Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-12-10
Reports Accompanying the Presidents
h{aec0rP.

POSTMASTER GENERAL-The Postmaster zen
erol', Report shows the number OF post OFFICES
ON June Both, 1856, to have been 25,56o, being
an increase of 1904 in four years.
On the Both of June there were in operation
nearly 5000 mail routes, the length OF when IS
estimated at 1896 miles, costing $6,5oo'4' r,
divided as follows: 20,323 miles OF railroad !;
! grl steamboat. and 80 453 canal lines, ana
nearly $4,000 miles of interior grades Inc IN
crease during the last fiscal year was nearly ~,
900 miles of railroad, $50 miles OF STEAMBOAT,
$50 miles of canal lines, and 800 miles OF III,
ferior GRADES. In Nebraska and Kansas, Z'Zoo
miles we're added to the length OF routes be
tween the 1st of July, 1852, and July lst, 90,
the railroad service was increased III, miles,
exhibiting the fact that within that time TINS
description of service was more than doubled
On the 1st of December, 1856, the length OF
railroad routes had increased to 2l,3lO miles,
and the total cost for this service at that date
amounted to 81, 403,747. The whole cost OF the
inland service ON the lst of July was So 2o,o2o
The Secretary alludes to the Panama railroad
Company Selling on the occasion OF the with
drawal of the steamers via Nicaragua TO force
the department to pay what he considers an eH-
orbitant price across the lsthmus; and he recon-
mends the making of regular contract not ex-
ceeding $4,000 per annum. with that company,
and q contract not exceeding S2OO,O0O per an
mum via Nicaragua or Tehuantepec, so as to give
weekly mail between the Atlantic ports and
| California.
The expenditures for the year 1856 were Sl0,-
| 105. 2S6. and the gross revenue, including annu-
al appropriations for free mail matter, S1,02O,-
S2l, showing deficiency OF S2,ISi,ooo. lie
recommends the abolition of the franking privl-
n
sient printed matter. Also the repeal OF the act
of 1915 which gives the Postmaster General
discretionary authority to make new contracts
for ocean steamship service
He alludes to the fact that embracing tho
branch from New Orleans to Havana there are
now four ocean Steamship lines running out OF
New York at an expense 10 the government OF
81 49S. 900 per annum. No reason is perceived
WHY one part of the country should be preferred
to the exclusion of others. Among other points
it is stated that negotiations are in progress with
view TO the reduction of the British transit
charge on United States closed mails and OF the
rate of postage between the United States ana
Great Britain to - cents single letter or more
SECRETARY OF THE NAvY's REPoRT.-The Sec
retary of the Navy gives detailed view OF the
operations of the Navy, during the last year, and
its present strength Among his recommends
lions are for another squadron in the Pacific,
rendared necessary by our extending commerce
for the adoption OF the English and French sys-
fem of gunnery in practice ships; and for the
DISPATCH of small steamer to survey the Guano
Islands on which Commodore Mervln made an
unsatisfactory report. -,
The Secretary regards the construction OF the
six war steamers as inaugurating new era ID
the naval service, and repeats his former recon-
Imendation for building steam sloops7of-war OF
of small draft. The sending ont OF seamen to
relieve distant crews is spoken OF as an expert
Iment, and will be continued il 1T shall work
well. The Secretary likewise recommends the
appointment Of assistant purSerS with moderate
compensation. n,
Seoprr,py OF THE INTERIORS; REpoRT.-1he
Secretary of the Interiors Report states the
ouantity of land surveyed since last report and
m to the 30th of September last, at l6,o13.6S5
acres. exclusive of school sections The eXecu-
tion of the graduation act has raised many grave
questions which call for the nterpositon OF Con-
.tress. He SAYS it is important that the matter
be promptly disposed of, either by sanctlonlng
and affirming the action OF the Land Ottlco or
directinr the uatents to be issued without lur-
ther requirement. The quantity OF land soid ior
cash during the fiscal year, was over 9.2o0u0V
acres. and the receipts therefor SS,o2l, A. Inc
total amount of land disposed OF is over 39,ooo,-
600 acres He suggests . necessity for further
power being granted to the Commissioner OF
Pensions to suspend and diminish and discontln-
ne pensions when the reason for granting them
has wholly or partially ceased.
The number of patents issued Wlthin 1he year
will probably reach $500. The report says that
during the present administration 52 lndlah
treaties have been negotiated 90 of which re-
main to be acted upon by the Senate. By these
treaties, Indian titles has been extinguished to
nearly i75,0OO acres of land. The aggregate
money consideration therefor is ell,1S4'23S'
The Indians within our borders are supposed
to number about 100000. The process OF civil
ization among che Indians has already been at
tended with the happiest result, and gives pro-
mise of steady progress in the amelioration OF
their physical and moral condition.
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