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Reins of Government Are Placed in His Hands. SOLEMN OATH TAKEN Thousands View the Inaugural Ceremonies. IVtrlit'fsm of feventy Million People I'rjnthctl Into the Inonjrnral Cere- inouiea--Unconnte 1 Thousands View I r-ceedinsrs-,-Resplendent Scene in the t-eoate Chamber-Gorgeous Mil- it iry Pnjjeant the Great Spectacular J'caturc --Brilliant Decorations of the Capital--Grand Ball. UNWlH WILLIAM M'KINLEY, Twenty-fourth President of the United Statss. ,\M*» mim AVENtiSW William : MeKinley, of Ohio, is now Presuierit of the United States. Standing will* bowed head before An immense gath­ ering yf people, he took the oath to faith­ fully perform the duties of the office. The cercuioiiy was performed by Chief Justice Fuller; With an expression of humility •mriig.lod- with realization of the heavy ItVmleUij lit; Was about- to assume, Mr. Me­ Kinley bent his head and repeated in a H/ dear voice the words: h- "1 do solemnly swear that I will faith­ fully execute the office of President of the I'niU'd States and will to the best of i.iv ability, preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States." j There was a deathlike silence as the preparations for administering the oath were begun. The . people could see the pantomime enacted, but only the favored IV'.v in the immediate vicinity could hear the wprds; then u cannon shot was heard. This marked the begiuuing of the term of William MeKinley as President, aiid in- Kiantly a tremendous cheer went up. Hats, cm lies, handkerchiefs and other articles were waved as President MeKinley step­ ped to the edge of the Capitol portico and litiui-d his acknowledgments to the peo- i pie. ? As soon as the President noticed a 1 JUilMh the applause he began to deliver the inaugujjhl address. At least 150,000 te;i a'liac^s witnessed the ceremony, while t' <• <-aifit;il city citizens, numbering 300.- people, lined the streets and filled the avenues. Capitol Plaza, where President MeKinley stood, was filled with a seeth- irs-t. surging mass of between 50,000 and ' C .1)00 people. DAWN OF A NEW DAY. TARIFF, BIMETALLISM, AND IM- PROVED BUSINESS. Era of Prosperity Promised by Re­ publicans in the Campaign of 1890 Has Begun' with the Year 1897-- Progress .of the Tariff Bill. low rates desired by the manufacturers that the committee is now engaged. A. B. CARSON. Good Washington News. Special Washington correspondence: The report of the House Committee on Coinage,1 Weights and Measures fa*- vol's the immediate passage in the House of the Senate resolution author­ izing President MeKinley to appoint delegates to an international.conference aud to call such a conference, if neces­ sary. Tiiis shows that it is. the deter­ mination of the Republicans generally bow of bright color, in which Old Glory predominated. linormons Gathering of People. To witness all this display there was a mighty gathering of the American people in the capital and even up to noon the railroads poured thousands into the city to swell the great total of strangers. Ev­ erybody agreed that it was an ideal inau­ guration day as far as the weather was concerned, for those who expected to march in the parade, while the increasing PARADE OX PENNSYLVANIA There'have been many inaugurations in Washington, but in many respects that of March 4, 1897, will go down in history as excelling all that have gone before. The citizens of the capital city worked to that end with a degree of energy unknown, and the great popular demonstration was a unique and shining success in every particular. In beauty, in taste, in uovelty the decorations of the city were incom­ parably superior to anything ever seen in Washington; the magnificent body of reg­ ular United States troops was more num­ erous than any gathered since Grant's great display at the close of the war; sev­ enteen sovereign States had their citizens in the line of parade and over sizty civil organizations helped swell its magnificent (proportions. Along the broad avenue, on every open space, were erected grand stands that, instead of being disfigurements to the TAKING THE OATH. (Scene, as has been the case in days gone jby--mere scaffolds of rough boards--were toot only comfortably covered and of pret­ ty architectural design, but were most ap- ipropriately and substantially decorated. The citizens had spent money with a lib­ eral hand to beautify their houses and with the aid of the thousands of flags of every kind loaned by the National Gov­ ernment, Pennsylvania avenue, the great artery of the city, was turned into a rain- warmth of the sun' as it mounted higher in the blue sky reassured the persons who feared for thear comfort in the covered grand stands. : The executive committee had been at work all night and by morning there was a double line of cable two miles in length stretched along both sides of the avenue on the line of march, which promised the most effective protection ever designed to keep the crowd from closing in on the line of the parade. Detachments of thet regular troops to take part in the great "display were early abroad, swinging along at a quickstep, easy aud confident, in sharp contrast to the more gaudy overcoat militiamen Seats were in great demand. The bril­ liant day sent the stock of the grand stands up several points, and there was scarcely a seat to be had on any of the big stands. Nearly every building along the lipe of march that had a window com­ manding a view of the avenue was in the market. The prices asked had been phe nomenal--$25 being the lowest for which a single window could be had, while the prices ranged from that figure to §300 for a three-window room. Calvin Brice of Ohio paid §1,000 for an avenue room for the day at Willard's with luncheon served for a small party, and Secretary Carlisle a good price for one in the Postal Telegraph building. While the rest of the town was pulsing with enthusiastic anticipation, there sat at his desk in tfie White House the man who is now ex-Pre&ident. Even his in disposition of Tuesday did not keep^him from his work. "Mr. Cleveland toiled through most of Wednesday night, and when he resumed his labors in the morn ing the electric lights had to be turned on, for day had not broken yet. He work­ ed on till the hour for him to leave the White House for the last time as Presi­ dent, and then he laid down his pen with the satisfaction to himself, at least, of duty done. His cabinet officers also were similarly engaged in cleaning jjp the final bits of business on their desks, and, like their chief, were ready to relinquish the cares of office. Close of Congress. And up o"h the hill-in the great white building,^ bathed in ,th^ bright sunshine, the congressional mill was grinding on and on and on, intent on making up for lost time. The House was noisy, the Senate calm and quiet. Bills werie being ground out with a speed which made those spectators who have been watching progress of this great national legislative mill for the past two years dizzy. An im­ mense throng of people stood rojjnd.the outer doors of the Capitol, beseeching, clamoring, demanding admission, but the police, obedient to orders issued by their superiors, because the capacity of the building could not be stretched, refused admission to all save those who held tick­ ets to the Senate, where the dignitaritjs of the nation were assembled. A sound night's rest put the President­ elect in perfect condition for the exhaust­ ing functions of the day. He had retired early, so that he enjoyed a full night's repose, and the beneficial effect was plain­ ly visible when he arose Thursday morn­ ing and saluted Mrs. MeKinley with the remark that it was the first day of her accession to the dignity and title of the first lady of the land. At five minutes to 10 o'clock Senator Sherman and Senator Mitchell of Wis­ consin, of the Senate committee appointed to conduct the inauguration, appeared and announced that they had come to escort the President-elect to the Capitol. They were admitted at once and exchanged greetings with Mr. and Mrs. MeKinley. Soon the President-elect emerged front his reception room on the arm of Senator Sherman. He looked calm and walked firmly. Just behind him came Secretary Porter, with Senator Mitchell of Wiscon­ sin. Capt. Heistand of the army, with Abner MeKinley, brought up the rear and kept back the people who pressed upon the party, even in the hotel corridors. As the party emerged from the private entrance of the Ebbitt there was a roar of applause that shook the buildings. The street was packed with a solid mass of people, through which the carriage that was to convey the President-elect to the White House could scarcely be driven. While the police struggled to clear a passage through the crowd the President­ elect stood at the head of the granite steps and bowed his acknowledgments. The applause became deafening as he crossed the sidewalk and mounted the carriage step, so great that he stopped again, while the horses reared and champed uneasily in the din, and turned from side to side with uncovered head, his face expressing the appreciation he felt of this great manifes­ tation of popular esteem. The President­ elect was seated with Senator Sherman, sitting on the rear seat, and Senator Mitchell and Mr. Porter occupied the front seat. The start was made for the White House amid renewed cheering by the crowd. Troop A of the Cleveland crack cavalry troop, comprising about 100 men, -splendidly mounted on black chargers, opened the way through the mass of peo­ ple, with a line stretching almost across the street; the coachman gave the word to his horses, the carriage fell in behind and the way was taken down Fourteenth street to Pennsylvania avenue and to the White House. Scene in the Senate. The Senate chamber was the center of attraction. The presidential family ar­ rived at 11:30. Mrs. MeKinley, accom­ panied by her sister, Mrs. Barber, took a front seat which had been reserved for her. Following the wife of the new Pres­ ident came the venerable Mrs. MeKinley, Sr., garbed befitting her years. The diplomatic corps entered, followed a mo­ ment later by the chief justice and asso­ ciate justices of the Supreme Court. They filed slowly down the aisle in gorgeous re­ galia and silken robes. The members of the House of Representatives, headed by Speaker Iteed, then entered the chamber. There was a stir of interest when Senate officials announced the Vice-President­ elect. Mr. Hobart entered from the right door, bowed slightly to the standing Sen­ ators and officials, and stepped to the seat near the presiding officer's desk. All this was but accessory to the ar­ rival of President Cleveland and Presi­ dent-elect MeKinley. It was ji^st 12:20 when they entered the main doors, facing the Vice-President, and attention was riv­ eted at once on these two central figures as they moved down the middle aisle. Mr. MeKinley bowed to the presiding officer, and, with Mr. Cleveland, was seated im­ mediately in front of the platform, facing the Senate and the crowds. On the left sat Major General Miles, commanding officer of the army, and Ad­ miral Brown, senior officer of the navy, both in full uniform. The members of the outgoing cabinet were in a seini-circle to the left, facing the outgoing and incom­ ing Presidents. On the opposite side of VICE PEE SID EXT HOBART. the center aisle, in a semi-circle, were Chief Justice Fuller and the associate justices. The members of the House of Representatives filled the entire body of the hall on the right side and on the op­ posite area of the chamber sat the Sen­ ators and Senators-elect. As the presidential party took their seats Vice-President Stevenson rose and invit­ ed his successor to step forward and take the oath of office. Mr. Hobart advanced to the desk, raised his right hand and took the oath in accordance with the constitu­ tion. Mr. Stevenson then delivered his valedictory address. The proclamation of the outgoing Presi­ dent calling an extra session of the Senate having been read, Vice-President Hobart requested the new Senators to advance and take the oath of office. It was 1:03 p. m. when the last oath was administer­ ed, and then the formal exit began, the Supreme judges going first, then Mr. Cleveland and President .MqKinley, and the other officials following. HE inaugural ball Thursday night closed the celebration of McKinley's induc­ tion into office. The great court of the pension building, in which the func­ tion took place, was gorgeously decorated with flags and bunting and forests of tropica! plants and potted flowers. Tfie arched galleries were hidden with greens and superb designs in lights and flags. The ball proper opened with the arrival of the President at-©:30;o'clock, and as he entered with Mrs. MeKinley and the presidential party the full Marine baud announced the arrival with the opening march. President and Mrs. MeKinley then headed the grand promenade and made a complete tour of the ball room. This was practically their only public appearance at the function, as they then retired to the suite of apartments set aside for their use, "and there received a few friends and the most distinguished guests. As he had not fully recovered from weakness incident to his recent attack of grip, Mr. MeKinley was obliged to forego the pleasure of a general handshaking. Vice- President and Mrs. Hobart accompanied the President and Mrs. MeKinley, this arrangement having been made to facilitate the reception of privileged gxiests. The great crush on the floor made dancing an impossibility until a late hour, when the crowd 'had been considerably reduced. JO-'" to carry out the pledge of the platform of 1896 in reference to international bi­ metallism. One of the earliest subjects taken up by the Republicans in the Senate was this question and It is un­ derstood that this was done after a con­ ference with President-elect McKiuley and with life full approval and by his desire. A bill was framed authorizing him to appoint delegates to an interna­ tional bimetallic conference and to call one if necessary, It passed the Senate without a dissenting vote. It went to the House Committee on Coinage, Weights and Measures, was discussed and passed that committee without a dissenting vote. The committee, how­ ever, so amended it as to authorize the President to appoint special envoys to endeavor to bring about international action on the silver question through negotiation instead of through an inter­ national conference, should he think this plan preferable. It is presumed that the resolution will be taken up in the House shortly and passed so that it will be practicable for President Me­ Kinley to appoint delegates or even to call a conference, if need be, very soon after lie enters upon the duties of his office; There can be no doubt of the absolute determination of the Republi­ can leaders in Congress and out of it to carry out to its full extent the pledge made by the party at St. Louis with reference to a re-establishment of a use of silver through international action. Business Improving. The promise of improved business conditions which was made by the Re­ publicans during the campaign js being kept even more promptly than was ex­ pected. It was not anticipated, of course, that the mere election of MeKin­ ley and a Republican Congress could, even before McKiuley should be inau- urated or the Congress assembled, im­ prove business conditions materially. But it seems that the mere confidence which lias come from this action has, without waiting for" the repeal of the tariff law or the incoming of President McKiuley, already had its effect upon busiiess. This is shown in various ways by numerous reports of different kinds from all over the country, but the facts are especially pointed out by a statement issued by the New York Commercial Advertiser, which lias can­ vassed the country through newspaper opinion and by other processes. It re­ ports that while there is no "boom" in sight, nor any looked for, there is a steady improvement in business along ail ! which' indicates that good times are at hand. Indeed are knocking at our doors. Factories and mills, it says,- are ^psunimg in all parts of the country, stocks of manufactured goods are low and demands a resumption of manufacture. Money is plentiful at r£asou¥bie%tfes of interest. The gold Bala ne'e ill tlie treasury has a margin of Vorty odd millions and heavy credit bal­ ances are ..outstanding in our favor abroad. Exp or ts .con t i nue in excess of imports and fewer failures are occur­ ring in 18.97 than in the same period of 1890. ..-Thus the Dawn of Prosperity promised ;n the campaign of 1890 has begun with the year 1897. ," Progress of the Tariff Bill. The Ways and "Means Committee is moving slowly forward in its work on the tariff bill. It has formally an pounced that,it will not be able to com­ plete the bill during the present session of Congress and will probably not have it ready for presentation until the next Congress meets in special session, Which is expected to be about March 15. No determination has yet been reached on the sugar schedule, but on all farm products which have been taken up and acted upon the interests of tlie farmers have been very thor­ oughly protected. McKiuley law rates have been restored in most cases, and this seems to have been just about the desire of the farmers. It is observed that those representatives of the farm­ ers who came before the committee, in most cases recommended the- restora­ tion of the rates of that law, and this recommendation has been followed as far as possible. It lias been suggested that the committee in framing, the rates on sugar should give to the beet sugar industry some greater encour­ agement than is given to cane sugar This suggestion is based upon the as­ sumption that beet sugar is; in fact an infant industry," while eane sugar has been produced in this country for many years and does not require the encour igement for its extension that the beet sugar industry needs. While the mem hers of the committee recognize this fact and would be glad to extend this special encouragement to the produc­ tion of beet sugar in the Northwestern States Where beet growing is practica ble tliey are finding it extremely diffi cult to devise any way by which it can be accomplished. It is scarcely expect ed that the bounty system will be made a feature of the new law, ami it will of course be impossible to so shape the tariff that beet sugar would derive any greater encouragement than cane su gar from the rates of duty levied. The committee is still Undetermined and if may be added somewhat^ embar­ rassed In regard to the wrool schedule The extremely high rates of protection demanded by tlie Wool-Growers' Asso elation are looked upon as likely,' if adopted, to result in such an iucrease in prices of woolen goods as to prov not only unpopular but absolutely un just to all other classes of population outside of the comparatively few who are engaged in wool producing. It is in tlieeffort to strike the "golden mean' between the extremely high tariff de manded by the wool producers and the A Costly Experiment. The total increase of the bonded In­ debtedness during Cleveland's adminis­ tration is $2(52.315,400, on which there is ail annual interest eharge of $11,532,- 61(5. The total- interest upon $100,000,- 000 of 5 per cent bonds issued, during the ten years from their date that must elapse before they are redeemable, Is $50,000,000. Interest on $62,315,400 of per cent bonds which are not payable for thirty years will be $75,978,480, making the total interest that must be paid'on the earlier issues of bonds $125,- 78,480. From this amount there must be subtracted $19,972,640, premiums re­ ceived on the sale of bonds, leaving a balance of $106,005,840. The final bond issues on a tliirty-year interest .basis, will run the amount of principal and in­ terest which the people must eventually pay, to nearly $500,000,000, in which prodigious figure the cost of Cleve­ land's experiment with "tariff reform" Will one day be expressed. Is it any wonder that people were in hurry last fall for a chaiige of admin­ istration or that the President-elect has such next-to-uuanimous support in his purpose of calling an extra session?-- San Francisco Chronicle. The Tariff Bill Will Pass. For a time it looked as if the Repub­ licans would not be strong enough in the next Congress to pass a new tariff bill, and, indeed, they would not be if the Senate were to divide upon strict party lines, But matters have so work­ ed out that a fair majority for protec­ tion may be counted upon without any unholy alliance with the so-called sound money Democrats." Not reckon- Senator McEnery, of Louisiana, who has given in full adhesion to the Republican economic program, there are now understood to be enough silver Senators in line to put the passage of a new MeKinley bill within the pale of certainty.--San Francisco Cgironicle. : _ Takinjr Good Care of the F«ririer. The Republican members of the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Representatives are, according, to the Chicago Journal, taking good care of the farmer. It says: "Rates on cattle have been advanced materially over those in the Wilson law. Barley has been put back at the MeKinley figure i» spite of tlie protests of .maltsters. The McKiuley rates have been restored on fruits and berries to the displeasure of the fruit exchanges of the country and the orange growers are to have greater protection than they enjoyed under the MeKinley law. In response to an urgent demand the duty on hay will be advanc­ ed from $2 to $4 a ton, another restora­ tion to the old figure, aud 1 cent a pound will be charged upou chicory. The Me­ Kinley rates are re-established On breadstuffs. rice, dairy products, pota­ toes, starch, castor beans, flaxseed, meats, meat products, eggs, poultry, vegetables and salt." , , . . id --- ---- WA RAIL RATES. The Wilson Law Knined Lumbermen. When the MeKinley law was up, as also when the Wilson act was pending, the lumbermen, as a rule, were indif­ ferent whether a tariff was put on their product or not. To-day they are almost unanimous for a high protective rate. The reason is not far to seek. The lum­ bermen have been driven fairly desper- ite by the stress of the times. Old and well-established firms have gone down. Fortunes have been wrecked. Firms which are still hanging on find them­ selves overstocked with lumber which they cannot sell at the cost of produc­ tion. The market has been continually liainmered down by dealers who have been compelled to let their stock go at a loss to save it from rotting on their hands, or to enable them to meet obli­ gations which must be paid.--Buffalo Express. Don't Want an Honest Ballot. The Alabama Legislature has turned back the hands of progress a hundred years. The Australian ballot lawr did not give the political machine, which dominates that State, a sufficient op­ portunity to debauch the ballot, and so the law has been repealed. This is a disgrace to Alabama, and shows clear­ ly .that an honest ballot and an honest count is not wanted by the Democratic managers down there. That the law was ever passed was one of the sur­ prises of last year.--Ohio State Journal Pops Wnnt Paper Money. Mr. Washburn says that "the next battle may be fought on scientific .vs. metal money," by which he means that even the free coinage of silver wotlld not satisfy those from whom it has re­ ceived its chief support--that they have not advocated it with any thought ol' promoting practical bimetallism, bul because it would be a long step toward the still cheaper money which they ad vocate. na mely. paper.--I1 itjtsbu.rg Com­ mercial-Gazette. State Kailroad Commission Replies to Inquiries by Agriculturists. W. W. Field, of Odebolt, president of the Iowa State Agricultural "Society, sought information from the State Board »f Railroad Commissioners on the folflJw- * ing points: What is the average rate of fare in Iowa? What does it cost the rail­ roads to carry a passenger a mile? How are we (the agriculturists) to ascertain what rate would be fair on both sides? What is the opinion of the commissioners on the question ? • In reply an open letter has been written by W.i W. Ainsworth, secretary of the commission, saying in part: 9-he questions 'suggested by you have" re­ cently been considered by the Board of Rail­ road and Warehouse Commissioners of Illi­ nois tu response to an.lnqulry made by the State Grange of that State. Its conclusion was that it "would be unwise, unwarranted and unjust to the railroad Interests of the State to comply with thlasffequest." The regular report says: "Some of the great trunk lines In Illinois might be able to stand such a reduction, yet the smaller roads and those which do almost wholly a local business, and which are now, j and have been for the last two years, strug­ gling for existence, would be most seriously affected by It. Such action on our part would simply increase the heavy, burdens und£r which they are struggling now. "It Is a well-known fact to those who have taken the trouble to Investigate the amount of passenger business done by the railroads In Illinois during the last two years that there has Veen a large decrease In the num­ ber of passengers carried. This is due, in our judgment, not to the amount charged for such sgijfcc," but to the general depres­ sion Tn all lilies of Tuisiness, the low prices of farm products and the unsettled financial -conditions which diave had' their effect on the passenger as Weil as tbe freight business. "This question was before uo when we re­ vised the freight schedule In 1895 and the whole question was thoroughly considered. We did' not. tlilnk theij. and neither do we feel now, that In justice to .both the public and the railroads thjs reduction should be made at this time. If the country was pros­ perous our conclusions might be different. The statistics In our office show that for the last three years, 1894, 1895 and 1896, the average amount charged by the railroads per passenger per mile is a fraction above 2 cents, although the maxltnum allowed them was 3 cents. ^ For the reasons above stated we do not feel that this reduction should be made by us at this time. We are also asked to recom­ mend tills reduction to the Legislature. In view 01" our conclusion we do not feel that it would be consistent for us to do so." The matters suggested by you have re­ ceived our long and careful consideration, and, unless the questions were presented in a more formal manner, we doubt the pro­ priety of expressing our own opinion with freedom. We will state some of the more salient facts, and these will aid you to form your own conclusions In the matter. Fiojii the statistics given in the report of this commission for 1895 It appears the aver­ age amount received by the jrailroads doing business in Iowa for carrying one passenger one mile during the year was 2.27 cents. The returns from which these results are obtained: do not include any passengers car­ ried free. The large number of passengers who have traveled upon reductions of rates as permitted by our statutes--ministers of the gospel, organizations of our military, excur­ sions on holidays, special rates to meetings of many organizations, State and county fairs--are factors that reduce the average fare to the amount above stated. It Is ob­ vious, therefore, that the average must al­ ways be lower than the rate fixed by law. The character of the business renders it im­ possible to make any rate that will be abso­ lutely uniform. The Iowa report for 1S95 shows only ten nvis which returned the average cost of ca.rying one passenger one mile. The aver­ age cost of these companies was 2.14 cents. This result is less reliable than If It were founded upon returns made by all the roads, which would probably increase it. In arriving at the cost of carrying one pas­ senger one mile, as above given, uothing is charged on account of the expeuses of the railroads for interest, rents, taxes and mis­ cellaneous fixed charges, and, of course, nothing for dividends on stock. The passen­ ger traffic, should, of course, bear Its. propor­ tion of- these expenses, which constitute part of the cost, of doing the business. From statistics compiled by the Interstate Com­ merce Commission it. appears that to charge the passenger business of the railroads with its proportionate share of the fixed charges, not including anything, however, on account of dividends, and crediting it with mail and express earnings, would give us as the ac­ tual cost 2.57 cents. The statement of the Illinois commission that there has been a general reduction of passenger business is undoubtedly continued by the statistics. For the whole United States the number of passengers carried one mile for each mile of railroad in 1890 was 75,751; in 1895 it was 08,572. Though the number of passengers carried was less, the passenger car mileage was greater in 1895 than in 1890, which, of course, increased the cost per passenger. In 1890 the total num­ ber of miles run by passenger trains in the United States was 285,575,804; in 1895 it was 317,565,015. I11 1893 the revenue from pas­ senger service in the United States decreas­ ed $33,103,378, as compared with 1894, though the figures for 1895 include 2,04o.lJ mHes of road more than In 1894. The foregoing statements, which are based upon the most accurate statistics obtainable, at this time indicate: > 1. That at the present time the average fare charged in Iowa is less than the actual cost of transporting the passenger. 2 That within the last three or four years passenger Earnings have decreased without a corresponding decrease in tlie cost of doing the business. Some of the considerations tending to throw light 011 this subject are the rates of fare elsewhere, the density of population, the earnings per mile of road derived .from the passenger service, and whether a de­ crease in tlie rates would increase traffic so as to render it practicable to perform the desired service at the decreased rate. Unless changes have been recently made that have not come to tlie notice of the com­ mission, the following are the rates prevail­ ing in the countries named: England--First class, 4.2 cents; second, o-- cents; third, 2 cents. France--First class, 4 cents; second, 3 cents, third, 2 cents. Italy--First class.. 3.0 cents; second, J.O cents; third, 1;8 cents. •Holland--First-class, 3.2 cents; second, 2.0 cents; third. 1.0 cents. . Q Belgium--First class, 2.4 cents; second. 1.8 cents; third, 1.2 cents. Except in England, no baggage Is carried free and the accommodations in the small­ er foreign countries are In every respect much inferior to those furnished in America. Often in foreign countries excursion rates are made higher than the regijlar rates on account of the additional risk and expense. The density of population also airects the volume of passenger traffic. Where the pop­ ulation Is dense there will be more travel than /in sparsely settled districts. In Iowa Political Potpourri, The Omaha World-Herald admits that business is improving, but says it is a- natural consequence' aud not the result of any political-manifestation. Complaint is made that Kansas Pop­ ulist officials have not given a suffi­ cient number of places to members of their own party. Nobody has charged, however, that they haven't freely giv­ en places to members of their own fam­ ilies. There is a good deal of humbug in the statement that the present Con­ gress is another "billion-dollar" Con­ gress. As a matter of fact, this conn try has never had a billion-dollar Con­ gress. For example, tlie gross appro­ priations of tlie Fifty-fourth Congress are estimated at *1.040,000,000. Inc.ui cd in this sum. however, i$ nearly $200,000,000 for the Postoffice Depart­ ment, practically every dollar of which will be returned to the Government in the shape of postal revenues. ' The Director of the Mint in his an­ nual report lias compiled a table show­ ing the circulation of gold and silver in tlio United States at the close of each fiscal year since June 30, 1S73, when silver was demonetized. Probably there could not be presented in any other form in so small a. space such a com plete refutation of the assertion that! the policy adopted by the United States has been antagonistic to the use of sil ver as a money metal. The circulation of silver has been increased in the Uni ted States froin 15 cents per head in 1873 to $8.S1 per head in 189G, or a total of $028,728,071. 00' New England, 83; Illinois, 75; Missouri, 43; Wisconsin, 34; Nebraska, 15; Kansas, 19f South Dakota, 5. » The population per mile of railroad in Iowa Is about 247; In Illinois it is about 395; New York, 813; New England, 719; Missouri, 447; Wisconsin, 300; Nebiasiia, 209; Kansas, 108; South Dakota, 129. ' The average passenger earnings per mile, as shown by the last reports to this com­ mission, of the roads operating in Iowa are $990. The Kansas report for 1895 shows ?S44, the Illinois report $1,582, and, as shown by the report of the,Interstate Commerce Com­ mission, they are $4,422 in New England, $4,513 in New York, and in Ohio $1,951. It appears from the report of this com­ mission for 1895 that the average distance traveled by each passenger over the Iowa roads during the current year was 31.12 miles. The average fare therefore paid by each passenger was 70.04 cents. If the fare was 2 cents a mile the average passenger would save 8.4 cents. Whether and to what extent this difference would Induce .people to travel more than they do now on account of business, necessity or pleasure, -you can determine for yourself. It IS evident that as yet the Iowa railroads have not been brought up to a proper physical condition. With,scarcely an exception, ev­ ery line in the State demands large expendi­ tures, and some of them in the very near fu­ ture, for ballast, ties, new steel, changes In grades, double tracks, aud additional equip­ ment. , > * Farm Exports for 1S96. Brazil last year demanded and re­ ceived sixty-three bushels of our wheat, paying $49. * • Our oats found a market In Europe to the extent of 509,977 bushels, valued at $200,793. American cheese, to the amount of 60,448,421 pounds, was sent to Europe last year, for which we received $5,497,- 539. The whole of South America last year imported from the United States 288,- 330 pounds of oil cake, and paid $3,825 for It. "