THE POSTAL SERVICE,
Jnnnal Report of the Postmaster
General.
Operations of the Department—Rec
ommendations for the
Future,
The annual report of Postmaster General Cros
~cll is a very lengthy document, but we present
below all the portions which possess general in
terest
The ordinary revenues of this department for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871, were $20,037,-
45.42, and the expenditures of all kind. s24.sy:>,-
I'-M'S. For the year ending June :m, 1870, the or
dinal y revenues (not including tho amount of
money-order funds deposited as postal receipts
:ur convenience of transfer), wore $18,879,277.05;
nd the expenditures (not including tho amount
•of money-order funds retransferred), wore 823,-
t’45,837,03. The increase of revenue for tho year
lb7l over the year 1670 was 81,137,007.77, or 0.13
■per cent, and the increase of expenditures,
51,041,206.43, or 4.45 per cent, showing a net
increase in revenue of 5UG,401.32. The
increase in revenue for the year
1871 over the year 3809 was 82,722,5C9.70, or 13.72
percent, and the increase of expenditures for
1871 over 16C9 was $1,251,972,38. or 5.41 percent,
'The increase in revenue for compared with
1870, was less than the increase for 1870, compared
with 1669, by £370,042 16; and the increase of ex
penditures for 1871, compared with 3870.was great
htUihu the increase for 1870, compared with ISC9.
by $740,590.32.
If, in addition to the ordinary revenues, the de
partment l>c credited with $700,000 appropriated
for the transportation of free mutter and tho
amounts drawn and expended for subsidies to
'Steamship lines.it will appear that the dalleiemjy
provided out of the general Treasury for the year
1871 is $2,928,058.00, agaiust $2,814,110.88 for the year
J 7O.
'xbe accompanying report of the Auditor fully
sets torth the details of the liuaucial operations of
The department:
The e.-timaicd expenditures for the year
ending Jane 30.1573. are $27,439,753
The revenues, estimated at 10 per
font i>--<»ise over last year $22,010,719
Standing apl'i* lor tree
'-natter.
<lcni Itliry ol rI.TM.IKjI
10I «£romg estimates do not include the fol-
Mibsldiee t,Ul ai>propriations in 1110 uature of
sen-ice between San Fran
w n ml Jsl l»au, and china SjOO.ODO
l iT,i‘ n «emce between ‘.lie United States and
v.Tn iso.'wd
1 Vs,i, i S between San Knuic.isoo and
Sandwich; Islands.
Total STi> ooo
auiouniß appropriated for deficiencies in
i>*u aua 18.1, there remained an unexpended bal-'
a nee or $6,725,032, against which was chargeable
P* unliquidated accounts estimated at $1,278,-
Oil, leaving, after settlement of all liabilities to
June 30, iSTI.a net balance of dclicienej appro
priations of $5,446.n0.
The amount and increase in the issue of stamps,
stamped envelopes, and newspaper wrappers is
best exhibited by the following table:
J-'itcal year j-'iical war Jne.
J!c>cri]i- cm!> il June cittlcil June Ineyeuie, pec
ilO, 1870. 30, 1671. amount, cent.
Adhesive
postage
.stamps >43,976,765.00 $14,030,715.00 633,917.00 4.67
St amp ed
envelopes,
t a ui p cd
envelopes,
ieqm-P1... 1,0-51,250.00 1,434,151.50 311»,i31.50 32.27
Newspaper
95.000.00 132.150.00 33,575.00 34.0*
wrappers.
-AcfiTCgatc.j-Ui,470,762.00 $17,029,551.2.) $1,172,769.25 77.13
CONTRACTS—TRANSPORTATION.
™se in the service of the department on
the doth of Tune. 3871, 7.286 contractor* for tho
transportation of the mails.
Of mail routes In operation there were 8,951,
aggregating iu length, exclusive of special routes,
238.359 miles, in annual transportation 107,572,794
miles, and in annual cost. $11,829,395. Adding tho
compensation of railway Post-OJlics clerks, route
agents, local agents, mail messengers, mail route
messengers and baggage masters iu charge of
registered packages, amounting to $1,875,526, the
aggregate annual cost ,vus $13,404,921.
The service was divided as follows:
Railroad routes: Length, 49..<34 miles: annual
fr. nsj ©nation, 55,557,048 miles; annual cost,
$5,724.979—ab0ut 10.30 cents per mile.
Steamboat routes: Length, 20,331 mfles;”annua!
transportation, 4.054.T78 miles; annual cost, $776.-
pi .—about 16.58 cents per mile.
Other routes on which the mails are required to
be conveyed with “celerity, certainty, and se
curity” Length. 3C5.191 miles; annual trausport
tion. 47,330,968 miles: anuoal cost, $5,027,173
about :o 62 ce nts per mile.
There was an increase over tho preceding year
m length of routes of 7,127mi1e5; iu annual trans
position, 10.547,798 miles,aud in cost, $644,742.
Adding the increased cost for railway Post Oflice
clerks, route, local, aud other agents, $404,036, the
.total increase iu cost was $1,049,378.
The foregoing statements of distances and costs
do not include service for special oflices.
There were at the close of the year 2.115 of these,
each with a mall carrier, whose pay from the de
partment is not allowed to exceed the net postal
yield of the oflice. Special” routes aud the car
riers are included, however, iu tho number of
aud routes as given above.
The new railroad routes put in operation dur
u" the vear amounted to 6,10? miles; during 1870,
■i'o'ijiio" mile*; ata taring 1609. to a, 310 miles,—
rmtkrn- in t!ic aggregate an addition,Jn tligca
iw if ljat miles to tie 00,018 miles in opera
l _” T,,jri I*6B The increase iu three years
exceeds is per cenf, and iu tbe last year alone it
reached the unparalleled proportion of 17 por
cent.
Tiinnrcn mail*. 41
On the route to Sau Francisco and back, the
■gratifying regularity noted in the last annual re
port has iieen fully maintained. Of 644 mails car
ried through, during the year ended with the
month of September. 1671. to San Francisco from
New York, 569 were conveyed In schedule time,
aud only 75 behind time, against 573 in time anil
345 behind lime thu preceding year. Of 364 mails
carried through to New York from San Francisco,
321 wore conveyed in schedule lime, and only 43
behind time,against 2SO in time and 72 behind
time The preceding year. The average time, go
lira west, was 173 hours, or 7 days, 5 hours—nearly
j hours less than the average the preceding year.
MAIL DEPREDATIONS.
The number of complaints of missing letters
during the year Is 4.6C0. of which 2,u>7 were regis
tered. and 3.543 unrecDtorcd, containing bonds,
•drafts, and currency to the nominal amount of
8418,745.92. Of registered letters, C*> 9 were ac
counted for os received at their destination, and
only 2>a have been reported as actually lost. The
remaining cases arc in the hands of special agents
dor investigation.
For violation of the Postal laws. 123 persons
have been arrested, of whom 51 have been con
victed and sentenced to different degreesef punish
ment, and the remainder are in the hands of the
Department of Justice to be dealt with according
to law.
RAILWAY POsT OFFICES.
There is shown an increase of eight lines and
2,W0 miles of railway Post Office service. The
number of lines in Gyration on the 33th day of
June. 1871, was -in, extending in the aggregate
over 11, cos miles of railroad and steamboat routes.
Upon 8.6C0 miles the service is performed daily,
upon 2.527 miles twice daily, and upon 21 miles
four times daily, equivalent in all to 33.793 miles
<•:-tli way daily. Counting all the lines both
ways, the aggregate service is 27,596 miles dailv,
and 10,072.540 miles annually. The number of
cleiks employed was 513, at an annual cost of
against 375 clerks, at a cost of
*442.600, for the previous year, showing the in
<-t eased cost for the fiscal j'car to be $206,800. Of
this amount the sum of s2s,coo was expended for
the equalization of salaries, the clerks iu the
Western division and on two lines in Massachu
setts numbering in all 143. having been paid, pre
vious to July l, 2KTO, for the same class of duties,
each S2OO per annum less than those upon the
other lines. Deducting this sum the increased
expenditure is >178.200.
During the last year the Union Pacific Railroad,
1,032 miles in length, from Omaha, Nebraska, to
Ogden, Utah, has been added to this service, ami
it'has been decided to extend this line over the
Central Pacific Railroad, an additional distance
of 681 miles, from Ogden, Utah, to San Francisco,
California.
Arrangements have recently been completed
to establish a continuous line of railway Post
Cfiiccs from Portland, Maine, over the Maine
Central and the European and North American
Railways, to Vanceborougb, at the boundary line
laMwcen New Brunswick and the United States.
*jUe authorities of the Dominion of Canada will
connect and continue a similar servics to St.
John, New Brnuswick.
I‘axtial arrangements have also been made for
■a liae of railway Post Offices from Washington,
D. C., to New Orleans, Louisiana, an organization
having been effected this month (November) as
Jar as Chattanooga, Tennessee. Px-om tint point
to New Orleans the service will be established as
s-oou t>f «i»o negotiations, now pendiu* r can be
concluded.
The distance from Vancehorough, Me., to Sau
Francisco, Cal., via Boston, Albany .Buffalo, Tole
do, Chicago, and Omaha, is 55.832 miles, and from
Vanceborougb to New Orleans, ria Boston. New
York, Philadelphia, Baltimore. Washington, und
Chattanooga, Is 2,10s miles. Itis the purpose of
tho department to establish continuous hues of
railwav Post Offices, connecting these remote
points'and supplying all diverginglines. They
will be the longest lines iu the world and will af
roid the most ample facilities now known for the
transmission and distribution of the mails hc
tv. icu tho Stales and Territories which they will
xcfpeclively traverse.
FOREIGN MAILS.
The total number*of letters exchanged during
the rear •with foreign countries was 20.205,938, an
increase of 2,Wfi,C2o‘over the number reported for
3570. Of this number 10.4G1.8GS wore sent from,
and 9.834,150 were received in tbo United States.
The number ofletters (single rates) exchanged
in the mails with European countries was 11.113,-
500, an increase ot 912,114 over the number re
ported for 1870.
The total postages on letters exchanged with
forei ,T n countries amounted to $1,73j.2GG.32, being
s229.*i'.*S.ltfless than the amount reported for IS7d.
*The aggregate amount of postage (sea, inland,
nnd foreign) on the letter mails exchanged with
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ire
land, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Tbe Nether
lands Belgium and France, was $1,181,057.41,
beSu" S2C4 i SBS.I'J lessthun llic amount reported for
1870 e Cnie postages on letters sent exceeded the
no e ta "e on letters received from the same coun
tries in the sum of $5,802.15, being less than one
half of 1 per cent of the aggregate amount. The
nosta "es collected in the U mted Sutes amount to
4-55 -24 30; and in Europe to $525,333.02, the ex
cess of collections in the United States being
$5ib,391.37, or 28 per cent of the enure postage re
®cSmparing the year 1871trlth the year isro, the
rate or increase In the total number ot letters
exchanged in the mails with foreign countries
mb 101-2 per cent, and the rate ot decrease m
the amount of postages thereon ms II -l-a per
Tim increase in the number of Ictt.-ts cx-
SU Se™P” countries Mas nearly 7
ner MUt. and the decrease of postages thereon
per cent, auu ui rent, this largo reduction
.•■TuountcdlolS 1 1-resulted from the
rates of international postages
?rtahh J shed between United st s|f lul J the
f^'iSSntuSffflis thfMatter hSf of theT
i<v The British mails. This was f O‘ lo c 0 i* re
duced postage charges, from lo toio w**
m-r «»n"le rate, on the letters exchanged b
.closed mails, via England, with German*. 8,l
char.. Itnly, the Netherlands and Switzerland, In
cluding ad countries and places to which they re
fpec-tivcK servo as intermediaries, which came
into operation near the dose of the last fiscal
lished .'itthesametlmetorountrics onthe west
coast of South America, Bri:ish Columbia, Sand
wich Islands, New Zealand, Australia and the
East Indies.
The total weight of the mails exchanged during
the year with European counties, under pro
visions. of existing postal conventions, was
1.298,966 pounds; the weight of the letter cor
icf-pondcncD being 281,905 pounds, and of printed
matter and samples 1,017,001 pounds. Tho aggre
gate weight of tho mails sent to Europe*was
C27.5P1 pounds, and of mails received from Europe
C 71.:.75 pounds. Tho weight of letter correspond
ence sent to Europe was 133,001 pounds, and of
letter correspondence received from Euronc
126,304 pounds. 1
The cost of the United States trans-Atlantic
mail steamship service for tho rear 1811 was
cl74.iriß.SP, being sHß.ir>3.4B less than the cost of
the same service dunngthe year 1870. The steam
ships employed under contract with this denart
mr-nt received the sea postages©! Cccntsanounco
on letter mails, and C cents a pound on other mat
ter, as full compensation lor Nie service.
The l luted States postages on the mails con
veyed to and from the West Indies, Mexico, Pan
aiua. South I actlic, Belize (Honduras), Nova
L™ Newfoundland and Bermuda, amounted to
vi2.).,50.93, ami the cost of the sea conveyance
theieof was $70,857.32. The United States post
ages on the mails exchanged with Brazil. Japan,
and China, the Sandwich Islands, Now Zealand,
and Australia, by means of the subsidized lines of
direct mail steamers, amounted to $46,003.52.
The total cost of the United States ocean mail
steamship service for tho year 1871 (including
$725,cc0 paid from special appropriations for
steamship service to Japan ami China, to Brazil,
and to the Hawaiian Islands) was $075,935.71.
In my report of last year I renewed the reeam-
iu( ndatiou of the proceeding year for an in iroasc
of mail sifvice to semi-monthly trips on the route
firm San Francisco to Japan and China. lam
still impressed with tho importance of authoriz
ing additional trips on this line,the establishment
ol which has already given us the control of the
large and rapidly-increasing commerce of the
North J*aeltic Ocean with Jai>an and China; ami,
for like considerations, I deem it expedient that
suitable provisions should be made for increasing
the service from monthly to scmi-ruontUlv trips
ru the ftcamship line from New York to Bio do
Janeiro.
In previous reportslhavccallcdattentlonto tho
importance of judicious legislation to encourage
the establishment of American mail steamship
lines. For several years past we have practically
erased, as a nation, to compete with other mari
time powers in ocean steam navigation. Various
project a have been devised and urged upon Con
gress by interested parties, many of them with
out capital or practical experience in steam com
merce. seeking large subsidy grants, iu a variety
of tonus, for tho conveyance of our mails iu
American steamships to European ports.
Some legislation is demanded to revive the
great maritime interests of the country and en
courage the construction andequipment oljan elli
eieut ocean steam mercantile marine. Tho sub
ject Is one of paramount importance to the ma
terial interests ef the country, and should receive
the most thorough and careful attention of Con
gress.
700,000
73,009
It is a very gratifying fact, in this connection,
to state that, amid all the discouragements of the
present situation, a new lino of American iron
steamships, to ply between Philadelphia ami Liv
erpool, consisting of four first-class propellers of
3,< ro tons each (old measurement), are now bein~
built on the Delaware forthoAmerican Steamship
Company, of Philadelphia, of materials exclusive
ly ot American manufacture. They will be com
pleted aud ready for service early iii the full of
3872, aud will form a regular weekly lino be
tween the above-named ports. The pro
prietors of this pioneer lino of Ameri
can iron steamships arc among the most enter
prising merchants and capitalists of Philadelphia,
aud deserve such encouragement in their
praiseworthy undertaking os can properly be ex
tended by Congress. A reasonable compensation
for conveying the mails in excess of the postage
receipts, is probably the only government aid
needed to insure the pennanent establishment of
this or any other similar line of American ocean
steamers plying between our and foreign ports:
and. in my judgment, the granting of such inci
dental aid,in connection with proper legislation
to encourage the construction by American build
ers of first-class iron steamships, is the most sim
ple. economical, and practical method of estab
lishing American lines of ocean steamers aud
advancing the general commercial prosperity of
the country.
APPOINTMENTS.
The report of the Appointment Oflieo shows the
jollowing:
K vcar er E r st ofl3ccs established during the
Number di.sccMitimicdV.VJ' "’sii
Increase
dumber in opera!lon on Juno I*7o**.'“.’ *»s*
Number in operation on .lime 1571 rto o*>
Number to be tilled by appointments of the Presi-
dent 1,172
Number to i»e tilled by the appointments of tim
Postmaster Geueraf. 25.573
Appointments were made during the vear:
On resignations 4.307
On removals i.itsi
On changes of names aud silos 178
On deaths of Postmasters :;oi
On establishment of new Post Ollices 2,407
Total appointments 5,3:0
Number of eases acted on during the year
COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYES.
The number and aggregate compensation of
special agents, route agents, mail-routo messen
gers, railway Post Oflice clerks, mid local agents
in service during the year ended Juno 30, IS7I.
were:
50 special agents 512t.599.00
ot route agents 671,280.00
Kcimeil-rome messengers C 1.910.00
513 railway Post Cilice clerks 6t9,4')0,(V)
82 local agents 53.4 W.OO
Total compensation $1,562,919.00
THE FREE DELIVERY SYSTEM.
The free delivery system has been iu operation
dm ingthe year in filty-two of the principal cities,
with the following aggregate result.
Number of letter-carriers 1,419
Mall letters delivered 112.C12.C93
Local Utters delivered 27,045,700
c\vjspaper» delivered 32,010.353
Litters collected 113,2*7,002
Amount paid carriers, including incidental
expenses $1,3-53,923.23
Postage »»n local matter 703,120.73
Tula shews the following increase, compared
with last year:
LMt er-carriers 57
Mail letters delivered 11.500,522
Lotal letters delivered o.SPMM
Ncwspapeis delivered 4.713,3-10
letters collected 15,498,556
Amount paid carriers, Including incidental
expenses 12.3,513.35
Postage- cu local mailer 76,256.08
EMPLOYES IN THE DEPARTMENT.
Tl:c following table will show the number of
employes in the Post Olliec Department, also the
number of Postmasters, contractors, clerks in
Post Ollices, route agents, railway Post Oflieo
clerks, and other ofliccra iu service ou the 30th of
June, 1871:
Po.-tmaster General 1
An>i>iaiit Postmasters General 3
Superintendent of Foreign Mails 1
Mipciimenilentof Money Order Oflieo 1
Chief ol Division of Dead Letters 1
C hief Clerk of Dejinrjnient 1
(hief Clerics of Bureau* 4
Clerks, laborers, watchmen, &c 319
Total departmental 331
Postmasters 30,015
Contractors 7,230
Clerks in Post Others 3,430
Letter-carriers 1.119
Route agents OS I
Railway Post Office clerk? 513
Mail rente messengers l»3
Local agents 82
Special agents 52
Total 43.951
DEAD LETTERS.
The number of letters, domestic and foreign,
received at the Dead Letter Oflice during the last
fiscal year was 4,194,748.
Of domestic letters not registered, 1(5,218 con
tained money amounting to $59,003.37, in sums of
one dollar and upward; and of the registered
letters. 2,359 containedßl9,2o4.ol, making a total of
18,577 let tors, containing $78,812.98. Of these. 17,092,
containings74.42o.9o,were delivered totho writers
or persons addressed: 2.902, containing $10,397.02,
which could not be returned to the owners, were
filed for reclamation, and 1,495. containing
$4,3i>2 09, were outstanding. Tho number inclos
ing sums less than one dollar, was H.95C, con
taining $3,808.92; of which 12,413, containing,
$3,094.90, were delivered to the writers, and 2,513,
containing $714 02, were tiled for reclamation.
The number cf letters containing bank cheeks,
drafts, deeds, Arc., was 19,193, of the nominal value
of $3,075,859.23; of which 17,905, of the nominal
value of $2.853,030.31, were delivered to the own
ers, and 1,288, of the nominal value of $220,838.92,
were outstanding, or filed for reclamation.
Tho number of packages and letters containing
jeweliy, books, and other pro party, was 0,498; of
which 4,198 were delivered, and2,2Co were filed
for reclamation.,
The number containing photographs was 42,119;
of which 33,544 were delivered, and 5.575 were
filed. The number containing receipts, hills of
Jading. Arc.. was 28,190; of which 27,081 were de
livered, and 1,115 were filed. The number con
taining postage and revenue stamps, and articles
of small value, wa540,749: of which 37,889 were
delivered, and 2,860 were filed.
The number of letters without inclosures rc
mailcdto the writers was 1,628,603; of which
1.334,303 were delivered, and 294,300 were returned
to tho ofilce and destroyed. Tho number in
which the writer’s name and local address were
omitted, or were Illegible, and of letters contain
ing circulars, &c., aud consequently destroyed,
was 2.173.934.
Of the unmuilable letters, 301,472 were detained
for postage, not being prepaid, as required by
law. They were either wholly unpaid, were not
prepaid one lull rate, or were stamped with ille
gjd or revenue stamps; 68,373 were misdirected,
it Otlice, Stale, or some necessary part of
IiVT,. l V‘ HS being omitted, and 3,518 Uadno ad
dress whatever.
■n,,,. J*‘>STAI. SIOXEV-ORDEIt SYSTEM.
...liv.,! Zt V** liscal year the number of moucy
nf TIIU- 1 ll ?.»,P er a tio was 2.07 c. Ou the aist
•were estuiiiuiu ii a^l^ lion:, l moucy-ordcr ortiees
muu,,er ot
Tin* number domestic iiinncv
ouU-in issuul timing the v.-Ir
•was 2.151.704. vane<l nt
The immbui of such orders C'i-.iOJ.lla.OJ
wn52,151,&%4, valued at in -nr, rj~ n-,
Olders lepahl lu thu imreluis.
el> 021,03033
Tot:d of payments.
Excess of issucsovcrpayments. £j. p -<i
The amount ol ices or commisVious paid i>v tin”
public to Postmaster* for the issue of orders was
$295,286.13.
This statement shows an increase over 1870. in
the amountof orders issued of $3,109,023.32, 0r234-3
r.or cent; in the amount of orders paid, of
411.52,0r234-3percent; and In tho amount of
fees received, of $60,030.35, or 251-2 per cent.
The average amount of the money orders is
sued durins'thc rear was $19.50. This amount
varies but‘’iittlsfromyear to year, not bavin
fallen belgwsW.OO for the last live 3*eors, and
having only once slightly exceeiiod $20.00.
The rcet ipts of tin* year amounted to -rJ0.%5C3.38,
and Hie expenditures to 5W4.38i.60, leaving an
excess of receipts over cxpenditurcs».being reve
nue derived from the transaction of _the money
order business, amounting to $101,181.78.
During the past.vcur the amount of surplus
money order funds accruing at the smaller po«t
offices from tho sale of money orders, aud by them
remitted to and deposited in the larger or lirst
class olllces designated as their depositories was
$20,565,223.35.
From tho establishment of the money order sys
tem. on the Ist of November, I«G4, tho profits ac
cruing from its operations have been as follows,
viz:
From Novcmberl, ISG4, to July 1.155G 99-^2
Fiscal year 1857 i 3 rS?
Fiscal vear isr.s 51.155._2
Fl.-csi! year i«2*
Fiscal vear ls7o tK),I<4.M
Fiscal year W7l 101.L51.7S
Total
The recommendation made in my last raport
with lefeienee to the expediency of additional
legislation to authorize the extension of themoney
ordex system to the stations or sub-Post Olllces in
the larae cities, is respectfully renewed.
The Superintendent of the Money-Order System
was despatched to Loudon on the 23th of May. as
sjiccial agent, duly authorized to negotiate the
teims of a convention for a money-order system
between the two countries. A convention was
signed in London, June 30,1871, and approvcdaml
signed iu Washington, July 27.1871. In pursuance
of its provisions, the money-order system between
the two countries went into oper *tion October 2.
1871. From that date up to> October 23, a period
of four weeks, the amount of the orders remitted
from this country to Great Britain was $>3,031.13,
and of orders in the opposite direction SUflsi.io, a
manifest indication that this system of exchange
supplies an existing public want and will bo ex
tensively used by remittors of small sums to and
from Great Britain.
A convention was 'also negotiated, with an au
thorized agent of the German Post Doparmcut,
at Berlin, July 22,1871, and now awaits complete
ratitication by tho proper authorities of both
countries. By the terms of this convention, tho
money-order business between the two coun
tries is to commence on tho Ist of October, 1872.
TIIK POSTAL TELEGRAPH QUESTION.
The postal telegraph is by far the most import
ant subject now inviting consideration in con
nection with the transmission and interchange of
Intelligence. The governments of tho Continent
al countries of Europe have, with few excep
tions, claimed and exercised for years past tho
light of controlling and managing tho electric
telegraph, and in every Instance with a de
gree of success commensurate with tho
care and attention bestowed upon their re
flective administrations. Iu Sweden,
Norway, Russia, Bavaria, Italy, Tucker
Greece and Spain great advantages have been
gained by making the telegraph a part of the
public postal system; while In Switzerland. Bel
gium, The Netherlands, Prussia, and France,
wlirro modern appliances ami improvements
have been more thoroughly utilized, tho policy
of gßvernment control has been fully vindicated.
It remained for Great Britain to give a practical
test of the public system as compared with tho
management of corporations and companies of
private stockholders. After a protracted and
most laborious investigation. Parliament passed,
on :tlst July, 1868. “An act to enable Her Majes
ty’s Post Waster General to acquire, work and
maintain electric telegraphs,” which was fol
lowed on the 9th of August, 1839, by an act pro
viding the money necessary to purchase the un
dertakings of-tho several telegraph companies in
Great Britain and Ireland. On the sth
of February, 1870, tho transfers were ef
fected, and the work of the postal telegraph be
gan. At first, serious ditllenltics wcre'cucount
ered by reason of the delay In passing the Money
bill ami tho inadequate preparations to accommo
date tho immense Increase of business which im
mediately followed the large redaction of rates.
These ditlicnltiee, however, were soon overcome,
and, thanks to the indefatigable and intelligent
labors of Hon. Frank Ives Scudamore, Second Sec
retary, and his assistants, tho advocates of tho
measure can already boast of its triumphant suc
cess. Tho charges established iu tho beginning
were uniform throughout tho United Kingdom,
without regard to distance, and were Hxed at tho
maximum permitted by law; that is to sny. one
shilling (24 cents) for tho first twenty words or
part of twenty words, and threepence (six cents)
lor each additional live words or part of live
words, exclusive of signature and address. .Refer
ring to au elaborate report of Mr. Scudamore, it ap
pears that the average cost of inland messages was
about one shilling one penny (20 cents), against
an average cost prior to the transfer of one shil
ling and sevenpeueo (33 cents), showing a reduc
tion in price of nearly one-third. In the first
week after the transfer tho number of messages,
exclusive of news and press messages, forwarded
from all stations was 128,872; in the week ending
31st March, the number had risen to 190,775. The
average weekly number in 13 weeks, to 30th Juuo,
was 174,410 tho average number iu 33 weeks to
:>oth September, was 290,787, and the average
number iu 13 weeks, to 3lst December, was2iU,s72.
Iu the week ending on the 31st December which is
usually considered the worst week in the year for
telegraphic work, the number was 141.011, or
nearly 3G,«00 in excess of the number of the livst
week. Tbc total number of messages forwarded
in three quaitcrs, to 31st December 1870, was ns
follows:
In quarter to :;oth June 22:06.340
Iu quaitcrtoocth September 2.010,237
Iu quarter to 3ist December 2,<>17,433
In three quarters 7,563.435
In addition to the foregoing, amplo provision
was made for the press and news work. The com
panies, before the transfer, sent nows to :mk> sub
scribers in Hi towns only iu the United King
dom the postal telegraph scut news lo 1,100 sub
scribers, In 356 towns. The companies sent nows
to 173 newspapers only: the postal telegraph sent
news to 567 newspapers, showing an increase of
221 in the number of towns to which news was
sent, an increase of soo in the total number of
subscribers for news, and an increase of 294 in
the number of newspapers taking news. There
was, moreover, a vast increase in the quantity
of news transmitted. The compa
nies sent during the session of Parliament, nearly
b.cco words of hews daily during the remainder
of the year they sent nearly 4,00b words daily.
The postal telegraph sent, during the session of
Parliament, in behalf of tho news associations,
nearly 20,c00 words of news dally and during
the remainder of the year nearly 15, 000 words
daily.
The postal telegraph also transmitted from 15,-
OCO to 20,000 words daily for the ordinary newspa
per correspondents; and seven newspapers
rented special wires during tho night at tho uni
rate of £SOO, instead of rates ranging from £750
to £i,oon, as before. Two other wires were about
to be rented to newspaper proprietors at tho
close of tho year, and many more could
have been suited if tho department could
have spared them. There has beeu
doubtless, a still further increase of messages
during the current year. By an ollicial statement
received from tho British ollice, tho number of
messages for the week ending September 23,1871,
is shown to bo 250,456, against 189.036 for tho cor
responding week of last year. This increase for
a single week of 60,820, averaged through tho
year, would exhibit an annual increase of. y.474,-
040 messages. The financial results are even more
satisfactory. Tho ollicial report of Hon. George
Chctwynd, Receiver and Accountant-General of
the British oflieo, shows the following most fa
vorable result for the fiscal year ended 31st .March
last: The gross receipts amounted to £971.215,
payments to £273.282, leaving a net produce of
£697,933.
These facts all tend to demonstrate conclusive
ly the utility of tho postal telegraph for both gov
ernment aud people. Borne may hesitate to adopt
it In this country because of the groat extent of
our territory, the paucity of our population in
certain large sections, aud the great expense in
volved in extinguishing the rights of telegraph
companies. R ghtly viewed, the extent of the
country is a strong argument in favor of a postal
telegraph, and the additional facilities aud uni
form rates it will afford. It is only iu countries,
of a large extent that the value of instantaneous,
or nearly instantaneous, communication can heap
predated.
It is true that a large sum ot money will he re
quired for the purchase of the present telegraph
lines and their appurtenances. But If this he a
dilliculty, delay only magnifies ic.
The Post Oflieo Department is now prepared to
undertake the organization and management of
the telegraph in connection withits other duties.
Indeed, I believe tluittho Department itself can
aid materially in raising the money needed for
tho purchase through Boat Oflloo savings banks,
if Congress will authorize their establishment.
The security of the government being the best
that can be obtained, many depositors would give
it the preference over every other. By paying 4
per cent interest, at tho most,on’rlcposlts, a largo
fund could lie readily accumulated and invested,
under the direction of the Treasury Department,
in tho public securities. The proceeds ot these
investments could be used to reimburse the orig
inal purchase mouc-yand all other expenditures
for construction and repairs. To prove the fea
sibility of this plan, I recur to the history of the
British oflice. The total amount in hand after
ten years’operations, and for which the British
Government pays only 21-2 per cent interest, is
£15.463,923, or $75,145,690 a much larger sum than
will be required for the purchase and thorough
repair of all the telegraphic line j in tho United
States.
THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE.
Again I renew my recommendation for the re
peal of the franking privilege. Its existence is
utterly incompatible with an economical and
vigorous administration of postal affairs. Fla
grant frauds have been practiced during tho past
year, and will continue to be practiced, under its
cover, so long as the privilege is protected by
law, I refer to my arguments on this subject in
former reports with unshaken confidence iu their
soundness.
Battle of the Salads*
From tho Cincinnati Commercial.
The latest “ring” that has come to our
knowledge is to be found with our famous
gardeners who have made the Cincinnati
markets so justly celebrated. Tho big fel
lows of Millcreek Valley have formed a
combination aud signed a compact to hold
tho price of celery at iifty cents per dozen,
wholesale, or sixty cents per dozen, rctaU.
Nearly all the largo producers iu this
vicinity entered into this agreement.
Of the few who did not go in was
Sir. Melchior Meyers (for short “Slilkcy
Slyers), who has ‘a large garden out on tho
avenue, and has therein somo live hundred
dozen bunches of celery. Sir. Myers com
menced to bear the market by selling celery
at cents per dozen. This soon canto
to the ears' of the ring, aud a committee
of big-listed gardeners waited on him, and
stated that he must put the price of celery
at 30 cents per dozen, or his crop would bo
pulled up and destroyed.
To this, Myers, who is an old soldier,
brought out his Spencer riile, which he car
ried through the wars, and announced his
intention to stand by his celery or die in the
defence of his rights to sell his own produce
as he pleased.
The committee, satisfied, departed, and
Myers continued to sell celery by day, aud
stand guard by night, till worn out by cease
less vigils ho sent to the ring and asked for
a parley, and, having been permitted to dic
tate his terms, which were that he would
advance the price of celery to iifty cents per
dozen wholesale if he was permitted to sell
saurkraut at his own figures—he having
some three hundred barrels of tint tooth
some article on hand—ho surrendered, as
they used to say, to the “force of superior
numbers.”
Bhuiarlds Library.
Bismark s study is on the ground door—a
square. low room, with a square table near
thc_ window. and a square elbow-chair of
dark stamped leather before it. I observed
that, although the leather was well worn at
1 e 1 si des and elbows, the back was bright
lowing plainly that it is not the
to lounge or lean his head
Kt-bwio *l*. A deep mahogany book-case
to* iiin a^l ust I hud the curiosity
anion? Jii r C ye alwu shelves, ami
fount? ll<*mvni U fi ma -K- s there placed
ic" anlPlVoS, Dl .7™’» “Youuff Wy
nne or t«-o L Engii"h woriTnf*®?"’ ,ID3i 10
Montaigne was there one b vofn. u tc-
A cheap Leyden, eflition, o£ Uahol:
heaven save the mark! four thin
hiilf-bimlingofPanl du Kocln Who ,v°m,
have thought it? tile work of all other'
Pueellc dc llclleville.” A square earpot lii's
under the square table, bearing evidence of
being much rubbed by square-toed boots
There are no muslin curtains to the windows!
The servant saj's that Bismark’s constant
habit, when writing on serious matters, is to
start suddenly up trom the table, and, pen
in hand, walk to the window, where ho will
stand and watch the passers-by, and even
laugh outright at any comical figure that
may pass in the street, then quietly return
to the table and continue •writing. It is
thought that this habit is owing to sudden
dimness of sight, but bo has never owned to
snfieringfrom. his eyes.
4ior .srw.ru
.SW.-119.86
Washington Territory has more than doubled
its population dining tlio last ten years, has Sll,-
r.UM-00 worth of taxable property, and the nntiu.il
exports ara valued at 5400.W0 its saw-mills get
gel out avo.cw.foo feel of lumber annually.
THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1871
lIOIETARY AM) COMMERCIAL.
Wednesday* Evening, Dec- c.
Each annual report of the Comptroller of the
Currency contains a lengthy discussion of plans
of resuming specie payments. Judging by the
greater length at which the subject la discussed
each year by the Comptroller than it is by the
Secretary of the Treasury, or in the message of
the President, it would appear that he considers
it a specialty of his office. There is, of course,
nothing inappropriate or objectionable in this
when the suggestions made have been carefully
considered, and the conclusions drawn are not
based upon errors.
Mr. nurlburd’s consideration of the subject in
his annual report, printed in this paper yester
day, was mainly a review of the various plans
which are now regarded most favorably by the
X>ublie, with a statement of the principal advan
tages and disadvantages of cacb. From those
premises ho draws various conclusions, some of
which ate correct, and some of which are far
from it. One of the latter bears absurdity on its
lace, Mr. Hiirlbmd says:
A theory, which has found much'favor In the List
few years, is embodied in the proposition that the
currency should be maintained at Its present volume
until the industrial and commercial interests of ths
country shall recover from the effects of the war. and
until the natural growth in population and wealth, the
ifviviii of enterprise, the increased facilities of trade,
audthe expansion of our borders, shall create a legiti
mate' i*sc ior the wlioloamouut of currency cow out
standing.”
Granting that the business of tho country la likely
to attain such dimensions as to require the entire
present volume of currency for Its accommodation,
there Is another aspect of the case to bo considered.
When tho point is reached at which the currency
ceases to be abundant, tho supposition is that it will
rapidly appreciate to par with gold, and that gold will
then resume its functions as currency. When this
lakes place, one of two things is likely to occur:
Iheie must boa very considerable inflation, in con
sequence of the addition of gold and silver to tho cur
rency, or there must be a reduction In tho volume of
impel* nioucv.
The error of the above is, we think, evident. JA
currency, whether it be of paper or specie, or of
both together, can not be inflated without, at the
same time, being depreciated; lu other words,
its purchasing power wouhlbe diminished. Now.
when the inflation Mr. Hurlburd predicts above,
occurs, which would be depreciated, tho paper or
the specie It could not be tho specie, because
if its purchasing power was diminished in this
country, compared to what it is in others, tho
specie would flow out of this country, it would
not circulate here.
But if it was the paper money which was in
flated, it would necessarily be depreciated, it
would bo of less value than specie, and the latter
would not circulate in conjunction with it any
more than it does now. Tho “very considerable
inflation” which air. Ilmlliurd predicts wifi take
place when gold comes into circulation at par
with paper, can never occur, for tho simple reason
that gold would never circulate at par with “paper
money” if there was any inflation at all. Tho onlv
things that will ocur when paper and specie come
to a par will he that if there is any deficiency m
the value of paper money to meet the require
incuts of our internal trade, tho deficiency would
be supplied by specie coming into circulation to
just tho extent of tho deficiency. The fact that
the paper currency was at par with specie, would
he tue most indubitable evidence that there was
qo inflation.
Mr. Hurlburd is also a good deal troubled
about distinguishing between circulation and de
posits, when resumption is attempted, and sug
gests that the banks arrange with their custom
ers so as to make deposits payable in kind,”
while their circulation would he redeemable in
specie. Now, if the circulation Is maintained at
pur with specie, depositors would want nothing
better, ami tho proposal to arrange topiy depos
its in kind would be not only useless but absurd.
—TlieAUna Insurance Comnanj', of Hartford,
have issued a handbill, setting fortn that up to
November 28 they had paid losses by the Chicago
fire to tho aggregate amount of $2,000,009. This
amount was paid to 1,100 claimants, whose names
and the amounts paid to each are printed in tho
handbill. The average amount received by each
was sl,fco:t. Two days ago wo printed u similar
list of 139 names of persons who Had received tho
money on their claims against the Liverpool,
London A Globe, tho aggregate amount
paid by that company between October 25
and November 22 having been $1,820,226,
an average of $13,000 to each. Tills plan of print
ing a list of tho names of the parties to whom the
companies have paid money, and how much was
paid to caeh. is a commendable one on several ac
counts: First, it shows which companies arc
able to come before tho public with statements of
which they are not ashamed. All the companies
that profess to have paid in full,” and are now
endeavoring to get new business, want, of course,
to be advertised. If their dealings with their
policy-holders in tho payment of losses by tho
late lire have been of a character
that will bear publicity, and be creditable to the
companies, there is no style of advertisement that
will pay the companies ho well as showing that
their policy holders bear witness for them. Tho
fact that an insurance cuiujiany was unwilling to
print a list of the amounts paid to each would bo
reason for supposing the company emild not do
so without giving evidence of unfair dealing with
its policy holders. The majority of such lists arc,
of course, too large to print in any newspaper,
but the public can bo Informed to
some extent of tho facts m tho
case by hand bills or circulars. Another
reason for publicity in this matter is that a large
part of the public are pecuniarily interested m
tho financial condition of those who are “waiting to
collect the money due for insurance before they
can pay debts. No business man need fear that
the publication of tho fact that ho has collected
his insurance will do him any harm, and none
could reasonably object.
—Gold was quoted to-day at 100 7-8. which is the
lowest price touched since July 5,1862.
—ln the local money market tho situation re
mains the same us fur tho lust week. Money is
abundant, and some of our banks are loaning
money to bankers in St. Louis and other places
because they cannot find employment for It hero.
Currency movements continue light. There is
none coming from Now York to this market, and
but lit’le going out from here to tho country.
Exchange is in fair supply, and sales were made
between banks 10-day at 2."e ami at 500 per si.ooo
discount. At tho counter, bankers sell at par,
and buy at l-io discount.
Messrs. Lnut, Preston A Kean furnish the fol
lowing quotations for buying and selling govern
ment nouds and local stocks In this market this
afternoon:
U. S. Gs of 'SI.
5 293 of V’....
5 2Us o! 'O2, (called)
5 20s of
5-20 sol *C3,
5-203 of 'is, January ami July 113 5-3 113 5-8
5-20s of 'O7 January ami Julj* 114 2-4 1115-8
5-203 of 'CS, January ami July .114 1-2 114 3-4
10-40’s.
U. H. Currency 63 1127-3 113 l-S
V. S. 5 per cents, (new Issue) ,109 1-4 1091-2
Northern Pacific Gold T-30s lOJfeln
Chicago City 7s
Cook County 7s
Gold and Gold Coupons.
Land Warrants—icos.
120sl"! *1.132 112
Agricultural College Land Serin 173-175
Toe following were tne receipts and shipments
of produce at this port during tho past twenty
four hours, as far as reported, with the corre
sponding quantities one year ago:
Receipts. Ehipmcnft.
1871. 1870. 1871. 1870.
flour, Drlfl 5,459 5,023 1,66 1 4,891
Wheat, bu 32,510 51,033 5,418 543
Corn, bu 52,730 31,094 6,192 35,133
OatS,bU 24,720 14,353 3,273 1,950
Bye, bu 727 1,333
Barley, bu 10,075 2,910 3.293 13,430
Grass seed, lbs, 3,030 9,190 19,279 14,100
Flaxseed, lbs
Broom corn, ios 3,009 183,337 20,000 7 010
Cared meats, lbs 202,000 527,732 430, 75»
Beef, brls 197 270 1.207
Pork, brlfl 417 52 70 1,307
Lard, lbs 3,110 12,930 500,730 127,780
Tallow, lbs 0.400 0,212 439
Butter, 11)3 39,339 20,401 14,530 47,890
Dressed hogs, N0... 409 ic 427
Live hogs, No 18,274 15,184 2,308 1,130
Cattle, No 1,930 1,710 839 389
Hides, lbs 70,G00 192,510 53.038 87,755
HJglrwlnes. brla 274 112 200 soo
Wool, Iba 450,244 180 218,000 25,010
Potatoes, bu 3,003 700
Lumber, m 854 423 074 1,802
Shingles, m 040 490 531 1.074
Lathes, m 13 97
Suit. hgR 33 2,778 2,483 943
"Withdrawn yesterday for city consumption:
1,512 bu wheat; 103 hu com; 2911 m rye.
Tho following grain has been inspected info
store up to 10 o’clock this morning: 40 cars wheat;
225 cars corn; 21 cars oats; 2 cars rye; 7 cars
barley. Total, 301 ears, or 122,000 bn.
There was less doing on ’Change to-day, hut
prices were generally firmer, owing to the fact of
lighter receipts, present and prospective. New
York was firm, except on wheat. Tho shipping
movement was quiet, and the trading ingrain was
largely of the scalping order.
llighwlues were strong at 1c advance, owing to
scarcity hero and at tho Last. The demand for
the holidays has set in, and found dealers with
rather light stocks, which incites to a stronger
feeling on the pail of holders. It is thought prob
able that prices will continue firm to the end of
the year. Sales to-day. were 400 brls at 90e.
Dressed hogs were in fair demand for light, for
shipment, while other lots wore not much wanted.
Saks were made of about 220 head, atsL7o.ii.7s
for louud lots of light, and $4.G0a4.05 for mixed
and heavy lots.
Provisions wore quiet but Arm at yesterday’s
quotatlons.tnauy holders asking a slight advance,
on tho double ground that tho receipts of hogs do
not pan out so largely as expected, and that there
is not enough profit in packing at present prices.
But few buyers wore willing to follow, hoaec
there was less doing, though tho aggregate of
transactions was not small. There was less in
quiry for meats than heretofore, but hams were
still in request, and very firm, and all kinds
of green meats were a shade firmer.
The market closed at the following range of quo?
tations: Mess pork, cash or seller the mouth,
912.95u13.CU; do seller January, $13.15:113.20; do
seller February, 513.43a13.50i do seller March,
513.70u13.75. Lard, cash, or "seller tho month,
8 1-2 c; do seller January, 8 5-Baß 3-4 c; do seller
February, 8 3-4aß 7-8 c do seller March, 8 7*Ba‘Jc.
Green meats at 3 7-8 c for shoulders; 5 l-4a3 3-80
for short ribs; 5 3-4a5 7-8 c for short clear, and
6 l-2a7 3-lc for hams. Dry salted meats at
41-Ec for shoulders; 5 l-2e for rough sides;
Cc for short ribs; 01-4 c for short clear.
Boxed meats 3 Bal-2c higher tbau tho above quo
tations for loose. Boxed Cumberlands, C l-!c.
Sweet pickled hams, 8:18 3-4 c; mess beef, SS.OUa
8.25; extra mess beef, $10.00; city tallow, 8 1-la
8 3-4 c. Sales were reported of 1,000 brls mess
pt.rk, seller Jauuaiy, at $13.25; 1,800 brls do at
$13.20; 300 brls do (last evening) at $13.12 1-2; 1,8-50
brls do. seller February, at'"sl3.so; 250 brls do,
seller March, at $13.75; 1,700 tes 1 ird at 8 l-2o; 250
tes do, seller January, (last evening) at 8 3-tc;
100,000 IDs green shoulders at $3 3C; 80,009 lbs do
at 3 :Mc; 100 boxes salted do at 4 6-8 c; 250 boxes
short libs at G 1-ic; 20,000 lbs do at 5 3-4 c; 90,090 lbs
green do at 5 l-4c; 140 boxes long clear at 6 3-8 c;
500 boxes short clear at G 5-8o; 20,000 las do at
c i-ie; 80,noo lbs green hams at 7 3-8 c; 3.000 x>iecos
and mjloo lbs do at 7c; 50 tea sweet pickled hams
atß 1-2 c; 300 brls mess beef at $8.00; 200 brls do
(2d brand) at $5.50; CO brls beef hams at $22.00; 100
brls packers’ tallow at 8 3-4 c.
W. c. Sanford Co., of Now Orleans give
uio following as the stocks of provisions in that
city December 1:
Bands mc-sfl pork.
Bunds other klml.
Total pork
Tierces lard
Kegs lord X'fei 0 2|. J
Casks bucouslioimlcru.
Tasks bacon rib sides I “2
Casks bacon clear rib sides...’* *f.
Tasks bacon clear bides 1
Tierces Imus 'so-’ 'jF,
Lry salt meats, packed and loose. lbs. 177000 mi ooj
Total bncou and L>. S. meats, in lbs.. .2.233 "W 43
Flour was again in good demand on Southern
MONETARY.
Jhti/in'i. Selling.
..117 1-3 117 3-s
..110 1-2 110 5-1
.1101-2 110 3-1
.110 3-4 111
.109 5-3 10'J 7-S
.109 3-3 109 7-3
COMMEE.CIAI,.
Wednesday Evening, Dec. c.
J)'c. 1, Dee. l,
1371- 1370
1,3*1 3,132
16'J 3)J
account, and buyers were taking high grades ia
the absence of the low flours wantedr The local
trade was light. Buckwheat flour is now wanted
for consumption, and is quotedscarce and higher.
at.53.00 Bran is also stronger. Sales to-day were
repoi ted of 125 brls white winter extras (Golden
Star and Nashville City) at $8 25: 200 brls at
$7,021-2; 100 brls do at $7.00; 200 brls spring ex
tras (Minn )at $o 75: 100 brls do at $0.121-2; 100
brls do at $0.00; 50 brls do at $5.871-2; 100 brls do
at $5.75; SCO brls do at $5.30; 100 brls do at $3.07 1-2;
100 brls do at $5.23; 300 brls do on private terms;
1,120 brls spring supertines (mostly delivered at
interior points) at $3.01; 300 brls do at $1.73; 100
brls do at $4.50; 100 brls do at $4.25; 100 brlsdoat
$4.05; 100 brls do on private terms. Total, 3,505
brls. Also, 10 tons bran at $17.00 on track.
Wheat was less active, and rather tame, at yes
terday’s average. There was a fair speculative
demand early, but it ceased about noon, when
New York was quoted Inactive and heavy. The
cause of the easier feeling there, and the quiet
ness here, was the decline in gold to 1013-4,
which reduces the paper price obtainable on ex
ports to Europe to a lower percentage on the
specie value of the grain than at any time since
1802. The effect was a slight reduction on the
price of options, due partiallv to an expectation
of a still further drop in gold; but cash wheat
was very Ann, as there was little offered, and
many dealers think that there is not much to
come in this winter; our receipts have been
unusually large hitherto, white the crop is
known to bo light. The market for seller las
half opened at $1.20 7-8, and fell to $1.20 3-3 at the
close. Seller January sold at $1.21 l-2a1.22, clos
ing at 1.21 r»-8. Seller the month sold at lli> 5-8 a
1.20, closing at sl.lO 3-4. There was little inquiry
for other grades than No. 2; No. 1 was dull. Casa
sales were reported of 400 b« No. 1 spring at $1.20;
25,200 gbu No. 2 spring atSl.2O; 28,200 bu do at
$1,197-8; 15.800 bu do at 1.193-4; 400 bu N0.3
spring at $1.11; £OO bu do at sl.lO. Total, 70,800
bu.
Corn was again a shade llrmor, and quite active
for the season. Receipts were liberal, but New
York was firmer, and speculative buyers were
numerous, especially for the more deferred op
tions, the expectation of an advance being pretty
general. Com is law now. and has
comb in so liberally during tho past few
months that, though the crop fs admit
ted to be very largo, tho probabilities
arc that the future receipts will bo relatively
light, especially us the farmers are now turning
their attention to hogs. There was less doing in
cash lots, but seller April and seller May were
wanted to a great extent, aud it was noticeable
that most of the purchases appeared to bo on
country account. Tho market for cash No. 2
opened at 41 l-2c, improved to 41 3-4 c, and closed
with 41 5-Sc bid. Seller tbc mouth sold at 41 l-2a
41'6-Sc, and seller May at 4Su4B l-lc, all closing at
the outside. Cash sales were reported of 4,003
buNo. 2at 41 3-4 c; Cl,2Oobu do at 415-8 c; 70,000
bu do at 41 i-2c; 2,4f)0 bu rejected at 391-2 C. 0.500
biidoat:*9 5-8 c; 13,000 bu do at 39 i-4c; 12.800 bu
do at 39 3-8 c 2,400 bu do at 39c; 6,400 bu yellow at
42e; 1.2«) bn ears at 43c on truck; 440 bu do at
43 l-2c delivered. Total, 187,000 bu.
Oats were strong but not active. The offer
ings were exceedingly light, aud there were sev
eral buyers of car lots, who competed with eaoh
other for tho few lots on the market. Fust sales
were made at 37 T-Bc, aud the market closed ut
33c bid. Seller January sold at 33 l-4a33 5-Bc, and
seller May was nominal at 38a38 l-2e. Cash sales
were reported of coo bu No. 2at 33 l-8e 30,000 bu
at 33c 4,SCO bu at 32 7-8 c COO bu rejected at 31e.
Total, 30,000 bu.
Rye was dull and easier, though tho receipts
amounted to only 2 curs, a fact that caused hold
ers to ask higher prices early, which they could
not obtain. Sales were 2,000 bu No. 2 at 02 l-2c.
Bariev was In good demand, and firmer, at G3c
for regular No. 2, and 53 1-2 for fresh receipts of
do, closing steadi'. Cash sales were reported
of :i,cco lui No. 2at C 3 i-2c 3,0001 mdo at 02 l-4c;
1,000 bn do at 62c; 400 bu No. 3at 53 l-2c: 400 bn
do at 53c 800 bu lo* sample at 75c 400 bu do at
70c 400 bn do at COe. Total, 10,800 bu.
The Detroit Free. Press says:
The past week has seen the end of tho busy
season in the wheat market, and has closed up
tko most active trade iu this grain that Detroit
has ever had. Tim wheat crop of 1871 was proba
bly the beat that Michigan ever produced, as well
ns the largest, audit was secured so early as to
give ample time for a larger proportion than
usual to bo moved out before the close of naviga
tion. thus securing tho producer the benefit of the
lower freights by water. Laboring under tho dis
advantage of having had a poor crop for a year
or two before, at first the demand was not active,
but as soon us tho quality became known, It was
wanted everywhere, ami not only our domestic,
but foreign markets competed for It. Of nearly
three million bushels received hero, about one
million llirco hundred thousand bushels were
bought direct on foreign orders.
Another grain elevator is about to be erected
in Peoria, at a cost of $35,000.
Tho Troy (N. Y.) Ji'ess says
Between West Troy and Schenectady are over
200 boats, many loaded with apples—ail of which
will be mint'd. Four millions bushels of grain,
lumber, provisions, Ac., are also frozen in on the
canal, which is probably closed for the season.
The Bufialo Courier says:
Reports differ as to the number of canal boats
which have been caught in transitu by the unex
pected freezing up of the canal. It is conceded
that at least four hundred arc thus unfortu
nate, and there are those who assert that
the number will reach five hundred. Tho
sudden stoppage oi so large an amount of produce
cm its way to market is a calamity which only
those who are familiar with tho business can ap
preciate. Estimating the number of grain-boats
at 400, and tho cargoes at an average of 8,000
bushels, gives an aggregate of 3,200,000 bushels
thus suddenly embargoed. If this were all wheat
it would amount in value to over $-1,000,000. Esti
mating the freight on this grain from Buffalo to
New York at an average of 20 cents per bushel,
we have the formidable sum of s6pj,ooo, which our
forwarders will be unable to realize until spring.
LAT EST.
In the afternoon wheat was unusually qmet,
with little ehaugo.closlng atsl.2o 3-8 for seller last
half, and $1.21 1-2 for seller January. Corn was
quiet at 42 1-Sc for seller January.
I'liicngo Daily Market.
Wednesday Evening. Dec. 6.
BUTTER— I TJiero was a fair movement in this
article at about previous rates, the general mar
ket ruling steady. Wo quote Choice dairy, 23a
23c; fair to good tub and firkin, Halßc; com
mon grades, 9al3c.
BAGGING—Cotton goods are being held with
great firmness, although business at present is
slack. Other goods rule steady. Wo quote:
Stark, 3Cc; Lewiston, ate; Philadelphia, 33;
American, 31 l-2c; Minnesota, 30c; burlaps, bugs,
21 l-2a22c; gunnies, 17a2dc; wool sacks, C7c.
BROOM CORN—Is quiet but llriub* held. Wo
quote: Old brush, SlOO.OOaUO.OO; new do, $130.00
alFo.no; and choice hurl. Sl80.i)0a200.00.
BUILDING MATERIAL—Prices were llriu and
unchanged. We repeat our list us fol
lows Stucco, $2.".'ai3.00; New York
stucco, casting, $3.75a1.(20; superilno do,
$-t.coa-J.23; cement, $1.75; Roseudalo cement, $3-80 a
3.25; marble dust, $3.00; limo in bulk, $1.23; white
sand, per brl, $3.00a3.25: plastering lir.lr, i>cr
bn. 3r>aloc fire brick, per 1,000, $b>.0Oa0O.O0;
building brick, $12.00al3.00; lire clay §-1.00a5.00 i>cr
brl.
CHEESE—A moderate business was doing in
this staple, and prices wore quoted steady and
linn, as follows New York factory, 15a15 1-2e;
Ohio factory, isallc Western do t laaUo.
was active, and the late advance
was firmly sustained. Wc continue to quote:
Lehigh. prepared, Sll.OO; Lackawanna,
oiu.cCT; Erie. $9-50; Briar Hill,
$9 30: Walnut IliU, $8.50; Indiana. $7.50: Hock
ing Valley, $8.00; Blossbnrg, $3,30 1 Wilming
ton. SG.OO,
ClDEß—was quiet at unchanged prices, sales'
making at ss.soac. 00,
COOPERAGE—Continues active, and is steady
at tho recent decline. Wo quote: Pork brls,
$2.10a2.15; lard tes, $2.40a2.G0; beef tes, $2.10 a
2.20 whiskey brls, $2.00.52.35; flour brls, 50a550.
Staves and headings at $18.00a19.00 for pork, and
$2".C(!a27.Gi) perm for whiskey brls and tea. Sales
were: 2.CGO iron-bound tea at $2.38, to arrive; l,uco
tes at S2.CO; 500 pork brls at $2.13.
EGGS—Were dull and easy at 27a23c for fresh.
FRUITS—DRIED—With the exception of apples,
which wore a shade lower, there was no change
in prices, tho general market ruling
steady and firm. We quote: Dates, 9
l-2a!01-2e; figs, drums, 18a20c; figs, box, 20a22c;
Turkey prunes, 9aloc; French do. liaise; raisins,
01d,52.90a3.00; do new, $3.90a4.00; blackberries,
15 l-2alG l-2c; pitted chcrnes.aSu toe; peaches,pared,
24a25e; peaches, halves, 91-2alol-2o; currants,
lOaiic; apples, new. Southern. 8390; do new
Western, DuiOc; do new Michigan. lOallc.
FlSH—Business was dull. There was a
light local and interior demand at
the annexed quotations: No. 1, whitcflsh,
84.75J15.00; NO. 2, $4.25a4.50; trout. $4.23a4.60;
No. 1 shore mackerel, $I0.00al0.25; No. 1 bay, $3.50 a
9.00; No. Sshore mackerel, $8.00a8.50; No. 2 bay
mackerel, $7.00a7.50; No. 1 shore kits, 12.09 a
9.10; No. 1 hay, §1.50a1.C0; family kits, Sl.10al.l5;
bank cod.sG.«oaC.so; George’s cod, $7.00a7.50; box
herring. No. 1, 40a45c;box herring, scaled, 45a500.
California salmon, half hrl, $10.60a11.C0.
GREEN FRUITS—Trade continues dull at
the following prices Apples, from store, $2.00 a
3.C0; Cranberries, 89.00ai1.G9 for wild, and sl2-00a
14.C0 for cultivated. Lemous, $7.00a7.50; oranges,
8G.003R50.
GROCERIES—Trade was more active than
during the preceding days of tho week, and prices
were iirmly sustained for all staple goods. The
stock are liberal and well assorted, and a satis
factory business is doing. We quote
Canui.es—Star, 19a19 l-2c.
Coffees—Prime Rio coffee, 2ta220; choice
do, 22a23c; O. G. Java, 30a33c; Singapore, 2Ca
27c; Costa Rica, 25a2Cc.
Hick—Rangoon, 7 l-2a7 3-4 c; Patna, 8a81*2o;
Carolina, 81-2a9c.
Si.t.aiis—A sugar, 12 l-2a!2 5-8 c B do, 12 l-4a12
3-Sc; C do, 12 l-Ba!2 l-4c; choice brown, 10 3*3a1l 1-4 c;
fair do, loaio l-2c; molasses do, 9aloc.
Syrups—Diamond. 51.23ar.30; common molasses,
Soa3sc; Porto Rico molasses, 4dasuo good sugar
house syrup, 40aC0c; extra, CflaCoo; choice silver
drips, extra fine, 80a83c; New Orleans. r*sa7oc.
Spices—Allspice. Ilal3c; cloves, 18u20o cassia,
48a5Cc; pepper, 23a24c; nutmegs, $1.20a1.23.
Soaps—French mottled, 6 3-4a7c; standard,
61-4uC3-4c; German mottled, 7 l-4a7 3-4 c; erasive,
5 3-iaßc; Drown Windsor, 4 l-2a4 3*40; palm, 4 a
4 1-2 C
Starch—Gloss, 9 3-4al0o; corn, loaio l-2o;
laundry, 0 l-2a 7c: common saCl-lc.
HAY—Remains inactive and the market is
lacking in The supply was not largo
hut exceeded the requirements of the trade and
concessions were freely granted. Wo quote:
On track—Timothy, pressed, $14.00alS.00; prai
rie, pressed, 510.00a11.50. On wagon—Timothy,
loose, 512.C0a13.50; prairie, loose, 52.00a11.00. For
delivery of pressed hay, 51.00a1.50, according to dis
tance.
HlDES—Nothing new was developed in connec
tion with this market. The demand kept pace
with the supply, and the quoted prices are firmly
adhered to all around. We repeat our list as
follows: Green salted, cured, light, Hl-2c;
do. heavy, 10 i-2c; part cured, lOaiic;
murrain kip, 11 l-2c; veal kip, Ho; green calf,
17c; dry calf, 26c; dry flint, I9a20o; dry salted,
16a17c; diy kip, 220; deacons, COaCOo; scored,
cut. or otherwise damaged, two-thirds price.
IRON—Hem a ins Arm and unchanged. Wo
quote: Common bar, Ba3-lo: horse
shoe Iron, 6 l-4aC5-8o; heavy band,
4 3-4a6 l-2o; hoop and light band, 5 i-lae 3-10,
round and square, 4aff l-4c; oval, 6a6 l-2o;
bnlf oval and half round. 6 l-2a6 l-4o; sheet
iron, common, 5 X-2aG l-4o; sheet iron, galvanized,
17x18, 13 l-2a19 3-4 c; sheet iron, charcoal, 8 l-2a
18 S-4o sheet iron, Juniata. 10 l-2all l-4c.
LUMBER—Is in fair demand, and linn at the
quotations of several days past, as follows:
hirst and second clear... .........143.00i60.00
Second clear, 1 inch to 2 inch 47.00a45.00
Third clear, liuch.. 037.00
Third clear, thick 40.00a42.50
First and second clear flooring, togeth
er, rough a 40.00
First and second clear aiding, together 23.00a24.00
Common siding
Common flooring, dressed fir5t......... 54.00a36.00
Common flooring, dressed second...... 23.00a30.00
Wagon-box boards, selected, 16 inches
and upwards.'. 35.00a«H»
A stock fcoards
B stock boards :r 23.0-0a23.00
Common boards, joists, scantling,small
timber, etc., 16 feet and under 20.00
Fencing........... 20.00
Joists and scantling, 18x24 feet......... 20.00a26.00
Pickets, square 16.00a13.00
Pickets, flat 13.00
Cedar posts,split 16.00aX3.C0
Cedar posts, round 2J.Wa22.00
Hath 4.00
Sawed shingles, No. 1.1 1.25 a 2.75
Sawed shingles. A or star a 4.00
Shingles on track are nuict at $3.371-2a3.50 for
A’s or star, and 51.50a2 00 for No. 1 sawed.
LEATHER—Prices were steady and unchanged:
Hemlock—City harness, onion, 37a380; city
harness, 37a3Sc; country harness, 34a36c;linoc:ty,
perlh, 39a42c; kip, per lb, 80ca$l.00; lap, veals,
$l.00al.lS; city upper, No. 1, per ft, 26a290; city
upper, No. 2, per it, 25a27c; country upper. No. 1,
24a27c; collar, per ft, 21a230; call, city, 91.25a1.45;
calf, country, $i.!0a1.25; rough upper, 11 to 13 lbs.
35a3Tc; rough upper, 14 to 18 lbs. 32a340: roach
upper, damaged, 2Sa3oc; Buffalo slaughter sofe,
33a35c.
Oak—Slaughter sole. 40a4Bo: Philadelphia sole
43a46c; harness, per lb, 36a450; kip. light, sl.ooa
1.15; kip. No. 1, medium, 80ca$1.00; kip. heavy, 75a
85c; American calf. 32 1b5,51.23a1.45; French calf,
28 lbs, 51.80a2.35; French calf, 36 lbs. 51.60a2.20;
French kip, CO to 100 lbs, 51.00a1.65; French calf,
Lcmoyne, per doz 565.00a90.00; French calf, Jodot,
STO.OOalcom
METALS AND TINNERS’ STOCK—Continues
in active request, and all articles in the list are
very firm •with a general upward tendency. We
quote
Tin —Box tin plate, IC, 10x14, $11.00; roofing C,
$10.50: large pigs,4sc; small piga.tin.4Co; bartin,47c.
Copper—Copper bottoms, 38c; braziers’, over 12
lbs, 340; tin copper. S3o.
Sheet Zinc—First quality, cask, 10 l-2o; first
quality, sheet, 11c; slab zinc, 90.
Wire—2toC, 90;6,8 and 9,10 c; io to 11, llo; 12,
12 l-2c; 13 and 14,12 l-2c; 15 and 16,14 c; 17,' 15o; 18,
ICcrlP. 19c*; 20,10 c; full bundles 25 per cent off.
NAILS—Are in good demand and remain firm
at S4.CO rates: 10 to 60d per keg, SLSO; 8d per keg,
$4.76; Cd, per keg, $5.00; 4d, per keg, $5.25; 3d,
per keg, $6.00; fine 3d, per kog, $7.25; blue 2d,
common, per keg, $7.25.
OlLS—Trade was reported good, and the preva
lent feeling was firm. There was no import
ant change In values. We quote:
Carbon, 25a25 l-2c; extra winter lard, 85c;
No. 1 current make, 73a75c; No. 2
do, esc; linseed raw, 80c; do boiled, 85c;
whale, SI.OO; sperm, $2.15; neatafoot oil,
sl.ooa 1,25; bank oil, CoaGsc; straits, 70c; ele
phant oil, Bsc; turpentine, 75a7Ge.
POTATOES—Remain firm at 95ea51.23 from
store.
POULTRY AND GAME—Is plenty and dull,
sales dragging at the following quotations:
$2.fi0a2.73 for chickens; $1.75a3.00 lor ducks;
$•1.50 for prairie chickens, $1.40a1.c0 for
quail; Ba9o per lb for live turkeys; 10alll-2c
lor dressed.
SALT Quotations are unchanged. Saginaw
fine, $2.35 per brl; Onondaga, fine, $2.40 per
brl; coarse, $2.35 per brl; coarse, diamond C, $2.40
per brl.
SEEDS—Were less active and a shade easier.
Timothy sold at $2.80a3.12 1-2. Clover was quoted
at ic.30aC.50, and llax at $1.30a1.35.
TEAS—Business continues fairly active
and the general market is firm.
Wo quote: Young hyson, common to fair,
CoaCsc; good, 70a80c; choice to extra, $1.30 a
1.40; sunerior to fine old hyson, 90ca$1.10; com
mon imperial, 75a90c; good to choice do, OOcaSd.ls;
fine to good gunpowder, 80ca$1.00; choice to ex
tra. 51.55u1.45; choice to extra leaf Japan. §l.ooa
1.10; fair to good do, 70a80; colored natural leaf
Japan, OOaTOc; common to ilno Oolong, 60aC5c;
good. 70u&0c: choice to extra. 90ca51.2.",.
WOOD—Was sternly. We quote: Beech. SIO.OO
maple. $11.00; hickory, $12.00; slabs, $0.50 de
livered.
WOOL—There was a good demand and a light
supply* hence prices were very firm. We repeat
ourquotations: Tub-washed, 61a750: fine fleece
washed. 53a5C0; medium fleece, washed. 68a60c;
coarse fleece, washed, 6Ga580; unwashed, coarse,
42u44c; unwashed medium, 40a42c; unwashed,
fine. 38a40c. Wool in bad condition and unwashed
in proportion.
Chicago Lire Stock ITlarkct*
Wednesday Evening, Dec. c.
The receipts of live stock during the week up
to this evening, were as follows:
Cattle Bogs. Sheep.
Monday 1,794 17,793 236
Tuesday 1,986 18,274 fcU
Wednesday 1,500 24.000 500
Total 5.280 60,069 770
The following were the shipments;
Cattle. Hogs. Sheep.
Monday 1,341 3.505
Tuesday 389 2,863
Wednesday
Total 1.730 6.373
CATTLE-Business opened a little slack this morn
ing, buyers holding olfia hopes of forcing prices
to n lower range, but holders were generally firm
in their views, as tho receipts were moderate,
and Eastern advices rather encouraging than
otherwise. A little later iu the day the demand
improved, and without advancing perceptibly,
prices ruled firm for all descriptions suitable for
shipment East. Low grades were more or less
neglected throughout, and sales dragged at a
slight conception from yesterday’s prices, us
neither butchers nor feeders were buying
to any considerable extent. Tho average quality
of tno offerings was good, unusually
so for this season of tho year, and wo find most
of the transfers to have been made at prices rang
ing from $3.75 upward to $.".00. Some choice
brought $.'.25a5.50. and a few extra found buyers
at $5.75a0.c0. The outside figure was paid by Nel
son Morris for 61 extra steers averaging 1.620 lbs.
The market closed steady with about everything
sold.
CLOSING PRICES.
Extra—Graded steers, averaging 1,409
lbs and upward $5.30a5.75
Choice Beeves—Fine, fat, well-formed 3
to 6 year old steers, and averaging 1,200
to 1,400 lbs 6.0005.25
Good Beeves—Well-fattened, flnely-form
steers. averaging 1,200 to 1,300 lbs 4.60a4.75
Fair Grades—Fair steers,ln fair fleeh,av
eraging 1,100 to 1.200 lbs 4.03a4.25
Medium Class—Medium steers and good
cows for city slaughter, averaging 800
to 1,1 CO lbs 2.50a3.75
Stock Cattle—Common cattle la decent
flesh, averaging 700 to 1,0501bs 2.50a3.fi0
Inferior—Light and thin cows and steers 1.75a2.23
CATTLE SALES TO-DAY.
.Vo. Ae. Price.
29 good smooth steers 1,203 $4.80
71 Texas cat tie 1,076 3.55
17 medium steers 1.012 3 75
13 butchers* stock 044 2.80
10 choice steers 1.304 5.00
05 good smooth steers 1.267 4.85
14 medium steers 1,171 4.12 V
17 choice steers 1.310 5.12^
cl extra steers 1,1:20 c.oo
17 butchers' cattle 001 2.50
übntc-heiV cattle 2.95
IS good steers 1 l,n;i -1.40
15 romrli lleshv steer* 1,417 4.75
19 medium steers 1.090 ;*,‘»o
17 fuinleshvstoers 1..T00 4.50
11 butebera' .stuck «w 3.37'.
10 calves 179 5 00'
£2l stuck steers 799 3.03
11 butchers'fleers sal 202 V
17 common cows 975 2 124
i:to Texas cattle
47 good fat steers.
1(5 gO< dfutMeers..
f!S butchers* stock.
22 choice steers...
R.i good steers
nil Texas cattle....
G3 choice steers...
HOGS—At the opening of trade this morning
the feeling was weak, and early sales were effect
ed at a slight reduction from yesterday’s prices,
hut subsequently an active demand sprang up,
undr r which tho market became stronger, and
during the afternoon sales were quick at full
prices. The supply was large, but there was a
lull attendance of buyers, ami, after all orders
were filled, few hogs remained unsold. Sales
were reported at 55.90a3.95 for common light,
coarse, and mixed lots; at $4.00a4.03 for medium
*0 ft*ir: pad r.l $410iU.20 for good to choice—chief
ly at $4 oOal.lo. The market closed firm at the
above range.
nor. SALES TO DAT.
Xc. A r. Price. Xo. Av. Price. Xo. Ar.- Price
49 311 $-105 20 200 SI.OO 5!) 292 $1.15
47 3M 4.10 30 2SO 411 53 207 4.00
Cl 23 4.00 20 319 4.10 219 131 3.03
53 3*7 4.01 .'W ;toi> 4.05 GO 201 4.00
40 310 4.C0 47 302 4.05 «5 220 400
s(i 277 4.10 55 230 401 55 217 4.00
(>l 211 3.85 CO 253 4.00 51 217 400
47 330 4.10 51 217 4.00 32 312 4.10
43 2!17 4.00 33 311 4.05 101 301 4.15
fO 292 410 41 3G3 4.01 43 223 415
93 200 4.C0 43 218 401 100 201 4'lo
107 300 4.01 41 3f»2 4.10 53 212 4 07'
40 311 4.05 41 214 3.85 72 1113 4 00 J
5.1 221 4-00 ICO 321 4.10 55 271 400
130 221 4.00 43 315 4.10 40 301 410
112 221 4.10 52 312 4.12$ 43 312 410
fO 251 4.00 61 225 400 SI 272 405
111 262 3.00 31 27.5 4.05 161 254 4.15
124 2'6 3,5*0 350 J403 4.10 83 350 420
105 231 4.10 355 25W 4.10 GO 230 4,05
60 226 4.00 49 282 4.05 G5 217 4.«0
39 2.11 4.C0 61 233 4.00 170 350 4.J5
42 331 4.10 61 203 3.90 4 1 200 4.05
53 261 4.05 70 195 4.10 41 391 4,20
40 345 4.C5
SHEEP—TIie very meagre receipts of the past
three days have Lad the effect to stiffen prices
somewhat, the few offered to-day finding ready
purchasers at a strong 1-ic advance on las*; week’s
prices*. The demand was light, but exceeded the
supply, and everything was picked upas fast as
received, the market ruling firm at fa.23a4.00 for
common to medium, and at $4.23a1,73 for good to
choice.
Discovering Petroleum Wells by Elec-
trlcity,
The Titusville Herald contends that elec
tricity can be usefully employed in the dis
covery of petroleum wells. It says:
The possibility of passing electric currents
through the earth has long been an ad
mitted fact, and is daily demonstrated in
the use of the electric telegraph. If two
metnlic plates, such as zinc and copper, are
sunk in the ground, several thousand feet
apart, and the plates arc connected
together with a wire running over the
siiifaco of the earth, and one of the
plates is acted on by a known strength of
acid, on electrical action will be set up of
greater or less intensity, depending partly
upon the media through which the return
current has to pass, and also upon the dis
tance at which the plates arc stationed. The
most feeble current is readily detected by a
delicate galvanometer. If there be a large
hedy of some non-conducting substance m
the earth between the two plates, the galva
nometer will determine the extent of this
obstruction by its feeble fluctuation. This
being a known fact, its application to ascer
taining the location of large bodies of petro
leum, which is a very poor conductor of
electricity, at once becomes apparent.
13ut how may it be practically applied? It
is proposed to sink a zinc plate in the bot
tom of some particular well, and copper
plates in the wells of surrounding localities
at distances as nearly equal from the zinc
plate as possible. The gallvanomctcr will be
aided on to a greater or less degree by the
•pieater or less bulk of oil lying near the zinc
and copper, which will be a very clear mci
cation of the direction in which it is
situated. By this means the more
prolific territory can be readily point
ed oat. By the experi
ment ia different localities, and in tact,
by making an electrical survey of the tv hole
region, with very delicate and accurate ap
paratus, there is every probability that new
and very valuable .oil-producing territories
can be discovered and correctly mapped out.
The novcltv and boldness of this proposition
is at once startling as it is captivating and
almost convincing, at least in theory. \Vq
must, however, leave the subject to the con
sideration of oil operators and practical
electricians, who are better able to decide
upon its merits.
BANKING.
EilllWfflllW.,
BANKERS,
134 WEST TWELFTH-ST., BEAR ClSlt.
A regular Banking Busmen transacted. Accounts
taken and books furnished on application.
HOLIDAY BOOKS.
co s
Holiday Books
for 1871-3, Just received by
S.C. GRIGGS CO.
607 WABASH-AV.
THE STORY OF THE FOUNTAIN. By William
Cullen Bryant; illustrated with 42 engravings
by Fenn, Homer, Howes, and others; superbly
printed on heavy tinted calendared paper, and
sumptuously bound in cloth, extra gilt. Price,
and in morocco antique, $9.
FAIRY TALES. By Hans Christian Andersen; su
perbly illustrated by 12 exquisite full-page de
signs in brilliant colors by E. V. B. A beautiful
quarto volume in cloth, extra gilt, stt.
THE AMERICAN TOUR OP BROWN, JONES
AND ROBINSON, being the history of what
they saw-and did in the Uni toil States. Canada,
and Cuba, with 150 very humorous illustrations
byTobcy; handsomely printed on tinted paper,
uniform with the celebrated “Foreign Tour.”
Quarto extra gilt, S3,
COCKAYNES IN PARIS, or “Gone Abroad.” By
Blanchard Jerrold; with highly humorous illus
trations by Gustav Doro and others, from a
French point of View. §4.
RED LINE BRYANT: The Poems of William Cul
len Bryant. 25 Illustrations; beautifully printed
on tinted paper, with red-lino border, square
12ino„ handsoo jly bound in cloth, §3,50; in half
calf, $5; morocco antique, §7.
THE DRAMATIC WORKS OF SHAKSPEARE.
Introduction, etc., by H. G. Bell; C vols.; square
12m0., printed in flue clear type on tinted paper,
and put up in neat case. A very convenient and
desirable edition. Cloth, §9; half voxburghe,
§13.50; or full morocco, S2O.
THE HOMES OF OTHER DATS. A history of do
mestic manners and sentiments in England from
the earliest known period to modern times. By
Thomas Wright, F. S. A. Profusely illustrated
from old designs. Royal Svo. $7.50.
REWICK'S SELECT FABLES of and others.
Faithfully reprinted from the rare Newcastle
edition of 1734, with the original engravings of
Thomas Bewick. Cloth, extra gilt. §3.73.
THE POET «fc THE PAINTER; or. Gems of Art
nnd Song.- One magnificent volume, quarto,
splendidly and profusely illustrated With fine steel
engravings. Cloth, extra gilt, §l2, or in rich Tur
key morocco, §2O.
THE HOUSEHOLD BOOK OF POETRY, collected
and edited by C. A. Dana. New etUtio:u Cloth,
gilt sides and edges, §3; morocco extra, §lO.
THE ADVENTURES OF OLIVER TWIST. Ry
Charles Dickens. 25 Illustrations. Quarto, pret
tily bound in clolb, gilt. Very clear print. §1.23.
•l«y of the abate mailed or expressed on
receipt of price
A full and complete stock of all
the valuable Standard, Illus-
Irated, and School Books
of Messrs. D. Apple
ton Co., con
stantly on
hand.
S. C. GRIGGS CO.,
607 WABASH-AV.
COAX.
WILKESSARRE
COAL
From Our Own Mines,
BEING THE
FI.TEST QUALITY OF ANTHRACITE COAL
IN THE HAR&ET I
In yard. Delivered.
LARGE EGG, $8.50 $9.50
BIVIAI.L EGG, 8.50 9.50
RANGE. 9.00 10.00
Nl®, 8.50 9.50
Coal delivered on the cars to country, $3.30 per ton.
Also Old Co.’s I chigh, Cannel, Briar Hill, Hocking
Valley, Blossburg, and other Coals.
BLAKE, WHITEHOUSE CO.
C?* Office, 22C East Washlngton-st. Yards, Eigh
tcenth.st. and Indiana-st. Bridges.
CITY HOTEiL,
Corner Sixteenth and State-sts.,
in the NEW BRICK HOTEL, with all
modem improvements, where we have
first-class accommodations for ONE
HUNDRED guests.
J, W, TOWNE, Proprietor,
GEO. S. PALTVTR-R., Clerk.
MISCELLANEOUS.
.1,210 3.30'
.1,201 5.00
.1.250 5.00
3*37.1
.1,319 3.O‘J
.1.2j7 ■l-S7 1
A.iiOD -I.oo*
.I*3ll 3.12 V
Photo-Lithography,
PHOTO-CHEMICAL ENGRAVING ON
METALS.
A. MOWAN, 134 West Itandolpli-st.
Reproductions In lac simile, in any size, of all En
gravings lost by tiro. Great economy iu time and
money. _ _ _ _
PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS
nay be accommodated with
Power Press Work
i. W. MIDDLETON, 6 and 7 East Randolph-st.
WEATHER STRIPS.
WEATHER STRIPS.
BROWN'S DOUBLE RUBBER,
TORREY’S SINGLE RUBBER.
ROEBUCK’S SINGLE RUBBER.
J. W. D. SE££SY SEO.,
3(73 dIIC niflAN-AV.
Afnllstock of every description of Weatherstrips
made. Trade supplied at low rates. Send for circu
lars and price list.
STOVES.
If yon want a stove for yonr parlor, store, office, or
Chamber, get the King of BASE BURNERS,
THE ILLUMINATOR.
If you want tho hest cook stove In the world, war
ranted in every respect, get tho
MAGEE ADVANCE,
MAGEE STANDARD, with roasting closet, &c., or
Magee’s New Portable Range,
The Cheapest and best range in tho market.
Sufferers by the great lire cun got heating or cook
stoves at wholesale pricts, delivered and set up by
TULL OT SON BSO.,
«7/tc/iiyg»«ar. corner JTaclison-tt,
WATCHES. ETC.
COGSWELL CO.,
ABE NOW OPES AT
aoo West Madison-st.
With a fell stock of WATCHES, JEWELRY, and
WATCHMAKERS’ TOOLS.
Prompt and careful attention to orders.
CORNER STORE!-
FOR RENT.
Click Block, noxtheast comer Statist, and Eldridge
couit, 20x80. Possession Januaryl. Apply to
BAIRD BEADLE Y,
381 Wabasli-av.
TO WHOLESALE HOUSES.
A gentleman of long acquaintance with Uio trade m
lowa and Illinois desires a .Hitnntion to iravol. gm
ccrlespreferred. Address SALESMAN, Tribune of
lice.
We will pay the highest market price for
2,000 Empty Carton Oil Barrels.
CORY. BARRETT «t HANNA,
JIOSKV TO 10 AS
on collateral security, by E. JACOBS, 23 Quincy-at.,
between State and Dearborn. Ofilce hoars, from 9la
the morning till 4 Is the o vening.
SPLENDID
HOTELS.
AND
PRINTING.
STOVES.
TO RENT.
WANTED.
IRON FRONTS.
IRON FRONTS,
J. B. 3, M. Cornell,
BUILDERS l IRON,
169 Wabasli-av.,
Are prepared to receive orders for IRON
FRONTS of every desired character, nnd to
erect them in place complete, with the greatest
despatch and In the most workmanlike manner.
1 fork produced at quickly and cheaply
from uete at from old detigat.
Also,
Eire-Proof French Poofs,
Fire-Proof Iron Columns,
Fire-Proof Iron hath,
Fire-Proof Iron Partitions,
Iron Beams, Iron Rolling Shatters, Ac.. Ac>,
including every description of Arch!*
tectnml Iron Work.
Et/imafet of cott promptly furnished on
receipt of description of the *cork required.
169 Wabash-av., Chicago.
130 to 113 Centre s!., Sew York- Works at
Twenty-flnb, Twenty-sixth, and Twenty
seventh-fits., and Tenth, Eleventh,
TwclXth and Thirlcenlh-avs.,
.Yew York.
Catering Eight *tcres of Ground,
ALBAN C’. STIVERS.
Superintendent at Chicago.
ANNOUNCEMENTS.
A NEW ROUTE
FROM
CHICAGO
TO
SPRINGFIELD
The Illinois Centra! Railroad, in connection with the
Gilman, Clinton and Springfield Railroad, Is now run*
Ding new and elegant sleeping cars through to Spring
field without change. Trains leave the depot, foot of
Twenty-second st. at 7:10 p. m. New and fine day
coaches arc also run through on the train leaving
Twciity-second-at. at 9:30 a. ui.
The time by this route is as quick, and the fare as
low, as by any other.
Passengers by this route leaving Chicago at night
remain In sleeping car at Springfield until morning,
thus avoiding the disagreeable necessity of leaving
the cars before daylight, incident to other rentes.
COMMISSION MERCHANTS.
G. W. ADAMS CO.,
No. 11 Canal-st., Room 1,
Are now paying particular attention to
Handling
DRESSED RODS,
And will make Liberal Advances on Con
signments.
RUMSEY. WILLIAMS CO.,
43 CANAL-ST.,
Are now paying particular attention to handling
DKSSSSD HOGS,
And will make liberal advances on consignments of
same.
Daily SXarket Reports, Weight Lists, and
Stencils furnished upon application.
JONES RAYMOND,
Commission Merchants Provision Dealers,
Bear old Chamber of Commerce,
Corner La Salle and Washington-sts., Chicago.
Particular attention paid to handling
Dressed Hogs.
Dressed Hogs.
As the season has now opened, and the market Ls
fairly established for dressed hogs, we invito one
former shippers and the trade to send us their con
signments.
All the regalar facilities extended. Advances made
on shipments. Benefit of over ten years* active expe
rience here and personal attention fo sola and delivery’
given to consignments made to wj.
POPS DAVIS,
43 W. Washrngton-st., Chicago.
W. J. POPE. R. L. DAVIS.
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
VICK’S
FLORAL GUIDE
FOR 1572.
Over 100 pages—printed in two colors, on
superb Tinted Paper. Pour Hundred Engrav
ings of Flowers, Plants, and Vegetables, with
Descriptions, and two Colored Plates. Direc
tions and plans for making Walks, Lawns,
Gardens, &c. The handsomest and best
Floral Guide in the World. All for 10 cents,
to those who thinfe of buying Seeds. Not a
quarter of the cost. 200,000 sold in 1871*
Address jAivrES VICK. Rochester. N. T,
real estate.
ETERY 3LLY SHOULD OW.T HIS OTO HOHE.
We can help an industrious man to get one without
risk. Wc offer desirable lots In various parts of tho
city and In the suburbs, very cheap: small payment
down and balance on long time to salt, on monthly
payments or otherwise. Also, houses and lots on best
tei ms possible, 99 years’ time II necessary. Call ami
see us and tell us what you want.
ULRICH BOND. 511 Wabash-av.
CM Ml ESTATE FOR SAIE.
Lot 22. in Block 45. School Section Addition to CM
cago. together with the framebulldlngstanding there,
on. (known as No. Si West Jackson-st, near Clinton*
st.) fcaiil lot is 53 feet front by 821 feet deep.
Bids will he received by the undersigned until IStfi
Inst, at uocu. and will be submitted to the Common
Council for action thereon. GEO. TAYLOR,
_ City Comptroller.
Chicago. Dec. 4. IS7I.
INSURANCE,
OCCIDENTAL INSURANCE’ QO-;
The following telegram was received at the Agedcr
Oflicecf the Occidental Insurance Companr in this
city to-day:
SAN' FRANCISCO. Dec- 5,1371.
A. G. Stiles, Esq., care A. C. Gaeenebanm, No. -45 West
Itaniiulph-bt.:
Being no btisluc.<s; entire assessment delinquent ti»
dav; nobodv pays; won’t do so; without doiiot vm
ha've to liquidate under receiver.
llt A I-. KAN'KIN, Actio" rrMOIBOt.
b. eothshii.d, sciTft.-ur.
rORSAEE.
BRICKS
200,000 delivered. AVant v an
offer for the lot. Have also 100,-
000 old Brick, that I will sell
cheap in lots to snit. Address F.
C. TUBUNG, 369 Third-av.
LOOK I
1,000 kits, neatly 17 pounds each, and big. fat. new,
English Breakfast Mackerel; splendid. qwj*.
81.00 to 8125 per kit. WM. H. IBE, WinndMton
Met chant. 211 Mlchigau-av,, north of Congress-sL,
PLa-utx Block.
Prime Mexican Vanilla Beans,
In bond or duty raid. For rale by COB* BARRETT
*irA w 153 ariclilgan-ar- —tuer Adame at.
BIB! SHIS I HIS!
eStd’lSSo'Stnthßpoftd
st., PhiMalphla.
5