Contrary to foreign systems

the United States cabinet ministers do not have seats in Congre ; there is no premier, although the Secretary of State virtually holds that position as leading cabinet officer. The salary of the members of the cabinet is $12,000 annually, except that of the Secretary of State, whose salary is at present 38,0CO per year.. Cable is either a large rope or a chain of iron links. Rope cables are made of the best hemp or of wire, twisted into a ma of great compactne and strength. The circumference of hemp rope varies from about 3 inches to 26. <A certain number of yarns are laid up left-handed to form a strand; three strands laid up right handed make a hawser, and three hawsers laid up 'eft-handed make a cable. The strength of a hemp cable of 18 inches circumference is about 60 tons, and for other dimensions the strength is taken to vary according to the cube of the diameter. Wire rope has within recent years largely taken the place of hemp for tow-line and hawsers on board ship.