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cost of paper and printing have made its resources comparatively less; but by printing cheap editions of some of the publications best calculated for popular reading, the number distributed has exceeded by nearly one-fifth that of the preceding year. These cheap editions, distributed chiefly among the U.S. Hospitals, were, No. 46—"How the War Commenced," in English and German, and No. 49—"Patriotic Songs";" both highly popular pamphlets.
The series of publications has been less by ten than that of the preceding year, but for some of the numbers there has been a very great demand, and large quantities have been printed. Of No. 54—"Our Burden and Our Strength," a pamphlet of 40 pages, and No. 56, an abridgment of the celebrated speech of Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, nearly one hundred thousand copies have been printed.
The total number of documents distributed by the Society is 470,000, (being 70,000 more than the previous year,) at an expenditure, including all contingent expenses of ($11,793 23) eleven thousand seven hundred and ninety-three dollars and 23 cents.
For some weeks previous to the Presidential election, a package of documents was daily sent to the Army of the Potomac, to be distributed by a gentleman who, by permission, visited the field for this special purpose. The Committee believe they were carefully distributed and proved very useful.
All the U.S. Military Hospitals in Indiana and Ohio, and most of those in this State, Maryland, Kentucky, and in and around "Washington city, have been regularly supplied.
Numerous State committees, clubs, and associations, have availed themselves of the publications of this Society. In some cases the cost of the paper and printing has been paid, but publications have always been sent in excess of such cost.
