of, as is also J. Nordling's "Women," a collection of sketches of the fair sex. Thora Blanche has published several things that are praised by the critics. Polite literature is enriched by a collection entitled "Fictions and Pictures," by the late K. Wetterhoff, a man of very remarkable talent in poetry as well as prose. In poetry little or nothing is deserving of mention here. The veteran H. Sätherberg has produced a cycle of tales named "The Adventures of the Caliph." Bishop Strömberg, recently deceased, gave vent to his religious enthusiasm in both poetry and prose in describing the "Balder Festival" and the "Struggles of the Swedish Church." A. U. Bââth, a realistic poet, has taken in hand old Scandinavian life, as depicted in the ancient sagas, under the title "The Viking Time." F. Hedberg, the veteran dramatist, supplies the public with his recollections of the stage, and B. Schöldström has furnished numerous interesting passages from the history of literature in his volume "Behind the Lowered Curtain." A naturalistic play by A. Strindberg (spoken of above), "Miss Julia," is praised for its style, with expressions of disgust at its plot. P. Wikner, who died last summer, a professor at Christiania, is much spoken of in current publications, and W. E. Svedelius, professor in Upsala for many years, has died, and is highly lauded in a detailed biography. O. Alin, his successor, has published an excellent book on the union between Sweden and Norway. Prof. G. Ljunggren has brought out a new volume, "The Annals of the Polite Literature of Sweden." He has been retired from active duty on a pension, and will devote himself entirely to congenial work of this kind. K. Fahræus has written a capital monograph on Thomas Thorild, who was in England for some years, and afterward a professor at Greifswald. Thorild was certainly one of the most original of Swedish authors, much in advance of his own time-was a sort of John Stuart Mill, in fact—and aimed to elevate the female sex, and to secure to them all their rights and privileges. He is universally admitted to be one of the brightest lights in Swedish literature. The famous Charles XII has obtained two new biographers; one, Captain G. Björling, in popular style; the other, E. Carlson, who aims at higher scientific treatment. H. Hjärne, professor at Upsala, has undertaken a revision of Russian history, in popular form, from 1682 to 1730. The volume now issued, "From Moscow to St. Petersburg," is highly commended by competent judges, and the continuation of the work is earnestly desired. Miss Ellen Key, who wrote a sympathetic life of the unhappy Mrs. Benedictson (Ernst Ahlgren), has given expression to some striking and valuable "Thoughts on the Reaction"-that is, the much to be deprecated changes, more or less prevailing, in politics as well as religion. Miss Ellen Fries, who enjoys the distinction of being the first Swedish lady elevated to a Ph.D., has begun a work on a large scale under the title "Remarkable Women," including those abroad as well as at home. The eminent historian, Emil Svensén, also publishes a volume on this fruitful topic. Some of the juvenile writings of Linnæus have been collected by the naturalist, E. Ahrling, and are published by the Royal Academy of Sciences.

LOUISIANA, a Southern State, admitted to the Union in 1812; area, 48,720 square miles; population, according to the last decennial census (1880), 939,946; capital, Baton Rouge.

Government.-The following were the State officers during the year: Governor, Francis T. Nicholls, Democrat; Lieutenant-Governor, James Jeffries; Secretary of State, Leonard F. Mason; Treasurer, William H. Pipes; Auditor, Ollie B. Steele; Superintendent of Public Education, Joseph A Breaux; Attorney-General, Walter H. Rogers; Commissioner of Agriculture, Thompson J. Bird; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Edward Bermudez; Associate Justices, Felix P. Poché, Samuel D. McEnery, Charles E. Fenner, and Lynn B. Watkins.

Finances.-The balances in the State treasury on April 30 of this year amounted to $484,767.01, of which the sum of $173,788.18 was in the general fund and $54,258.61 in the current school fund. On Oct. 31 the total balances were $320,783.37, of which only $34,424.08 were credited to the general fund and $11,028.53 to the current school fund. On Jan. 1 the funded State debt was $11,759,500, in addition to which there was a large unfunded debt.

The total assessed valuation of the State for 1888 was $223,394,756, and for 1889, $268,076,914. For State purposes the annual tax-levy is 6 mills on the dollar.

Education. The following figures for the school year ending in 1889 include returns from all but 4 of the 59 parishes in the State:

Number of public schools-White, 1,304; colored,

665.

Pupils enrolled-White males, 84,869; white females, 32,434; total, 67,313; colored males, 22,050; colored females, 21,521; total, 43,601.

Average attendance-White, 47,759; colored, 31,686.

Teachers employed - White males, 631; white females, 1,065; total, 1,696; colored males, 469; colored females, 201; total, 670.

Number of private schools-White, 184; colored, 15. Number of teachers--white, 256; colored, 16; total, 272. Number of pupils-white, 5,888; colored, 559; total, 6,427.

The number of youth of school age in the State is 336,137. Nearly two thirds of these were not enrolled in any school during the year.

Ex-Treasurer Burke's Irregularities.— About Sept. 15 reports became current that gross irregularities had been found in the management of the State treasury during the term of exTreasurer E. A. Burke, which ended in April, 1888. From a report to the Governor, dated Sept. 28, it appeared that, under the act of 1880, authorizing "constitutional" bonds to be issued in exchange for certain consolidated bonds surrendered there had been printed and signed by the Governor bonds to the value of $671,000, of which the ex-Treasurer had issued, according to the act, in exchange for consolidated bonds redeemed, only $217,600, thus leaving in his hands unissued bonds amounting to $453,400. These should have been turned over to his successor, but were not, and no trace of them could be found in the Treasurer's office. But coupons corresponding to numbers of these unissued bonds were discovered among those that had been paid and canceled. It also appeared that consolidated bonds to the value of $25,200,

which were exchanged for constitutional bonds and surrendered to the Treasurer for cancellation during 1883 had not been canceled nor handed over by him to the auditor for destruction, as required by law, but that interest-coupons from these bonds, also, were still held by the people and had been paid at the treasury. The report also showed that the consolidated bonds formerly belonged to the Agricultural and Mechanical College, which had been declared by the State Constitution of 1879 to be void, and the destruction of which had been ordered by a resolve of the Legislature of 1882, had never been destroyed, but had been fraudulently reissued, and coupons therefrom had been presented for payment. The value of these bonds was $278,400. In brief, the State officials found reason to believe that the following State bonds, which should either have been destroyed or still be found in the treasury, had been negotiated and were held by the public:

Unissued constitutional bonds

Consolidated bonds exchanged for constitutional bonds and not destroyed

Agricultural and Mechanical College bonds not destroyed..

Total

$458,400

25,200 278,400

$757,000

To this sum should be added the amount paid by the State to redeem such interest coupons of these bonds as had been presented to the Treasury, estimated at about $70,000. These facts, among others, were laid before the Grand Jury at New Orleans about Oct. 1, and that body determined to make a search of the house of the ex-Treasurer, who was at this time in London, and also of his private vault at the State Bank. At the latter place they found unissued constitutional bonds to the value of $383,400, thereby reducing the amount of these bonds missing to $70,000, and the total amount missing to $373,600. It was soon found that the remaining $70,000 of constitutional bonds were held by two persons- Maurice J. Hart and one Gainesagainst whom writs of sequestration were issued, which resulted in the return of $54,000 of the bonds to the custody of the State, but only till the question of the rights of the holders shall be adjudicated in the courts. The grand jury reported its findings on Oct. 26, substantially as above presented, and at the same time found indictments against E. A. Burke as principal and Maurice J. Hart as a confederate.

There remained another class of State bonds, known as "baby" bonds, issued under the Constitution of 1879, of the denomination of $5 each, bearing interest at 3 per cent. and running for six years. On Nov. 23 the grand jury made a special report on this subject. Although the matter was so complicated that exact figures could not be given, the jury found reasons for saying that $420,000 of these "baby" bonds had been illegally issued. Another series of indictments against the ex-Treasurer and others were framed to cover these new-found crimes. The total amount of State bonds illegally in the hands of the public was increased by this latest discovery to $793,600 All the evidence offered during these investigations pointed to ex-Treasurer Burke as the person who had unlawfully disposed of the missing bonds and had profited by the transactions. On hearing of the disclos

ures, he at once signified his intention of returning from London and meeting the charges. But instead of doing so he went to Honduras, where he had been granted valuable franchises by the Government, and at the close of the year had made no attempt to answer his accusers. Levees. In addition to expenditures by the Federal Government to improve the Mississippi and other rivers of the State, and to protect the adjacent lands from overflow, the Legislature has provided that outlays may be made for the same purpose by local authorities. Under this law four levee districts have been organized and are engaged in local improvements. For 1889 the commissioners of the First District voted to levy a tax of 8 mills, yielding about $21,000; in the Second District the same rate was voted, yielding about $15,000; in the Third District 7 mills, yielding about $46,000; and in the Fourth District 8 mills, yielding about $66,000. The total amount available is about $148,000. The work is under the superintendence of the State Engineer.

Political. The death, on May 30, of Hon. Edward J. Gay, Member of Congress for the Third District, necessitated the holding of a special election to fill the vacancy. On Aug. 5 a Republican convention at Franklin nominated Henry C. Minor. The Democratic convention was held at Lake Charles on Aug. 13 and nominated Andrew Price. The Republicans made a spirited canvass, several Northern Congressmen being called upon to aid their cause; but at the election, on Sept. 3, the Democrats obtained their usual large majority, Price polling 18,761 votes and Minor 11,405.

Decision. In February the State Supreme Court rendered an important decision, declaring the act of 1888 known as the Police bill to be constitutional. This act applied to the city of New Orleans and created a police board to be elected by the City Council, which should have full control of the police department.

Immigration.—An Immigration Bureau, supported by the State, and an Immigration Association, conducted by private generosity, are active in securing for the State a proper share of immigrants. Several conventions were held in different parts of the State during the year, to promote the work of these organizations.

LUTHERANS. The year 1889 was a prosperous one for the Lutheran Church in America. Five new buildings for educational institutions, involving an outlay of $300,000, were dedicated; and her net gain was 187 clergymen, 357 congregations, and 52,678 members. The Lutheran Church in America numbers 4,612 clergymen, 7,911 congregations, and 1,086,048 communicants. The following institutions are supported: Twenty-five theological seminaries, 27 colleges, 36 academies, 14 ladies' seminaries, and 57 orphans' homes and other benevolent institutions. There are published 143 periodicals, of which 46 are English, 52 German, 20 Norwegian, 13 Swedish, 4 Danish, 3 Icelandic, 2 Finnish, and 1 French. The following is a résumé of the more important events of the year: Three of the general bodies held conventions-the General Synod, the General Council, and the United Synod.

General Synod.-This body, organized in 1821, embraces 23 district synods (almost exclu

sively English), numbering 951 clergymen, 1,423 congregations, and 151,365 members. The thirtyfourth biennial convention was held in Allegheny, Pa., June 12-21, 1889, and 179 delegates were in attendance. The retiring president, Samuel A. Ort, D. D., President of Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, delivered the opening sermon. Henry W. McKnight, D. D., President of Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa., was elected president. The work of the convention consisted principally in the consideration of the reports and recommendations of the various boards, by whom the affairs of this general body are managed. Board of Foreign Missions. The general secretary, the Rev. George Scholl, D. D., presented the twenty-fifth biennial report. Two missions are supported-one in India, with Guntur as its central station; the other in Africa, with Muhlenberg, Monrovia, Liberia, as its central station. The following statistics afford a general view of the condition of the mission in India: Three ordained missionaries, 2 native pastors, 145 catechists and other native assistants, 335 villages containing Christians, 110 chapels and prayerhouses, 1 printing press and book bindery, 1 reading-room and book depot, 2 zenana mission dispensaries, 12,289 baptized Christians, 137 schools, 174 teachers, and 2,956 pupils. The Watts Memorial College, at Guntur, of which the Rev. L. B. Wolff is president, has 13 teachers and 352 students. The zenana department has 2 women missionaries, 2 native assistants, 14 Bible teachers, and 800 pupils. On Feb. 16, 1888, Mrs. Unangst, wife of the senior missionary, died, having labored in India about twenty years. On Nov. 27, 1889, the Rev. Lemon L. Uhl, Ph. D., returned to India, after spending two years in Johns Hopkins University in a post-graduate course. He was accompanied by the Rev. John Aberly and wife and Miss Amy Sadtler, the newly appointed missionaries of the board. The Muhlenberg mission in Africa is under the supervision of the Rev. David A. Day, who has labored fifteen years in this difficult field, and is now the only ordained missionary engaged there, assisted by an ordained native pastor. On Nov. 20, 1887, Rev. Elias M. Hubler set out for Africa and reached Muhlenberg mission on Jan. 8, 1888. After a year's residence in Africa, and having passed through the acclimating process with the usual result of somewhat reduced health, he returned to the United States. After spending two and a half months in this country, he again sailed for his field of labor, May 4, 1889, accompanied by his wife and daughter and by Mrs. Day and her daughter; but, on Oct. 10, 1889, Mr. Hubler died of fever, thus leaving Rev. Mr. Day again alone in his arduous labors. The mission consists of three congregations, with a baptized membership of 151, and 222 pupils in the schools. The industrial department is flourishing. The 100-acre farm contains 48,000 coffee trees, 13,000 of which are bearing and yield the mission a handsome income, as well as afford employment to a large number of Christians. The missionary has secured an additional farm of 365 acres. The receipts for the work of foreign missions, including a balance of $8.166.34, have been $85,813.35, of which the Woman's Missionary Society contributed $10,552.81 and the Children's Foreign Missionary Society $2,557,

the Lutheran Publication Society $1,500, the United Synod of the South $518.72, and the American Tract Society $200. The expenditures amounted to $77,932.47. The receipts already mentioned include also $1,396.86 received for a steamboat for the Muhlenberg mission, and $9,509.70 for the Watts Memorial College in India. Home Missions.-The tenth biennial report of the Board of Home Missions presents the following facts: The receipts amounted to $73,544.93, including a balance of $4,629.70; the expenditures were $72,468.94. During the past two years 114 missions were supported and 131 missionaries employed. Sixteen missions have become self-sustaining. The missions are distributed as follows: Pennsylvania, 20; Ohio, 12; Nebraska, 21; Kansas, 16; Illinois, 7; Maryland, 6; New York and Iowa, each 5; Indiana, Colorado, and California, each 3; Kentucky and Tennessee, each 2; Canada, Connecticut, New Jersey, District of Columbia, West Virginia, Missouri, Dakota, Wyoming, and New Mexico, each 1. Of these 98 are English, 2 English-German, 9 German, and 5 Scandinavian. The present general secretary is the Rev. A. Stewart Hartman, Baltimore, Md., and the western secretary the Rev. Samuel B. Barnitz, Des Moines, Iowa.

Church Extension.-The tenth biennial report of the Board of Church Extension shows that the receipts amounted to $83,098.40, including a balance of $3,576.74; the expenditures were $73,432.71. The assets of the board are $156,070.59, and the liabilities $133,320.59. The number of congregations aided in the period embraced in the report was 66. The general secretary, Rev. Harry H. Weber, Baltimore, is prosecuting the work of the board with commendable zeal. Rev. John N. Lenker, of Grand Island, Neb., Western representative of the board, has continued his work in the West. His operations have extended over a vast territory, and have resulted in securing desirable and often valuable lots in new towns. During the past two years he secured 134 lots, and raised for various purposes the sum of $27,368.

Board of Education.-The second biennial report of this board records the founding of Midland College at Atchison, Kan., and Wayne Academy at Wayne, Neb., as also the aid given to Carthage College, at Carthage, Ill. Midland College was opened on Sept. 15, 1887. The new building in Highland Park was erected by the citizens of Atchison at a cost of $27,000, the board expending an additional $1,800 in furnishing the building for use. The receipts of the board during the past two years amounted to $8,709.96; expenditures, $8,393.22.

Publication Society. The assets of the board are $63,639. During the two years embraced in the report, 8 new books were issued, and new editions of 16 former publications, and 2 volumes were published for the authors.

The new buildings for the use of Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa., form an important part of the record of the General Synod. At the convention at Omaha, Neb., the erection of a new college building was agreed upon; and a commodious and elegant building, costing $86,000, was dedicated on Sept. 11, 1889, Gov. James A. Beaver presiding. The dimensions of the building are 69 by 162 feet; the style of architecture

is the classic Romanesque; the material is brick and Hummelstown brown stone. The success of this undertaking is chiefly due to the labors of Henry W. McKnight, D. D., president of the institution. Some time previous to the event just recorded, the Brua Memorial Chapel, costing $15,000, the gift of Col. John P. Brua, was dedicated. On Sept. 23, 1889, the cornerstone of Hamma Divinity Hall was laid. This building will be for the use of the theological department of Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio.

General Council. This general body, organized in 1867, embraces eight district synods (English, German, and Swedish), numbering 899 clergymen, 1,557 congregations, and 264,235 communicants, exclusive of the German Iowa and the Norwegian Augustana Synods, which are generally represented at the conventions, but are not fully connected with it, numbering 277 clergymen, 457 congregations, and 39,800 members. There are within the bounds of this general body, 2 theological seminaries, 6 colleges, 3 academies, and 17 benevolent institutions. The twentysecond convention was held in Pittsburg, Pa., Oct. 10-16, 1889, and 91 delegates were in attendance, representing eight district synods. The opening sermon was delivered by the retiring president, the Rev. Joseph A. Seiss, D. D., LL. D., pastor of the Church of Holy Communion, Philadelphia. Gottlob F. Krotel, D. D., LL. D., of New York city, was elected president. A large portion of the time of the convention was devoted to discussion of questions pertaining to fellowship. The business of the convention consisted in consideration of reports of committees. Foreign Missions.-The committee on foreign missions reported the condition of the mission in India, of which Rajahmundry is the central station. The following statistics give a general view of it: Four ordained missionaries (two have since died), 2 native pastors, 7 catechists, 80 teachers, 1,073 pupils, and 2,319 baptized members. The benevolent contributions of native Christians amounted to $50.03. The receipts amounted to $12,177.04, and the expenditures to $11,978.70. During the year a heavy loss was sustained by the death of missionaries Frederick S. Dietrich and William Grænning. This loss has been partially repaired by the sending out of the Rev. Emanuel Edman, M. D. Notwithstand ing the serious losses, the mission is flourishing. Home Missions.-The home missionary operations are carried on by three committees English, German, and Swedish. The German committee reported that owing to changes in the committee, its work consisted principally in reorganization. Only one mission (in Winnipeg, Manitoba), has been supported, but several theological students have received aid. The receipts amounted to $1,750.06, and the expenditures to $1,404.85. The English committee reported, through its missionary superintendent, Rev. William A. Passavant, that during the year 16 missions and 12 missionaries were supported. These missions are located: One in New Jersey, 2 in Ohio, 1 in Illinois, 1 in Wisconsin, 7 in Minnesota, 1 in Dakota, 1 in Washington, 1 in Oregon, and 1 in Utah. The receipts of the committee amounted to $5,397.89, and the expenditures to $5,586.24. The Swedish committee reported that the missionary operations

among the Swedes were carried on chiefly by the conferences of the Swedish Augustana Synod. Only a few missions were supported by the general committee, while 150 missions were supported by the conferences. These missions are in nearly every State and Territory of the United States and Canada. The receipts of the general committee amounted to $1,665.50, of the conferences to $15,901.63. But this is only a part of the missionary work of this general body, for each district synod carries on its own missionary operations, seven of which supported 127 missions with $18,534.20. The total amount re

ceived for this work was $43,239.28. During the year the Philadelphia Theological Seminary of the Pennsylvania Ministerium, the oldest and largest synod in connection with the General Council, was removed from Franklin Street to Mt. Airy, where new buildings were erected on the property purchased at a cost of $35,000. The new buildings cost about $50,000, and were dedicated on Oct. 1889, which was also the occasion of the quarto-centennial of the establishment of the seminary.

United Synod.-This general body, organized in 1886, embraces 8 district synods, numbering 195 clergymen, 390 congregations, and 35,185 communicants. There are within the bounds of this body 1 theological seminary, 4 colleges, 4 academies, 5 ladies' seminaries, and 1 orphans' home. This body held its third convention in Wilmington, N. C., Nov. 14-19, 1889. The opening sermon was delivered by the president, Edward T. Horn, D. D., of Charleston, S. C., who was re-elected. The first important business was the consideration of the report of the board of missions and church extension. About $9,300 were expended for this work. Nearly all the synods were reported as actively engaged in prosecuting the work of missions. Particular attention has been given to the organization of children's missionary societies, and interest in missions among the women of the church has been encouraged.

On the subject of foreign missions, the board reported that it was resolved to begin a mission in the empire of Japan. Repeated efforts to secure a suitable missionary having failed, further action was postponed until after this meeting of synod. It was determined to send out two or more missionaries as early as possible, and the congregation at Salem, Va., pledged $1,000 per annum for this work. The board was authorized to raise $6,000 for home, and $3,000 for foreign missions.

Probably the most important action was the determination to establish a general theological seminary in the South to be opened at Newberry, S. C., in the autumn of 1890. The South Carolina synod is to furnish one professor of theology, and will allow the professors in Newberry College to give instruction in the seminary, on condition that the other synods composing the united synod furnish another theological professor. A board of directors was appointed, and two professors were elected the Rev. S. A. Repass, D. D., of Allentown, Pa., and Prof. A. G. Voigt, of Thiel College, Greenville, Pa. A board of education was also appointed.

Independent Synods.-The fifteen independent synods number 1,276 clergymen, 2,730 con

gregations, and 269,743 communicants. It is impossible to present a connected account of the operations of these synods, since they carry on the educational, missionary, and benevolent operations independently of each other. It is worthy of note, however, that most of them are actively prosecuting the various branches of church work, notably the synods of Ohio and Iowa, as also the several Norwegian and other Scandinavian synods, among whom efforts are being made at a general union. The Norwegians dedicated a new theological building in North Minneapolis, Minn., on Sept. 8, 1889, costing about $50,000, and the German Iowa Synod dedicated a new building for their theological seminary at Dubuque, Iowa, Sept. 18, 1889, which cost about $30,000.

Statistics.-The latest statistics of the Lutheran Church in America, according the "The

MAINE, a New England State, admitted to the Union in 1820; area, 33,040 square miles; population, according to the last decennial census (1880), 648,936; capital, Augusta.

Government. The following were the State officers during the year: Governor, Edwin C. Burleigh, Republican; Secretary of State, Oramandal Smith; Treasurer, George L. Beal; Attorney-General, Charles E. Littlefield; Commissioner of Industrial and Labor Statistics, Samuel W. Matthews; Superintendent of Common Schools, Nelson A. Luce; Railroad Commissioners, Asa W. Wildes, Roscoe L. Bowers, and David N. Mortland; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John A. Peters; Associate Justices, Charles W. Walton, Charles Danforth, William W. Virgin, Artemus Libbey, Lucilius A. Emery, Enoch Foster, and Thomas H. Haskell.

Finances. The treasury statement for the year is as follows: Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1889, $272,283.41; receipts during the year, $5,148,493.92; expenditures, $5,358,098.92; balance Dec. 31, 1889, $62,678.41. The receipts, besides the sums received from the sinking fund and from the sale of new bonds, include $683, 144.07 from the State tax on property, $295,811.60 from the savings-bank tax, $99,902.81 from the railroad tax and $24,825.20 from the insurance tax. The expenditures, omitting the payment of State bonds, include interest on debt, $229,332.83; salaries of public officers, $70,150; school fund and mill tax paid, $376,644.27; charitable institutions, support and improvements, $185,453.84; normal schools, $31,691.98; Reform School, $28,491.75; Industrial School, $11,000.

In accordance with the legislative act mentioned below, the State debt was reduced during the year by the application of the proceeds of the sinking fund to its payment, and the amount then outstanding was refunded into new bonds, nearly all bearing 3 per cent. interest. The debt was thereby diminished from $3,967,400 on Jan. 1, to $2,652,300 on Dec. 31, the reduction being $1,315,100. The funds with which this reduction was made were derived as follows: $1,235,200 from the sinking fund, $58,660 from pre

mium on new bonds issued in June, and $21,240 from premium on new bonds issued in October. The following is a statement of the refunded debt on Dec. 31: The present bonds issued June 1, and sold at a premium of 3 per cent., $1,676,000; 5-per-cent. bonds issued June 1 to the Agricultural College, $118,300; 4-per-cent. bonds issued Feb. 5, to the Agricultural College, $100,000; 4-per-cent. bonds issued to the Insane Hospital July 1, $50,000; 3-per-cent. bonds issued Oct. 1, and sold at 3 per cent. premium, $708,000; total, $2,652,300. To this sum should be added $96,500 of old bonds on which interest has ceased but which have not yet been presented for payment. The State has obtained on the new bonds a lower rate of interest than on the old issues.

A question regarding the constitutionality of the refunding act was raised in March, and submitted by the Governor to the Supreme Court. The following is an extract from the opinion of the court dated April 1:

Article IX, section 14 of the Constitution, declares that the Legislature shall not create any debt exceeding a limited amount named, "except to suppress insurrection, repel invasion, or for purposes of war." The issue of bonds which, by the act of 1889, is to be dated as of June 1, 1889, will vastly exceed the constitutional limit, should it be regarded as a new debt. In our opinion, it can not, in a constitutional sense, be so regarded. It will rather be the old debt in a new form. The issue of bonds soon to mature was

originally provided "for purposes of war," and represents a war debt of the State. But the bonds to be issued will just as much represent the war debt as do

the bonds to be retired.

The total assessed valuation of the State for 1889 was $242,039,614, an increase of $14,008,958 since 1880. Upon this sum a State tax of 24 mills was levied for the year, 1 mill of which is devoted to public schools.

Under the act of this year providing for an enlargement of the State-house, the commissioners had made contracts for portions of the work aggregating $139,872.47 before the end of December. Under the law offering a bounty of $5 on each bear killed the State paid out during