3.
Nearly a million acres were inteied under the
Timber act, which augurs will lor the now treelcsn
prati see of the West. The entries under this and
the liomsrrad act exceed by over half a million
acre-i like cntrioa during the preceding year.
The ia;;i-.i deatmction of timber in this coun
try, aud especially that which is lonud on tbe
public lauds, is a aourcc of great solicitude to all
persons who have given the subject any consid
eration. If this oetructlou progresses in the fu
ture as rapidly as in the past the timbered lands
of the Government wl.l soon be denuded of ev
erything that is valuable, iiffective legislation
ftrotc-cting these lauds from such u ustc is abso
utely necesaary, aud cannot longer be neglected
without serious injury to the public intcre.-is.
I'nder the laws uo.v iu force for the disposition
of public lands it is difficult, if not impossible, to
obtain more, than the minimum price $1.2 per
acre) for land, however valuable. When tim
bered lands are advertised for sale private par
ties, desiring to purchase, mako such arrange
ments and combinations as to prevent con peil
tiou; hence the lands. If disposed of at all, are sold
at the ' minimum when offered at public
sale, acri. If not then sold, are im
mediately entered at tue minimum Govern
ment price by snch parties. The most effectual
means of preventing these practices is, in the
judgment of the Sccictary, to adopt the sugges
tions of the Commissioner of the General Land
Oflice, that pine and fir lands shall Ujt be subject
to entry under the l're-emption and Homestead
laws: hat a system of surveys be devised by
which the quantity of pine and tir timber on each
smallest subdivision of a section may bo at least
closely approximated; that uu immediate ex
ploration by experts of the ensnrveyed portion
of those States and Territories known to contain
pine and fir timber be made, with a view of as
certaining tho geographical situation of such
districts; tbat the reports of such explorations
be followed by immediate surveys, appraisements,
proclamations and sales, at not less than lhe ap
praised valne, and for cash only.
TATBSl-S.
Tbe operations of the 1'atent Office during the
year show a large tncrcase over thosu of lhe pre
ceding jear. '1 ho number of applications, in
clusive of re-Issues and desigus was 21,077, of
which 13,545 were allowed; 22a applications for
extensions .were filed, of which axi were
granted, and J.6SD patents were allowed, but
not Issued, on account of failure to pay the final
lees. Six hundred and ninety-six applications
for trade-marks aud labels have also been filed, of
which 583 were granted registration. The toial
amonnt of fees received waa $!21. 111.33, and the
total expenditures wire 5VJl,u7..i2, leaving a oal
auce of Si M -.US. a sum greater by $24,85a-bo than
that of the prccedingyear.
The Episcopal Diocese of Ohio has
been divided by a line along the south
ern boundaries of the counties of Mer
cer. Shelbv. Loean. Union. Marion. Mor
row, Knox, Coshocton, Tuscarawas, Har
rison and Jefferson; tbe General Conven
tion has assented to and ratified tbe di
vision, and. the Bishop bavin also as
sented, the division is now perfected.
According to a recent publication,
the Methodist Episcopal Church, during
tbe fourteen years prior to 1372, re
ceived 2,072,688 probationers, of "whom
only 509,31b became members.
A ftiTEH In Lium'iteott relates the fol
lowing dangerous adventure which befell
him on a trlrwto England. He we walk
ing along the Strand, in London, wHen a
low, pleasant voice said in his ear:
" Don't look behind, sir!"
Presently again: "If you want some
Vey fine cigws, very cheap, follow me."
. Id a feWril0merH3 a square-shouldered,
decently-qre.ssedi'irian passed before me
arid, crossed the' street; eo did I. He
walked on 8 Considerable instance so
did L He entered u narrow, dark alley;
so did I. After a variety of turriings find
windings toward the very wor6t part of
tne town, tbroueu a rcgioa of squalid
misery and pestilential air, he turned
into a gin-palace; so did I. My silent
pilot, without turntn? ms Head, crossed
tne gln-piiliicc, passed out in the rear,
made his way rapidly alonz a irloomy.
solitary court, entered a dirty, dismal
looking, unfurnished room, and out of
that into another; so did I. We were
now in a small, dark chamber, with only
one window two feet square and ten or
twelve from the lloor. so that nobodv
could look In or out.
Strange as it may seciri, not till this
moment did I think what a foolish thing
1 was doing.
" Now. sir!" said mv new friend, as he
unlocked a largo closet crammed witii
aninle Dro'visidn ?f ciaar-boxes.
Just look at thcta cljiir:' 1 hey re
the best in the whole world, and dt ibe
lowest prices. Seven and a half pounds.
Seven pounds, biz pound?, l c can t
get them cigars anywhere in the whole
Lmted Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland without Bavins twice a9 much
Mr. So-aud-so" (uaiala a son of one of
the leading rucmbem of the Ilntish House
of Commons) "has Just bought for lifty
pounds. '
Fifty pounds!" exclaimed 1. "My
good fellow, I dnt want fifty pounds'
worth of cigars. I ll take a hundred, or.
it you like, two hundred, but I shan't
take any more."
iue man looked at me with a very cu
rious expression In his bad, ugly fiu:c,
aud pressed, his lips hard together like
one who has difficulty to control a fierce
gust of passion. Then he answered:
" i e don t think I brought ye here, and
exposed myself and my den to ye (for ye
must know we're smugglers), only to sell
ye a shillin's worth of "cigars, do ye? If
ye're a gentleman, as I supposed ve was,
ye'll take enough to pay for trouble and
risk. If ve don't like cigars " said he,
"perhaps ye'll take some other goods."
With a sudden energetic movement he
threw up a trap-door at my feet. I
looked into it. Black as midnight. A
most cheerful object under the circum
stances. He stepped down and instantly
rose again with an armful of article.
"Camel-hair shawls," said he "real
cashmere India shawls, both sides alike.
Brussels lace, velvets, jewelry. Ye can
sellany o' them articles for three times
what 1 charge."
"Magnificent!" exclaimed I, with
affected admiration, for 1 was not con
templating the elegant articles, but my
own elegant position. 1 perceived I wn
not only In a smugglers' den, but in a
robbers' cave. What was I to do? What
ever I did I must do quickly. While he
arranged the wares for my inspection 1
measured his proportions. He was far
more than a match for me. Besides, had
I been strong enough and bold enough to
spring upon him or to attempt to knock
him down that trap-door with any chance
of success, a cry or'a whistle would no
doubt bring to his assistance accom
plices as irresistible if not as numerous
as the arm j- of ltodeiick Dim; and even
a bearer of dispatches in that case would
be handled rather roughly. I saw but
ono course, and that doubtful and danger
ous, but the tnly one my imprudence had
left rac.
" Well, old fellow," said r.with a famil
iar air, " I tell you what, such a chance
does not come every day. If you'll give
me one of those articles cheap enough to
enable me to make a real profit, I'll take
somcthiug."
" Oh," said he, " ye shall have 'em just
as cheap as dirt; only ye must pay before
ye leave the room."
" Well," saidTl, " let us see if we can
strike a bargain. Unfold that shawl;
holdit up so that I can see it."
Heboid the shawl broadly up with
both bunds, l is face and half his body
bidden behind it.
" feplendid !" said I. " Hold it higher.
Faryier back, so that the liht can fall
on it. .Now, what's the damage?"
': It's worth three hundred pounds. I
give y. the honor of a gentleman. Ye
shall have it for fifty pounds "
" Hold it a little farther back," said 1.
"It's worth the money, and I'll tell you
what I'll take; 111 take my leave! '
I dashed to the door. It was not
locked. I slammed it to after me'and
flew on my way. Not Byron's steed, the
"Tartar of the Ukraine breed," with
Mazeppa on his back, not Camilla skim
ming o'er the unbending corn, got over
the ground much faster than I as I
leaped across that gloomy court, burst
into the gin palace and out of it agiiu
and winged my breathless and inglorious
flight away from my pursuer, whofe
tread I could hear approaching nearer
and nearer bthind me. By what heaven
ly lftslinct, by what unseen guidance, I
threaded that dark, filthy and not very
nice-smelling labyrinth of turnings and
windings I know. not, but I did thread
it, and suddenly found myself in one ot
the open, respectable streets. The tread
of my pursuer ceased; I was safe!
stripes of two shades of brown, or else
alternately brown and ecru, ecarlet, or
oiue. mae stripes around the limb are
preferred for such 6tockinga. At first
this dark hosiery was tho ight very inap
propriate with white dresses, but now
ihe demand for these warm, comforta
ble looking stockings exceeds the supply,
as they cannot be found at the best
stores. The wrap with this white and
brown toilet is a brown cloth Polish coat,
or a plain, deep, long sacque, with or with
out a cape and sash, or else a black or
orown velvet walking-coat bordered with
Chinehilia. The cottage bonnet is of
black or bTrtWfir velvet to match the wrap.
and Is bordered with a ruche of gray os
trich feathers. If a hat Is preferred, it I
is brown or gray felt in the jaunty shapes I
worn bv ladies trimmed with velvet of
tlie same shade, aud ostrich tips, with
family, these twenty years pas; not in
deed until this last summer, when tho
King's staff" used it as Leadquarters.
Iteykjavik contains about 17,000 inhab
itants, and is mainly composed of com
fortable frame houses, roofed with slate,
and surrounded by little gardens, in which
are cultivated potatoes, cabbage and other
common garden vegetables. None of the
cereals, not even barley and oats, will
ripen, though it is said they were grown
there in former times. The fruits men
tioned in the ancient sagas have wholly
disappeared, if we except the low stunted
uircli and willow bushes, which, how
ever, are not found near the coast, ine
timber needed, even for the small farm
bouses of the interior, is brought from
Norway. Yet the bu6h supplies a suf
ficiency of fuel in those places, while
near the coast, as at Reykjavik, peat
and ostrich tips.
perhaps a gay-carnatioa or cluster of alme, of which there are inexhaustless
violets holding up the brim. Navy blue, beds, is the only fuel, except occasional
violet or bottle green is Used with white snnnlia nf Kn-li;h ennl. The nresent
dreea for variety's sake in the way just j aspect of the island is that of a forest
descrilsed for brown. less girdle ot green, inclosing a volcanic
lhe prettiest colored dresses are made i rirprr. and inhabited bv about 70.000
of two shades of cashmere or else of people. This girdle is in places but a
camel's hair or cashmere with silk. There few miles wide but in others it extends
arc no more polonaises for the little folk.", i for a considerable distance up the vallevs,
- 1 such as those, for lustance, through whica
but waist jackets, basques cut square in
stead of postilion astiion, side-pleated
uasques and sailor blous?s. 1 wo pretty
suits, one of iiut-brown camel's hair over
silk of the same shade and the other of
dark cardinal-red cashmere over silk.
were made as follows: The silk skirt
had a single side pleating with a 6hirrcd
puffed beading. Tbe triple apron of the
wool goods !:m! n nilk pleating edging
fljw the Ilcita (white) andThorso Bivers.
In the valley of the former are found the
geysers longtfamcd as the most remark
able spouting springs known in the world
until Prof, llavden'a recent discoveries
in tho Yellowstone region. These I had
i tlie good fortune to work and examine
with minute care. The full details of
mv measurements ana investigations
Children's Fashions.
Brown is the fashionable color for
children this winter. Dark seal and nut
brown shades are chosen, and appear in
the bonnet, wrap, sash and stocking.
These are the stylish accessories with
white dresses; when dark dreses are
worn the entire costume is brown.
White pique and muslin continue in
favor for winter dresses of small girls.
Of course very warm under-clothing is
necessary to make these comfortable,
and there is less exposing of bare limbs
and arms than formerly. There is
nothing new in the style of such
dresses. Basques with aprons, reg
ular over-skirts on Gabrielle dresses,
and tbe yoke slips prevail. Em
broidery on the dress or else on the
ruffles is thefnvorite trimming. Usually
one or two flounces arc seen below the
child's wrap; this gives a rather long
skirt, and with the long, dark stocking
gartered above the knee affords sufn
cient warmth. It is considered stylish
to put a g..id deal of gros grain riilon
about such dresses a sash of it is laid
widely and very loosely around the
waist and tied in long, drooping loops
behind, a narrower bow is at tbe back
of the neck, and one on each wrist; th3
waved or braided hair is tied back with
the same ribbon. . The dress-skirt readies
just below tbe kcee, and shows th.a long
stockings of plaia dark brown, or of
each apron and &.isbbredths behind of J there I feel could not be crowded into
DOtn materials, riquare uasquc of wool
with lengthwise folds of siiK and iik
sleeves. A silk bow was on each shoul
der and on the end of the basque. A very
rich dress for a girl of ten years hasdark
blue velvet skirt without trimming, blue
velvet sleeves and an over-dress of French
gray cashmere with velvet sash; price
$45. A black velvet skirt with a French
sacque of velvet simply corded istobave
a basque made to lit the purchaser; price
-Irish poplin of dark rose-color is
irhmned with shirred ruifics and worn
with a black velvet sleeveless cuirass;
price s;o0.
Plainer dresses for school and general
wear are of dark invisible plaids, or else
of brown, grav or blue, plain-colored
wool goods. Ihe fabrics are usually
twilled and very heavy, aid they are
made with kilt skirts and pleated waists,
or else thev are the regular sailor-suits
with blouses drooping below the belt.
Very dark blue twilled all-wool goods
are made up in sailor-suits and trimmed
with black braid. For girls from eight
to twelve years old an over-skirt is added
and the price la $12 or $13. Small
er girls, from two years upward, wear
sailor dresses without over-skirts. 1 nese
are ijow often made of serviceable gray
woolen goods that are said to wash well.
They cost from $G to $10.50 and are
newer than those of blue or black; tne
latter, however, are still very popular.
Some beautiful sailor dresses are made
of a light gray stulf, thick and warm,
yet sold for thirty-five cents a yard. The
iront oi tlie skirt Is broad and nat like
that of boys' kilts and has bows down
it; the back is gathered to a belt and the
blouae is also sewed to the belt to pre
vent tlie parting of waist and skirt so
often seen on active children. This
light gray skirt has three bands of
blue cashmere stitched around the skirt
and the blouse has a sailor collar and a
sash of blue cashmere, knotted far back
on the left. For girls of five years these
cost $!. Others of Marie Louise blue
camel's hair serge have black cashmere
bindings, buttons and sash, and cost $13.
Kilt skirts with, pleated basque or with
sailor blouses cost from $10 to $20 for
stzes fr girls from two to eight years
old. Made of brown cashmere, with
bows up the front of the kilt skirt and
sailor blouse, nnd a sash of mixed silk
and cashmere, this is a very stylish dre68.
Mothers who make such dresses at home
will be glad to know that it is most styl
ish to put Titan wool braid straight
around the skirt instead of in intricate
patterns; thus there are three clusters of
braid, consisting each of two parallel
rows of half-inch width ; or two bunches,
of which the bottom row is an inch wide,
with a narrow tabular braid above it; or
else a Single group of five rows of nar
row braid i f just above the hem. Blue
or black cashmere bunds are nearly two
inches wide, bias, oite far opart, and are
stitched on each edge by machine.
The sailor collar and cuffs are of
the dress material with a 6ingle band of
cashmere, or else a group of the braid
ing matching that on the skirt.
Still plainer dresses at the furnishing
houses arc marJe of brown, blue or gray
Melton cloth, braided by machinery, and,
indeed, the whole garment is made at a
factAry. They are school dresses for
girls of various ages from fourteen down,
aud cost from ? 14.00 down to quite a
siunii sum.
Evening dresses for little girls are
light, lluiiily trimmed silks, or else al
most all lace, with the waist and skirt in
one, and pretty tappers or lace caugtitup
by sashes and flowers. Many showy lit
tle (Jre6ses of white muslin are sold for
$10 lr $12; but these are not well made,
cannot be "dono up, and are merely
intended to be worn a few times.
valking coats for street wraps for
children just in short clothes are gored
tu fit almost smoothly cinder the large
cape, which is not as deep as formerly.
The most stylish ones arc of brow'n cash
mere embroidered and edged with fringe.
Those of white cashmere or pearl-colored
poplin are also admired. They are
trimmed with satin bands or embroidery,
always of self -color. Harper' Bazar.
Iceland and Lapland.
At a recent meeting of the American
Geographical Socictv in New York re
ports were rendered by Dr. I. I. Hayes
and M. I)u Chaillu of their recent trav
els. Concerning Iceland, after giving
a description of the recent festivities in
that country, Dr. Hayes said:
The new constitution gives Iceland
practical freedom from Denmark and
no doubt it will tend to develop the
country, which possesses many resources
needing cultivation to make them profit
able. At present the chief exports are
codfish, salmon and wool. While the
cultivation of these industries docs not
create any large degree of individual
wealth they are productive of general
competency. I found the necessaries of
life possessed everywhere in abundance;
luxuries were not uncommon, and the
people were happy and content. The
school system Is most admirable and the
Icelanders show a remarkable greed for
learning. In the humblest peasant hut
vou always find books. Some rf our
"English classics are translated aud pub
lished in Beykjavik' and are greatly in
demand. The bookstore was crowded
when. I visited it. Crime is almost un
known, the common jail not having bad
aa occupant, exrept. the Jailer and tis
the short space of time allotted to me
this evening, and I reserve them, there
fore, for another occasion. The Stroker
geyser spouted quite 200 feet for our
benefit.
The famous Lagborg, where Althinga
met, presents ev;n a more grand and
fearful appearance than the old sagas
describe it. Our reception here will long
be remembered, taking place as it did by
the 6ide of the rising waterfall of the
famed Oxara Biver, md beneath the
giant-frowning lava cliffs of the Almana
gia. M. I)u Chaillu was next introduced,
and said :
In the north of Europe there is a large
tract of country very thinly inhabited
by Swedes, Norwegians, Finlandera and
L-ips. Its coast is indented by fiords of
great beauty, the sea being of great
depth, and winding its way inland, often
in the midst of stupendous scenery.
These fiords were dug out of the solid
rock by glaciers on their way toward
the sea. The geological features of that
' country impress the mind with the great
and constant changes that have taken
place or are taking place. The rocks are
granite, gneiss and mica schist. As one
studies the coast line the eyes rest con
tinually on series of terraces one over the
other, perfect in shape, almost all situ
ated at the entrance of valleys. These
terraces 6how distinctly by their rounded
pebbles the rising of tho land above tbe
water, this 6low and almost impercepti
ble rising still taking place in our time.
This country was once under the influ
ence of a much milder climate, as genial
as that of England now. We must con
clude from inferences that the icy period
is making again its appearance, and that
the iinpouetrable belt of ice which seems
to bar the way to the north pole, and
which our distinguished member, Dr.
Hayes, has partly explored, was once an
open sea. In the interior of the country
inhabited by Laps one meets everywhere
positive proofs of the rising of the land.
Shells afc found several hundred feet
above the present level of the lakes;
mountains have been polished as smooth
as glass by the action of the ice ; bowlders
of ail sizes have been scattered over the
iand by the glaciers. Advancing glaciers
are demolishing to this day, and break
ing the granite hills which oppose their
march, while the retiring ones leave be
hind them bowlders, sand, gravel, etc.,
etc.
There are sea Laps, forest and river
Laps and nomadic Laps. To-night I am
only to speak of the nomadic Laps. The
whole population of Lapland amounts to
about aO.OOO, the nomadic Laplanders
numbering about 25,000, and possessing
about 500,000 reindeer. Their herds vary
from 50 to 5,000. There have beenLap
landers possessing even 10,000 reindeer.
A man possessing from 500 to 1,000 rein
deer is considered rich. Those who pos
sess only 50 to 100 are poor. The rein
deer is everything to the Laplander.
With its skin he makes his clothing,
shoes, gloves, with its sinews his thread.
He feeds on its flesh, and the animal is
his beast of burden. The value of a rein
deer varies according to the country.
Driving reindeer broken to the harness
are not very plentiful, and cost from $10
to $15 each, a common one from $4 to
$. The most intelligent Laps are the
Swedish and Norwegians, compulsory
education having reached that dis
tant region. They all know how
to read. Every one is or
must be confirmed, this ceremoxly being
part of the Lutheran creed; hence all
must be abbs to read the Bible and know
their catechism. Churches are scattered
here and there in the desolate regions,
and the church-going Laps come into
them on Sundays from every side.
M. Du Chaillu described a genuine old
arctic sleigh-ride, and his amusing trials
and mishaps in learning how to manage
the ticklish, coffin-like conveyance. His
first lesson took six hours, and during
that period he managed to overturn the
machine a hundred times, more or less,
but without stopping his steed or at
tempting so futile a task he held grimly
on to the single rein, and thumped and
bumped along over the snow until a lucky
kick sent him back into the box. There
was a rule of driving, he said, that the
throwing of the rein to rest on the left
flank was a signal for a slow gait, while
touching the right flank meant full
speed. For himself he had never been
able to discover the difference, the swift,
footed messenger going at his best rato
from the moment of harnessing.
A rural genius kept his hens from
scratching in the garden by strapping a
sharp spur two inches long and inclining
downward and backward to the legs of
the hens. The operation is obvious. Tbe
hen attempts to scratch ; the spur digs
into the soil and the hen is thrown for
ward. Thus she is kept stepping and is
promptly walked out of the garden.
14 May heaven's angels whisper gold
en words as they kiss your darling
cheeks," wrote an Omaha man to his
Betsey only last spring; and now he
wishes heaven's angels would whimper to
him how bis breach-of-promise 6uit
coming out, as his lawyer is doubtful.
The Christian Intelligencer is anxious
to discover how to abate " over drees' In
girls' Bchools.. We should suggest giv
ing tbe little dears more under-clotiliig.
y. T. World. ...