The Cedar County advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Iowa) 1853-1856, 1854-12-16

these statements it is apparent that the
Post Office Department instead OF de-
lraying its expenses according to the de-
, sign at the time Of its creation, is now,
and under existing laws must continue to
be, to no small extent, a charge upon the
, general treasury. The cost OF mali trans
i portation, during the year ending June
: 30, 1854, exceeds the cost OF the prece-
ding wear by four hundred and ninety
, five thousand and seyenty-four dollars. -
| again call your attention to the subject
of mail transportation by ocean steamers,
! and commend the suggestions OF the Post
Master General to your early attention.
) During the last fiscal year eleven mil
lion seventy thousand nine hundred and
! ,hir,y.five acres Of the public lands have
been surveyed, and eight million one
hundred and ninety thousand and seven
teen acres brought INTO market. The
number of acres sold IS seven million
thirty-fvo thousand seven hundred and
thirty-fve, and the amount received
therefor nine million two hundred and
eigh,y.tive thousand Ave hundred and
thir,y-,hree dollars. The aggregate a.
IN ,ult II lands sold, located under militia
ry scrip and land warrants selected as
swamp lands by states, and by locating
under grants for roads, is upwards Of
twenty. three millions Of acres. The in
crease Of lands sold, over the previous
year, is about six millions Of acres; and
the sales during the first two quarters Of
the current year present the extraordina-
ry resul, of Ave and half millions sold
exceeding by nearly four millions Of
acres the sales OF the corresponding quar-.
tiers of the last year, thus increasing to an
extent unparalleled during any like peri
cd in our past history the amount Of rev.
enue provided from this source for the
Federal Treasury.
\ The commendable police Of the gov.
eminent, in relation TO setting apar, pub
lie domain for those,who have served their
country in the time oil war, is illustrated
by the fact, that since 1899, 10 less than
thirty millions OF acres have been applied
to this object.
The suggestions which submitted in
my annual message OF last year, in refer
ence to grants OF land in aid OF the con-
struc,ion of railways, were less full and
explicit than the magnitude Of the subiec,
and subsequent developments would seem
to render proper and desirable. OF the
soundness OF the principle then asserted
with regard to the limitation OF the power
OF Congress, entertain no doubt; but in
its application ii IS no. enough that the
value OF lands IN particular locality may
be enhanced; that, In fact, larger a.
noun, o. money may probably be receiv-
ed, in a given time, for alternate sections,
than could have been realized for all the
sections without the impulse and influence
OF the proposed improvements. A pru-
dent proprietor looks beyond limited sec.
lions of his domain, beyond present re-
suits, to the ultimate effect which q par
,cular policy is likely to produce upca
all his possessions and interests. The
Government, which i, trustee, In this mat.
ter, for the people of the States, is bound
TO take the saline wise and comprehensive
view. Prior- TO and during the last ses-
sion Of Congress, upwards Of thirty mil
lions of acres OF land were withdrawn
from public sale with view to appliea-
tons for grants ollhis character pending
| before Congress.
A Careful review OF the whole subject
led me TO direct that all such orders be
abrogated, and the lands restored to mar
ket; and Instructions were Immediately
given to that effect. The applications a,
the last session contemplated the con-
structloa OF more than five thousand miles
OF road. and grants 10 the amount Of near
ly twenty thousand millions OF acres Of
the public domain. Even admitting the
right on the part Of Congress to be IN.
| questionable, is II quite clear that the pro
posed grants would be productive OF good
and no eyils The different projects are
confined, Tor the present, TO eleven States
OF this Union, and one Territory. The
reasons assigned for the grants show .ha.
It Is proposed to put the works speedily
IN process OF construction
When we reflect that since the com.
/ hiCbtSiitbt VI liis CONSTITUTION oil raiIWdys
in the United States, stimulated as they
have been by the large dividends real
izcd from the earlier works over the grea,
thoroughiares, and between the most i'm
portant points OF commerce and popula-
ton, encouraged by State Legislation, aud
pressed forward by the amazing energy
OF private enterprise, only seventeen thou
sand miles have been completed in all
the States In a quarter of a century
when we see the crippled condition Of
many works commenced and prosecuted
upon what were deemed 10 be sound
principles, and safe calculations when
We contemplate the enormous absorption
Of capital Withdrawn from the ordinary
channels Of business, the ex,rayagant
rates oil interest at this moment paid to
continue operations, the bankruptcies not
merely in money, but in character, and
the inevitable effect upon finances pener.