Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-12-09


postages; it would, however, be obviously
erroneous to suppose that thischarge upon
the treasury is TO progress in ratio pro-
portionate to what il has been the last few
years. Our postage system is now extend
ed over the whole country-from one ocean
to the othet. There can be but little fur
ther expense resulting from overland con-
nexion with California, except one other
route commonly called the North route.-
No other route is now thought of as likely
to become necessary.
The Postmaster General proposes in
lieu of frauking privileges now allowed by
law to Members Of Congress, that the Sec
retary of the Senate, or such other officer
as may be designated for the purpose, fur
nish the members with postage stamps to
be used on all letters, public documents
DC, transmitted by them in the mails, and
keep on account Of the stamps furnished
each member, TO be paid for out of the
contingent fund Of the House. All letters,
DC, to Members of Congress to be prepaid
at mailing Offices. A uniform rate of
postage of five cents for all distances is
proposed.
On the 30th of June last there were in
operation eight thousand two hundred and
ninety-six mail routes, the length of which
is estimated at 260,603 miles, and cost
e7,7O95,41s, being an addition of 1902
miles to length of routes, and $l,77s,s72
to the cost in year. The total estimates
for the current year are $10,615,947, and
the total expenditures in the fiscal year
ending June sOth $l2,s22,479. The esti-
mates of receipts and expenditures for 1859
exhibit deficiency of $S,6s2,127.
The Post Master General says by the
time the contract for the California lines
via Panama and Tehuantepec expire, on
Oct. 1st 1859, it is probable that the
route by Lake Nicaragua will have been
re-opened and in successful operation.-
This presents the question whether one,
two, or three of these routes shall thereaf-
ter be employed for mail purposes. Te-
huantepec route is shortest and most read
lily protected, but will be comparatively
new and the line of staging too long
While it is destined no doubt to become a
transit of the first Importance and will de-
serve the highest patronage and encour-
agement, still it cannot supercede the ne
cessity of one or more routes through Cen
trail America.
1t is of the highest Importance that the
route by Nicaragua should be re-opened,
and its undisturbed use for the transporta-
ton Of mails, passengers, troops and mu-
nitions Of war, secured by the solemn guar
antee of q public treaty. Without this,
in view of the unstable condition of the To-
cal governments of Central America, the
safety and security of transportation can
hardly be relied on. As calculated to fur
nish the requisite facilities Of communica-
ton between Europe and the Southern and
South Western States, the projected lines
between Norfolk and England, and be-
tween New Orleans and Bordeaux, are
among the most important ones to be es-
tablished.
The Post Master General regards as
highly important that the line of mails to
Vera Cruz should be continued.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE INTE-
RIoR.
The Secretary of the Interior submits
whether il would not be a wise policy to
pass a general law reserving all auriferous,
silver, and cinabar mines from sale for the
use and occupancy of the people of the
United States, under such regulations as
Congress may prescribe, and leaving those
lands containing copper, iron, and coal sub
ject to the ordinary laws of settlement and
sale for their development. He recon-
mends legislation with regard to the pub
lie lands in Utah, to put the lands surveyed
in MARKET and thus enable the present oc-
cupants TO obtain titles to their homes by
the establishment of land Office, and the
extension of the pre-emption laws to that
Territory.
The Report of the Secretary Of the In
terror indicates a satisfactory state Of affairs
in his Department. The income Of the en-
suing year from the sales of public land is
estimated at $5,O00,O00.
The Secretary is opposed 10 the removal
of the Indian tribes, and advocates the
policy of assigning land to individuals
among them without the power of aliena-
ton, and of expending the money annuities
for the public good instead of dividing it
per capita as now.
The income of the Patent Office for the
three quarters ending in September, was
nearly $4,000, exceeding the expendi-
tures upwards of $500,
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF THE LAND
OFFICE.
The Report of the Commissioner of the
Land office covers period of five quarters,
ending Sept, 1858, at which time there
were surveyed and ready for market nearly
sixty-two millions of acres Of land, which
had never been offered for public SALE
During the five quarters there had been
sold 4 ,s05, 900 acres for cash, from which
upwards of $2,5OO,O0o were realized
The whole amount of lands sold and loca-
ted under military warrants and swamp
grants was l3, $4,000.
The Commissioner recommends amend
ments to the pre-emption laws; with view
to uniformity in the system, and a reduc-
tion in the number Of litigated cases.
REPORT OF THE INDIAN COMMISSIONER.
The report of the Indian Commissioner
estimates the number of Indians within our
limits, at 10000. The whole number of
tribes and bands is 175, with A only of
which we have TT atty engagements. The
quantity of land acquired by these Treaties
is upward of 5sl, 100000 acres, and the