Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 December 1897 — IN GENERAL. [ARTICLE]

IN GENERAL.

Prof. Hale of the Yerkes Observatory says there is nothing uncommon or extraordinary about the recently reported spots on the sun. Slosson, the “Student,” has agreed to play Billiardist Schaefer. Ives has begun practice in 18-inch balk-line billiards for his rivals in the coming tourney. A court martial has been ordered to meet at the Mare Island navy yard for the trial of Lieut. Theodore Lafavor, U. S. N., on charges of scandalous conduct suid drunkenness on duty. At Toronto, Ont., the liquidator of the Farmers’ Loan and Savings Company reports that the company took credit for $361,000 more income than it actually earned, and continued to pay handsome dividends after it was insolvent. Charles G. Warren of Port Townsend, Wash., a returning passenger on the steamer Alki, reports the discovery of rich placer diggings near Dyea. He says there has been a stampede from Dyea to the placers, which are ninety-six miles above the town, and that the discoveries caused great excitement there. News was also brought down on the Alki of a late discovery on Deadwood creek, seven miles from Daweon City, on the opposite side of the Yukon. The lake season has closed. The regular marine insurance has expired and but few boats are out. Fifty million tons of freight have been carried since navigation opened, and yet, despite the fact that the records of all previous - years have been surpassed, the vesselmen are far from satisfied, owing to the low rates that have prevailed. There is a desire among vesselmen to form a combine to prevent the decline in freight rates brought about by the deep waterways. The depreciation in vessel property on this account is estimated at $10,000,000. There is more gold in the world by $215,900,000 than there was a year ago, writes the Washington correspondent of the Chicago Journal. The total stock of the world’s gold, including all used in the arts and for purposes of money throughcivilization, is estimated by the director of the mint, in his report just issued, to be $4,359,600,000. This is an increase from $4,143,700,000 in 1896. A certain amount of this enormous increase has come from recently discovered mines in Alaska. A large amount comes also from Russian and South American mines, and much from the regular sources which continue in operation. The decreased relative value of silver has discouraged the mining of that metal, and in consequence the stock of silver shows a much smaller relative increase, the total amount in existence now being $4,268,300,000. Last year the supply was $4,236,900,000. Russia and the United States have been cornering the gold market. The former country has increased her supply of the prescious metal $98,300,000, while the United States has gathered in $24,100,000. Aus-tria-Hungary comes next in point of gold wealth, having $11,300,000. and the gold stocks of the United Kingdom and France are no larger than a year ago. Some interesting figures have been gathered by Comptroller Eckels, showing the amount of money which each person has on an average in the principal civilized countries. According to these statistics, the citizens of France are wealthier than those of any other country, having $34.68 each of money—silver, gold and paper. The United States comes next, each of its inhabitants being entitled to $23.70. Of gold money, the Frenchman has $30.05, while the American has $9.55. The Britisher has on an average $20.65, of which $14.75 is gold. The poorest person in the world is the Turk, who has but $4.09, about half of which is in silver and half in gold.