Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1873.djvu/24

704 Superintendent of the Census until the present time, without salary, giving to the work so much of his time and attention as was required.

I respectfully renew my recommendation for a census to be taken in 1875, the results of which could be published in season for the centennial celebration of the Independence of the United States. The suggestion to this effect contained in the last annual report of this Department has received the cordial approval of a large portion of the press of the country. It is scarcely possible to doubt that authentic information respecting the increase in population and wealth during any term of five years would well repay its cost in directing our industrial development, as well as through the better information of Congress respecting the condition, wants, and capacities of the people. But there appears to me to be a peculiar fitness in thus ascertaining by official count our numbers and resources at the close of the first century of the national life, and exhibiting to the world, in this conspicuous manner, the wonderful effects wrought by the social, industrial, and political freedom which the people of the United States have enjoyed. I sincerely trust that this measure may receive the early and favorable attention of Congress.

The subscriptions to the stock of the Union Pacific Railroad Company amount to $36,783,000, of which $36,762,300 has been paid. The receipts for the year ending 30th June, 1873, from the transportation of passengers were $3,786,208.20; of freight, $5,024.998.37; and from miscellaneous sources, $822,758.52; total, $9,633,965.09. The entire cost of the road and fixtures to said date was $112,259,336.53, and the operating expenses of the road for the last fiscal year (ending 30th June, 1873) were $4,697,999.50. The total bonded indebtedness of the company at the end of that year amounted to $75,427,512, of which $27,236,512 is due to the United States. The "floating debt" to same period (not including the company's note for $2,000,000 issued to the Hoxie contract) amounted to $1,940,239.73, and "exchange loans," £120,000.

The Central Pacific Railroad Company by consolidation (as heretofore reported) embraces, besides the original company of that name, also the Western Pacific, the California and Oregon, the San Francisco and Oakland, and the San Francisco and Alameda Companies. Stock to the amount of $62,608,800 has been subscribed, and $54,275,500 paid. The receipts for the year ending June 30, 1873, from transportation of passengers were $4,388,307.14, and of freight, $7,277,482.33; total, $11,665,789.47. The operating expenses of the road for the year were $5,349,425.21, leaving not earnings to the amount of $6,316,364.26. At the close of said year the indebtedness of the company amounted to $85,433,816.60, of which $27,855,680 was to the United States.

The stock subscription of the Central Branch Union Pacific Railroad