The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1863-12-19

panIes this communication. l think it my
duty to invite your special attention to this
subject, and also that of establishing a yard
and depot for naval purposes upon one of
the Western rivers. A naval force has
been created on these inferior waters, and
under many disadvantages, within a little
more than two years, exceeding the number
Of the whole naval force of the country at
the commencement of the present Admins
tration.
Satisfactory and important as have been
the performances of the heroic men of the
Navy during this period, they are scarcely
bnore wonderful than the services OF our
azschanies and artisans in the construction
of war vessels, which has created a new
form of naval power. Our country has ad-
vantages superior to any other nation. In
our resources of iron and timber, with in
exhaustable quantities of coal in the imme-
date vicinity of both, all accessible and in
near proximity to nayigable waters, without
the advance of public risks, the resources
of the nation have been developed and its
power displayed in the construction of
navy of such magnitude, which has, at the
very period of its creation, rendered signal
service to tie Union. The incrsase of the
number of seamen in the public service
/ from seven thousand men in the year 1861
/ to about twenty four thousand at the pres
ent time, has been accomplished without
especial legislation or extraordinary boun-
/ ties to effect that increase. Il has been
found, however, that the operation of the
draft. with high bountes paid for army re-
cruits, is beginning to effect injury to the
service, and will, if not amended, be likely
/ TO Re off Nv
! from their proper vocation, and Inducing
them to enter the army. 1 therefore re-
spectfully suggest that Congress might aid
both the army and navy service by Just
provision on this subject, which would at
the same time be equitable to the commu-
mites more especially interested
[ commend to your. consideration the
suggestions of the Secretary of the Navy in
ing seamen for the naval service. The Ma
val Academy is rendering signal service in
preparing midshipmen for the highly re-
sponsible duties which, in after life, they
will be required to perform, in order that
the country should not be deprived of the
proper quota of educated officers for which
legal provision has been made at the Naval
School.
The vacancies caused by the neglect Of
omission 10 make nominations from the
States in instruction have been filled by
the Secretary Of the Navy. The School is
now more full and complete than at any
previous period, and in every respect emit
tied to the favorable consideration of Con
gress.
During the past fiscal year the financial
condition of the Post Office Department
has been one of increased prosperity. and
am gratifed in being able to state that the
accounts of the postal revenue have nearly
equaled the expenditures, the latter amount
ing to eleven millions three hundred and
fourteen thousand dollars and eighty -four
cents-the former to eleven millions one
hundred and sixty three thousand seven
hundred and eighty nine dollars and fifty
nine cents, leaving a deficiency of but one
hundred and fifty thousand four hundred |
and seventeen dollars and twenty FIVE cents /
In 1860, the year Immediately preceding
the rebellion, the deficiency amounted to
FIVE million six hundred and fifty six thou
sand seven hundred and five dollars and |
forty liae cents. The postal receipts Of
that year were two million six hundred and !
forty FIVE thousand eight hundred and TWEEN |
tytwo dollars and nineteen cents more than +
of 1868. The decrease since 1860 in the I
annual amount of transportation has been |
only about twenty-five per cent, but the |
annual expenditure on account of the same
has been reduced tweDt y-fve per cent. Il
is manifest therefore. that the Post Office /
Department may become self-sus tanning in |
few years, even with the restoration of the /
whole service. The international conYen-
ton Of postal delegates from the principal I
countries of Europe and America, which |
was called at the suggestion of the Post /
master General, met at Paris on the 18th /
of May last, and concluded its deliberations /
on the 9Th of June. The principles estab- /
lished by the conference as best adapted to 7
facilitate postal intercourse between nations,
and as the basis of future conventions to in
augurate general system of uniform inter
national charges, at reduced rates of postage, +
cannot fail to produce beneficial results.
l refer you to the report Of the Secretary
of the Interior, which is herewftFa, laid be-
fore you, for the useful and varied informa-
ton IN relation to the public lands, Indian
affairs, patents, pensions, and other matters
of public concern pertaining to this De-
partment
The quantity of lands disposed of during I
the last and the first quarter of the present /
fiscal years was three millions eight hun
dred and forty-one thousand and FIVE hun /
dred and fifty nine acres, Of which one hun
dred and sixty-one thousand nine hundred I
and eleven acres were sold for cash, one
million tour hundred and ffty-six thousand .
FIVE hundred and fourteen acres were taken /
up under the Homestead law, and the resi- /
due disposed of under laws granting lands /
for military bounties, for railroads. and 9TH +
or DuFnoses II also aoDaarz that tha sale I