Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1882 — Page 7

Rensselaer Republican.

BY GEO. E. MARSHALL.

Electric lights have been largely introduced in the Government establishments of Japan. The City Architect reports 2,000 bouses inside the corporation limits of the City of Mexico as being built or undergoing repairs. Several parties are speaking of constructing a large American hotel. An Oregon boy, who had no string to his kite, went into a drug store and bought a penny’s worth of licorice. While the druggist was serving him, he tied an end of the string from the druggist’s ball of string to his dog’s tail, and then, kicking the dog, drove him out of the shop. After the dog had unreeled all that the boy thought he needed, he cut the string, took his licorice and walked out of the apothecary’s shop without that person’s even suspecting the trick. The papers credit to the present Marquis of Queensbury the rules of the prize ring which bear his name. The author of those rules has been dead many years. The present Marquis, who made a feol of himself recently, in an English theater, is a man under 40 years of age, a brother of Lady Flor ence Dixie, the well-known English traveler. Like his grandfather, he is regarded as “a hard* character,” though his father, coming between the two, was a man of exemplary life. The election of Thomas P. Ochiltree to Congress, from Texas, has been looked upon in the light of a joke by many who know him. But he seems to have taken a practical way to inform himself as to his duties when his term of office begins. He has started on a tour of his district to learn the wants of his constituents and what legislation will conduce to their prosperity. This does not indicate that the commercial interests of Galveston, which is included in the district, will suffer, as the supporters of Mr. Ochiltree’s opponents are loudly claiming. —New York Tribune.

London contains 4,788,657 inhabitants, a population nearly equal to that of the whole State of New York. Last year 26,170 houses, covering a length of 80 miles, were built in that city. This vast human hive extends, from its center to its circumference, about 15 miles, that is, its diameter averages about 30 miles. Out of this vast multitude last year, 23 children and 150 adults totally disappeared, leaving no trace. Fiftyfour bodies were found which could not be identified. What a world of crime and misery is involved in this vast aggregation of human beings known as the City of London. An establishment has been opened in London c died “the Health Home,” by a Dr. Quentin, who proposes to cure al diseases by a dietary system. The pa tient is handed by a servant in black and gold a card specially prepared, on which he will find his soup, if soup is allowed; his fish, if it is permitted; hi joint, if it suits his condition, and so on, to the coffee. There also he will find inscribed the mineral water suitable to the state of his liver, with directions respecting the dessert, which will consist of a digestive pill or two, a pepsin sandwich, or some equally attractive novelty. Specialties in medicine have their special temptations. A New York lady was troubled Avifcli granulated eyelids, a very slight matter, easily cured by any physician with one or two applications of a wash. But she consulted a distinguished oculist, who excited her hopes and fears and kept her dancing attendance at his office for an entire year. For her many daily visits to his office she Avas charged $lO each, which made a very handsome addition to the M. D.’s yearly income. At last she met a friend who had had a similar experience, and, following his advice, went to another physician, by whom her trifling trouble was promptly remedied. A long and active agitation of the question of the Bible in the public schools, in Canada, has culminated in a formal demand upon the Dominion Government by those who favor Christian exercises for the pupils. They state their ultimatum as follows: “That the Bible be used not as a reading book, but devotionally, in connection Avith the prescribed prayer, at the opening of the school each morning, and that

both teachers and pupils read together the selection prescribed for each particular school day throughout the year. We do not ask that the Bible be used as a text book in the public schools. We do not ask that the teachers be required to give expositions or explanations of the meaning of the passages of scripture.” The Wayland Liquor law, passed by the last Connecticut Legislature, requires that all access to a saloon from a dwelling in the same building shall be closed, but it does not demand that the doors leading into other parts of the building not used for dwelling purposes shall be closed. The object is to stop illegal selling on Sunday by means of private entrances. An examination of the premises of applicants for license will be made by the prosecuting agent without cost to them, and upon-matters being arranged to the agent’s satisfaction he gives a note to the County Com missioners. The seal he has adopted is effectual and ingenious, and yet very simple. He takes a slip of stout paper about an inch in length, bearing his signature, tacks it on the door-casing, and closes the door; the paper is then lapped over on the inside of the door, and a long screw driven obliquely through into the casing; this is covered with sealing wax and stamped with a seal about the size of a 25-cent piece, a regular Chi« nese puzzle. If the door is opened, not only is the seal destroyed, but the paper is broken ajul detection is sure. By the law any person opening the door renders himself liable to have his license revoked, and thereby loje his business. About fifty doors have been thus sealed so far, and '.here are nearly twice as many yet to look after.

According to Gen. Walker, Philadelphia is making herself ridiculous by protesting against the accuracy of her manufacturing interests on the basis of the returns of 1870. Philadelphia, it appears, is in the same position concerning this census that St. Louis was in concerning the census of her population. By stuffing the returns of 1870 with about 70,000 bogus names collected from ancient directories and hotel registers, St. Louis had her population returned by the Census Bureau at a little more than 312,000, which put her ahead of Chicago by about 14,000. In 1880 the census enumerators reported her population to be 334,000, showing an increase over the previous census of only 22,000. Immediately St. Louis set up a great howl, and charged the census takers with gross errors. Gen. Walker thereupon produced proofs of the frauds of 1870, and sliOAved to St. Louis that at that time she had about 240,000 inhabitants, ins' ead of the 312,000 reported, an I that her growth, which appeared insignificant owing to these frauds, really amounted to about 90,000. A subsequent census practically demonstrated the correctness of the Government census takers. Gen. Walker charges that Philadelphia has been equally tricky in her manufacturing statistics. The census of he manufacturing statistics was taken in 1870 by a local statistician named Blodgett, who, it is said, stuffed his returns to make the city rank higher as a manufacturing center than the real condition of her industries warranted. The figures of 1880 do not show the expected increase, and, like St. Louis, she has to pay the penalty of the fraud.

Prayer Rugs.

Strange are the vagaries of fashion. Among the latest of its freaks is said to he the introduction of “prayer rugs,” to be used by the fashionable ladies. They have come from the misty East, along with Japanese attar of roses, and other delectable things, and the aroma of “Araby the blest” is supposed to cling to them, even when they are bought from an Irish Turk on Broadway. They are described as being similar to those used by the Mohammedans, are usually about three by four feet in size, and can be distinguished by the design, which alVays represents some large figure at one end, and is pointed at the other. Places are indicated for the hand and knees. Devout women procure the real things from an importer, and, without facing Mecca, bumping their head on the floor or removing their shoes and| stockings, like the sons of the Prophet, still actually do use them to kneel on while praying. They ard said to be a great comfort. “How lovely the fields and woods are in their autumnal tints,” said Miss Fitzjoy. “Yes,” chimed in Farmer Robinson ; “but they aren’t so lovely as they was when things were growing and making money for me.” This practical view of things was entirely new to Miss Fitzjoy. ’ The pecan crop is one of the heaviest known in Northwestern Texas.

THE MESSAGE.

annual Communication of (ho President to Congress. Gratifying Condition of Our Foreign Relations. The Executive Recommends a Be* duetion of Taxation. He Also Has a Word to Say in Regard to River and Harbor Bills. President Arthur’s animal message was delivered to Congress Immediately after the assembling of that body on Monday, Deo. 4. It la the longest document of this character that has come from a national Chief Magistrate in recent years, and reviews the events of the year, first calling attention to the gratifying condition of affairs. It mentions the arrest of American citizens in Great Britain, and a manifestation on the part of that Government to respect our righ s by the release of the arrested parties. The President says that the claim of this uation in regard to the supervision and control cf any intcr-oceanic canal across the American lsUmiu&.haß continued to l>e the subject of conCeience with Great Britain. It is likely that lime will be more powerful than discussion in removing the divergence between the two na ions, whose friendship is so closely cemented by the intimacy ot their relations and the community of their interests. Our long-established friendliness with Russia remains unbroken, and the proffer of the counsel of this Government that measures be taken by that nation to prevent further persecutions of the Jews has been courteously received. 1 Upon the subject of Chinese immigration, the Executive says: “The recent legislation restricting immigration of laborers irom China has aiven ) ise to the question whether Chinese proceeding to or from another country may lawfully pass through our own. In construing the act of May 6, I.vjl, in connection wi;h the treaty of November 7, 1880, the restriction would seem to be. limited to Chinese immigrants coming to the United States as laborers, and Bhould not foibid a mere transit across our territory. I ask the attention of Congress to the subject for such action, if any, as it may deem advisable." The President calls the attention of Congress to the prevailing lawlessness on the Mexican border. A partial relief from these mischiefs has been sought in a convention, which now awaits the approval of the Senate, as does also anothor touching the establishment of the international boundary between the United States and Mexico. If the latter Is ratified, the action of Con- . will be required for establishing suitable •ommissions of survey. The President refers to the war between Peru and Chili, and the failure of the efforts of this Government to bring about a cessation of hostilities, and deplores the fact that Chill seems disposed to exact such merciless terms of peace. He expresses the hope that Congress may authorize an International Peace Congress, with a view of bringing about an amicable settlement of the troubles.

The Executive renews his recommendation of such legislation as will place the United States In harmony with other maritime powers with respect to the international rules for the prevention of collisions at sea. In conformity with a joint resolution of Conmess, adopted last August, the President directed the Secretary of State to address foreign Governments in respect to a proposed conference tor considering the subject of the universal adoption of a common meridian to be used in the reckoning of longitude, and in the regulation of time throughout the civilized world. Replies have been received, and will in due time be laid before Congress. The President urges a reorganization of the diplomatic and consular service on a salaried basis, the fees to go into the national treasury. Doing the year there have been organized 171 national banks, and of these institutions there are now in operation 2,209—a larger number than ever before. The value of their notes in actual circulation on July 1,1882, was $324,65r>,458. The President calls the attention of Congress to the views of the Secretary of the Treasury, in respect to the livelihood of a serious contraction of this circula ion and to the modes by which that result may, in his judgment, be averted. In respect to the coinage of silver dollars and the retirement oi silver certificates the Executive says the mass of accumulated coin has grown so great that the vault room at pre ent available for storage is searcely sufficient to contain it, and fails to see why it is desirable to continue this coinage now so enormously in excess of the public demand. As to the silver certificates, the President says that, in addition to the grounds which seemed last year to justify their retirement, may be mentioned the effect which is likely to ensue trom the supply of gold certificates for which issuance Congress recently made provision, and which are now in active circulation. The President urges upon Congress a reduction of taxation and a readjustment of the tariff. Upon these important questions we present his views in full. You cannot fail to notice with interest the discussion by the Secretary as to the necessity of providing by legislation some mode of freeing the treasury of an excess of assets. In the event' that Congress fails to reach an early agreement for the reduction of taxation, i heartily approve the Secretary's recommendation of immediate and extensive reductions in the annual revenues of the Government. It will be remembered that I urged upon the attention of Congress at its last session the importance of relieving the industry and enterprise of the country from the pressure from unnecessary taxation. It is one of the tritest maxims of political economy that all taxes are burdensome, however wisely and prudently imposed, and though there have alway - been among our people wide differences of sentiment as to the best methods of r»lsing the nationa revenues, and, indeed, as to the principles upon which taxation should be based, there lias been substantial accord in the doctrine thit only such taxes ought to be levied as are necessary for a wise and economical administration of the Government. Of late the public revenues have far exceeded that limit, and unless checked by appropriate legislation, such excess will continue to increase from year to year. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1881, the surplus revenue amounted to $100,000,000. For the fiscal year ended on the 30th of June last, the surplus was more than $145,000,000. The report of the Secretary shows what disposition has been made of these moneys. They have not onlv answered the requirements of the sinking fund, but have afforded a large balance apgli cable to other reductions of the public debt lut I renew the expression of my conviction that such rapid extinguishment of the national indebtedness as is now taking place is by no means a cause for congratulation. It is a cause, rather, for serious apprehension. If it continues, it must speedily be followed by one of the evil results so clearly set forth in the report of the Secretary. Either the surplus must lie idle in the treasury, or the Government will be forced to buy, at market rates, its bonds, not then redeemable, and which, under such circumstances, cannot fail to command an enormous premium, or the swollen revenues will be devoted to extravagant expenditure, which, as experience has taught, is ever the bane of an overflowing treasury. It was made apparent in the course of the animated discussions which the question aroused at the last session of Congress that the policy of diminishing the revenue by reducing taxation commanded the general approval of the members of troth houses. I regret that, because of conflicting views as to the best methods by which that policy should be made operative, none of its benefits nave as yet been reaped, in fulfillment of what I deem my constitutional duty, but with little hope that I can make a valuable contribution to this vexed question, 1 shill proceed to intimate briefly my own view in rotation to it: Upon the showing of our financial condition at the close of the last fiscal year I felt Justified

in recommending to Congress the abolition of Internal-revenue taxes except those upon tobacoo in its various forms and upon distilled spirits and fermented liquors, and exoept, also, the special tax upon the manufacturers and dealers in such articles. I venture now to snggest that, unless it shall be ascertained that the probable expenditures of the Government for the coming year have been underestimated, all internal taxes save those which relate to distilled spirits can be prudently abrogated. Such a course, if accompanied by a simplification of the machinery of collection, which would then be easy of accomplishment, might reasonably be expected to result in diminishing the oost of such collection by at least two millions and a half, and in the retirement from office of from 1,500 tz\s,ooo persons. The system of excise duties has never commended itself to the favor of the American people, and has never been resorted to except for supplying deficiencies in the treasury, when, by reason of speoial Sncies, the duties on imports have proved quate for the needs of the Government. The sentiment of the country doubtless commands that the present excise tax shall be abolished as soon as sueh oourse can safely be pursued. It seems to me, hpwever, for various reasons, so sweeping a measure as the total abolition of internal taxes would, for the present, be an nnwise step. Two of these reasons are deserving of special mention. 1. It is by no means clear that, even if the existing system of duties on Imports is continued without modification, those duties alone will yield sufficient revenue for all the needs of the Government. It Is estimated that SIOO,000,000 will be required for pensions during the coming year, and it may well be doubted whether the maximum annual demand for that object bas yet been reached. Uncertainty upon this question would alone justify, in my judgment, the retention, for the present, of that portion of the system of internal revenue whloh is least objectionable to the people. 2. A total abolition of excise taxes would almost inevitably prove a serious, if not an insurmountable, objection to a thorough revision of the tariff and to any considerable reduotlon in imi>ort duties. The present tariff system is, in many respects, unjust. It makes unequal distributions both of its burdens and its benefits. The revenue from customs for the fiscal year ending June :jo, 1579. amounted to $137,000,000. It has in the three succeeding years reached first $180,000,000; then $ 198,000, ooo; and finally, as has been already stated, $220,000,000. The Income from this source for the fiscal year which will end on June 30,1883, will doubtless be considerably in excess ot the sum last mentioned. If the tax on domestic spirits Is to be retained, it is plain, therefore. that latge reductions from the customs revenue are entirely feasible. While recommending this reduction I am far from- advising the abandonment of the policy of so discriminating in the adjustment of details as to afford aid and protection to domestic labor. But the present system should be so revised as to eqnalize the public burden among all classes and occupations, and bring it into closer harmony with the present needs of industry. Without entering into minute detail, widen, under present circumstances, is quite unnecessary, I recommend an enlargement of the free list so as to Include within it the numerous articles which yield inconsiderable revenue: a simplification of the complex and inconsistent schedule of duties upon certain manufactures, particularly those of cotton, Iron aud steel, and a substantial reduction of the duties upon those articles and upon sugar, molasses, silk, wool and woolen goods. If a general revision of the tariff shall be found to be Impracticable at this session, I express tlio hope that at least some of the more conspicuous inequalities of the present law may be corrected before your final adjournment. One of them is specially referred to by the Secretary. In view of the recent decision of the Supremo Court, the necessity of amending the law by which the Dutch standard of color is adopted as the test of the saccharine strength of sugars Is too obvious to require comment. Our Indian affairs are represented to be in a satisfactory condition, and no trouble is apprehended in the future. The President directs attention to our inadequate sea-coast defenses, and expresses the hope that adequate appropriations may be made to strengthen them. The attention of Congress is invited to the propriety of making mare adequate provision for arming and equipping the malitla than are afforded by the act of 1800, which is still upon the statute bo Its.

Upon the subject es River and Harbor bills, the President says: “The grounds that impelled me to withhold my signature from the bill entitled ‘An act making appropriations for the construction, repair and preservation of certain works on rivers and harbors,* Avhtch became a law near the close of your last session, force me to express the hope that no similar measure will be deemed necessary during the present session of Congress. Indeed, such a measure would now l>e open to serious objection, in addition to that which was lately urged upon your attention. I am informed by the Secretary of War that the greater imrtion of the sum appropriated for the varlousitems specified in that act remains unexpended. The President thinks that, “so far as concerns most of the items to which the act of Congress of Aug, 2, 1882, relates, there can be no need "f further appropriations until after the close of the present session. If, however, any action should seem to be necessary in respect to particular objects, it will be entirely feasible to provide for those objects by appropriate legislation. It is possible, for example, that a delay until the assembling of the next Congress, to make additional provision for the Mississippi river improvements, might be attended with serious consequences. If such should appear to be the case, a just bill relating to that subject would command my approval. This leads me to offer a suggestion which I trust will commend itself to the wisdom of Congress. Js it not advisable that grants of considerable sums of money for diverse and Indeixmdent schemes of internal improvement should be made the subject of separate and distinct legislative enactments? It will scarcely be gainsaid, even by those who favor the most liberal expenditures for such purposes as are sought to l)e aoc inplished by what is commonly cal ed the River and Harbor bill, that the practice of grouping in such a bill appropriations for a great diversity of objects widely separated, eihter in their nature, in the locality with which they are concerned, or in both, is one which is to be deprecated. Unless it is divisible, it inevitably tends to secure the success of the bill as a whole, though many of the items, if separately considered, could scarcely fail of rejection. By the adoption of the course I have recommended, every member of Congress, when opportunity should arise for giving his influence and vote for meritorions appropriations, would be enabled to do so without being called upon to sanction others undeserving his approval. So, also, would the Executive be afforded thereby a full opportunity to exercise his constitutional prerogative of opposing whatever appropriations seemed to him objectionable, without Imperiling the success of others which commend themselves to his Judgment. It may be urged in opposition to these suggestions that the number of works of international improvements which are justly entitled to Governmental aid is so great as to render impracticable separate appropriation bills therefor, or even for such a comparatively limited number as make disposltio of large sums of money. This objection may be well founded, and whether it be or not, the advantages which would be likely to ensue from the adoption of the course I have recommended may, perhaps, be more effectually attained by another, which I respectfully submit to Congress as an alternative proposition. It is provided by the constitutions of fourteen of our States that the Executive may disapprove any item or items of a bill appropriating money, whereupon the parts of the bill approved shall be a law, and the part disapproved shall fail to become a law unless repassed according to the provisions prescribed for the passage of bills over the veto of. the Executive. The States wherein some such provision as the foregoing is a part of the fundamental law are Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia. I commend to your careful consideration the question whether an amendment ot the Federal constitution in the particular indicated would not afford the best remedy for what is often a grave embarrassment both to members of Congress and the Executive, and is sometimes a serious public mischief." The President calls attention to that portion of the Secretary of the Navy’s report in referring to the reorganization of our navy, and the continued decadenoe of our commercial marine, and hopes the recommendations therein contained may receive the careful reflection of our national legislators. The President professes gratification that the

Postoffloe Department has become self-sustain-ing, and directs attention to the report of the Postmaster General in reference to the advisablltty of changing the present, basis for fixing salaries and allowances; of extending the money-order system: ot enlarging the functions of the postal establishment, so as to have under its control the telegraph system of th - country, though from this last and most-important recommendation the Executive with' olds his concurrence. The President earnestly recommends that letter postage reduced to be cents per ounce. Upon the subject of the star-route cases tho President says; “In my message of Docemlier last I referred to pending criminal proceedings growin g out of alleged frauds—what is known as the Btar-route service of the postoffico Department, and advised you I had enjoined upon the Attorney General and associate counsel to whom the interests of the Government were intrusted, the duty ot pros outing with the utmost vigor of the law all persons who might be found ohargeable with these offenses. A trial of one of these oases has since occurred. It occupied for many weeks the attention of the Supreme Court of this district, and was oonduotea with great seal and ability. It resulted in a disagreement of the jury; but the cause has been again plaoed upon the calendar, and will shortly be retried. If any guilty persons shall finally escape punishment for tbeir offenses, it will not be for lack of diligent and earnest efforts on the part of the proseoatton." The President urges upon Congress the reenactment of aaauonal bankrupt law. In regard to the Indians, the President renews his former recommendations as to extending to these wards of the nation the protection of the law, allotting land in severally to suoh as desire, and making suitable provision for the education of Indian youths. lu regard to the regulation of inter-state commerce the President says: “One of the incidents of the marvelous extension of the railway system of the country has been the adoption of such m ‘Hsures by the corporations whloh own or control the roads as has tended to Impair tho advantages of healthful competition, and make hurtful discriminations in the adjustment of freightage. Those inequalities ■ ave boen corrected in several of the States by appropriate legislation, the effect of which is necessarily restricted to the limits of tholr own Territory. So far as moh mischiefs affect commerce between the Mates or between any one of tho States and a foreign country, they are subjfceU of national concern', and Congress alone Can afford relief." The Executive makes brief referenoe to the efforts for the suppression of polygamy in the Territories, aud thinks it is not probable that any additional legislation in this regard will be deemed desirable until the effect of existing laws shall be more closely observed and studied, lie congratulates Congress that the Commissioners under whose supervision those laws have been put lu operation are encouraged to bellove that tho evil at which they aimed may bo suppressed without resort to such radical measures as in some quarters have been thought indispensable for success. The President says the condition of the forests of the country and tho wasteful manner of their destruction taking place, give cause for serious apprehension, and the attention of Congress is invited to the necessity of additional legislation to seenre the preservation of the valuable forests still remaining on the public domain. President Arthur devotes considerable space to the subject of appointments to the publio service and political sssessments. Upon the firstnamed topic he says: "in tho judgment of not a few who have given study and reflection to this matter, the nation has outgrown the provisions which the constitution has established for filling the minor offices in the publio service. But whatever may be thought of the wisdom or expediency of changing, the fundamental law in this regard, it is certain that much relief may be affordel, not only to the President and to the beads of the departments, but to Senators and Representatives in Congress. I trust that before the close of the present session some decisive action may be taken for the correction of the evils which inhere in the present methods of appointment, and I assure you of my hearty 00-opera-tlon in any measures which are likely to conduce to that end as to the most appropriate term aud tenure of the official life of the subordinate employes of tho Government. It soems to be generally agreed that, whatever their extent or character, the one should be definite and the other stable, and that neither should be regulated by zeal in the service of party or fidelity to the fortunes of an individual. It matters little to the people at large what competent person is at the hea<l of this department or that bureau, if they feel assured the removal of oue and tho accession of another will not Involve the retirement of honest and faithful subordinates whose duties are purely administrative, and have no legitimate connection with the triumph of any political principles or the success of any political party or faction.” In regard to politioal assessments, the President says: "I declare my approval of snoh legislation as may be found necessary for supporting the existing provisions of law in relation to political assessment In July last I authorized a publio announcement that employes of the Government shonld regard themselves as at liberty to exercise their pleasure in making or refusing to make political contributions, and that their action in that regard would in no manner affect their/ official stations. In this announcement, I noted upon the view which I had always maintained, and still maintain, that a publio officer should be as absolutely free as any other citizen to give or to withhold a contribution for tho aid of tho Solitical party of his choice. It has, owever, been urged, and doubtless not without foundation in fact, that by the solicitation of superiors and by other modes, suoh contributions have at times been obtained from persons whose only motive for giving has been a fear of what might befall them if they refused. It goes without saying that such contributions are not voluntary. In my judgment, their collection should be prohibited by law. A bill which will effectually suppress them will receive my cordial approval.

The Bureau of Printing and Engraving.

The annual report of CoL Irish, Chief of the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, shows that during the year there were completed and delivered 7,041,108 sheets of notes and securities of a face value of $309,857,709; 34,261,459 sheets of internal revenue and custom*! cigar stamps, containing 987,221,149 stamps; 649,019 sheets of checks, drafts, etc. The aggregate expenditares for the year were $9:16,760. Of this amount there was expended in the execution of work for the various bureaus of the Treasury Department and other departments, and reimbursed by them from proper appropriations under their control, $588,950. The aggregate expenditures of the year, over those of the preceding year, deducting from the expenditures of that year the amounts paid for paper and expenses thereon, which, this year, were paid by a separate appropriation, were a little less than 12 per cent., and the Increase in deliveries was a little over 20 per cent. The increase in the number of employes was about 10 per cent. At the close of the war the regular force of the bureau consisted of about 1.000 employes.

The Sounds of Venice.

I should go even further than I went just now, and say that the voice of the gondolier is, in fact, the sound of Venice. There is scarcely any other, and that, indeed, is part of the interest of the place. There is no noise there save distinctly human noise; no rumbling, no vague uproar, nor rattle of wheels and hoofs. It is all articulate, personal sound. One may say, indeed, that Venice is, emphatically, the city of conversation; people talk all over the place, because there is nothing to interfere with their being heard. Among the populace it is a kind of family party. The still water carries' the voice, and good Venetians exchange confidence at a distance of half a mile. It saves a world of trouble. Their delightful garrulous language helps them to make Venetian life a long conversazione. — Henry James, Jr., in the Century. Only one-third of the farmers of the United States use reapers or mowers.