Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-01-23
VOL. 2.--NO. 24.

deducting foreign balances, amounted TO So
SI6.651 81, making difference in favor Of
1855 of S5lS,5l9 10. The excess of cxpendi-
ture for 1865 over that of 1854, is S2,626, ,DS
Is. This excess is attributed partly TO the IN
crease in compensation to Postmasters and
clerks of office, and partly to the increase Of
expenditures for transportation owing 10 the
GREAT extension of the railroad service. The
condition of the Department goes TO show that
the rates fixed By the act of Sd March, 1851,
will not enable the Department TO sustain it
self by its own resources
Another cause of this excess CT expenditure
is attributed to the letters and documents car
ried free of charge for members of Congress
and Others and to the immense amount OF
printed matter conveyed at low rates. The
Postmaster General thinks that the reduction
of fifty per cent. for advance payment on news
papers, is wholly without justification. He al
so recommends that prepayment by stamps
be made compulsory on all kinds of matter.
The expenditure Of the Department for 1856,
is estimated at $40, ,l99, ,O24, and the means
available for the same year, S9,o10,S74, leav-
ing o deficiency Of 81, ,188, Isl, TO be provided
for.
Reference Is again made to the fact that the
Collins line of steamers receives from the Go
yernment S858, 900 for twenty-six trips, while
the British Government paid the Cunard line
1866 200 for ffty-two trips. which, in the opin-
ion of the Postmaster-G General, is amply suffi-
cient Measures have been recently taken to
lay before the Mexican Government proposals
on the subject of a postal convention. Tho
Report alludes at some length TO the last Re-
port of the Postmaster General of Great Brit
ain. and concludes by deprecating the denun-
citation of the Department for mistakes, care
lessncss, or neglect, instead of advising it of
the wrong committed, and leaving it TO apply
| the remedy.
! DEPARTMENT Or THE INTERIoR.-Ar.M McClei !.
land devotes large space of his report to =
consideration of the Indian question His
views are clearly expressed, and number OF
recommendations are submitted.
| The Indian chiefs and warriors, addicted to
drinking and gambling, arc made the dupes of
evil-disposed persons. The system of grant
ing licenses to traders is indicated as the basis
of all the evils of which complaint is made
1t is necessary to abolish the cash system Of
payments, and enable the Indian to obtain all
he requires at cost price, if we mean TO RENE
dy the trouble, or to civilize and enlighten the
savage. 4 study of the history of the 1ndi-
| ans, in connection with the conduct OF the
| whites towards them, reveals the fact that In
dian disturbances are often traceable to the IN
discretions and expressions of the white men.
Upon this point the report enlarges. Never
| before has the Indian been subjected to such
| severe trials and hardships; the offences of
which he is guilty are too often palliated by
| extreme want. All this impresses the neces-
sity of kindness and forbearance; and accor-
dinghy the Secretary suggests the propriety OF
attempting TO civiize and christianize the Red
Men. He alludes to the amount of good that
has been effected by missionary enterprise,
and discovers in the Indian susceptibility of
improvement and civilization, which renders
It duty to perseverc in all humane efforts to
preserve the race from extinction. In this
particular, Mr.. McClelland and Col. Davis are
of two minds. The statistics of this report
cover much space. The principal figures arc !:
Acres Of land sold last fiscal year, s,72o,i7
Amount received therefor, 81, ,9I6
Lands surveyed in 1855, acres, I5,315,ess
Lands sold, 6,264, l63
Land warrants issued, S7,95S, ,412
Virginia military land warrants, 100000
5 Pensioners, 1880
/ Pensions paid, sl,5o5, ,l12
: ! Patents issued since Jan. l, 1855, 1900
Patent Office Building, l,eoo,oOC
t Expend National Insane Hospital, I7f,S4l
: Indian stock. now held, 2,oss, SO
SrrnIr,s fund of the Department 350, ,24S
q The business of the General Land Office ha
Y greatly increased. The surveys have beer
e vigorously prosecuted, and a large quantity
r. land is ready TO be brought into market during
N the coming year.
Is
:, POPULATION OF CHIsA.-Boring, the Englis