Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-12-17

""c'ion oi war vessels, which has created
new form of naval power Our country
has advantages superior to any other ma
tlon In her resources of iron and timber
with inexhaustible quantities of fuel in.the
immediate vicinity of both, and ali ava;Ia.
be.land IN clase proximity to n.v;oabl.
waters, Without the advantages ofspublic
works, the resources. of the nation have
been , developed and its power displayed. in
the construction Of navy Of such magni-
fude, which has. at the very period Of its
creation, rendered signal service TO the
Union. =.
The increase OF the number Of seamen in
the public service from 1000 men in the
spring OF 1901, to obout 1000. at the
present time, has been accomplished With.
out especial legislation and extraordinary
oountles to promote that increase. Il has
been found, however. that the operation of
the draft, with the high 5ounties paid for
army recruits, is beginning to affect iniuri.
ously the naval service, and will. IL not
corrected be likely to impair the efficiency,
oy detachlng seamen from their proper vo.
cations, and inducing them to enter the
army. L therefore respectfully suggest
that Congress might aid both the srmv
and naval service by adequate provision
on this subject, which would, at the same
tIme' be equitable to the community more
especially interested. II
l recommend to your consideration tho
suggestion OF the Secretary of the NAVY in
regard to the policy of fostering and train.
ing seamen for the naval service. Tho
Naval Academy is rendering signal service
in preparing Midshipmen for the highly
responsible duties which in after life thew
will be required to perform. in order ths,
the country should not be deprived of edu.
Gated officers, for which legal provision has
been made ta
P Atthe naval school the vacancies csus.
si by the neglect or omission to mako nom.
nations from States in insurrec.ion have
been filled by the Secretary of the N.vv
The school Is now more full and comnlste
than at any previous period, and in every
respect entitled to the favorable consider.
alton Of Congress. j aar II Ira s.,
THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT..
During the past fiscal year the fiuaoc;a,
condition OF the Post Office Department
mas been one OF increasing prosperity. and
| am gratified in being able to state that
the recIpts of the postal revenue have near.
~ equaied the entire expenditures. the lat.
ter amounting to Sll,3l4.206.S4 and IN.
former to S1l. 163. 7S9 59-leavino . do.
hclency of but Sl50.4l725. In 1860 tbs
year immediately preceding the rebellion
the deficiency amounted to S.. CSC. 7O5 40
lhe postal receipts of that year being 80.
o4o' y ~ less than those of 1868. The
decrease since 1860 in the annual amount
OF transportation has been only abont 2s
per cent, but the annual expenditures on
account OF the same have been redpced as
per cent. 1t Is manifest, therefore that tbe
fost Oiilce Department may become self.
sustaining in few years, even with ths
restoration of the whole service.
Ihe international conference of postal
delegates from the principal countries Of
Europe and America which was called st
the suggestion of the Post mater General.
met at Parls on the 1lth of May last. and
cenciuded its deliberations on the Sth Of
lJuneo. The principles established bv tha
sconiereuce are best adapted to facilitsts
postal intercourse between nations. and. ss
the basis Of future conventions ;n.norr.,.
agenerai system of uniform, international
charges at reduced rates of postage, aud
cannot fail to produce beneficial results.
/ re tsori THE INTERIOR REPORTS. - L
% 1 refer you to the report of Secretary Of
the Interior. which is herewith laid before
yop Tor useful and vaEiAd information in
relation to the public lands. Indian affsirs,
patents. pensions. and other matters of
Puolic concern pertaining to this depart.
ment. rs,as re - r1I 5f-.Trssf -
94.i a. THE PUBLIC LANDS.
I, The quantity of land disposed Of iuriae
the last, and the first quarter of the pvesene
ilseal year, was 3.S41. $40 acres, of which
l0l,9ll acres were sold for cash: ]. .456 .5l4
oI4 acres were sold for cash; l.456. .5l4
acres were taken up under the houestead
law, and the residue disposed of under the
laws granting lands for military bouuties,
for railroad. and other purposes.
1t also appears that the sale of the pub.
lie lands is largely on the increase. Il has
long been cherished opinion of some of
our wlsest Statesmen I hat the people of the
United States had higher and more en-
during interest in the early settlement and
substantial cultivation Of the public lands.
than In the amount of direct revenue TO he
derived from the sale of them. This opin.
ION has had controlling influences IN
shaping legislation on the subject of our
NATIONAL domain. Imay cite, as evidences
OF this. the liberal measures adopted -
reference tc acsuai settlers. The grant to
the; States OF the oveiAowed lands .withiu
their limits, in order to their being re-
claimed and rendered fit for cultivation:
and the grant to railroad composites of al
teanate sections of land upon the contsm.
plated lines of their roads when completed.
will. too. largely multiply the facilities for.
reaching our distant possessions. This
policy has received it's most signal and b.
neficent illustration in the recent enact nesx
granting hpmesteads to actual settlers
Since the lst Of January last. the bsfore
mentioned quantity OF !. .456. 5l4 scrss Of
land has been taken up under its provis-
ions. This fact. and the amount Of Gales.
furnish gratifying svidencs Of iucEsss.
ing settlement opon the public lands. no.
understanding the crest struggle in which
the ensreies Of the nation have bssn snss.
ged has requirsd so large withd r. val ~
4 =. r