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cients were located by tradition in the distant parts of Upper Ethiopia. The Dokkos, another tribe of people of low stature, living in the southern part of Abyssinia, may be related to the Akkas. These are described by Schweinfurth as a race which never attain a greater height than five feet. Their lower face protrudes to a remarkable degree. Their hands and feet are small. They are very active in their habits, and use the bow and the lance with great skill in hunting the elephant. The country of the Akkas lies south of the Welle River, beyond Monbuttu-land and the country of the Niam-Niams (see "Geographical Progress and Discovery "). From recent accounts it appears that the stature of the Akkas has been somewhat understated, and that their average height is greater than that of the Hottentots. They are not warlike, and are in danger of extinction from the aggressions of their neighbors. Two Akka children who were brought to Europe by Miani have displayed a fair degree of intelligence.

ALABAMA. Some important measures were passed at the session of the Legislature held at the beginning of the year. A colored normal school was established at Tuskeegee. An act was passed providing for the incorporation of banks of discount and deposit. They are authorized to carry on the business of banking, by discounting bills and notes, receiving and paying out deposits, buying and selling gold and silver bullion, foreign coins and foreign and domestic bills of exchange and commercial securities, bonds and stocks, by lending money upon bonds, stocks, and personal security, and upon unincumbered real property, and by exercising such incidental powers, not in conflict with the laws of the State or of the United States, as are necessary to carry on its business. The capital stock may be any sum not less than fifty thousand or more than five hundred thousand dollars.

Any one who carries about his person a bowie-knife, or any other knife or instrument of like kind or description, or a pistol, or firearms of any other kind or description, or any air-gun, must be fined on conviction not less than fifty nor more than five hundred dollars, and may also be imprisoned in the county jail, or sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than six months: provided, that evidence that the defendant has good reason to apprehend an attack may be admitted in the mitigation of the punishment or in justification of the offense.

.The sum of one hundred thousand dollars was appropriated for the construction of an additional building for the accommodation of the insane at Tuscaloosa.

The rate of the State tax was fixed at six and one half tenths of one per centum.

It was declared by the Legislature that "the main track of every railroad in this State is a public highway, over which all persons have equal rights of transportation for passengers

and freights, on the payment of just compensation to the owner of the railroad for such transportation; and any person or corporation engaged in the business of transporting passengers or freights over any railroad in this State, who shall exact and receive for any such transportation more than just compensation for the services rendered, or demands more than the rates specified in any bill of lading issued by such person or corporation, or who for his or its advantage or for the advantage of any connecting line, or of any person or locality, shall make any unjust discrimination in transportation against any individual, locality, or corporation, shall be guilty of extortion; and in every case it shall be for the jury to determine, from all the evidence, whether more than just compensation was exacted and received, or whether any such discrimination in transportation which may be established by the evidence against the individual, locality, or corporation, as the case may be, was made for the benefit or advantage of the person or corporation operating such railroad, or of any person or locality: provided, that nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent contracts for special rates for the purpose of developing any industrial enterprise, or to prevent the execution of any such contract now existing."

In all suits for extortion, the plaintiff may recover twice the amount of damages sustained, and also a reasonable fee for his counsel. The party proved guilty of the extortion may be fined not less than ten or more than five hundred dollars. It was also provided that a board of railroad commissioners should be established, whose duty it should be to consider and carefully revise all tariffs of charges for transportation submitted to the commission by any person or corporation owning or operating a railroad in this State; and if, in the judgment of the commission, any such charge is more than just compensation for the service for which it is proposed to be made, or if any such charges amount to unjust discrimination against any person, locality, or corporation, the commission shall notify the party submitting the same of the changes necessary to reduce the rate of charges to just compensation, and to avoid unjust discrimination; when such changes are made by the party submitting the tariff, or when none are deemed proper and expedient, the members of the commission shall append a certificate of its approval to such tariff of charges.

It was further made the duty of the commissioners to hear all complaints made by any person against any such tariff of rates so approved, on the ground that the same, in any respect, is for more than just compensation, or that such charges, or any of them, amount to, or operate so as to effect unjust discrimination; such complaint must be in writing, and specify the items in the tariff against which complaint is made; and if it appears to the commission that there may be justice in the complaint, or

that the matter ought to be investigated, the commission shall forth with furnish to the person or corporation operating the railroad a copy of the complaint, together with notice that, at a time and place stated in the notice, the tariff as to said items will be revised by the commission; and at such time and place it shall be the duty of the commission to hear the parties to the controversy or by counsel, and such evidence as may be offered, oral or in writing, and may examine witnesses on oath, conforming to the mode of proceedings, as nearly as may be convenient, required of arbitrators, giving such time and latitude to each side, and regulating the opening and conclusion of any argument, as the commission may consider best adapted to arrive at the truth; and when the hearing is concluded, the commission shall give notice of any changes deemed proper by them to be made, to the person or corporation operating the railroad.

The serious nature of the litigation against railroads, under a complaint of extortion, is such that those best informed on the subject admit that, if the roads were subject to it unrestrained, it would effectually destroy the value of their property. The act, therefore, seeks to provide a proper measure of protection to the railroads by authorizing them to submit their tariffs to the commission, and when such tariffs have been conformed to what, in the judgment of the commission, is the measure of just compensation, without unjust discrimination, the commission shall approve them. This approval by the commission does not make the tariff thus approved absolutely binding, either on the public or the railroads; but it so far protects the railroads as to relieve them while acting under such approved tariff from all liability except for actual damage, and gives them the right, if successful in a suit for extortion in respect to such charges, to recover a lawyer's fee from the plaintiff, and the approval of the commission is prima facie evidence in behalf of the railroad that the tariff is not extortionate.

The object and effect of these provisions are to leave it to a jury to determine in the last resort what is just between the people and the railroads. The railroads, in so far as they are private property, are entitled to the same measure of protection precisely as other property; and, in so far as they are public highways, the right of the public to use them is equally sacred. These respective rights, of the success of the railroad on the one hand, and of the public on the other, meet at just compensation, without unjust discrimination, for the service rendered in transportation. Whenever the railroads are required to transfer freight or passengers for less than just compensation, the rights of the owners of the railroads are violated; and, on the other hand, when the railroads charge more than just compensation, or make any unjust discrimination in transportation, they trespass upon the rights of the public. The

trouble is, to determine what is just compensation or unjust discrimination.

The Legislature has the power to determine this matter by positive statute, as is done in the case of mills grinding for toll, ferries, tollbridges, turnpikes, and the like; but the variations in the measure of just compensation, and not unjust discrimination, in railroad transportation, render the exercise of this power of fixing rates by positive statute impracticable. It was made the duty of county health boards to supervise the public health, and through their health officer to collect full vital statistics of their county.

A tramp was defined to be any person who goes from place to place or house to house, begging or demanding food, raiment, lodging, or other thing of value, without employment or other visible means of support. It was further provided that the act of begging, or vagrancy, by any person having no known residence within this State, shall be prima facie evidence that the person committing the same is a tramp.

As a punishment, or rather to exclude them from the State, it was provided that any person convicted of being a tramp shall be fined for the first offense not less than fifty nor more than two hundred dollars, and shall be sentenced to hard labor for the county for not less than six nor more than twelve months, and, on a second conviction for such offense, shall be fined not less than one hundred nor more than five hundred dollars, and sentenced to hard labor for the county not less than one nor more than two years; and for each subsequent conviction shall be fined and sentenced as for the second conviction.

The act for the apportionment of representatives made a small change in only four counties, which merely gained or lost a member. The number of representatives is one hundred.

There were 996 bills introduced in the House, of which 221 became laws, and one was vetoed by the Governor.

In the Senate there were about 460 bills and petitions introduced, 129 of which became laws.

It will be seen that there were some 1,456 bills introduced, and only 350, or not quite one fourth, were enacted into laws. Some failed for want of time to consider them, while others were defeated in one branch or the other of the Legislature.

Of the laws passed, forty-four are general, fifty-four are amendments of the Code of 1876, and the remainder are local or special in their nature, including sixty acts for the prevention or regulation of the sale of spirituous liquors. The adjournment took place early in the month of March.

The latest report of the condition of the Educational Department is for 1880. The total revenue for the year was $397,465.35-the largest items being the annual appropriation of

$130,000, the poll-tax retained by the counties for the townships and race paying it, $124,597.08, and interest on the sixteenth-section fund, $105,082.66. The principal apportionments of the fund were, for the normal schools, $13,500; to school districts, $258,099.52, and of course the net poll-tax, as above indicated. Teachers of white schools got $203,681.46; of colored schools, $158,911.13; and county superintendents got $11,871.92. The white Normal School at Florence received $7,500; the colored Normal at Marion, $4,000; and the colored Normal at Huntsville, $2,000. Each one of those schools is represented as doing well, having made considerable improvements over former years. The white Normal at Florence reports on its catalogue for the year 201 pupils, and there has not been a case of serious sickness during the entire year, which closed under circumstances gratifying to the friends of the institution. Indeed, such a degree of prosperity and popularity has it attained that it was found necessary to enlarge the accommodations for an increased number of pupils. Connected with the institution, eight teachers are reported. While music is taught as in other institutions, to those who desire to take lesson3, the whole school is required to join the vocal music class, and the board expresses satisfaction at the pleasing effect of this feature of the institution. The Florence Normal School, present and prospective, has never been in so prosperous and pleasant estate. There are 100 of its old pupils engaged in teaching in the State, and many more are ready and waiting.

The Lincoln Normal University, at Marion, is reported to be in a flourishing condition. The number of pupils was 140-76 females and 64 males. Such has been the increase in the number of pupils, that an enlargement of the building has become an absolute necessity. The report shows five teachers connected with the school.

The Huntsville Normal School (colored) is also reported in a flourishing condition, the average attendance of pupils being larger than that of any previous year. Professor William H. Council, one of the most intelligent men of his race in the State, is the principal of this school. He has three assistant teachers. The average paid teachers, per month, was-white, $20.96; colored, $23.62; the average of pupils to teacher was-whites, 33; colored, 46. The number of white schools was 3,085, colored 1,512-total, 4,597. Number of white male teachers, 1,864; number of white female, 1,230-total, 3,094. Colored teachers, male, 1,080; colored female, 441-total colored, 1,521. The total number of teachers was 4,615. Reading, writing, and spelling were the principal branches taught.

The total school population was, white, 217,320; colored, 170,449—total, 387,769. Number of enrolled whites, 107,483; colored, 72,007total, 179,490. Average attendance of white was 67,794; colored, 50,184. Average length of white schools in days, 83; colored, 67; the

general average for white and black combined being 80 days.

The State Penitentiary, at the latest report, contained 540 convicts, of whom only 44 are kept within the walls.

The convicts for the most part are hired to miners and farmers, most of them at $5 per month. These are the first-class hands. There is a second class that bring only $2.50, and a few who are let for their "victuals and clothes." The report shows, however, that as fast as the $5 contracts expire new ones are made at $8 per month. It is worth noting here that the sum of $45,000 has been paid into the State Treasury during the two years. Within the five years, under the present system, $81,000 have been paid into the Treasury, $36,000 of State bonds canceled, besides building the Wetumpka Branch Railroad, worth $12,921.20, and making repairs and improvements on buildings and grounds worth $12,200. Under the new contracts, the income to the State will be largely increased. Under the old law, it cost per capita about $59 for transporting convicts to the penitentiary; now it costs about $1.70.

Out of the 540 convicts, there is but one solitary white woman. This lone one is thirtyfive years old, and was sentenced to a term of three years, for adultery.

The number of white male convicts is only 69. The colored male convicts are 450, and colored females 20. There are some children among the colored convicts, the youngest being ten years, and is sentenced to seven years for manslaughter. There is one twelve, one thirteen, one fourteen, and quite a number ranging from fourteen to twenty. The oldest convict is seventy-five; he is in for manslaughter, for five years. There is one seventytwo years old, and is in for two years for assault with intent to murder. The life-sentences are 51. The table of previous occupations of convicts shows 489 laborers, 9 cooks, 8 carpenters, 7 house-servants, 6 farmers, 3 blacksmiths, 2 engineers, 2 shoemakers, 1 hotel-keeper, 1 baker, 1 machinist, 1 jeweler, 1 brick-mason, 1 teamster, 1 sailor, 1 musician, 1 dentist, 1 painter, 1 school-master, 1 horse-trainer, 1 timber-worker, and only 1 doctor. The doctor is in for life, for murder. The table of nativity shows: Alabama, 338; Georgia, 44; and the balance scattered, 3 being put down to England, 2 to Germany, and 1 each to Ireland, Switzerland, and Canada. The crime which is most largely represented is burglary. There are 170 burglars. Grand larceny and murder stand next on the list, there being 106 names under each of these heads. In former times horse-stealing showed the largest number of convicts, but that does not seem so popular a business as formerly, there being only one horse-thief. There are quite a number for rape, and a few for arson, and nearly every other crime has one or more representatives. In the tables touching the conduct of the sev

eral convicts, it is put down for the most part
as "good."
Out of 53 employed by the New-
castle Coal Company, the conduct of every
one is reported "good." Out of 46 employed
by C. T. Pollard, only 2 "bad" are reported for
the two years. Out of 87 employed by Colo-
nel T. Williams, the report for the two years
shows 28" bad." The number of deaths dur-
ing the two years was 60; number escaped,
26; number discharged by the expiration of
sentence, 274; number pardoned, 29. Among
the deaths was one suicide. A necessity has
also arisen for the enlargement of the Insane
Asylum, and the Legislature appropriated for
that object $50,000 for two years.

mer, with warm rains, and a warm, unclouded fall, which perfectly ripens while thoroughly developing sweetness. The amount of taxes received into the State Treasury for the year ending September 30, 1881, was $562,500. This sum consisted entirely of taxes on real and personal estate. About one half the amount was paid by the eleven counties of Montgomery, Dallas, Mobile, Lowndes, Hale, Bullock, Wilcox, Perry, Pike, Marengo, and Lee. The board for the assessment of the railroad property in the State increased the valuation over the preceding year by $2,068,695. The amount of additional revenue which the State will receive from this increase is $13,446. The assessment made for 1877 was $10,627,559. For the year 1878 it was $10,297,028. For the year 1879 it was $11,023,389. For the year 1880 it was $14,526,769, and for the year 1881 it is $16,595,462. In the last three years, therefore, the tax valuation of the railroad property of the State has increased very nearly 60 per cent. The amount of revenue the State will derive from the roads this year will be $120,271, which is about one sixth of the entire sum derived from taxation on property. If all other property in this State was taxed as near to its value as the railroads, the revenue would be much larger than it is, and there would be no difficulty in lessening the rate of taxation.

The population of the State, according to the census of 1880, divided into several classes, has not yet been fully compiled at the Census Office. The following is the population by counties.

COUNTIES.

Autauga...

Baldwin...
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Bibb..

The supply of coal and iron in the State is comparatively inexhaustible. During the last ten years the iron industry has increased about 700 per cent. The production of coal has also increased with great rapidity. In 1874, 49,889 tons were mined; in 1878, 194,268; in 1879, 200,000 tons; while in 1880 the aggregate ran up to 340,000 tons. This growth has been made in the face of many obstacles, the chief of which was the want of railroad facilities, and a general impoverishment of the people by the losses of the war. The value of the output in 1880 was $2,000,000, while it is believed the year 1881 will show a product in Alabama of $3,000,000. In various localities of the State the manufacturing industry is rapidly increasing, and the abundant water-power brought into use. Numerous cotton-mills have been constructed and are in operation; likewise oilworks, blast-furnaces, etc. The number of spindles used in cotton manufacture in the State is 55,072, and the number of bales of cotton used during the census year was 14,887. The acreage of cotton in the State during the same year was 2,329,577 acres, and the number of bales made by the crop was 699,576, Blount.. which is an increase of 62.9 per cent, or 270,094 bales, over the crop of 1870, that amounted to 429,482 bales. There are 32,000,000 acres of land in the State, of which about 14,961,175 acres are in farms, 5,082,204 are under cultivation, 9,878,971, owned by individuals, lying idle for want of some one to cultivate them, and 5,200,000 acres of government lands, which yield no taxes. Continuous effort is made to have the Legislature publish these facts in the interest of immigration, and as the State had (September 30, 1880) $286,990.14 Cullman... in the vaults of the Treasury, a call was made upon legislators to use part of this sum in developing the agricultural interests now lying dormant. Immigrants in the north of Alabama have increased taxes so largely that they will in a year or two swell the Treasury receipts $10,000. In that section grape-culture is the principal business. An acre of cuttings will in two and a half years yield 200 gallons of wine. The soil, like that of California, seems peculiarly adapted to the grape, possessing chemical and physical qualities that insure success. The climate also conspires to growth-a dry sum

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Butler
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Chambers.

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Colbert

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Clay.

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Covington.
Crenshaw.

12,605 Perry..
15,113

30,741

21.479

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Escambia
Etowah.

5,719 Tallapoosa

23,401

15,398 Tuscaloosa.

24,957

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Dale
Dallas

DeKalb.

Elmore

Fayette.

Geneva...
Greene..

Hale
Henry

26,553
18,761

Pickens.

The population, valuation of property, and debt, of some of the cities, were as follows: Mobile, population, 31,205; valuation, $12,991,795; debt, $2,609,250. Montgomery, pop

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The Legislature chosen at the same election was composed, in the Senate, of 33 Democrats; in the House, 94 Democrats, 4 Independent Democrats, 1 Greenbacker, and 1 Republican.

The State was entitled to eight members of Congress, and the vote at this election was as follows:

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ALASKA. Some important facts respecting the population and resources of Alaska have been obtained by the late agent, Mr. Ivan Petroff, for taking the census of that region. The entire Alaskan country as far north as the Yukon was examined, and tabulated reports are given, village by village, of the inhabitants. The people of the Territory may be divided as follows: 1. The Innuit or Esquimau race, which predominates in numbers and covers the littoral margin of all Alaska, from the British boundary on the Arctic to Norton Sound, of the lower Yukon and Kuskokvim, Bristol Bay, the Alaskan Peninsula, and Kodiak Island, mixing in, also, at Prince William Sound. 2. The Indians proper, spread over the vast interior in the north, reaching down to the sea-board at Cook's Inlet and the mouth of Copper River, and lining the coast from Mount Saint Elias southward to the boundary, and peopling Alexander Archipelago. 3. Least in numbers, but first in importance, the Aleutian race, extending from the Shumagin Islands westward to Atto-the ultima Thule of this country. grand total of population is: whites, 392; creoles, 1,683; Aleuts, 2,214; Innuits of Kodiak, 2,196; of Togiak, 1,826; of Bristol Bay, 2,099; of Kuskokvim, 3,505; of Yukon, 3,359; of Behring Sea, 1,533; of the Arctic coast, 2,990 Indians, 8,401-total, 30,178.

The

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