The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-12-18

upon. the Atlantic seaboard has on. re-
peated occasions been brought to the at
tention of Congress by the Navy Depart
ment, and is again presented in the report
of the Secretary which accompanies his
communication. I think it my duty to
invite your especial attention to this sub
ject, and also to that of establishing Yards
and depOts for naval purposes upon one
of the Western rivers. A naval force has
been created on these interior waters, and
under many disadvantages, within q little
more than two years, exceeding in num-
bers the whole naval force of the country
at the commencement of the present ad-
ministration. t
Satisfactory and important has been the
performances Of the heroic men of the
navy at this interesting period. They are
scarcely more wonderful than the services
OF our mechanics and artisans in the pro-
duction CT war vessels which have created
a new form of naval power. Our country
has advantages superior to any other ma
ton in our resources of iron and timber,
with inexhaust;ble quantities of fuel
in the immediate vicinity of both, and
available and in close proximity to naviga-
BILE waters. Without the advantage of
public works the resources of the nation
have been developed and its power dis
played in the construction of a navy of
such magnitude which has at the very pc
Rod of its creation rendered signal SER
vice to the Union.
The increase of the number of sesmen
in the public service, from 1000 men in
the spring of 1861 to about $4,000 at the
present time, has been accomplished with.
out especial legislation or extraordinary
bounties to promote that increase. It has
been found, however, that the operations
of the draft, with large bounties paid for
army recruits, is beginning to affect inju-
rlously the naval service, and will, if not
remedied, be likely to impair it's effective
ness, by detaching seamen from their
proper vocation, and inducing them to
enter the army. l therefore respectfully
suggest that Congress might aid both army
and naval service by adequate provision on
this subject, which would at the same time
be equitable to the communities more es-
pecially interested.
l commend to your consideration the
suggestions of the Secretary of the Navy
in regard to the policy of fostering and
training seaman for naval service. The
Naval Academy is rendering signal SER
vice in preparing midshipmen for highly
responsible duties which in after life they
| will be required to perform. In order that
the country should not be deprived of her
| proper quota of educated officers for which
| legal provision has been made at the
Naval School, the vacancies caused by
the neglect or omission to make nomina-
lions from States in insurrection 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 entitled to the favorable considera-
ton of Congress.
POsT-OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
During the past fiscal year the financial
condition of the Post-Office Department
has been one of increasing prosperity, and
l am gratified in being able to state that
the receipts of Postal Revenue have nearly
equalled the entire expenditures, the lat
ter amounting to 81, 1904, 2O6S4, and the
former to $11, 1853, 1899, leaving def
cheney of but $150,417.25. In the year
Immediately preceding the rebellion, the
deficiency amounted to 1856, 7O5.4 40,
the postal receipts of that year being ST.
645, 1928 less than those of 1863. The
decrease since 1860 in the annual amount
of transportation has been only about 25
per cent. but the annual expenditure on
account of the same has been reduced IS
per cent.
1t is mani est, therefore, that the Post
Office Department may become self sus-
tanning in a few years even with the res
tOration of the whole service.
The International Conference of Postal
delegates from the principal countries of
Europe and America, which was called at
the suggestion of the Postmaster General.
met at Paris on the 1st of May last. and
concluded its deliberations on the Sth of
June. The principle established by the
the conterenc is best adapted to facilitate
postal intercourse between nations, and as
the basis of future operations. and inaugu-
rates general system of uniform interna-
tlonal charges at reduced rate of postage,
and cannot fail to produce beneficial re-
Suits .I ...
PUBLIC LANDS.
l refer you to the Report of the
Secretary of the Interior, which is here
with laid before you. Useful and va
ried information in regard to the Public
Lands, Indian Affairs, Patents, Pensions,
and other matters OF public concern per-
tanning to his Department, will be found
init. The quantity of Public Lands dis
posed of during the last and the first quar-
ter of the present fiscal year, was 3,S41,-
$40 acres; of which l71,911 acres We're
sold for cash; 1,456,5l4 acres were taken !
up up under tie Homestead law, and the
residue disposed of under laws granting
lands for military bounties, for railroad
and other purposes. 1t also states that
the value OF public lands is largely on the
increase .
1t has long been cherished opinion of
some Of our wisest statesmen that the peo-
pie Of the United States had higher and |
more enduring interest in the early settle
ment and substantial cultivation of the
public lands thai in the amount of direct
revenue to be derived from the sale of
them. This opinion has had controlling
influence in shaping legislation upon the
subject of our national domain. may
cite as evidence of this the liberal meas
ures adopted in reference to actual set
tiers the grant to states of the OverfioW-