Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-12-17

Gated officers, for which legal pro,
vision has been made. AT the naval
school the vacancies caused by
neglect or omission to make nomlna'
tions from states in insurrection, have
been filled by the Secretary of the Ma.
w The school is now more full and
complete than at any previous period.
and in every respect entitled to the
favorable consideration of Congress.
During the past fiscal year, the
financial condition of the Postofiice
Department has been one of increas-
ing prosperity, and | am gratified in
being able to state that the postal
revenue has nearly equaled the en-
tire expenditures /; the latter amount
ing to eleven million three hundred
and fourteen tthousand dollars and
eighty.four cents, and the former to
eleven million one hundred sixty three
thousand seven hundred and eighty
nine dollars and fifty-nine cents, leav-
ing a deficiency of but $l50,4l4,25.
In 1860, the year Immediately precc.
ding the rebellion the deficiency
amounted to $3.50, 705 49-the pos
tai receipts of that year being 81, O45,-
1919 less than those of 1868 The
decrease since the year 1860 in the
annual amount OF transportation has
been only about 25 per cent, but the
annual expenditures on the account OF
the same, has been reduced 35 per
cent. 1t is manifest that the Post
Office Department may become self
sustaining in a few years, even with
the restoration Of the whole service.
The international conference of postal
delegates from principal countries of
Europe and America, which was called
at the suggestion of the Postmaster
General, met at Paris the 18th of May
last, and concluded its deliberations on
the 9th of June. The principles es.
tablished by the Conference as best
adapted to facilitate postal intercourse
between nations. and as the basis of
future conventions, inaugurate o gen.
eral system of uniform international
charges at reduced rates of postage,
and cannot fail TO produce beneficial
results. ...s Il.
l refer you to the report Of the
Secretary of the Interior, which is
herewith laid before you, for useful
and varied information in relation to
public lands, Indian affairs, patents,
pensions, and other matters Of public
concern pertaining to his Department.
The quantity of land disposed of du-
ring the last and the first quarter of
the present fiscal year. was three mil
lion eight hundred and forty-one thou
sand and five hundred and forty-nine
acres, of which l6l ,9ll acres were
sold for cash. l,456,5l4 acres were Ia.
ken up under the Homestead law, and
the residue disposed of under laws
granting lands for military bounties
for railroad and other purposes. II
also appears that the sale Of public
lands is largely on the increase. 1t
has long been the opinion of some of
orr wisest Statesmen that the peo-
pie of the United States had higher
and more enduring interest in the
early settlement aud substantial culti-
walton of the public lands, than in the
amount of direct revenue to be deriv-
ed from the sale of them. This opin-
ion has had controlling influence in
shaping Legislation on the subject Of
our national domain. l may cite as
evidence of the liberal measures
adopted in reference to active settlers
the grant to the States of the overflow
lands within their limits in order tt
their being reclaimed and rendered fl
for cultivation, the grant to railroad
companies of alternate sections oil
land upon contemplated lines of their
road, when completed. will, too, large
ly multiply the facilities for reaching
our distant possessions. This policy
has received most signal and bone.
ticeut illustration in a recent enact
aaent granting homesteads to active
settlers since the first day Of January
last.
The above mentioned quantity Of
one million four hundred and fifty-six
thousand five hundred and fourteen
acres of land has been taken up un-
der its provision. This fact and the
amount of sales furnish gratifying
evidence Of increasing settlement up
on public lands notwithstanding the
great struggle in which the energies
If the nation have been engaged and
has required SO large a withdrawal OF
our citizens from their accustomed
pursuits. l cordially concur in the
recommendation of the Secretary OF
the Interior, suggesting modification
of the Act in favor of those engaged
in the military and naval service of
the United States. / doubt not that
Congress will chcerfully adopt such
measures as will. without essentially
changing the general features Of the
system secure to the greatest practical
extent it's benefits to those who have
left their homes in defence Of the
country in this arduous crisis.
invite your attention to the views
of the Secretary of War as to the pro-
priety Of raising by appropriate
Legislation, reyBue from the mineral
lands of the United States.
The measures provided at your last
session for the removal Of certain In
dian tribes have been carried into
effect. Sundry treaties have been ne
gotiated, witch will, in due time, be
submitted for the constitutional action
of the Senate. They contain stipula-
tions for extinguishing the possessory
rights Of the indiana to large and val
liable tracts Of land. it is hoped
that the effect of these treaties will
result in the establishment Of a per-
manent friendly relation with such OF
these tribes as have been brought in
to frequent and bloody collisions with
our outlying settlements and emf
grants. Sound policy and our imPer.
alive duty to these wards OF govern
ment. demand our constant atten-
ton to their material well-being,
to their progress in the arts Of civili-
zation, and, above all. to that moral
training which, under the blessing Of
Divine Providence, will confer upon