Woods; Associate Justices, S. H. Terral and Albert H. Whitfield; Clerk, Edward H. Brown-all Democrats.

Finances.-There was cash in the treasury on Oct. 1, 1897, $53,842.06. The receipts for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 1897, and ending Sept. 30, 1898, were $1,572,342.24, which, added to the amount in the treasury, made the revenue for the fiscal year 1897-'98 $1,626,184.30. The disbursements on pay warrants were $1,442,618.16, and $115 on special warrants of 1894-'95, leaving $183,451.14 in the treasury.

There was received in the fiscal year from Oct. 1, 1898, to Sept. 30, 1899, inclusive, $1,603,963.78, which, added to the sum in the treasury, made the revenue $1,787,414.92. The disbursements for the fiscal year were $1,453,634.12 on pay warrants and $15 on special warrants of 1894-'95, leaving $333,765.80 on Oct. 1, 1899.

Under an act approved May 15, 1897, $85,000 was borrowed in June and July, 1897, and obligations were given therefor, payable on or before Jan. 10, 1899. These obligations for $85,000 have been paid, and are included in the disbursements

for 1898-'99.

The payable bonded indebtedness of the State at the beginning of the year was $1,003,000, including the $400,000 bond issue of 1896. The nonpayable debt is $1,635,102.50. This is the Chickasaw school fund, the university fund, and agricultural bonds. On this the interest alone is payable. The outstanding warrants were $20,982.35, Oct. 1, 1899. The Auditor's report shows that the issue of warrants from Oct. 1, 1897, to Sept. 30, 1898, amounted to $1,469,070.12, and $1,425,332.12 from Oct. 1, 1898, to Sept. 30, 1899. Banks.-The Auditor's report, published in August, shows that 91 State banks are doing business. Their resources and liabilities are each $15,807,578.32.

Valuation. The personalty assessments of the counties for 1899 show a total of $48,258,651, an increase of more than $1,000,000 over 1898. The number of polls reported for 1899 is 263,877, which is a slight decrease. The total realty and personalty valuation of the State, including railroad assessments for 1899, is $187,416,935.

Corporations.-The biennial report of the Secretary of State shows that in the last four years 565 charters of incorporation have been recorded. Since the date of the last biennial report 285 new enterprises have been chartered. Practically all the charters for cotton mills have been granted within the past two years.

Five railroads, 6 steamboat and packet companies, and 13 oil mills have been chartered since the previous biennial report.

Education. The State University buildings and grounds are valued at $300,000, and the apparatus, library, and collections at $60,000. The income consists of $32,643 interest paid annually by the State on funds derived from sale of land granted by Congress. No tuition fees are charged except in the department of law, where the fee is $50 a session and a matriculation fee of $10 from all academic students. The revenues from these sources amount to about $5,000 a session. Chancellor Fulton urges enlarged facilities, and says that a school of medicine should be established, while the schools of civil and electrical engineering, pharmacy, and dentistry are other pressing needs only awaiting funds to develop

them.

The enrollment of public-school pupils in 1898'99, exclusive of separate school districts, was as follows: White, 150,099; colored, 179.165; total, 328,264. Average attendance: White, 86,060;

colored, 94,843; total, 180,903; difference between total enrollment and total attendance, 148,361. Average salaries of teachers: White, $30.49 a month; colored, $19.59 a month. Total enrollment, separate school districts: White, 17,079; colored, 12,803; total, 29,882. Average attendance, separate school districts: White, 12,319; colored, 7,604; total, 19,923; difference between total enrollment and total attendance, 9,959. Health. From the biennial report of the State Board of Health, published in December, it is learned that in 1898 yellow fever appeared at 30 places in the State, resulting in 1,386 cases, of which 1,017 were white. and 67 colored. The number of deaths was 84. The disease was more virulent this year than for the previous two years. Penitentiary.-The reports of the Board of Control and the warden and clerk of the Penitentiary show that the convicts are humanely treated, are well fed and comfortably clothed, and have medical attention and are nursed when sick, and have such other care and provision as proper for prisoners undergoing punishment for crime, and this not only without any expense to the State treasury, but a profit is derived from the labor of convicts.

The plantations owned and rented made 1,788 bales of cotton and 35,600 bushels of corn. The 9 plantations on the share system made 4,585 bales of cotton, giving 2,2923 bales to the State and the same number to their owners. The State also made 36,200 bushels of corn, giving 18,100 to the State. The State picked 3,540 bales of its cotton, and housed the entire crop. The warden calculates an income of $35,000 or $40,000, which is more than the State ever has received from a crop since the organization of the present penitentiary system.

Insane. The average number of patients under treatment for the year ending in October was 886. The number of white male inmates is given as 205; white females, 251; colored males, 200; colored females, 191. The actual increase in the number of patients in 1899 over 1898 was 18.

Deaf and Dumb.—During the session of 1897– '98 there were 97 pupils in the State institution. The year 1898-'99 showed an attendance of 96.

Blind. The report of the Blind Institute gives an average attendance from May, 1898, to September, 1899, of 27 pupils, at a cost of $23.46 per pupil per month.

Railways. The total mileage in the State in 1898 was 2,653,156 miles, and in 1899 the mileage was 2,674,508. The increase of 1898 over 1897 is 80.37 miles, and of 1899 over 1897 22,352 miles. The total valuation of all railroad property in the State for 1899 was $25,731,165. The valuation of palace car companies was $94,400.

Lawlessness.-In January, in charging the Hinds County Grand Jury, Judge Powell said: "Some weeks since I read in a newspaper that the only thing in Mississippi which was cheaper than 4-cent cotton was human life.' It was a fearful commentary upon the law and order of a great State. We are accustomed to boast that we live at the close of nineteen centuries of Christian civilization, and that Christ, and him crucified, is preached from Greenland's icy mountains to India's coral strand to a believing world. We are proud of the fact that our Anglo-Saxon forefathers wrested from the hands of a reluctant king the great Magna Charta of English liberty, in which every man, however humble, is guaranteed an open and fair trial by a jury of his peers. And yet, strange to say, hardly a week passes that we do not hear of the murderous work of some infuriated mob, until finally, to cap the

climax of our shame, a mob actually takes possession of the jail in our capital city and threatens to storm the State Penitentiary itself. Surely the time has come to call a halt or else to admit that organized murder is the supreme law of the land. Surely the time has come to strike this representative of anarchy with the mailed hand of the Law, before the law itself yes, our very civilization-goes down in wreck and ruin. It is to you, gentlemen, clothed as you are with the majesty and power of the law, that the people look to vindicate the law and bring the guilty to punishment."

A triple lynching occurred in March in Yazoo County, in which three negroes lost their lives. They were taken from an officer of the law by an armed mob and their bodies were riddled with bullets and weighted with cotton ties and sunk in Yazoo river. None of the participants in the deed of violence are known. The crime of the negroes was taking part in a small race disturbance in an adjoining county. About two weeks ago, near Midnight, a small village in Sharkey County, several white citizens of the neighborhood were shot at from ambush, and the three negroes lynched fired on two planters who were riding along the public road. Two other citizens were fired on in a similar manner. Because of these acts a crowd of 200 whites assembled from Yazoo and Sharkey Counties to hunt down the ambushers. Two negroes, who were regarded as the leaders, made their escape. A great many others were arrested, but all were discharged except the three above mentioned, who were turned over to the sheriff of Yazoo County. He decided to hold the negroes to await the orders of the sheriff of Sharkey County. That official sent a deputy for the prisoners, and he started with them on a steamer. At Silver City the negroes were taken from the officer by an armed mob, hurried ashore, and lynched.

In September a movement was set on foot to organize a mob between Brandon and Raleigh for the purpose of lynching James McAlpin, the alleged murderer of his neighbor, Jasper Thornton, in Smith County. When news reached Gov. McLaurin of the projected attempt he went to Brandon and accompanied the prisoner to the place of trial, leaving orders for the Mississippi Rifles to hold themselves in readiness. By the Governor's prompt action a lynching was avoided.

In December two negroes were lynched by a mob at Bolton for the murder of an aged man, Milton S. Harre. News of the murder reached Bolton on the day it was committed, and, the town marshal and a posse set out in search of the murderers. Robbery was the incentive of the act. Two negroes were arrested, and both confessed. The prisoners were lodged in the calaboose, and shortly after dark a mob of 150 unmasked men broke open the frail structure and took possession of them. They carried the prisoners about a quarter of a mile from town and hanged them to a bridge.

Decisions. In April an interesting decision, concerning the rights of railroad companies, was handed down by Chief-Justice Woods, of the Supreme Court. The suit was that of D. C. Latimer vs. the Illinois Central Railroad Company. Latimer alleged that he had been maliciously libeled by the company by having his name placed on what he called a "black list." He had been employed as a conductor, and in answer to the suit the company charged that on Aug. 25, 1896, he had wrongfully appropriated $17.25 collected in cash fares on his run. The company immediately

discharged him. The company denied that it kept such a thing as a black list, but admitted that it kept a record of the 30,000 men in its employ in order to ascertain who are reliable, and that it employs men to make reports on the habits and conduct of these workmen. Chief-Justice Woods held that the employment of these men is absolutely necessary both as a protection to the company and to the traveling public; that the action of the company in keeping a history of its workmen is in strict accord with the law, and is in no sense of the word a black list.

In May Associate-Justice Terral, of the Supreme Court, handed down an opinion in the suit of S. Sokolosky vs. New South Building and Loan Association, holding that under the laws of the State a fixed premium charged by a building and loan association is usurious. The decision, however, only affects foreign companies. In Justice Terral's decision he says: "A domestic building and loan association is authorized by law to exceed the legal rate of interest, but such is not allowed to a foreign building and loan association, and comity would not authorize an association of the last-named kind to make contracts here which, under our jurisprudence, are held to be usurious.

Constitutional Amendments. The total vote of the State on constitutional amendments at the autumn election was: Yeas, 21,169; nays, 8,643. Although the vote showed a large majority in favor, the question was raised that the amendments failed of adoption because the highest vote was not a majority of the total vote cast for the State ticket. The Legislature will be called upon to settle the question. The amendments provided for striking out five sections of the Constitution relating to the judiciary and inserting new ones providing for a Supreme Court of three judges; the division of the State into three Supreme Court districts, and convenient circuit and chancery court districts; fixing the terms of the several judges, etc.

Political. The Democratic State Convention was held in Jackson, Aug. 23. A. H. Longino was nominated for Governor. The other nominations were: For Lieutenant Governor, J. T. Harrison; Attorney-General, Monroe McClurg; Auditor, W. Q. Cole; State Treasurer, Robert Stowers; State Revenue Agent, Wirt Adams; State Land Commissioner, È. H. Nall; Railroad Commissioner, J. C. Kincannon.

On the same date the Populist State Convention was also held in Jackson. Dr. R. K. Prewitt was nominated for Governor. The other nominations were: Lieutenant Governor, J. W. Prude; Secretary of State, N. M. Hollingsworth; State Auditor, T. J. King; State Treasurer, John A. Bailey; Attorney-General, J. J. Dennis; Superintendent of Education, J. H. Simpson; State Revenue Agent, J. W. Anderson; Clerk of Supreme Court, E. E. Anderson; Land Commissioner, T. J. Vining; Railroad Commissioners, W. T. Ray, A. M. Monroe, G. M. Cain.

At the election the ticket headed by A. H. Longino received 42,273 votes; that headed by R. K. Prewitt received 6,097 votes. The Legislature for 1900 consists of 45 Democrats in the Senate and 133 Democrats in the House. The Populists have 2 members in the House.

MISSOURI, a Western State, admitted to the Union Aug. 10, 1821; area, 69,415 square miles. The population, according to each decennial census since admission, was 140,455 in 1830; 383,702 in 1840; 682,044 in 1850; 1,182,012 in 1860; 1,721,295 in 1870; 2,168,380 in 1880; and 2,679,184 in 1890. Capital, Jefferson City.

Government. The following were the State officers during the year: Governor, Lon V. Stephens; Lieutenant Governor, August H. Bolte; Secretary of State, Alexander A. Lesueur; Treasurer, Frank L. Pitts; Auditor, James M. Seibert; Adjutant General, M. Fred Bell; Attorney-General, E. C. Crow; Superintendent of Education, W. T. Carrington; Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners, T. J. Hennessey, J. Flory, W. E. McCully; Secretary State Board of Agriculture, John R. Rippey: Commissioner of Insurance, E. T. Orear-all Democrats, except Flory, Republican; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, James B. Gantt; Associate Justices, Thomas A. Sherwood, Gavon D. Burgess, L. B. Valliant, W. C. Marshall, Theodore Brace, Democrats, and Walter M. Robinson, Republican; Clerk, J. R. Green, Democrat.

The

Finances. The report of State finances given in the last issue of the Annual is the latest of ficial statement. Figures under this heading are published biennially. The approximate amount required to meet ordinary expenses of the State government for 1899-1900 is $4,666,446. estimated receipts into the State interest fund in 1899-1900 are $2,100,000; amount to be appropriated for interest on bonds and certificates of indebtedness, $754.943.94; leaving $1,345,056.06, which amount should be appropriated for the payment of bonds. The estimated receipts into the revenue fund for 1899 and 1900 are $4,500,000 (predicated upon present laws), leaving a deficit for ordinary expenses of $166,446. Building and Loan Associations.-The Hon. H. L. Gray, State supervisor of the building and loan associations, in his biennial report says: 'Reports have been received from 222 associations-141 from associations outside of St. Louis and 81 in St. Louis. The tables of resources and liabilities show a total of $18,255,186.22; outside of St. Louis, $9,816,400.92: in St. Louis, $8,438,785.30." There are in the State 226 associations. There are 66 fewer reporting associations in 1898 than there were in 1896; 33 fewer than in 1897. The assets are $8,097,768.58 less than 1896 and $4,242,523.27 less than in 1897. Of the reporting 'associations, 27 are called nationals, because they do not confine their operations to the city of their domicile; their resources are $5,242,663.21, leaving to the 195 locals $13,012,523.01.

Department Stores." In connection with the trusts and monopolies,'" says Gov. Stephens in his message of Jan. 5 to the Legislature, “I desire to call your attention to the large department stores in St. Louis and Kansas City. It is told to me by many of the prominent citizens of St. Louis and Kansas City that they are detrimental to the best interests of the people of the State, affecting as they do the great majority; and as legislation is for the purpose of conferring the greatest good to the greatest number, you should correct these evils, if evils they are found to be. Arguments have been presented to me to show that these department stores in the cities of over 100,000 inhabitants are ruining the small dealers in the country towns as well as in the cities. They are building up a great combination of goods under one roof, and depriving the smaller dealers of their legitimate profit, and are forcing them out of business altogether." Education.-In the session of 1899-1900 the State University enrolled at Columbia about 1,000 students, and at Rolla about 160. This means an increase of nearly 28 per cent. The enroll ment in the cadet corps is 270-the largest muster in the history of the university. All departments of the university except that of military science

and tactics are open to women under the same conditions as to men. The last General Assembly appropriated for the university $57,000 for the biennial period, $33,000 for the erection of a dormitory for boys, and $10,000 for ordinary repairs.

The condition of the public schools of Missouri can be accurately learned from the following data given by State Superintendent Carrington for the school year ending June 30: Enrollment-white, male, 323,096; female, 314,808; colored, male, 14,347; female, 15,767; grand total, 668,018; average daily attendance, 416,364; number of pupils that may be seated-white, 674,120; colored 33,013; number of volumes in the libraries, 168,720; value of libraries, $121,723.72; number of teachers employed-male, 5,979; female, 7,803; white, 13,153; colored, 629; average salaries of teachers per month, $45; number of schools in operation (corresponding to number of schoolhouses)--white, 9,842; colored, 484; number of schoolhouses built during 1898-'99, 298; estimated value of school property, $17,020,880; assessed value of the taxable property, $1,106,066,625.

Penal Institutions. The Reform School for boys, at Boonville, is in a flourishing condition. More boys have been sent to it within the past two years than at any time in its history, owing to the more liberal laws governing it which were passed by the last Legislature. There are 430 boys in the school. The school is well equipped. An industrial shop building, a cottage for boys, and a hospital have been added, covering an appropriation of $12,500, and 186 acres of good land adjoining the State's property have been purchased from an appropriation of $7,000.

On Jan. 1, 1899, there was a balance in the State treasury to the credit of the earnings of the Penitentiary of $56,555.45. The number of convicts is increasing rapidly. On Jan. 1 there were 2,327 inmates. An average of 1,362 daily during the past two years were employed by the contractors at the rate of 50 cents a day.

Charitable Institutions.-At the beginning of the year there were nearly 2,500 patients at Fulton, St. Joseph, and Nevada insane asylums. The enrollment at the School for the Deaf and Dumb for 1898-'99 is reported as 240 males and 164 females. At the School for the Blind the enrollment for 1898-'99 was 61 males and 64 females. The report of the Confederate Home shows that the average number of persons cared for is 147, including old soldiers, their wives, and their children under fourteen years of age.

Agriculture.-The Governor, in his message of Jan. 5, 1899, strongly recommended the establishment of an annual State agricultural fair, such as is held in many other States, and the Legislature passed an act authorizing a State fair. On May 19 the Legislature appropriated $30,000 for the erection of an agricultural experiment station, with laboratory buildings, in Columbia.

Mining. In 1898 large sums of money were invested by capitalists outside of the State in Missouri developed and undeveloped mineral lands. As a result of the extraordinary prices and demand for ores, an activity prevails in the mining districts never before experienced. The large increase of $2,833,415 in the value of the product for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898, over the year before, with the promise based upon the actual business of six months of the current year of a $3,000,000 increase over the last year, shows a marvelous development. growth," says Gov. Stephens, "and especially in the case of the zinc ore product, can not be classed

"This rapid

as spasmodic, for the reason that the new uses to which it has of late been applied cover so wide a field, and the territory in which it has thus far been developed is so limited (for Missouri now produces one sixth of the entire zinc output of the world), that good prices must prevail for some time. The importance of our mining industry can be better appreciated when we realize the extent of the claim made that the lead and zinc ore product for this year of the Jasper County alone will exceed in value the gold and silver production of the celebrated Cripple Creek region.' During the year 1,038 shafts were operated in Missouri lead, zinc, and coal fields, in and about which 16,000 men were employed. Railroads. The number of companies operating railroads in Missouri June 30, 1898, was 58. Of these but ten declared dividends on their capital stock, and of the roads operated but two -the Hannibal and St. Joseph and Kansas City Suburban Belt-are wholly within Missouri. The following-named railroads were in the hands of receivers June 30, 1898: St. Clair, Madison and St. Louis Belt; St. Louis, Kansas City and Colorado; and St. Louis, Cape Girardeau and Fort Smith. The increase in the railroad mileage of Missouri for 1898 was greater than any year since 1892, the increase for that year being 240 miles. The larger proportion of the increase was in the extension of the Kansas City, Osceola and Southern and the lines controlled by the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad Company. The total railroad mileage, June 30, 1898, was 8,495.72. The aggregate capital stock of companies operating in the State on that date was $1,028,108,946. The total of taxes paid was $817,799.07.

Industries.-The report of Thomas P. Rixey, Commissioner of Labor Statistics, for the year ending Nov. 5, 1899, shows for 40 leading industries the following statistics: Value of grounds, $11,533,603; buildings, $16,257,756; machinery, $13,288,759; capital invested, $70,322,334; goods manufactured, $126,932,008; material and supplies used during 1898, $77,512,396; amount of taxes paid, $3,491,826.

Proposed Exposition.-The centennial anniversary of the purchase of the Louisiana territory, in 1803, by the United States from France will be celebrated in St. Louis during the years 1903 and 1904. The celebration was decided upon by a convention, held Jan. 19, of delegates rep resenting the States and Territories included within the original purchase. It was also decided that the observance should be in the form of a great international exposition, in which the United States Government, the States and Territories, and foreign countries should be invited to participate.

Cyclone. On April 27, 1899, north and northeast Missouri were visited by a devastating cyclone; portions of the cities of Kirksville and Newtown were laid waste, causing an appalling destruction of life and property. About 50 persons were killed, and hundreds were injured and possibly maimed for life. The homes of more than 500 families were totally destroyed by the elements. Gov. Stephens made an appeal for aid in behalf of the sufferers, and the response was hearty and prompt from all parts of the State. Lawlessness.-Under the directions of the father of the girl whom he had assaulted, and close to the scene of his crime, Frank Embree, a negro, was flayed and then lynched at Fayette, on July 22, by a mob. The lynching occurred at the hour that had been set for the prisoner's trial. The mob wrested Embree from a squad of

deputy sheriffs after a spirited struggle. Embree is the third negro that has been hanged for criminal assault on white women in Howard County. Political. The Legislature consists of 9 Republicans and 25 Democrats in the Senate, and 58 Republicans, 80 Democrats, and 2 Populists in the House. The House and Senate on Jan. 17 voted separately for United States Senator to succeed Francis M. Cockrell for the term of six years beginning March 4, 1899, the vote being: Senate R. C. Kerens (Republican) 9, Cockrell (Democrat) 25; House-Kerens 52, Cockrell 76. The election took place in joint session on the following day, resulting in the election of Mr. Cockrell for the fifth term, the vote being Kerens, 61; Cockrell, 103.

MONTANA, a Western State, admitted to the Union Nov. 8, 1889; area, 146,080 square miles. The population, according to the census of 1890, was 132,159. Capital, Helena.

Government. The following were the State officers in 1899: Governor, Robert B. Smith; Lieutenant Governor, A. E. Spriggs; Secretary of State, T. S. Hogan; Treasurer, T. E. Collins; Auditor, T. W. Poindexter, Jr.; Attorney-General, C. B. Nolan; Superintendent of Education, E. A. Carleton-all elected on a fusion ticket of Democrats and Populists; Adjutant General, C. F. English; Commissioner of Agriculture, J. H. Calderhead; Land Agent, Henry Neill; Land Register, H. D. Moore; Mine Inspector, John Byrne; President of the State Board of Sheep Commissioners, T. C. Power; Examiner, J. G. Moroney; Architect, C. S. Haire; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Theodore M. Brantley, Republican; Associate Justices, W. H. Hunt, Republican, and W. T. Pigott, Democrat; Clerk, Henry G. Rickerts, Democrat.

Finances. The receipts of the treasury from all sources in the year ending Nov. 30 amounted to $1,081,036.65. In the year $558,727.27 in warrants were drawn. On Dec. 1, 1898, $337,649.21 in general fund warrants were outstanding, and Dec. 1, 1899, there were $376,042. The interest paid on general fund warrants amounted to about $13,000, but by reason of the reduction in the interest rate by the Legislature the interest is expected to be much less the coming year. The cash on hand in the treasury on Nov. 30 was $637,416.62.

Valuations.-The value placed upon property for assessment in 1898, exclusive of railroads, was $119,960,108. The value for 1899, as given by county assessors, was $125,829,181. The railroads were valued at $14,992.689 in 1899; in 1898, at $13,793,581. The live-stock valuation was increased $1,474,741 in 1899. There was a general protest among those interested against the values placed by the State Board of Equalization on cattle and sheep for purposes of taxation. The total valuation of cattle is $12,057,087; horses, $3,289,717; sheep, $8,302,944, making the total assessment $23,649,748. The assessors' reports show 3,186,742 head of sheep in the State, which have been assessed at an average of $2.60. The average assessment of beef cattle was $37.37; of yearlings, two year olds and three year olds $21.83, and of cows $25.71. The assessors this year found 1,173 thoroughbred horses, 133,642 range horses, and 59,672 work horses. The average assessment of thoroughbred horses was $95.76; range horses, $11.28; and work horses, $27.99.

The attempt of a county board to tax the Associated Press franchises of newspapers was not sustained, the county attorney deciding that they were not franchises in the strict sense of the

word, but contracts between the agency and the papers.

Education. The estimates for the higher in stitutions of learning of the State for the biennial period were: Normal school, $29,910; university, $42,180; College of Agriculture and experiment station, $15,910, in addition to the Government appropriation; School of Mines, $26,300. It is expected that the School of Mines will be ready for opening in September, 1900. The dedication exercises of the State University, at Missoula, took place Feb. 18.

A table of the libraries of the State gives the total number of volumes as 157,000. It includes not only public and free libraries and those in State institutions, but those of school districts and of private institutions.

The school children of the State have chosen the pine by vote as the State tree. Last Arbor Day they planted 375 trees.

The Supreme Court gave a decision in October which threatens to close the schools for a large part of the time before the next session of the Legislature in some parts of the State. The law, passed some years ago and amended in 1897, providing for the voting of special school levies was declared inoperative, because of vagueness and ambiguity in its wording. The law came before the courts on a suit by the Great Northern Railroad, which refused payment of a tax of $1.800 levied after vote according to the law.

Charities and Corrections. The number of inmates at the State Soldiers' Home, Dec. 1, was 51, the same number as on Dec. 1, 1898. In the year 19 were admitted, 10 died, and 9 were discharged. The average age is between 62 and 63. The receipts were $11,308.30, of which $7,200 was the State appropriation, $3,358 came from the Government, and the remainder from pensions retained. The total expenses were $9,894.24.

The deaf-mute asylum cost the State for the year $12,683.02.

The report of the Commissioners for the Insane shows that, while there were 457 patients in the asylum on Dec. 1, 1898, there were 427 at the same date in 1899, of whom 375 were men. The whole number treated during the year was 602. The total cost of maintenance was $114,140.50 for the year; $2,250 was received for those not indigent.

In the State Prison there were 328 convicts on Dec. 1; in the year 148 had been received, 183 released, and 6 had died. The cost of maintenance was $52,806.40. The contractors reported great improvement in the conduct of the prisoners this year. They have organized a full military band among the inmates.

Products. The sheep industry is reported to have yielded about $4,500,000 during the year ending Nov. 30. Of this amount about $3,000,000 came from the sale of wool. The number of sheep and lambs slaughtered or shipped out of the State since March 1 was 368,421; the number of pounds of wool sheared was 23,290,639.

The latest figures at hand on the mineral production are for 1898, published in May. They show that the total value of mineral products of the State that year was $51,319,067.15. Of this amount the following sums were contributed by the different metals: Gold, valued at $5,247,912.91; silver, $19,159,842; copper, 216,979,354 fine pounds, valued at $26,102,616.29. The value of the lead taken out of the mines last year was $809,035.78. The Mine Inspector says of 1899: "A comparison of the mining industry during the year with previous years exhibits a marked improvement. More mines are in operation, a greater number VOL. XXXIX.-A 33

of men employed, with better methods and results in the mining, smelting, milling, cyaniding, and the combination of these and other processes which are being applied to the recovery of values contained in the ores of this State. Several old mines, after a long period of inactivity, have resumed operations, and are yielding handsome profits from a class of ores that were worthless to their early operators."

Lands. In the year 218,058 acres were selected for the State. This nearly completes the location of lands to which Montana is entitled. Of the several grants made by Congress, all have now been filled, with the exception of the public buildings grant and the Agricultural College income grant, which have approximately 45,000 and 3,500 acres respectively to be selected.

To meet the unusual demand for grazing lands the Land Agent, acting under instructions of the board, selected 115,000 acres of indemnity school land in lieu of the school lands upon the Fort Peck Indian reservation, also 21,000 acres of lieu lands for school lands claimed by homesteaders and miners.

The Northern Pacific, having facilities for ascertaining the exact location of valuable bodies of timber on unsurveyed land, forestalls the State in regard to many desired locations and places forest-reserve scrip upon them. In addition, speculators have secured large amounts of California forest-reserve scrip, and are indefatigable in their searching and scripping the unsurveyed domain.

The report of the Land Register shows a large increase in business, the receipts for the year ending Nov. 30 having been $200,195.20, against $126,883.31 the preceding year. Of the sum received, $100,415.80 was for leases, $41,666.23 for timber sales, and $27,098.78 for land sales of the year, the remainder coming from payments on sales and rental of preceding years.

Insurance. The fire companies doing business in the State in 1898 wrote $37,396,391.69 of insurance, $739,954.29 was received in gross premiums, $255,255.31 losses paid, and $246,783.14 in losses

incurred.

The regular life insurance companies collected in premiums $703,262, and incurred losses of $154,115, and had at the end of the year $20,192,799 insurance in force.

The mutual benefit companies received $30,526 and disbursed $24,000.

The New Capitol.-The corner stone of the new Capitol was laid July 4. Joseph K. Toole, first Governor of the State, was the orator of the day. He deprecated the inscription on the great seal of the State, Oro y Plata (gold and silver), and suggested as a better motto, "No tyrannical sentiment can intimidate, no gilded bribes seduce."

Legislative Session.—The Legislature was in session from Jan. 2 to March 2. T. P. Cullen was President pro tempore of the Senate and Henry C. Stiff was Speaker of the House.

There were in the Senate 5 Republicans, 18 Democrats, and 1 Populist; in the House, 10 Republicans, 56 Democrats, and 4 Silver Republicans, but 1 Democratic Senator was later unseated in favor of a Republican.

The election of a successor to United States Senator Lee Mantle devolved upon this Legisla ture. The leading candidates were W. A. Clark and W. G. Conrad, both Democrats. Other candidates who received support were J. K. Toole, T. C. Marshall, J. M. Fox, F. M. Malone, E. D. Matts, C. S. Hartman, Lee Mantle, H. L. Frank, C. W. Hoffman, Martin Maginnis, and Messrs.