The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-07

He does not like this thinks the department
ought to be made to pay expenses Warned,
however, by the experience Of M. Oids and his
bill of last session for the increase OF hostages,
Mr.. Campbell abstains from recommending it
again.
He thinks the contracts with the ocean mail
lines ought to be abolished, and that the Col
Inns line especially is getting entirely too much
money out Of the treasury. But with ten mil
lions for Gadsden treaty, and twenty millions
surplus remaining 10 the treasury, and more
coming in than Guthrie knows what to de
with, ore might suppose that the ocean steam
ers could be spared-at least till the war breaks
ont with France and Spain. Mr.. Campbell
is also distressed concerning the exorbitant
charges for mail transportation egtorted by the
railroads; and we must confess that upoa this
point we can afford him no relief, except
by falling back upon the old stage coach
system. This might do for Mr.. Campbell,
because, from the experience OF the past year
or two, the question Of speed in the trsosporsa-
ton of the mails seems to have been a secon-
dairy consideration with the department.. In
tect, the chief of the department. in this report
appears to be devoured with the solitary obso-
lete idea of saving money, while Guthrie is
equally distressed as to the means of spend
ing it.
| There is one good feature Of reform in
this report. 1t is the introduction of q special
supervision in all the pos. offices Of letters con-
tanning money, and the deposit and transmits
cio cfo latte fho IF tha
mail. This is avery good suggestion. 1t of
course involves an increase of the postage upon
monty letters to meet the additional expense
OF the proposed arrangement; but this will be
chetriully borne by all parties concerned, in
view of the increased security Of their money.
We hope the plan will be adopted by Congress-
with such additional amendments as may be
channels of the mails.
Our readers will find the report worthy their
perusal The estimated expenses of the Post
Office Department, for the current year, are, in
round numbers, ten millions OF dollars During
the administration OF John Quincy Adams, the
annual expenses Of the whole government were
thirteen millions. And Adams was arraigned
progress Of the country and the accumulation
Of the spoils at ngton-from thirteen to
seventy five millions Of dollars a year, and
Guthrie grumhling that he has too much
money.
INDIAN AFFAIRS AND THE PUBLIC LANDs-We
continue the publication of United States docu-
ments to day. by giving the report Of Mr.. G.
W. ManypenDy, Commissioner of Indian At
fairs to the Secretary Of the Interior; also, the
report of the Secretary of the Interior, to which
is added an exhibit Of the condition of the
public lands at this time.
The Indian Report will be found interesting,
and one cannot but feel profound regret at the
gradual extinction of that race which once
roamed free and independent--sov of
their own soil-over this great continent for
the Indians are being extiuguished, however
the process may be concealed by treaties,
grants payments, rifles, blankets, or rum. The
specializing white man will pursue the civil
LIED red man until the shores of the Pacific
render further retreat impossible. We shall
have no more poetry about The Indans-it ia
real, practical, matter-of fact prose.
The operations during the last year, in this
department, have been heavy. The Indians in
Nebraska and Kansas have cedcd to tho United
States government nearly fifteen millions OF
acres of land The Indians, however, have
caught some Of the white mans spirit, and they
demand higher price than usual for the land
in Kansas. They only agreed to give up these
lands under pledge that they should have
reserve for permanent home.
There is trouble with the Indians on the
Arkansas and Platte rivers and it appears
that while the agent is seeking them to pre-
sent amendments to treaties, they are quietly
shooting down emigrants and robbing traders.
The Commissioner thinks something should be
done for these misguided people, but naively
acknowledges that he cannot say what the
something" should be, but suggests kindness
and peaceful attempts to colonize them.
The Commissioner gives some valuable infor-
nation relative to the Choctaws, Chickasaws,
Creeks and Seminoles, and he also sensibly
suggests that no more removals of Indian tribes
shall take place-that is, that the reserved
lands given them by government shall be Sc
cured to them and their heirs forever. The
report, although lengthy, will be found very
interesting, as it gives a complete exhibit of
the state of Indian affairs ct the present time.
The Interior Report is still more interesting.
1t informs US that seven millions of acres of lands
have been sold for cash. and we have received
nine millions of dollars for them. About fifteen
millions OF acres have been given to States on
warrants, or otherwise disposed Of. This in
cludes nearly 100000 Of acres for railroads,
&c.' The Secretary recommends sever i i'm
portant changes in the pension laws. IL ap-
pears that none Of the pensioners ever get
well.
These reports should be carefully read by
every citizen who desires to know how the