The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1854-12-13

ed States. ! cordially approve Of the
losed apprentice system for our national
els, recommended by the Secretary of
Navy.
be occurrence, during the last few
tbs, Of marine disasters Of the most
ic nature, involving great, loss OF
an life, he's produced intense emotions
impathy and sorrow throughout the coun-
II may well be doubted whether all
e calamitous events are wholly attribu-
E 70 the necessary and inevitable dan
OF the sea. The merchants, mariners,
ship-builders Of the United States are
true, unsurpassed in far reaching enter
e,skiii, intelligence and courage, by any
rs in the world. But, with the increas-
amount Of our commercial tonnage in
aggregate, and the larger size and i'm
Fed equipment Of the ships now corduct-
. de6cienc, IN the supply of reliable sea-
o begins to be very seriously felt.
he Inconvenience may, perhaps, be met,
,art, by due regulation for the introduc-
J, into our merchant ships, OF indentured
lentices; which, while it would afford
ful and eligible occupation to numerous
ing men, woulG have tendency to raise
character Of seamen us a class. And
deserving of serious reflection, whether
nay not be desirable TO revise the exist
laws for the maintenance of discipline
sea, upon which the security Of life and
iperty on the ocean must to so great an
,ent depend. Although much attention
already been given by Congress to the
Dper construction and arrangement Of
am vessels and all passenger ships, still
Is believed that the achievements of Sci
ce and mechanical skill in this direction
We not been exhausted. No good reason
lists for the marked distinction which ap-
hrs upon our statutes between the laws for
5tecting life and properly at sea, and those
/ protecting them on land. In most Of
, States severe penalties are provided to
nish conductors Of trains, engineers, and
her employed in the transportation of per-
ms by railway, or by steamboats, on rivers.
Why should not the same principle be ap-
led to acts of insubordination, COwardiCe,
other misconduct on the part Of masters
ID mariners, producing injury or death to
ssengers on the high seas, beyond the ju-
'diction of any of the States, and where
ch delinquencies can be reached only by
e power of Congress! The whole sub
ct is earnestly commended to your consid.
ntion.
The report Of the Postmaster General, to
iich you are referred for many interesting
tails in relation to this important and rap.
" extending branch Of the public service,
uws that the expenditure of the year end
2 June 80, 1854, including $l33,483 Of
lance due to foreign Offices, amounted TO
',7lO,907. The gross receipts during the
me period amounted to S5,956,5S6; exhb-
ng an expenditure over income of SI,755,-
|, and diminution of deficiency as COM
red with last year, of S36l,756
The increase of the revenue Of the de-
rtment, for the year ending June 80, 1854
er the preceding year, was nine hundred
ID seventy thousand three hundred and
nety-nine dollars. No proportionate in
ease. however, can be anticipated for the
lrrent year, in consequence of the act Of
ongress of June 23, 1854, providing for
creased compensation 10 all postmastors.
rom these statements it is apparent that the
ost Office Department, instead of defray-
lg its expenses, according TO the design at
le time of its creation, is now, and under
xisting laws must continue 10 be, to no
mall extent, a charge upon the general
'easury.
The cost Of mail transportation, during the
ear ending June 80, 1854, exceeds the cos
f the preceding year by four hundred anC
Iinety-five thousand and seventy-four dol
ars. again call your attention to the sub
ect of mail transportation by ocean steamers
md commend the suggestion of the Post
master General to your early attention.
During the last fiscal year eleven million
'eyenty thousand nine hundred and thirty
i've acres OF fpublic lands have been surveyed
md eight million one hundred and ninet,
housand and seventeen acres brought int
market. The number of acres sold is sever
million thirty-five thousand seven hundre,
md thirty-fve, and the amount receive
herefor nine million two hundred and eigh
y-five thousand FIVE hundred and thirty thre
Iollars. The aggregate amount sold, loca
ed under military scrip and land warrants
elected as swamp lands by States, and b.
coating under grants for roads, is upward
# twenty three millions of acres.
The increase of lands sold over the previ
'us year, is about six millions of acres; an
he sales during the two first quarters Of tn
urent year present the extraordinary resul
# five and half million sold, exceeding b.
learly four millions Of acres the sales Of th
oresponding quarters Of the last year, thu
Increasing TO an extent unparalleled during
ny like period in our past history the a
Mount ofrevenue provided from this source
Or the Federal Treasury.
The commendable policy of the govern
lent in relation to setting apart public do
,ain for those who served their country il
me of war, is illustrated by the fact, tha
ince 1880, no less than thirty millions o
cres have been applied to this object.
The suggestions, which submitted in fny
nual message of last year, in reference tc
rants of land in aid of the construction o
always, were less full and explicit than the
Magnitude of the subject and subsequent de
elopmehts would seem to render prope
nd desirable. OF the soundness of thu
rinciple then asserted with regard to th'
Of the power of Congress, I enter
ain no doubt; but in its APPLICATION it is no
nough that the value of lands in particula
ocality may be enhanced, that, in fact,
arger amount of money may probably be re
eived in given time, for alternate sections
han could have been realised for all the sec
ions, without the impulse and influence 0
he proposed Improvements.
A prudent proprietor looks beyond limite
'ections of his domain, peyond present re
ults, to the ultimate effect which partic
liar line of policy is likely to produce upoI
III his possessions and interests. The gov
.fnment which is trustee in the matter, fo
he people of the States, is bound to take tn
'ame wise and comprehensive view.
Prior To- and during the last session of Cor