Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1884 — Page 3

WOMAN GOSSIP.

Woman Is What Han Doth Hake Per. "Who* the flower's to the lee What the blossom's to the tree. What the sephyr's to the day In the bright and glowing May, "What the sunlight to the shade. What the pansy’s to the giade. What the magnet's to the pole. What the spirit's to the so at. What soft music's to the breast. What sweet dreaming to the rest, •What the robe of incense high Is to seraph in the sky, This, all this, is womankind To man’s glory of the mind. -O, the duty that we owe To thiß angel here below! Let affection come unsought, Hake her qneen of every thought; Hold her pride within thy care, All thy gladness let her share; -Say not love is ever vain; Bliss of love! all love Is gain! Let no word of tongue or eye Lance or fret the sacred tie; Stronger than the giant’s hand Is the waving of her wand. Long and empty is the day With fair woman far away; • As we contemplate her hence. Rueful grows the shore Intense. Bure and white as driven snow. Let her not bat mercy know. Woman to thy bosom bind. Hold her to a lofty mind; • Don’t decry her; don’t forsake her; Woman is what man doth make her. —Hugh Farrar Mobermott.

In Strict Confidence. First Bridesmaid “You’ll never tell?” Second Bridesmaid—“Of course not. I never do, you know.” First Bridesmaid—“ Well, she told me, in strict confidence, understand, that, though Jack was poor, they were going to travel all summer, and stop at the best hotels, and that they got the money by selling their duplicate wedding presents. I wonder whether my spoons are paying *part of the expenses ? Troy Press.

The Soprano Voice In Politics. Whatever foolish notions the novelists may have instilled into our minds, woman is not all emotion. The American woman has her fair share of good sense and administrative ability, and there is reason to believe that she might bring into the region of governmental .affairs positive contributions of thrift, order, integrity, and economy. Hers would be the soprano voice in politics, the voice of aspiration, the voice of inspiration. It was no dreamer, no mere sentimentalist, but the profoundest poet of modern Europe, who gave us as the closing prophecy of his Faust, “|!hfe woman-soul leadeth us upward and on!” —Judge Pitman, Boston. How He Got Hurt. “Oh, my child, how did your face become so bruised ? Come to mamma and tell her all about it.” “I-I-I was over ’cross the r-o-a-d playin’ with Mis’ Howe’s little g-i-r-1; boo-hoo-00-00-oo.” “And did she hurt you like this?” “Y-y-y-y-e-s.” “Well, that was real naughty in her. What did she do to little Georgie? ” “Sli-sh-she knocked me d-o-w-n, an-»n-and then she hit m-e w-wi-with a b-r-i-i-c-k, and pounded me w-wi-with a b-r-o-o-m-s-t-i-o-k. ” “Oh, dear, what a terrible child! Well, don’t cry any more, Georgie? What were you doing when this happened? ” “Pl-pl-playing w-we w-a-s m-a-r----x-i-e-d.”

A Lesson in Self-Control. One day, when I was a very little girl, I was watching my mother make strawberry pre'serves. I can see the great kettle of boiling liquid now, clear as rubies. Beside the. stove stood a large milk-pan containing some squash for “company” pies, with a plenty of milk and eggs in.it. “Now, Bridget,” eaid my mother, at last, in a satisfied tone, “it is done;-take the kettle off.” This was accomplished, and then, with almost incredible stupidity the “help,” actually emptied the strawberries into the squash! My mother turned her Bead just too late. She was quick and impulsive, but there escaped from her mouth only a despirmg, “Oh, Bridget!” Then as she saw the girl’s instantly regretful face, she uttered no angry reproaches, no useless lamentations. No •doubt when my tired mother, who was not strong (I lost her at 15>, went upstairs to rest, she felt disheaftefied, and thought that her preserves and squash, her time and labor, had aJPL been wasted; but, probably, she never did forme a more valuable morning’s work than when she gave me that unconscious lesson in sweet self-control. —Mothers in Council.

A Talk with the Girls. Girls, you have mostly received a fair, plain education, thanks to our great and universal reform in the educational system, and many of you a high-olass, brilliant scholarship. To the first I would say improve yourselves in every possible way, until you have attained to a well-informed, practical, useful and refined woman. To the latter: Do not hide your talents under a bushel, as you have received ®o freely. Bestow and by every means seek to diffuse the knowledge you possess, among your less fortunate sisters, many of whom have to toil from early morn till dewy eve to obtain the bare necessities of life, and whose chief (and in some cases only) pleasure is ■derived in perusing the pages of light, cheerful but cheap literature, the productions of the pen of some clever but needy author. Here is an opening to you, my fair friends, whose means are large and aocomplishmefits great, to wield your pens and commit to paper your brilliant thoughts and lofty ideas. If you cannot shine as an authoress write your experiences of school life and jntersperse it with some patterns of high-art needlework, such as is only taught in the homes of the w.-althy. Depend on it these would meet with a hearty welcome from the sisterhood, and be highly appreciated, for they have in the majority as.fine and keen perception of the beautiful as

yourselves, and were it not for the lick of the same advantages would become clever, talented, noble women. “The Household Column” in this paper is open to you, so there is no escute; bear in mind, as ye sow, so shall ye reap, and where much is given much will be required. This reminds me of a lady I once knew, who had a family of six daughters but no son. She herself was the child of a poor but beloved clergyman, and at an early age married the younger son of a large cloth manufacturer. It did not at the time appear a very good match for the lady, as she descended from a long line of the ancient nobility on the maternal side. However the young people loved each other dearly, and set out on the highway. of life together, with steady hearts and willing hands. The young man showed great aptitude for business, and by the aid of his father soon raised himself to the topmost round of the* ladder in the mercantile world. He became very successful, and when called from earth to a better and brighter land left his widow and children in very great affluence. The daughters were mostly out of the schoolroom, consequently were great comforters to that bereaved mother, who mourned her husband’s loss sincerely and truly, but like the good, nobleminded, high-souled woman she was, drowned her own sorrows in alleviating the woes of her poor but honest neighbors. Her house and grounds, which I need not add were very beautiful, were situated about a mile from the small manufacturing town where her married life had been spent, and here it was that many a well-formed plan and grand resolve was brought into full play. There factory girls were taught three evenings a week, by the young ladies themselves, not merely strokes, pothooks and multiplication tables, but music, drawing, and, don’t faint, dancing, as well as all kinds of fancy work. In addition to this, one night was set aside for the kitchen cook, who entered heartily into the arrangement, gave them practical lessons on economical cookery and the making and baking of bfead, for which our York and Lancaster lassies are so justly famed. The other spare evening was spent in needlework and dressmaking, for I must whisper this, these little north country sisters are very tasty in dress, as well as clever in music. Why, bless you, I have seen one of the working miners and his wife (a factory hand) enter their cottage and after sotting the kettle on to boil, make for the piano and play off a duet which for expression and brilliancy of touch would vie with many of our grand professionals. There was a kind of home or local magazine, edited by some gentleman, a friend of this "interesting family, and all were invited to contribute to its pages. This was a great success, as the outpouring of many a true, honest heart found its way there, and the" humble efforts of the poor lad working under ground and the fair, winsome lass at her bobbins in the factory from their respective perilous duties were looked through, revised and published, though simple ’they were, full of heart-stirring melodies, ' and found ready responses from many a noble laird and bonnie leddie. Now, young ladies, whom fortune has showered wealth and talent in greatest {>rofusiou at your feet, “go thou and do ikewise,” and when life’s fitful dreams are over, your children’s children with the stranger within the gates shall rise up and call yon blessed. —Old Aunt Patty, in the Household.

Profits in Drugs.

There have been two important changes in the drug business within the past few years, says St. Nicholas. In the first place, the scope of the drug store has been enlarged. In old times the term “drug store” indicated an establishment where simply drugs were kept. Now you can go to many drug stores and purchase cigars, tobacco, canes, umbrellas, tea, coffee, stationery, confectionery, and many kinds of fancy articles. Some say that druggists have been forced into selling these goods on account of the competition they have had to contend against in the sale of patent medicines by dry-goods establishments and • book stores, and because some of their own number sell the patent, or proprietary, medicines below the regular market price. There is much truth in this statement, but I think there is another reason to account Tor this practice, and that is the inc reased rate of rent. In former times the item of rent was not so great as it is now, and the druggist could make a good living by confining himself to drugs proper. Now the expense for rent* is a matter for serious financial consideration. It is true that the business yields a large percentage of profit, but the total sales are comparatively small. At one time, when the calling was confined to its legitimate sphere, the profit was 50 per cent. Now the average rate of profit is probably 25 or 30 per cent.

The Woman and the Watch.

Did you ever notice a lady go into a, watch store to have her watch set? She marches up to the counter with the sweetest of smiles. She pulls out the dainty little thing, looks at it affectionately and then up at the clock, with a look as if she were so very sad because the dear watch was sick. Then she hands it to the handsome young man who exhibits the imitation gems laid carefully out for show m a .glass case. She beams upon him and then she says, so prettily: “Will you please set this watch for me?” “Certainly; with pleasure.” The handsome young man in a perfectly practical way, takes a little instrument out of a‘drawer, turns the watch over on its face and prepares to open the back of it. Then you want to look. There is a little scream, a rush, a grab, and the fair one has recovered the precious article. Why does she scream and grab ? She’s got a picture of her best beau in the inside of the case. That’s all. And she goes home and sets the watch herself in the seclusion of her silk-lined, beautiful boudoir, There are so many secrets about a woman that every female child should be born with a chart.— San Francisco Chronicle. Consult the lips for opinions, the conduct for convictions.

HAIR AND HAIR-DRESSING.

Historic Changes—From Boadicea to th« Present Time. Of all professions the most ancient is probably that of the tailor, and scarcely less ancient is that of the barber; yet. in spite of its antiquity, somehow the hairdresser’s calling has never gained very much respect for its followers. The Jews, with the exception of the p:iests, let their hair grow, and at a very early date long hair was regarded as a mark of beauty. From the earliest times the art of curling the hair seems to have been known; the Phry gians and Sybarites curled their locks, and so, probably, did the ancient Britons. Tnese latter gentlemen were dandies, for they were very particular always to shave their chins; and, judging from early pictures, one might imagine that they waxed their mustaches. In the eighth century the first time ol cutting a child’s hair was an important event, and wealthy people generally obtained some’distinguished personage to act as barber on the occasion, who was supposed thenceforth to stand tc the child pretty much in the same relation as a sponsor to his godchild.

In rather later days long hair wbb considered a ina k of rank. Slaves were obliged to keep their hair short, as, for instance, when Caesar forced the conquered Gauls to cut their flowing locks as a token of submission. Queen Boadieea is said to have \v>rn her hair down, and so long was it that her Majesty could sit upon it; while in France, for a long time, none but the royal family were allowed to indulge in long hair. Nay, more, if we may believe the ancient chronicles, if the heir to the throne happened to get his hair cut, no matter how, he forthwith loslj his rank entirely, and became an ordinary person. Louis VII., however, alter his accession consented at the request of the clergy to have his hair not cut, merely, but shaved clean off, and his beard also. Unfortunately he omitted to ask the opinion of his wife, Queen Eleanor, who was so disgusted with his shorn appearance that he sought and obtained a divorce there and then. One would rather like to know why the clergy have always endeavored to keep men’s hair short; but, whatever the cause, there is no doubt as to the fact. They themselves were forced to adopt the tonsure at a very early date, especially in the Eastern Church, but the precise shape of the tonsure has formed the bone of contention innumerable disputes. By a canon of the year 1090 it was ordered that any one who failed to reduce his hair to decent limits should be excommunicated ; and if he should chance to die un clipped, no prayers might be offered for the repose of his soul. Wulstan, Bishop of Worcester, started a regular crusade against long hair; and Serlo, a Norman Bishop, who had come over to England, preached a sermon before the King (Henry I.) on the same subject. So eloquently did the good Bishop plead, that when he had done the whole court consented to lose their flowing curls. Taking the opportunity afforded, the preacher thereupon produced a pair of scissors from his sleeve, and sheared the King and his courtiers on the spot! The lovelocks of the Cavaliers, and the short hair of the Roundheads, were each the subject of unnumbered pamphlets and squibs, such as “The Loathsomenesse of LoDg Haire,” “The Defence of Shorte Haire,” and a host of others. The best known is, nerhaps, the song beginning:

What creature's this with his short hairs, His little head aud huge long ears, That this new faith had rounded? The Puritans were never such The saints themselves had ne’er so mnch— O, such a knave's a .Roundhead. The main difficulty that the Cavaliers found in their favorite style was the niggardly disposition of Dame Nature in the matter of hair. Many a Cavalier could no more get a lovelock to grow than he could fly. The consequence was the introduction of wigs —or, rather, their reintroduction—for wigs seem to date from the days when the world was very young indeed. There is in the British Museum a wig from the Temple of Isis, at Thebes, which is in a state of almost perfect preservation, and the curls are as curly as when they first issued from the hands of the “artist in hair” at that ancient citv. -

Appealing to George.

A young lady visiting at Vallejo, Cal., is quite sweet on. a certain young journalist. One morning the pair started out for a long ramble over in the Contra Costa hills. Being gone all day, they returned in the evening completely worn out and fatigued. The young lady and gentleman were met by a party of their friends soon after their return, and were asked as to what kind of a time they had. Now, the young lady has* a very unhandy habit of proving any assertion she may make by appealing to any friend that she happens to have ■With her at the time. So, as usual, away'she went, and answered the inquiry as follows: “Oh, we had a fine time. But climbing over rocks and bushes has made me black and blue ill over, hasn’t it George?” (appealing to the young man who had gone out with her). George said emphatically that he’d be hanged if he knew anything about it, and now that young couple get no rest from the chaffing of their friends.— Wheatland Graphic.

The Corinth Canal.

The Isthmus of Corinth is about the center of Greece, and far back in ancient history efforts were made to cut a canal from one sea to the other. There were three attempts made by the Greeks themselves, then the Noman Emperors undertook the work. It has been recommenced recently and will soon be finished. The route is a perfectly straight one, 20,800 feet long. Its width will be seventy-five feet, the same as that of the Suez Canal. It is a French enterprise, and will cost when completed $5,280,000. It will shorten the voyage from the Adriatic Sea to Asia Minor by 105 miles. Canal-digging to ihorten distances between nations is /ust now in high favor with commercial lations. Another Suez Canal must Ihortly be begun. A Nicaragua as well 13 a Panama Canal is one of the cer?,aint:es of the future, as are also canals through the northern zones of Florida ind Cape Cod.- -Demorest’s Monthly.

THE POSTOFFICE.

Postmaster-General Hatton Reviews the Work of His Department. Reduced Revenues Caused by the Reduction of Postage—The Postal Clerks. Quick Local Service Demanded—Abolition of the Sinecure System. We present below the salient features of the annual report of Postmaster General Hatton: For the fiscal year the revenues were $43,338,197.08; the expenses, $46,4(4,900.68, leaving a deficit of $3,066,863.57, to which are added outstanding debts and the credits of the Pacific Kailroads, raising the excess of disbursements over the revenues to $5,304,484.12. Tho revenues were $2,170,565.52 less than for the ireceding year, owing to the reduction on postage from 3to 2 cents. The amount paid Postmasters was $11,283,830.87, an increase of $968,436.41 over that of the previous year, and $383,830.87 In excess of the appropriation. This excess, Mr. Hatton says, was nnavoidable, because the law fixes the compensation of postmasters, and allows them to take it out of the revenues of their office before making their returns to the depaitment. The aggregate amount appropriated for the service of the year was $46,746,037.62, or $341,076.97 more than the amount disbursed on account thereof, and $536,394.07 less than the total disbursements and outstanding liabilities. The estimates for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, are: RECEIPTS. Ordinary postal revenue $50,872,820.24 Money-order business 400,000.00 $51,272,820.24 DIBBURBEMENTR All expenses, including Pacific Railroad credits $56,099,169.50 Deficiency to be supplied $4,826,349.26 The receipts for the year are estimated with unoertamty. the report says, becanse there is as yet no basis by which the revenues on a - cent basis can be reckoned, tho reduction in the rate of postage from 3 cents having come at a time when it unequally affected the various qharters. But a regular increase of 9 per cent, is expected, and that would place the reoelpts at the figure given above.

In the expenses there will probably be for compensation to postmasters a deficiency of at least $1,500,000, and for transportation by railroads about $1,000,900. Tho estimate also contemplates the payment out of the appropriation of the entire cost of mail service on the Pacific railroads, a portion of which is now by law credited on the books of the Treasury, and does not appear in the appropriation for mail transportation. The amount Involved by the contemplated change In tho mode of settlement Is approximated at $1,100,000, which amount, added to the two deficiencies mentioned, will leave the estimates $3,458,769.50 in excess of the appropriations for the present year. The reduction of postago affected the sales of postal cards so that the number issued last year was 16,640,000 less than the preceding year. The collections on second-class matter were $1,889,692.14, an Increase of $184,414.61 over the preceding year. Of th s source of revenue 24.90 per cent, was collected in New York, 9.41 per cent, at Chicago, 6.42 per cent, at Boston, with Philadelphia, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and San Francisco following in order. There were 11,246,545 registered articles handled and 4,751,872 pieces of undelivered mall were received at the Dead Letter Office, in speaking of the work of the Dead Letter Office the report says: “The amount realized from the sales of articles tor which no owner can bo found is deposited in the -United States Treasury. The Proceeds of the last auction Bale, which was In anuary, 1884, was $1,915.43. Tho money separated from dead letters which cannot be restored to the sender Is also placed in the Treasury, and the amount deposited during the year was $7,239.47. The value of postage stamps received from various sources and destroyed' was $2,082.18. The late Postmaster General Maynard ordered that such useful printed matter as had previously been sold for waste paper should bo distributed among the Inmates of the various hospitals, asylums, and other charitable and reformatory Institutions within the District of Columbia. This practice still prevails, and 23,162 magazines, pamphlets, illustrated papers, Christmas cards, valentines, etc., were disposed of in that way during the year.” During the year there were 11,963 appointments to places In the postal service, the number being 549 less than during the preceding year. There are now 71,671 employes In the department. The Postmaster General urges the development of the free-delivery system, holding that it encourages method in the delivery of mall and stimulates correspondence. He recommends that in densely populated districts hamlets bo united in their postal accommodations, so as to bring them within the scope of the law which allows a free system to every postoffice having more than 20,000 patrons. Mr. Hatton, citing the fact that the freedellvery system earned last year $1,278,278.25 over its expenditures, says he is convinced tho time has come for the reduction of postage of local letters.

The department views with jealous eye the growth of the messenger service system, and the Postmaster-General describes the duty of the postal service in the matter ot quick local delivery, as follows; “The necessity and demand, in cities, for prompt transmission and delivery of letters passing between business men and others hag resulted In the establishment, In many places, of what may be termed letter-express companies, which, by the employment of messenger boys, are enabled greatly to facilitate Intercourse of this character'among merchants, professional persons, and others engaged In active life. It Is done at a small expense and with so much system and promptness as seriously to diminish the revenues of the department at several lettercarrier offices. The patronage which is extended to these companies affords evidence that the free-delivery system, notwithstanding Its facilities and benefits, has not progressed so far as to meet all the wants of energetic business life in large commerc.al cjties. Therefore, further Improvement of the service In this paftidular should,' in my Judgment, be attempted, not only to prevent a loss of revenue, but with a purpose to make it as useful as gosslble. I am of opinion that the public ave a right, to expect that this department should make the same effort to serve them promptly and falthtnlly in the transmission and delivery of letters as is done by private parties. I know of no way In which this can be better accomplished than by tho use ot a special postage-stamp for letters mailed and Intended for special and prompt delivery at free-delivery offices. This stamp should be of the denomination of ten cents, and. when affixed to a letter, in addition to the proper’postage charge, should Insure for it as speedy a delivery as possible after Its reception at any letter-carrier office. This outside distribution could be effected by employing messenger boys, at a small salary, and in such numbers as the circumstances should warrant. I am satisfied such an effort to accommodate the public would still further commend the free-delivery service to its patrons In the large cities where It Is In operation." The Postmaster-General says he agrees with the Secretary of War that those officers of the department who handle money should be Insured by corporations instead of being required to give an official bond, the solvency of which Is always in doubt. The report expresses confidence in the efficiency of the star route service, but urges the amendment of the laws relating to contracts In that branch so as to give the awards to persons who live along the line of the route, and thus stop the speculation business. Tribute is paid to the postal clerks. The report deplores any attempt to weed out this branch of the service without cause. In conclusion the report gives data of the routine working of the department and urges the develoiment of the foreign mail system generally, especially with Mexico. It also approves the suggestion made by the superintendent that i ostal notes be amended to be payable to order if desired, and describes the work on various buildings and facilities of the. department.

WM. Turner, the American sculptor, has lately finished at Florence, Italy, the colossal statue of Commodore Perry, which is to be erected at Newport, R. L A NEGRESS of Crawford County, Ky., less than 30 years old, is the mother "of eleven children. Bennie Jenifer, a newsboy on the Panhandle Road, recently found $30,000 in an empty car seat M. Worth, the man milliner, intends to come to America to lecture on art in dress

WASHINGTON.

Synopsis of the Annual Reports of Some of the Government Bureaus. RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. Abstract of the Report of Superintendent Thompson. W. B. Thompson, General Superintendent of the Railway Mail Service, has submitted his annual report. It appears that on June 30, 1884, there were 117,160 miles of railroad upon whioh mails were carried, as compared with 78 miles in 1834. During the last fiscal year the iucrease was 6,952 miles. The number of railway postoffice lines in operation June 30, 1884, was 845. The annual miles of service is 92,640,099. The iucrease in number of pieces of mail matter handled during tne fiscal year was 558,144,220 pieces. The percentage of increase over 1883 was 13.52. The percentage of increase in the number of pieces of registered matter handled was 4.93. The increase in the past year of railroad postofflce service, including new service placed upon old lines, was 7,641 miles. The number of casualties during the year was 154, in whioh 7 postal clerks were killed, 28 seriously and 60 slightly injured. Recommendation is made that the Postmaster General be authorized to pay to the widow or minor children of all clerks killed in the service a sum equal to one year’s salary of the grade to wnich the clerk belonged at the time of his death. The appropriation for the service the present fiscal year is $4,300,000. It is estimated that this should be increased $301,000 for the next fiscal year, which would make the appropriation $4,601,000. This is an increase of 7 per cent. An additional appropriation of $81,300 is recommended for the purpose of increasing the salaries of olerks of classes five and four to $1,400 and $1,200 per annum respectively. The appropriation for postal-cars the present fiscal year is sl,625,000. Recommendation is made that the appropriation for the next fiscal year, be $1,875,000. This will include an amount for subsidised roads, which has not heretofore been included in the estimate for this branch of the servioe. During the year the fast-mail service has been greatly improved without increase in oost to the department. It seems probable that the Postmaster General will soon be able to have the fast mail arrive in Omaha much earlier than it now does, and have a special carrier delivery in that city and at Council Bluffs immediately on arrival and before the close of business of the day. It is also hoped that mails can be expedited so as to arrive in San Francisoo about 7 a. m., instead of 11:10 a. m. as at present. The city mail oan be delivered immediately upon arrival, in time to get replies for the eastbound mail the same day, which will be equal to saving one day between New York and San Francisco. Separation for city delivery in San Franoisco is now made on the cars.

EDUCATIONAL.

Some Facts and Figures from the Report of the Bureau of Education. A volume just issued by the Secretary of the Interior oontains some interesting facts and figures furnished by the Bureau of Education. The length of the school term varies greatly, ranging from 199 days in Maryland to sixty-two days in North Carolina. The term is more than five months in three of the six New England States, in five of the six middle Atlantio States, in three of the nine Northern Central States, in one of the two Pacific-slope States, and in the District of Columbia and Idaho Territory, and it is above three months in all the States of the sections named. On the other hand the school term is less than three monthe in all the South Atlantio, in two of the four Gulf States, in one of the six Southern Central States, and does not equal four months in any State of the two last-named sections. The report shows an increase of 4,135 teachers over last year. The proportion of female teachers is greater than that of the last report. Eyen in the frontier States the proportion of women teaching is rapidly increasing. There is also an upward movement in teachers’ salaries. The summary shows an income of $94,327,188 and an expenditure of $91,158,039, against $88,142,088 income and $85,111,442 expenditure for the previous year. Illinois shows an increase of 35,345 in youth of school age; of 18,034 in enrollment in public schools; of 15,936 in all public schools? of 26,267 in average daily attendance. There was also an increase of 29 in high schools, and of 38 in the number of school buildings erected during the year. There was a decrease of 2,098 in attendance in ungraded schools, of 22 in public schoolhouses, and of 270 in 1880 and 1881. Institutes were attended by ' 395 more teachers, while 9 more counties held such institutes. The compensation of County Superintendents was slowly increasing, yet much was left to be desired, as the poor pay secured only an inferior class of work. Income for publio schools increased $212,430, and expenditures $201,234. ■

THE NAVY.

Admiral Porter a Recommendations. Admiral Porter, in his annnal report, says that a comparison, of expenditures in foreign navies with our own will go far to put a stop to the cry that wasteful extravagance has been shown in the administration of its financial affairs, and will show the necessity of our doing something toward building a navy if we want to keep pace with the spirit of the age and hold ourselves ready to maintain the respect of foreign nations. Admiral Porter submits what he thinks the Government ought to do in the next two years: 1. Complete the unfinished monitors and arm them with heavy rifled guns, making them rams as far as the models will permit. 2. Appropriate money for all vessels that were proposed to Congress last winter. 3. Build as a commencement four of the heaviest monitors, of great endurance and speed, each to carry four six-inch rifles in turrets. 4. Build twenty torpedo boats not less than 100 tons each, with a speed of twenty knots. 5. One cruising ironclad of not less than 4,000 tons. 6. Have all our ships over 1,250 tons supplied with torpedo boats, fitted with noiseless condensing engines, so they can not be heard when approaching the enemy.

THIS AND THAT.

Monkeys are coming into demand as ladies’ pets. Sam Patch, the foolhardy fellow, who made a famous leap to death, is to have a monument at Bochester. N. Y. A medical expert thinks that the large increase in rheumatism in New England is the result of the disuse of cider. In cider-drinking countries there is very little rheumatism. Maud S. weighs' 946 pounds. She is at Chester Park, Cincinnati, her old home.

THE ARMY.

Leading and Interesting Features in the Annual Report of Secretary Lincoln. The Estimates Increased to Fifty Millions for the Year Ending in 1886. Stronger Fortifications, Improved Ordnance, and Increase of the Army Recommended. The annual report of the Secretary of War shows the expenditures of that department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, to have been as follows: Salaries, contingent expenses, and postage, $2,173,941.88; militiry establishment, Army and Military Academy, $25,640,67142; pnblto works, Including river and harbor imScments, $ 10,662,593.69; miscellaneous ob- , *3,856,668.34; tot.l, *42,332,876.21, which ided the sum of $1,586,035.72 not drawn from the Treasury, but credited nnder the act of March 3, 1879. to the subsidized Pacifio Ballroads for transportation services rendered the War Department during the fiscal year 1884 and prior years. The amount carried to the surplus fund June 30, 1884, was *1,010,548. W. The appropriations for the fiscal year ending June so, 1885, were ai follows: Salaries, contingent expenses, and postage, *2,088,634.66; military establishment, army and military academy, *24,742,133.50; publio works, lnolndlng river and harbor improvements, $15,887,485; miscellaneous objects, $3,052,308.47; total, $45,570,581.53. The estimates for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, are aa follows: Salaries, contingent expenses, and postage, $2,118,318; military establishment, army and military academy, $26,439,577.45; publio works, inohxiing river and harbor Improvements, and new seaooast fortifications, $18,497,460,48; miscellaneous 0bje0te,*3,806,147.65; total, $80,850,500.58. The estimates for the fiscal year 1886 are below those for 1885, with few exceptions, the principal increase being for fortifications and other works of defense, $6,303,000: building for signal office, $350,000; artificial limbs, $450,000: and support of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer 501d1er5,5199,096.88. The reports of military oommanders show an unprecedented quiet among the Indians, there having been reported during the year no disturbance to oanse the firing of a single musket. The policy of concentrating the many small frontier outposts in larger permanent stations, which the rapid extension or railways has made feasible, has been continued as far as the appropriations for barraoks and quarters would permit. This concentration is resulting m greatly Increased eoonomv of supply and the improvement of military discipline. The Superintendent of the Military Academy at West Point reports an Improvement In the tone and discipline of the oorps, and the Secretary recommends the rigid enforcement of the statute which prohibits the return to the academy of any cadet found deficient In his studies or conduct, except upon the recommendation of the Academic Board. Ho recommends also, that a professor of law, or the same rank and tenure as the other professors, bo placed iu charge of the instruction in legal principles now given at the academy. The interest among the students In aohools and colleges where military Instruction is grlvcn by the forty officers assigned to this work by the department Is steadily Increasing. Out of a total average attendance of 6,474 at these Institutions, 2,529 attended Infantry drills and 424 artillery drills during the last year. The Secretary recommends that thirty-five years of honorable and faithful service in the firmy entitle enlisted mo to be plaoed on the retired list, and that tho term of enlistment he reduced from five to three years as a means of reducing the number of desertions of men who become discontented by reason of Inaptitude for tho scrvlco and the contemplation of the present contract of enlistment. Tho acting Judge Advocate General reports the number of trials by general courts-martial during tho year to bo 3,2*0, which is an increaso over lust year of 295; number of convictions for desertion, 700; number of trials by garrison and regimental courts-martial, 10,983, which Is an Increase over last year of 1,605, making a total increaso of trials by oourts-martlal of 1,960. Total number of trials by general, garrison, and regimental courts during the yoar ending Bout. 30, 1884, 13,263. '■ The report of the Quartermaster General’s Department Bhows that at tho beginning of the last fiscal year there remained In the Treasury, as balanoca applicable to exponses of prior years, the sum of $1,295,279.01. There was appropriated for the year the sum of $10,158,734.85* including $200,000 for military posts and $2,500 for road to National Cemetery at Chattanooga, Tenn. Tho balance undrawn on the 3cth of June, J 864, was *1,103,962.54. The report of the Commissary General el Subsistence shows a total expenditure the lan tlsoal year of $3,217,224.33, of which $1,905,7* was embezzled by an officer of the army, who deserted, and, it Is believed, fled to M extern This is believed to be the only sum lost to the Treasury by the dishonesty of any person It tho military service. In the other three Instances of dishonesty during the present administration, the sums embezzled have been restored. Of the sioo 000 appropriated by Congress for persons made destitute by the flood* o' the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, *326,618.24 was expended on the Ohio and Its tributaries, and $160,439.34 on tne Mississippi, leaving unexpended $13,942.42. The chief of engineer shows the urgent necessity of beginning at once the construction of coast defenses. Steel forts and turrets to resist guns which send A projeotfle weighing a ton through sixty feet of sand, and whioh must have like guns, with machinery to load and manipulate them, cannot be buUt in the time an enemy would give after the cessation of diplomatic intercourse.

The balance in the Treasury July I, 1883, for Improving harbors anti rivers was 110,031,849.58. The amount appropriated for 1884 was-$1,319,-634.62,und the amount drawn from the Treasury was $8,228,703.64, leaving a balance of $8,112,580.63 in the Treasury July 1, 1884. Of the 147 places enumerated in the river and harbor act of Aug. 2,1882, seventy-six were reported as not worthy of Improvement. During the year ending Kept. 9, 1884, the channel of the South Pass of the Mississippi River was maintained uninterruptedly. During that time SIOO,OOO was paid for maintenance of the pass and $50,000 in interest on the $1,000,000 retained was paid Mr. Eads, making the total expenditure for the improvement to the latter date, $5,000,000. The Bccretary urges Congress to make liberal and permanent appropriations to the ordinance department for the purchase of gun material. The steel-makers of the country require the Inducement of being fairly remuner-, at ad lor outlays necessary to enlarge their plants sufficiently to produce steel in masses of sufficient size and of suitable quality for gun construction. The manufacture and test of experimental guns will requite four or five yea s, aud prompt a tion by Congress In making this appropriation and establishing 1 Oorernment gun factories to secure within a reasonable time officiant menus of coast defense. Pending this Congressional action, the department is proceeding with the conversion of smooth-bore «ntts into rifles; fifty will be thus converted this year. The zeal and entepriso of tho Greely relief expedition receive the highest commendation, and a vigorous defense is entered against the assertion of the chief signal officer that after the arrival of the Proteus party at St. Johns, Kept. 13, 188:), there was still time to send sufficient relief. To send an expedition with such preparation as could bo made after the middle of September, the Secretary thinks, would have been practically useless. Persons whoso experience and studies give their opinions weight were consulted by the Secretatles of War and the Navy, and the conclusion reached that under most favorable conditions a vessel could not have gone further north that season than Upernavik, a point 700 miles from Littleton Island, which distance is Impassable for boats or sledges. The impossibility of overcoming the difficulties of arctic travel by land or sea was illustrated by the fact that two-thirds of the Greely 'party starved to death at Cape Kablne with 160 I>ounds of meat untouched at Cape Isabella, thirty miles distant, and 2W rations at Littleton Island, about the same distance, but separated by Smith's Sound. Commander Schley, of the Greely expedition. In his official report to the navy department, said: “In view of the disaster to tho Lady Franklin Bay expedition at Cape Sabine, and the conclusion of the department last vear that it was impracticable to send another vessel north after the Yantlc's return to St. Johns, Sept. 13, 1883, 41 th the report of the loss of the Proteus, I would state that the post winter In Melville Bay was the most severe experienced for thirty years.”

THIS AND THAT.

A married lady in Whitney, Tex., weighs forty pounds. Her week-old baby weighs five and one-half ppapds. A Georgia negro stole a horse near his home, rode the animpd thirty miles and sold it for S3O. Then he stole another horse to ride back home, bnt was arrested. Db. Taylor, the Bishop to Africa, proposes, instead of teaching his assistant missionaries the native languages, to teach tha natives English as the shorter method. Fipty per cent, of the cholera cases at Naples were fatal.