lost.

These offices have become a recognized necessity at all points where they are in operation. In connection with the Signal Service, steps were taken to organize a corps of voluntary observers for duty in the West Indies during the hurricane season, in order that due warning should be given to shipping of the approach of destructive storms. The "Pilot Chart," issued monthly, has been instrumental in calling general attention to the subject of floating wrecks, by showing graphically their tracks from month to month, and has called the attention of the maritime world to the subject of diminishing the risks of navigation. Longitudinal measurements and magnetic observations were successfully carried on in Central America and Mexico, and a party is now at work in the West Indies and along the Spanish main. This work includes the establishing, through means of the telegraph, of the longitude of heretofore imperfectly surveyed places.

Naval Attachés.-When the first cruisers were being designed, the Navy Department took steps to supply its want of experience by the systematic acquisition of information as to naval progress abroad. The establishment of the Office of Naval Intelligence, and the assignment of naval attachés to duty in Europe, both of which measures date from 1882, have been of incalculable assistance in the work of reconstruction. The importance of a knowledge of progress abroad was increased by the rapid strides made during the period. In 1882 the compound engine was the highest development of marine engineering in practice. The first successful example of the triple-expansion engine was designed about this time, but it did not come into general use until 1885. Of the extraordinary development in ship and engine construction, by which, between 1882 and 1885, the art was almost revolutionized, the attainment of high speed made practicable, and the standard advanced from sixteen to twenty knots an hour, the Navy Department was able to reap the full benefit. The first attaché was accredited to London, and was soon followed by another, whose 'field of duty embraced Paris, Berlin, and St. Petersburg. The last one established includes Vienna and Rome. From these cities comes a vast fund of information, which is carefully classed and submitted to the great repository of naval information, the Office of Naval Intelligence, which, through an annual publication, sends out to mariners and others all but its strictly confidential communications.

War College.-On the conclusion of last year's course of torpedo instruction, a war college course of three months was established, the members of the class being mostly the same as those who had just composed the torpedo class at Goat Island, Newport. For several years the course had been held at Coaster's Harbor Island, also in Newport Harbor; but as it was held that this interfered with the routine of the apprentice training system conducted on the same island, it was deemed expedient to make a change. The course consists principally of lectures on topics that are calculated to keep the class well up with naval progress and the establishment of the college in 1884 represented a marked advance in naval development.

Organization Board.-A board of naval officers was appointed by the Secretary of the Navy to investigate the subject of naval recruiting, and also to revise the system of drills and exercises in the navy, to adapt them to the modern weapons. They recommended a system of enlisting whereby various towns are to be visited by specially selected officers and recruits are to be forwarded to a central rendezvous, where they are to be put through all of the preliminary exercises, taught the care of person and clothing, and generally instructed in the duties they will be called upon to perform. The scale of ratings and the pay of enlisted men were also considered, and various changes recommended which are calculated to secure in future a far better class of men than has ever been secured heretofore for naval service.

Policy Board.-The Naval Policy Board was appointed to consider the subject of the needs of the navy in the matter of ships, their type, speed, armament, and the purposes for which they are best adapted. After a study of the best vessels that are owned by foreign powers, and of the needs of our own country, its strategical features, etc., the Policy Board reported that the following vessels were needed:

Ten first-class battle ships, 10,000 tons each; cost, $56,400,000.

Three third-class battle ships, 6,300 to 7,500 tons each; cost, $11,000,000.

Eight first-class battle ships, 8,000 tons each; cost, $39,890,000.

Twelve second-class battle ships, 7,100 tons each; cost, $52,200,000.

Five third-class battle ships, 6,000 tons each; cost, $18,000,000.

Six harbor-defense monitors, 3,815 to 6,060 tons each; cost, $25,000,000.

One cruising monitor, 3,800 tons; cost, $1,900,000. Eleven rams, one of 2,000 tons and ten of 3,500 tons each; cost, $19,500,000.

Nine thin-armored cruisers, 6,250 tons; cost, $28,800,000.

Four first-class protected cruisers, 7,500 tons, each; cost, $15,760,000.

Ten first-class protected cruisers, 5,400 tons each; cost, $28,000,000.

Twelve second-class protected cruisers, 3,000 to 4,500 tons.each; cost, $22,500,000.

Six third-class protected cruisers, 1,700 to 3,190 tons each; cost, $5,500,000.

Ten gun vessels and dispatch boats, 850 to 1,500 tons each; cost, $4,500,000.

Sixteen torpedo cruisers, including "Vesuvius," about 900 tons each; cost, $7,500,000.

Three torpedo depot artificer ships, 5,000 tons each; cost, $6,500,000.

One hundred and one torpedo boats, 65 tons each; cost, $6,585,000

This makes a total of 227 ships, of 610,035 tons, at a cost of $349,515,000. It includes $67,965,000 already expended.

The matter is being considered by Congress, the issue being raised as to whether it would be advisable to begin with the construction of the immense line-of-battle ships as proposed by the Policy Board. The fleet proposed by the Secretary of the Navy provides for the building of eight battle ships, two armored coast-defense vessels, three gunboats, and five first-class torpedo boats.

New United States Flag.-Owing to the admission of four new States to the Union, it has become necessary to make a change in the union

jack of our national ensign. The stripes remain as heretofore, seven red and six white, but there

ARRANGEMENT OF STARS ON FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY, 1890.

will hereafter be forty-two stars, which are to have the arrangement as shown in the accompanying illustration.

UNIVERSALISTS. The Board of Trustees of the General Convention of Universalists of the United States and Canada reported statistics, of which the following is a summary: Number of parishes, 934; of families, 40,929; ofchurch members, 38,787; of members of Sundayschools. 53,067; value of property (less debt), $7,584,698; expenses and contributions, $1,127,803. The treasurer's accounts were balanced at $94.185. The total amount paid on account of the Scholarship fund since the beginning of the enterprise had been $132,899. The total amount of nine special funds (including the Murray Centenary, Theological Scholarship, and Glenn Ministerial Relief funds) was returned at $212,717. The gifts during the year for missionary and other purposes administered by the convention had been $64,298. The gifts to colleges and other educational institutions actually paid in had been $81,505. The pledges in behalf of the proposed mission to Japan amounted to $16,194; and it was hoped that the mission might be begun at once.

General Convention.-The General Convention met in Lynn, Mass., Oct. 23. The Hon. Hosea W. Parker, of New Hampshire, presided. The Committee on the Proposed Revision of the Confession of Faith reported, recommending the following articles for adoption:

1. We believe in one God, the Father of all men, whose nature is love, and in Jesus Christ, his Son, through whom he has brought life and immortality to light, and will finally save all his children from sin.

2. We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments reveal the character and will of God, and the duty and destiny of mankind.

3. We believe that righteousness is the true object of life, and that we ought earnestly to pursue it, serving our fellow-men in love, striving after knowledge of God and oneness with Christ, and thereby laying

hold on eternal life.

The report, after a free discussion, was recommitted, and further action upon it was deferred till the next meeting of the General Convention. Afterward, a declaratory resolution was adopted by a unanimous vote.

That the Universalist Church of America in General Convention assembled, reaffirms the position which it has consistently held from the beginning, to wit, That it rests on and believes in the historical veracity of the New Testament records of the life and words and works of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The report of the Commission on Sundayschools commended the International Lessons as a great improvement over the lack of system which formerly prevailed in Sunday-school teaching, but referred to some needs which it still left unprovided for, and expressed the opinion that the Sunday-school should be used to promote the doctrines of Universalism. The Convention offered a welcome to all indications of desire for unity among the branches of the Christian Church, and pledged itself to co-operate with brethren everywhere to secure that desired end; commended to all organizations of working men attendance upon and co-operation with the Christian Church: and reaffirmed the conviction "that total abstinence for the individual and prohibition of the traffic in intoxicants by the States are the only wise methods of dealing with the drink problem."

The Woman's Centenary Association had received $6,033. A report was made at the annual meeting concerning the Glasgow Mission, Scotland.

URUGUAY, a republic in South America; area, 69,835 square miles. By the census of Nov. 18, 1889, the population is 700,000, that of the department of Montevideo being 214,682, and of the city of the same name 170,000.

Government.-The President is Gen. Máximo Tajes. The Cabinet is composed of the following ministers: Interior, Dr. J. Herrera y Obes; War and Navy, Col. P. de Leon; Justice, Public Worship, and Instruction, Dr. M. Berinduague; Foreign Affairs, Dr. J. Garcia Lagos; Finances, Dr. J. Varela. The American Consul at Colonia is Benjamin D. Manton; at Montevideo, Edward J. Hill. The Uruguayan Consul at New York is E. Estrázulas; at San Francisco, J. G. Grace.

Army and Navy.-The strength of the standing army was 3,234 men, in 1888, commanded by 221 officers. There is a police force of 3,200, and a National Guard of 20,000 men. The navy consists of 7 small steamers, 3 gunboats, and 1 sloopof-war.

Finances.-On Jan. 1, 1889, the national indebtedness was as follows: Foreign debt, $55,railroad bonds, $3,235,378; paper money in cir691,212; home debt, $19,800,000; Government culation, $1,005.818, constituting a total debt of $79,732,408. The budget for 1888 showed the income to be $14,739,000, and the outlay $13,422,000. In 1886 only four banks were in operation. In 1887 and 1888, 28 new banks and other stock companies were formed, with a joint capital of $78,240,000. On July 1, 1889, the five banks of issue had a circulation outstanding of $15,274,476, backed by a cash capital on hand of $14,841,460. Baring Brothers & Co., London, negotiated in the spring a 6-per-cent. loan for the

Education. The tax collected for support of schools does not pay half the expenses; consequently, the pupils must pay tuition fees or the schools be closed. In many of the poorer districts the children are denied school privileges for many months of the year. There is little prospect that this will be changed, as the Mormon people, with almost entire unanimity, are quietly preparing for denominational schools, in which their children may be taught Mormon theology, in addition to the ordinary branches of education. State or county academies have been established under church auspices, and in some of the school districts the Mormon children have been withdrawn from the public schools and placed in church schools. There are also private denominational schools in the Territory of different Christian churches. During the year ending June 30, there were 93 such schools, employing 230 teachers and attended by 7,961 pupils. Of 2,490 pupils enrolled in the Congregational schools, 1.035 were of Mormon parents; of 1,396 enrolled in the Methodist schools, 291 were of Mormon parents. The sixteenth and thirty-sixth sections of each township, set apart by Congress for the use of the public schools, have all been located; but the land is of little value without water, and the water supply has all been appropriated. The total amount of the grant is $46.080 acres, having a possible value of $1.25 an acre.

The Territorial University has prospered during the year. A report for the two years ending Oct. 31 shows receipt of $141,397.20 and disbursement of $136,195.75. The site for the proposed Agricultural College was fixed at Logan City, and construction was begun in June. The building was nearly completed at the close of the year.

Prisons. At the last session of Congress an appropriation of $95,000 was made for new buildings at the Utah Penitentiary, but the money has not been applied to the purpose for which it was granted. The present accommodations are insufficient.

The building for the Reform School was completed and opened on Oct. 31, the cost for construction and equipment being about $75,000. Up to the close of the year there had been 13 commitments.

Mining. The mineral product of the Territory for 1888, as estimated by Wells, Fargo & Co., is summarized as follows: 2,886,816 pounds copper, valued at $288,681.60; 44,567,157 pounds unrefined lead, valued at $1.203,313.23; 6,178,855 ounces fine silver, valued at $5,787,527.85; 13,886 ounces fine gold, valued at $277,720; total export value, $7,557,242.68. The mining industry has been generally prosperous. Several important developments have been made in Park City and in other mining camps.

VOL. XXIX.-52 A

Stock-Raising.-For 1889 the following live stock was included in the assessment rolls: Horses, $75,723; cattle, 199,567; sheep, 1,128,113. It is estimated that these figures represent about 50 per cent. of the actual number of horses, cattle, and sheep in the Territory. Grazing and mountain lands include about seven eighths of the entire land area.

Indians.-There are two Indian reservations in the Territory, the Uintah and Uncompahgre, at which several thousand Indians maintain their tribal relations. Besides these there are about 1,500 Indians in the Territory, chiefly Piutes and Shosones. Of these scattered bands the Governor says: "Most of them exist by begging and by spasmodic attempts at hunting and fishing. They lack spirit and are uncared for: they greatly need schools and missionaries and to be taught how to take care of themselves and to till the soil."

Decision. In December, Judges Anderson and Zane, of the Territorial Supreme Court, rendered decisions refusing to grant naturalization to alien Mormons. As the Mormon Church has relied upon alien immigrants to sustain its political power, these decisions are a serious set-back to that organization.

Mormonism. The following is an extract from the last report of the Utah Commission: "Polygamy is not, at the present time, openly practiced, except, perhaps, in a few remote and out-of-the-way places, but the non-Mormon element insists that plural marriages are solemnized clandestinely and practiced secretly in the larger centers and throughout the Territory." For the year ending in September there were 357 convictions in the Territory for bigamy, adultery, fornication, and unlawful cohabitation; but only a small proportion of these were for bigamy.

Political.-In August an election for members of the Legislative Assembly of 1890 was held. The total vote, as cast for members of the Council, were 20,496, of which 14,161 votes were Mormon, 6,136 Gentile, and 199 scattering. The Gentiles elected 2 of the 12 members of the Council, and 6 of the 24 members of the House. At this election for the first time the Gentiles carried Salt Lake City by 41 majority, and also the city of Ogden, which had been carried for the first time by the same party at the municipal election in the previous February. "These notable victories," says the Governor, "awakened the wildest enthusiasm, and were hailed with delight by the people of the country, and many expressed the opinion that the Mormon power was at an end in Utah. I regret to say they were in error. The time may come when the Gentiles will be in the majority, but it will be many years hence. In 23 of the 24 counties, and in 256 of the 278 election precincts the Gentiles were in the minority at the last election."

VENEZUELA, a republic in South America. Area, 1,539,398 square kilometres; population, in 1886, 2,198,320.

Government.-The President is Dr. Pablo Rojas Paúl, whose term will expire on Feb. 22, 1890. The Vice-President is Dr. S. Pacheco. The Cabinet is formed of the following ministers: Interior and Justice, Dr. A. Palacios; Foreign Affairs, Dr. A. Parejo; Public Works, V. Coronado; War and Navy, Gen. N. Rangel; Public Credit, G. J. Pachano; Public Works, Dr. J. M. Tebar; Public Instruction, Gen. M. A. Silva Gandolphi; Finances, J. M. Lares. The United States Minister at Carácas is William L. Scruggs. The American Consul at Ciudad Bolivar is George F. Underhill. The Venezuelan Minister at Washington is Don Nicanor Bolet Peraza. The Consul-General at New York is Dr. Pedro Vicente Mijares.

Finances. The consolidated 4-per-cent. bonded debt amounts to £3,753,420. The interest is payable at Carácas at 25-25 francs the pound sterling. The actual revenue of the Government in 1886-'87 was 33,686,246 francs; the expenditure, 28,644,576.

Army and Navy.-The strength of the standing army is fixed at 2.000. The navy has 3 steamers, 1 schooner, and 1 school ship.

Communications.-During the fiscal ended June 30, 1888, the 161 post-offices handled 3,665,648 items of mail matter, the expenses being 612,875 francs.

On July 1, 1888, the length of telegraph lines in operation was 4,738 kilometres, the number of offices was 96, and the expenses 720,748 francs. Venezuela began railroad building so late that for two years past the most energetic efforts have had to be made to make up for the time lost and give the country a system adequate to its resources. The development of the system is making good headway. The first line built was the one connecting the capital, Carácas, with its port, La Guayra, 38 kilometres. This was opened on July 1, 1883. In 1884 the line between Maiquetia and Macato was opened, the former being 4 kilometres east of La Guayra, and the latter the same distance west. The railroad that leads from the port of Carenero to Rio Chico measures 30 kilometres, and has been built in two sections, one of which, from the Carenero to the Rio Tuy, was opened on Dec. 31, 1885, and the other, as far as Rio Chico, was finished in 1887. The Central Railroad, intended to connect the capital with Valencia, touches at Santa Lucia and traverses the valley of the Tuy. The first section, 10 kilometres, was opened in September, 1886.

Work continues between Petare and Santa Lucia. The line between La Ceiba and La Sábana de Mendoza, 40 kilometres, was opened early in 1887, and the one between Carácas and Antimona, 8 kilometres, in April, 1887. The railway that is to connect Puerto Cabello with Valencia, 53 kilometres, will soon be finished. Construction was begun on the line between La Fria and El Brazo, 80 kilometres, and from La Luz to Barquisimento, 75 kilometres. Concessions have

been granted for the construction of the following lines: Barquisimento to Bruznal, 50 kilometres; Coro to La Vela, 15; Cojoro to Maracaibo, 155; Mérida to Lake Maracaibo, 175; San Cristóbal to the river Uribante, 50; Caracas to Barcelona and Soledad, 600; Guacipati to the Orinoco river, 200; San Felipe to Bruznal, 175; and Carácas to San Carlos, Samora, 102. On all the railroads named the Government guarantees 7 per cent. interest.

Commerce.-Venezuela imported in 1888 from England $3,850,944; France, $1,222,273; Spain, $14,939; and exported to those countries respectively $572,207, $5,946,520, and $822,245. The American trade in 1889 was as follows: Import into the United States, $10,392,569; domestic export to Venezuela, $3,703,705. There is a steady increase in both directions, due to the rise in coffee.

VERMONT, & New England State, admitted to the Union in 1791; area, 9,565 square miles; population, according to the last decennial census (1880), 332,268; capital, Montpelier.

Government. The following were the State officers during the year: Governor, William P. Dillingham, Republican; Lieutenant-Governor, Urban A. Woodbury; Secretary of State, Charles W. Porter; Treasurer, William H. Dubois; Auditor, E. Henry Powell; Superintendent of Education, Edwin F. Palmer; Inspector of Finance, Savings Banks, and Trust Companies, Luther O. Greene; Chief Judge of the Supreme Court, Homer E. Royce; Assistant Judges, Jonathan Ross, H. Henry Powers, John W. Rowell, Russell S. Taft, James M. Tyler, and Wheelock G. Veazey, who resigned in September to accept an appointment by President Harrison to the Interstate Commerce Commission, and was succeeded by Loveland Munson.

Finances.-For the year ending July 31 the total receipts, including $88,062.30 on hand at the beginning of the year and $258,165 of money borrowed, were $695,554.72. The expenditures, including $115,000 of loans repaid, amounted to $623,391.31, leaving on hand $36,163.41 on July 31. The valuation of real property for taxation in 1889 was $111,684,680, and of personal property $50,223,750. The valuation for 1888 was: Real, $110,675,718; personal, $49,911,339. For 1889 the rate of taxation for State purposes was 20 cents on each $100.

Minerals.-The State Geologist makes this year the following report regarding the quarrying and other allied industries of the State:

$5,805,400. The number of men employed was 2.781, Forty marble concerns report as capital invested, to whom was paid $918,120. The output was 3,863,500 cubic feet, valued at $2,497,128. Forty-three granite concerns report as invested $555,000. The number of men employed was 1,197, who received $498,956. The output was 364,961 cubic feet, valued at $771,727. Nineteen slate concerns report as capital invested $607,000. The number of men employed was 802, who received $299,403. The output was 86,442 squares of roofing slate, and 1,842,218 square feet of mill stock, valued at $483,113. Eighteen lime concerns report as invested capital $278,950. The num