Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1863-12-18
VOLUME 81, NO. /.

hiEhif responsible duties which in Alter Life
they vii be required 70 perform. In or
der that the country should no, be deprived
Of the proper quota Of educated officers.
for which legal provision has been made as
the Naval School. the vacancies caused by
the neglect or omission 10 make nomina-
uons from the States in instruction have
been hiied BY the Secretary Of the Navy.
The school j. now more full and con plete
tAan a. any former period. and in every re-
sPect entitled 70 the favorable eonsidera-
ton Of Congress.
FOSI OFFICE DEPARTMENT
During the past fiscal year the financial
condition Of the Post-Office Department. has
been orc Of increasing prosperity. and AN
grAtised in being able TO state that the ae-
inai postal revenaes have nearly equaIled
the expenditures. the latter amounting to
ell .Si4.2O6 -. and the former TO siI.-
l6S.9s9 81. leaving a deficiency Of bat
sl5O.li7 IS.
In ls6O. the Va er immediately preceding
the rebellion. the deficiency amounted TO
ss''6s.1o5 20. the postal receipts Of that
year being s2.Gf5.622 10 less than those of
is63- The decrease since 1850 in the an
nual amount Of transportation has been on
ly about twenty-five per cent; but the an
nual expenditure on account Of the sane
has been reduced thirty per cent.
IL = manifest therefore. that the Post
O;hce Department may become sef-sustain-
ing IN a few years. even With the restora-
ton ofths whole service.
The international conference Of Postal
Delegates from the principal countries Of
Europe and America. which was called a.
the suggestion Of the POst-Master General.
met Al Paris on the 18th Of May last. and
concluded their deliberation. on the s;h Of
June. The principles established by that
conference - best adapted 10 facilitate in
tercogrse between nations. and A. the basis
Of future postal conventions. inaasurated
general system Of Uniform international
charges. a. reduced rates Of postage, aad
cannot fail 10 produce beneficial results.
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
refer you 20 the report of the Secre-
iAry Of the Secretary OF the Interior. which
Is herewith laid before YOU. for useful and
varied information in relation TO the pub
lie lands. Indian Affairs. patents. pensions,
and other matters Of public concern per-
tanning 10 bis departments.
FUBLTc LANDS
The quantity Of land disposed Of during
the last and frst quarters. Of the present
hscal year. was three millions. eight hun
ered and forty-nine acres. Of which one
hundred and sixty-one thousand. nine hun
dred and eleven acres were sold for cash.
one million. four hundred and ffty-six
thousand. Eve hundred and fourteen acres
were taken up under the homestead law.
and the residue disposed Of under laws
granting lands for military bounties. for
railroad and other purposes.
IL also appears shat the sale Of the pub
he lands Is largely on the in crease. It
has long been cherished opinion Of some
Of our ~isest stAtemen. that the people Of
the Caited States had a higher and more
enduring interest in the early setlemet and
substantial cultivation Of the pubhc lands.
that IN the ammOunt Of direct revenue from
the sale of them.
This opinion has had controlling inaa-
ence in shaping legislation upon The sub
pet Of our national domain. nav e;.s a.
evidence Of this the liberal measures adopt-
Cd m referance to actual settlers the Crant
% States Of the overfiowei lands within
their limits. in order 10 their being reclaim
Cd and rendered 60 for cultivat ion the
grants % railway companies q alte-nste
sections of land upoa tie contemplated
iaes Of their roads. which when completed
~ill % largely multiply the facilities for
reading our distant posscssi5ns.
This policy has received its most sigma
and benc6cent illustration in the recent
enactments granting a HOMESTEAD % actual
settlers. since ihc frst day q January last
The before-mentioned quantity of Z .t56.5i4
scrcs % land have been located upon under
.ts provisions. This fact and the amount Of
sales furnished gratifying evidence ~ m
creasing setticncnts spon ,he pubIc lands.
the great struggle IN which
the cucrgic. oi the nation have been cngag-
cd and shich sas required % large a with
draw.l of our citizen. from their accustoun-
ed pursuits.
cordially concur in The recomendation
of the Sccrctary of the Interior. suggesting
a medication of thc act in favor a those
engaged in the military and naval service
n the United States. doubt not that
Congress will cheerfuliy ADOPT such meas
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