Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 January 1888 — Page 6

SlKllemocraticSentuiel RENSSELAER, INDIANA. t. W. McEWEN. ... Publishes.

FRESH FROM THE WIRES.

Ivents of Interest and Importance in Every Quarter of the Habitable Globe. Hews Relating- to Politics, Religion, Commerce, Industry, Labor, and Other Topics. THE VERY LATEST BY TELEGRAPH. THE SCAFFOLD, Three Southern Murderers Pay the Penalty of Their Crimes. William Finchum was hanged at Harrisonburg, Ya., for the brutal murder of his own brother, Preston Finchum. He had prearranged a meeting in the woods with his brother, and sent him to a distillery for brandy for the purpose of making him drunk, and also to nerve himself for the horrible deed. When Preston got so drunk as to be partially oblivious of what was going on, William stepped behind him and shot him in the head. He then clubbed him several times, crushing his skull to make his victim’s death certain. Albert Peters was hanged at Marianna, Ark., for the murder of William Johnson near Fronton, in April, 1885. John Strickland, a white boy of 30 years, ■was executed at Conway, S. C., for the murder of his step-mother.

MAY INDICT GOULD AND SAGE. The New York District Attorney Tlilnkg the Charge of Larceny Will Lie Against Them. District Attorney Martine, of New York, has filed the following memorandum in the matter of the charges against Jay Gould and Bussell Wage by the bondholders of the Kansas Pacific Railroad: “This is an application to present to the grand jury a charge of larceny against Jay Gould and liussell bage under Section 54 of the penal code. In my opinion the acts with the commission of which the defendants stand charged constitute a crime. A possible obstacle to a successful prosecution of the persons complained of is the statute of limitation; yet there are strong reasons for believing that this obstacle is not insurmountable. The statute under which it is sought to prosecute may be so construed as to enable the people to proceed, notwithstanding the statute of limitations, and such a construction would have much support in reason and common sense. The question is so close and the interests involved here—as well of the people as of the defendants—are so important it seems proper to leave the determination of this question of law to the courts, and in order to effect this result the matter should be laid before the Grand Jury, and if proved, an indictment Should be found and tried. *

THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK. Money Generally Easy and Stocks Improved but Labor Troubles Cause Some Uneasiness. ' B. G. Dux & Co., of Nsw York, in their weekly review of trade, say: A year of enormous business closes with a little more than the seasonable dullness. Transactions much beyond the average in September and October prepared for some slackening in trade in November and December, which has been increased by tariff uncertainties, by several strikes of importance, and by a speculative advance in prices. Unusual pressure for money during the fall, on the other hand, caused adjustments which prevent severe pressure as the year closes, and except at a few Western points the money markets are comparatively easy, with collections almost everywhere fair, and at most points reasonably good. Holiday trade has generally been large, and the recent change in the weather brings greater activity in some branches But the pending strikes and controversies about wages, and uncertainties as to the future in some of the largest industries, operate unfavorably. Hopes of activity and advance after New Year s sustain prices, but the great movement of foreign capital hitherward for investment has ceased, at least for the time.

EXTERMINATING THE KELLYS. Lynchers Pub Three of the Murderous Brood Out of Existence. A recent telegram from Wichita, lian., says: “Charles Green, a cattle dealer from ‘No Man’s Land,’ has arrived here, and gives some details of the capture and lynching of the Kolly family, whose horrible crimes, published widely a few days ago, wore as equally atrocious as anything committed by the Bender family. The Kelly family left their ranch near Oak City, going south. A -posse of citizens started in pursuit, and found them fifty miles south, in Texas. The old man escaped, but the son, Bill, was hanged, and the mother and daughter were shot while the posse was endeavoring to capture them.” War Improbable. Berlin dispatch: The National Zeitung, in an article on the political situation, says: “Germany neither expects nor desires war. Prince Bismarck has thrown into the scale the decisive word in favor of peace. It is hardly probable that Russia will bo in a position to force a war upon Germany and her allies. The chances are, therefore, that peace will prevail, although this peace cannot be taken as syifbnymous with the restoration of European tranquillity—a fact for which Russia must answer to the world.” Brief Telegrams. Hatred of the Jews is unabated in Russia. The recommendation of the Imperial Commission to permit Jews to dwell in any village of Russia has been rejected by the Government William Herrig, the Arkansas farmer who murdered his wife and her lover, was hanged to a.tree under which he was found sleeping. He said he was ready and willing to die, and had no cause for regret Something very like a tidal wave of monstrous proportions swept upon the headlands outside of Portland harbor. The great mass rose sixty feet above high-water mark, carrying everything before it Dividends have been declared on the Vanderbilt roads- I — Lake Shore, 2 percent; Michigan Central, 3 per cent; Canada Southern, 13 { P®* oeni Lake Shore earnings for the jrear amounted to §,13 per cent on the stock.

WEEKLY BUDGET.

THE WESTERN STATEB. A Jefferson City (Mo.) special announces the death of Governor Marmaduke, of pneumonia, after an illness of two days. General John 8. Marmaduke became Governor of Missouri January 1, 1885. During the war he served in the Confederate army, where he gained his title of “General” He became known as a man of unflinching courage, and in September, 1863, fought a duel with General Walker, of Memphis, also in tho Confederate service. Walker and Marmaduke were officers of the same rank, but neither would recognize the other as his superior. Hot words ensued and the duel was the result The conditions of the meeting were that the men should use their side arms ai thirty paces, advance, and fire until one or both were killed. At the third shot Walker fell, mortally wounded, dying without uttering a word. Shortly aftorward Gen. Marmadukejsucceeded to the command and conducted the Confederate retreat from Little Rock. During this retrograde movement the fighting was almost continuous, and the reckless bravery displayed by Gen. Marmaduke was attributed to remorse. Since his inauguration as Governor of Missouri he got into a dispute with Mayor Rainwater, and a duel was imminent, but tho matter was amicably settled by friends. The Adventists of Battle Creek, Mich., fully persuaded that the day of doom is close at hand, are discarding jewelry and making other preparations. At a meeting the other night $5,000 was raised to establish missions. A passenger car on the Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan Road was upset at Alma, Mich., by a bad frog. Six persons were fatally injured, and the north-bound train was detained for hours. A Clearwater (Minn.) telegram says that town is exercised over the strange return to life of a boy of 13 years. Willie Baxter died of diphtheria. The ensuing day his body was made ready for tho coffin and the family left the room. Haif an hour after some one returned to the apartment and found the boy up and dressed in his every-day clothes. He insisted that he was not dead, and was not going to die. However, in about au hour, during which time he talked cheerfully to those around him, and seemed to be getting batter, he suddenly fell over as though struck by lightning, and was stone dead in in instant

THE SOUTHERN STATES.

John J. Littlejohn, the Nashvile editor, who was shot Dec. 24 by Joseph It Banks, died Thursday. He was Secretary and Treasurer of the Republican State Executive Committee, and Vice President from Tennessee of tho National Republican Club. At Benton, Ky., the wife of Wesley Ray gave birth to four children, two boys and two girls, all of whom are doing well. A special from St Francis, Ark., says: “William Herrig, a wealthy planter, had for some time past been jealous of the attentions paid to his wife by William Matthewson, and ho forbade him to come to his house. This was disregarded by Matthewson, and on Tuesday last he called and invited Mrs. Herrig to take a drive with him. While the woman was getting ready, Herrig shot and killed Matthewson, and then forced his wife to drive to Matthewson’s house with the dead body. On her return she found her home in flames, and was shot and killed by her husband. Herrig then fled. Mrs. Herrig was formerly an actress in Pauline Markham’s company, and later was in W. H Lytle’s combination. ” At Jonesville, Va., Daniel Newton, colored, was fatally burned in trying to rescue his children from his burning house. Tho stairs leading to the attic whore hia three children wero sleeping were burned. He reached the room by means of a ladder, and found the bod enveloped in flames. He made a desperate attempt to save the children, but they wore burned to death.

THE POLITICAL FIELD.

Ihe Kansas Prohibition Convention assembled at Topeka and elected the following delegates to the National Prohibition Convention to be held in Indianapolis, Ind., in June: ExGovernor John P. St John, of Olathe; M. V. B. Bennett, of Columbus; Mrs. Fannie Ilastall, President of the Kansas W. C. T. U.; and tho Rev. A. M. Richardson, of Lawrence. A convention for the nomination of a State ticket was called at Topeka on June IS. A motion to include an anti-monopoly plank in the platform of the party was discussed at length, but was lost. A recennt dispatch from Harper, Kan., says: Great excitement prevails throughout Harper County on account of bitter feeling between tnis town and Anthony over the contest for the county seat. In the last election Harper received a majority of 300 votes, The candidates were given certificates, but the Anthony rivals are contesting the election on the ground of fraud and ballot-box stuffing in this city. Last Tuesday evening too citizens of Anthony held a mass-meeting in the Council Chambers, and, after passing a series of very belligerent resolutions, proceeded to organize a Winchester rifle club. The Anthony papdr is taking an active part in the matter, and the news of the developments reached hero to-day. Hundreds of men have offered their services to defend Harper’s people and property. The outcome is a matter of livoly speculation.

THE INDUSTRIAL REALM.

Representatives of the Union Labor party, of Indiana, last at Indianapolis last week and decided to issue a call at once for a State convention to nominate a full ticket, from Governor down. The convention will be held March 7. j A ThilAdelphia dispatch says that “Chairman Johu L Lee and Henry I. Bennett, a member of the Executive Committee of the Ruights of Labor, tried to hold a conference with the Reading official*. Superintendent Sweigert refused to talk with them in their capacity as members of a labor committee. Lee was afterward discharged. Trains w’ere run as usual, and thirteen of the thirty-nine collieries in the Schuylkill region were being worked. Work on the Reading docks at Elisabeth, N. J., has been resume! ■ Two steamboats arrived with 175 new men, who were at once put in the places of the strikers and guarded by detectives. The railroad strike is thought to be over, but fears of a

turners’ strike are growing. * President Corbin, of ib> Beading Company, in a letter to the General Manager of the road, says: Hereafter we will operate this property with employe* who consider their first duty is to the company, and expect to obey reasonaole orders made in the transaction of its business. There has never been a moment when, under any circumstances, we would arbitrate any question growing out of this strike. There has been nothing to arbitrate. It is only a question as to whether the company will be permitted to operate its own property—a property in which there is invested over fc2oo.oou.ooo—or whether this property shall be controlled by the Knights of Labor. It may as well be understood now, and from this time on, that every wheel which is turned on the Heading system shall be turned on the orders of that company, and under the orders of nobody else.

THE FOREIGN BUDGET.

A £t. Petersburg dispatch says the tension between Rnssia and Austria shows symptoms of relaxing. The Groih Danin declares that an entente is possible, even to the moat difficult points in the Bulgarian dispute. Hungarian and Russian miners employed in the iron mines at Hibernia, Morris county, New Jersey, engaged in a race riot, with the result of badly injuring a large number of the men. The presenc; of English and American men-of-war at Honolulu prevented an insurrection that had been planned December 19, on the reassembling of the Legislature. King Kalakana has deposited collaterals to secure the payment of his debts.

DEATH OF HON. DANIEL MANNING.

Ex-Hecretary of the Treasury Daniel Manning died at the residenco of his son

James, in Albany, whither he had gone to spend the holidays. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and near relatives. Mrs. Manning received many tender telegrams of condolence, including the following from the President: Though in this hour of unuttorable grief your sorrow is too sacred to be shared and too deep to be reached by earthly comfort, may I express to you my sincere and tender sympathy, saddened by my own affliction at tho loss of a true and trusted friend and a loyal associatte, who but lately stood at my side in the discharge, with patriotic zeal, of solemn public duty. Grover Cleveland. The President caused an order to be issued directing that the flags on all public buildings in Washington be placed at half-mast, as a mark of respect to the memory of his dead ex-Minister. Mr. Manning was born in Albany, N. Y., Aug. 16, 1831. His parentage was of Irish, English, and Dutch extraction. Ho was a poor boy, and fils early opportunities for schooling were very limited. At 11 years of age he went to work as an office-boy at the establishment of the Albany Atlas, which was afterward merged into the Albany Argus, with which paper he was, in one capacity or another,connected until his appointment by President Cleveland as Secretary of the Treasury. In 1873 he assumed sole charge of the Argus a and was elected President of the company. He was a member of the New York Democratic State convention of 1874 that nominated Samuel J. Tilden for Govern*’r, and was a delegate to the St. Louis convention of 1870 that nominated Mr. Tilden for President. Ha was also a member of the New York Democratic State Committee since 1876, was its Secretary in 1879 and 1880, and was elected Chairman in 1881. He was warmly interested in the nomination of Mr. Cleveland for President at Chicago. Several months ago Mr. Manning's heal’h compelled him to retire from the Cabinet. Mr. Manning was active and successful outside of journalism and politics. The funeral ceremonies over the body of tho lato ex-Secretary Daniel Manning wero held at Albany December 27, and it was placed in the mortuary chapel of the Rural Cemetery to await interment in the family lot next spring. Flags were hung at half-mast in the city out of respect for the memory of the dead statesman, and in accordance with the Mayor’s request business was suspended during the time of the fimeral The President, all the members of the Cabinet, and many other prominent people were present.

THE MARKETS.

NEW YORK. Cattle $5.00 @ 6.00 Hogs 5.2; @ 5.75 Wheat—No. 1 Hard. 96 @ .97 No. 2 Bed 92 @ '.9216 Corn—No. 2 62 @ .64 Oats—White 40 @ .’45 Pork—New Mess 15.50 @16.25 „ CHICAGO. Cattle—Choice-to Prime Steers 5.25 & 6.00 Good 4.25 @ 5.00 Common to Fair....... 4.00 @4.50 Hogs—Shipping Grades 5.25 @ 6.00 Flour—Winter Wheat 3.75 104.25 Wheat—No. 2 Red Winter 81 @ .8116 Corn—No. 2 49 0 ,49 U Oats—No. 2. 30>$@ .31}$ Butter—Choice Creamery 28 0 .30 Fine Dairy 20 @ .24 Cheese—Full Cream, new 11!$,<« ,12V Eggs—Fresh ” .21 @ .22* Potatoes—Choice, per bu ". .80 @ 'h7 Pork—Mess 14.50 @ls'oo MILWAUKEE. Wheat—Cash 76 @ 77 Corn—No. 3 “ .'47 0 '43 Oats —No. 2 White . .33 @ 3-4 Rye—No. 1 .63 & '.64 Pork—Mess 14.75 @15.25 ST. LOUIS. Wheat—No. 2 Red 82% .8311 Corn—Mixed 47 471^ Oats—Cash 31}$@ .' 32 u Pork—Mess 14.25 & 14.75 TOLEDO. Wheat—Cash. 87 fa .87}$ Corn—No. 2 Mixed .53 @ .54 Oats—No. 2 White ’34 @ ‘35 DETROIT. Beep Cattle 4.00 @ 4.75 Hogs 4.75 @ 5.50 Sheep 4.50 5.50 Wheat—No. 1 White 87 0 87}$ Corn—No. 2 54% it, .55 Oats—No. 2 White. 37 @ .37% CINCINNATI. Wheat—No. 2 Red 87}$ d .88}$ Corn—No. 2..... 53 @ .531$ Oats—No. 2 .34 @ .34}$ Pork-Mbss 15.25 15.75 Live Hogs 5.25 @5 75 BUFFALO. Cattle 4.00 @4.75 Hogs 5.00 I" 6.00 Wheat—No. 1 Hard 90 @ .91 Corn —No. 2 Yellow 69 @ .60 INDIANAPOLIS. Beep Cattle 3.50 @ 5.00 Hogs / 5.00 @5.75 Sheep 3.00 @ 3.75 * Wheat—No. 2 Red 82 @ 83 Corn 52 @ .52}$ Oats—Mixed :... .32% <9 .33 EAST LIBERTY Cattle—Prime 4.75 @5.00 Fair....... 4.00 @ 4.50 Common.... 3.25 @ 3.75 Hogs 5.25 @ 5.75 Sheep 4.25 @ 5.09

STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS.

Annnal Report of Carroll D. Wright, Chief of the Bureau of Labor. Details of Industrial Troubles Occurring in the United States for Six Tears. Vast Sums of Money Lost by Both Employer and Employe—Success and Failures. [Washington special.] Commissioner Carroll D. Wright has submitted to the Secretary of the Interior the third annual report of the Bureau of Labor, which relates entirely to strikes and lockouts for the period of six years ended Dec. 31, 1886. The report is regarded as of special importance, as it is the result of the first general investigation ever made by aDy nation of the facts concerning strikes and lockouts for any extended period of lime or for any wide extent of territory. The report covers about 700 printed pages, and gives the details of each strike and lockout occurring in the United States during the period named. It exhibits the facts belonging to each industrial trouble for each locality where trouble was found, without attempting to establish or decide the connection between them. The following table shows the number of strikes occurring during each of the last six years, and the number of establishments involved.

Concerns Year. Strikes, involved. 1881 471 2,928 1882..... 454 2,105 1883 .- 478 2,759 1884 443 2,307 1885 645 2,285 1886 1,412 9,893 Totals 3,903 22,336 In 1887, the report says, there were, according to the best information obtainable, 853 strikes, details of which are not available. The report shows that during the six years covered by the investigation, New York had the largest number of establishments affected both by strikes and lockouts., there being for the former 9,247 and for the latter 1,528. The building trades furnished 6,060 of the total number of establishments engaged in strikes. The total number of employes involved in the whole number of strikes for the entire period is shown to have been 1,318,624. The number of employes originating the strikes was 1,020,832. The number of employes in all establishments before the strikes occurred was 1,662,045, while the whole number employed in the establishments involved after the strikes was 1,636,247—a loss of 25,798. There were 103,038 new employes engaged after the strikes, and 37,483 were brought from other places than those in which the strikes occurred. In 2,182 establishments ‘lockouts were ordered during the period named. In these there were 173,995 employes before the lockouts occurred and 169,436 after the lockouts, while the number actually locked out was 159,548. There were 13,976 new employes secured at the close of the lockouts, and 5,682 were brought from other places than those in which the lockouts occurred.

“It should be remembered, however,” says the report, “that these figures do not represent the actual number of individual establishments, or different employes engaged, as in many cases there have been two or more strikes or lockouts affecting the same establishment in the same year. In such cases the establishment and the number of employes engaged are duplicated.” Of the whole number of employes involved in strikes during the six years covered by the report, 88.56 percent, were males and 11.44 per cent, were females. Of those involved in lookouts during the same period 68.78 per cent, were males and 31.22 per cent, were females. An examination of the tables appended to the report shows that New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Illinois represent 74.74 per cent, of the whole number of establishments affected by strikes throughout the country, and 90.80 per cent of the lockouts. These five States,it is stated, contain 49 per cent, of all the manufacturing establishments, and employ 58 per cent, of the capital involved m mercantile industries of the United States. Of the 22,336 establishments in which strikes occurred 18,342, or 82.12 per cent, of the whole strikes, were ordered by labor organizations, while of the 2,182 establishments in which lockouts occurred 1,753, or 80.34 per cent., were ordered by combinations of managers. Of the whole number of establishments subjected to strikes, there were temporarily closed for business 13,433, or 60.19 per cent.; on account of lockouts, 62.60 per cent. The average duration of stoppage on account of strikes was 23.1 days, and for lockouts 28 days. The results of the strikes, so far as gaining the objects sought are concerned, are shown to be as follows: Success followed in 1,047 cases, or 46.59 per cent, of the whole; partial success in 3,004, or 13.45 per cent, of the whole; and failure followed in 8,910 cases, or 39.89 per cent, of the whole. - By lockouts 564 establishments* or 25.85 per cent, of the whole, succeeded in gaining their points; 190, or 8.71 per cent., partly succeeded, and 1,305, or 59.80 per cent, failed. As to causes or objecis of strikes, it is shown that increase of wages was the principal one, 42.44 per cent. The other leading causes are given as follows: For reduction of hours, 19.45 per cent.; against reduction of wages, 7.75 per cent.; for increase of wages and reduction of hours, 7.57 per cent.; against increase of hours, 10.62 per cent.; total for the five leading causes, 77.83 per cent. All other causes, 22.17 per cent. Disclaiming absolute accuracy, the report gives the losses of employes and employers resulting from strikes and lockouts as follows: Losses to strikers during the six years covered by the investigations, $51,816,165. Loss to employes through lockouts for the same period, $8,132,717, or a total wage loss to employes of $59,948,882. This loss occurred for both strikes and lookouts in 24,518 establishments, or on an average loss of $2,445 to each establishment, or of nearly S4O to each striker involved. The assistance given to strikers during the same period, so far as ascertainable, amounts to $3,325,057; to those suffering from lockouts, $1,105,538, or a total of $4,430,595. These amounts, however, the Commissioner says, are undoubtedly too low. The employers’ losses* through strikes for the six years amounted to $30,-

732,653; through lockouts, $3,342,261, or a. total loss to the establishments involved of $34,164,914. The appended tables also show that the chief harden of strikes was borne by thirteen industries, viz.: Boots and shoes, 352 establishments; brick-making, 478; building trades, 6,060; clothing, 1,728; cooperage, 484; food preparations, 1,419; furniture, 491; lumber, 395; metals and metallic goods, 1,585; mining, 2,060; stone, 468; tobacco, 1,929; transportation, 1,478. These represent 89.35 per cent, of the whole number subjected to Btrikes. In lockouts five trades bore 80 per cent, of the whole burden, as follows: Boots and shoes, 155 establishments; bnilding trades, 531; clothing, 273; metal and metallic goods, 76; and tobacco, 226; or & total of 1,761.

THIRTEEN THOUSAND.

That Is the Number of Miles of Railroad Constructed During the Year. Kansas Leads, with Nebraska and Texas Following—lnteresting Figures. I Chicago special.] The current number of the Railway Aye says that the year 1887 has surpassed all other years in the extent of railway mileage constructed in the United States. When, six months ago, the prediction was made that the total new mileage for the year “ would not be less than 10,000 miles, with the likelihood of surpassing the record of 1882—the year of greatest railway construction in the history of the country,” it was not generally believed. But the figures obtained by careful investigation throughout the year and confirmed by official information, now prove the prediction to have been more than warranted. The returns show that during 1887 no less than 12,724 miles of new main line track were added to the railway system of the United States, no account being taken in this of the hundreds of miles of side track built, nor of the thousands of miles of main track relaid. It is not improbable that some scattering additions may yet be received; so that it is safe to state that during 1887 nearly, if not quite, 13,000 miles of new main-line track were constructed. These are truly astonishing figures. When in 1882, during a period of extraordinary activity, 11,568 miles of new road were built, it was generally believed that these figures would not again be equaled. In the following year, 1883, the new construction fell to 6,741 miles; in 1884 to 3,825, and in 1885 to 3,608 miles. The year 1886 witnessed a considerable revival of activity and 9,000 miles of new road were built —a greater mileage than in any previous year with the exceptions of 1881 and 1882; and now 1887 has witnessed the building of more miles of railway than 1886 and 1885 combined, and not much less than 1885, 1884 and 1883 together. The following summary shows the detailed records of the number of lines and the mileage laid in eacn State and Territory during the year 1887:

No. lines. M’ls. No. lines. M’ls. Maine 2 31 Indiana 0 115 N. Hampshire. 1 23 Illinois 12 328. Vermont . Wisconsin 11 363 Massachusetts 5 Minnesota 9 196 Connecticut Dakota 17 760 Rhode Island lowa 10 352 New York 6 97 Nebraska...... 17 1,101 New Jersey.... 2 15 Wyoming 3 133 Pennsylvania .13 125 Montana ‘7 616 Delaware Kansas 44 2,070 Maryland...... 1. 18 Missouri 16 551 West Virginia, 3 53 Indian Ter.... 5 493 Virginia 4 OljArkansas 8 153 North Carolina 10 184 Texas 19 *1,035 South Carolina 7 104|Colorado 9 818 Georgia 8 231,New Mexico . 1 1 Florida 10 103]Nevada. Alabama 15 515|California 14 338 Mississippi.,.. 5 99,Jdaho ’2 54 Louisiana 4 65 Utah 1 6 Tennessee 10 68 Arizona 2 70 Kentucky 8 168 Oregon 4 48 Ohio li 155 Washington T. 8 105 Michigan...... 13 700 Total in 42 States 304 12,724 recapitulation. No. Lines. Miles. 3 New England States 8 109’ 5 Middle States 25 308 10 Southern States 81 1,691 5 Middle Western States 59 1,651 6 Northwestern States 63 3,153 6 Southwestern States 101 5,143 j 7 Pacific States 27 648 42 of the 47 States—totals 304 12,724 A TWENTY YEARS’ RECORD. For the purpose of comparison we reprint the following summary of track-lay-ing during each of the twenty years preceding 1887; Year. Miles. Year. Mileß. 1567 2,249 1877 2.280. 1868 2,979 1878 4 ‘2;629 1869 4,615 1879 4,746 1870 6,070 1880 6,876 1871 7,379 1881 9,790 1872 5,873 1882 11,568 1873 4,097 1883 6,741 1874. 2,117 1584 3,825 1875 1,711 1885 3.608 1876 2,712 1886 9,0j0 The Railway Age says: Not only is the aggregate mileage thus shown extraordinarily great, but the number of different lines constructed is seen to be surprisingly large, aggregating, after deducting for the > duplicating of roads lying in two or more States, no less than 364 lines. Of course the number of companies building these lines was very much less than this; but these figures show that the new mileage is not made up chiefly by a few long lines, • but consists of main lines and branches ramifying in all directions and supplying facilities for transportation to innumerable communities and to vastly extended regions. What has been the cost of this year’s work? Many of the lines have been built through comparatively level country, requiring but little grading and bridgebuilding; but, on the other hand, many other lines have been most costly ;^for example, those over the Rooky Mountains in Colorado, the Southern Pacific extension in Northern California, the Atchison’s Kansas City and Chicago extension, the Nort iem Pacific’s work in the Cascade Mountains, and others. Moreover, several of the companies have purchased costly terminal facilities in large cities, while nearly all have made extensive purchases of equipment. It is probably fair to assume that the total cost of roadway, bridges, stationbuildings, terminal facilities, and equipment of these new lines averaged $25,000 per mile; at which rate it appears that not far from $325,000,000 have been expended on the lines completed during the year. But even this prodigious sum does not by any means cover all the outlay for new construction, as a large amount of grading and bridge-bnilding has been done on extensions where the track has not vefe been laid.