Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-12-26

more eSpeClully IutereStcO. IcCOinMSuu w
your consideration the suggestion Of the
Secretary of the Navy in regard to the policy
of fostering and training ssamen for the naval
service. The Naval Academy is rendering
signal service in preparing officers and sea-
men for the responsible duties which herein
after they will be required to perform. In
order that the country should not be deprived
of educated officers, for whom legal provision
has been made at the Naval school, the va
cancics caused by the neglect or omission to
make nominations from States in instruction
have been filed by the Secretary of the
Navy. It is now more full and complete
than at any previous period, and in every
respect is entitled to the consideration of
Congress.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
During the past fiscal year the financial
condition Of the Post Office Department has
been one Of unceasing prosperity, and am
gratifed in being able to state that the re-
ceipts of the postal revenue have nearly
equalled the entire expenditures, the former
amounting to 81 |, 81 900 81, and the latter
to 11.464,4l7 90, leaving deficiency Of
but @150,4l6 rs. In 1860, the year imme-
diately preceding the rebellion, the deficiency
amounted to $3.50. 7O5 40, the postal re-
ceipts of that year being $2,O45,722 10 less
than those of 1868. The decrease since
1860 in the annual amount of transportation
has been only about twenty-five per cent,
the same have been reduced thirty-6ve per
cent. 1t is manifest, therefore, that the
Post-Off Department may become self
sustaining in few years, even with the res.
toration of the whole service.
The International Conference of Postal
Delegates from the principal countries of Eu-
rope and America, which was called at the
suggestion of the Postmaster General, met
at Paris on the 18th of May last, and con-
cluded its deliberations on the 9Th of June.
The principles established by the Conference
are best adapted to facilitate postal inter-
course between the nations, and as the ba-
sis of future conventions inaugurate gener-
al system of uniform international charges.
at reduced rates of postage, and cannot fail
to produce beneficial results.
THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
refer you to the report of the Secretary
of the Interior, which is herewith laid before
you. for useful and varied information in re-
gard to the public lands, Indian affairs, pat
ents, pensions and other matters of public
concern pertaining to his Department. The
quantity of land disposed of during the last
and the first quarter of the present fiscal year
was 3,84l,549 acres, of which 16l, oil
acres were sold for cash; 1,456,5l4 acres
were taken up under the Homestead Law,
and the residue disposed of under the laws
granting lands for military accounts, for rail-
roads and other purposes. 1t also appears
on the increase. It has long been the opin-
ion of some of our wisest statesmen that the
people of the United States had higher and
more enduring interest in the early settlement
and substantial cultivation of the public lands
than in the amount of direct revenue to be
derived from the sale of them. This opinion
has had controlling influence in shaping
legislation on the subject of our National do
main, and the evidence of this is the liberal
measures adopted in reference to active set
tiers. The grants to the States eff the over
flowed lands within their limits, in order that
they may be rendered fit for cultivation, and
the grant to railroad companies of alternate
sections of land upon contemplated lines of
their roads, when completed, will also largely
multiply the facilities for marching over dis
tant possession. This policy has been of
most signal benefit to active settlers, since
the lst day day of January last. The before
mentioned quantity of l,456,514 acres of
land has been taken up under its provisions.
This fills the amount of sales, and furnishes
gratifying evidence of the increasing settle
ment upon the public lands, notwithstanding
the great struggle in which the enemies Of
the nation have been engaged has required
so large a withdrawal of our citizens from
their accustomed pursuits. cordially con-
cur in the Recommendation of the Secretary Of
the Interior. suggesting modification of the
act in favor ofthose engaged in the military and
naval service of the United States. doubt not
Congress will checrfully adopt such measures
as will. without essentially changing the gen.
eral features Of the system, reserve, to the
greatest practical extent. its benefits to those
who have left their homes in defense of the
country in this arduous crisis.
MINERAL LANDS.
invite your attention to the views of the
Secretary of War, as to the propriety of
raising by appropriation. or legislation,
revenue from the mineral lands of the United
States.
INDIAN DEPARTMENT..
The measures provided at yddr last session
for the removal Of certain Indian tribes have
been carried into effect. Sundry TREATIES
have been negotiated. which will, in due time.
be submitted for tho constitutional action Of
the Senate. They contain stipulations for
the extinguishing Of the possessery rights Of
the Indians to large and valubls tracts Of
lards. 1t is probable that the effect Of these
treaties will result in the establishment of