The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1863-12-16

I
men in the public service from 1000
men IN the spring of 1861, to about
"a, 900 at the present time, has been &C
complished without especial Legislation
or extraordinary bounties TO promote
that increase. 1t has been found, how
ever, that the operations of the draft
with high bounties paid for army re
cruits, is beginning to effect injurously
the naval service, and will, if not COR
rected, be likely to impair Its efficienc,
by detaching seamen from their proper
vocation and inducing them to enter
the army. l therefore respectfully sug
gest that Congress might aid both tn,
army and naval service by adequate
provision on this subject, which would
at the same time, be equitable to tb'
communities more especially intended
commend 10 your consideration The
suggestions of the Secretary Of the Ma
Wy, in regard to the policy of fostering
and training seainen for naval service
The Naval Academy is rendering sig
nal service in preparing midshipmen fol
highly responsible 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 edu.
Gated officers, for which legal provision
has been made. AT the Naval School
the vacancies caused by the Mt glect or
omission to make nominations from the
States in insurrection, have been filled
by the Secretary OF the Navy. The
school is now more 1ull and complete
than at any previous period, and in ev-
cry respect entitled to the favorable
consideration of Congress.
During the past fiscal year the finan-
cial condition Of the Postoffice Depart
ment has been one of increasing pros
perity, and l am gratified in being able
to state that the accounts of postal rev.
enue has nearly equaled the entire ex-
penditure, the latter amounting TO elev.
en- million three hundred and fourteen
thousand dollars and eighty-fom cents,
and the former to eleven million one
hundred and sixty-three thousand sew
en- hundred and eighty-nine dollars and
fifty-nine cents, leaving deficiency OF
but $l5O,4l7 25. In 1860, the year
Immediately preceding the rebellion,
the deficiency amounted to $685. 505
40, the postal receipts of that year be-
ing $2,645,722 10 less than those of
1858. The decrease since 1860, in the
annual amount Of transportation, has
been only about 25 per cent, but the
annual expenditures on account Of the
same has been reduced 35 per cent 1t
is manifest, therefore, that the Postoffice
Department may become self-sustaining
in few years, even with the restora-
tion of the whole service.
The International conference of post.
al delegates from the principal countries
of Europe and America, which was
called at the suggestion of the Post
master General, met at Paris on the
llth of May last, and concluded it's de-
liberations on the 9th of June. The
principles established by the conference
as best adapted to facilitate postal inter
course between nations, and as the base
of future conventions to inaugurate a
general system OF uniform international
charges al reduced rates of postage,
cannot fail 10 produce beneficial re-
suits.
1reter you to the report of the Secre.
tary of the Interior, which is herewith
laid before you, for the useful and va
ried information in relation to public
lands, Indian affairs, patents, pensions
and other matter OF public concern
to his Department. The
quantity OF lands disposed of during the
last and the first quarter of the present
fiscal years, was three million eight
hundred and iorty-one thousand five
hundred and forty-nIne acres, Of which
one hundred and sixty one thousand
nine hundred and eleven acres were
sold for cash: one million four hundred
and fifty six thousand five hundred and
fourteen acres were taken up under the
homestead law, and the residue dis
posed of under laws granting lands for
military bounties, for railroads and
other purposes. 1t also appears that
the sale OF public lands is largely on
the increase. 1t has long been a cher
ished opinion Of some of our wisest
statesman, that the people of the Unit
ed States had higher and more ell
during interest in the early settlement
and substantial cultivation of the lands
than in the amount of direct revenue
to be derived from the sale of them
This opinion has had controlling infu.
sence. haping legislation upon the sub
ject of our national domain. I may
cite as an instance OF this, tie liberal
measures adopted in reference to active
settles in the grant to the States of the
overflowed lands within their limits in
order TO their being reclaimed and rem
dered fit for cultivation. The grant to
railroad companies of falternate sections
of land upon the contemplated lines of
their road, when completed, will large
ly multiply the facilities of reaching our
distant possessions. This policy has
received its most signal aud benefcent
in recent enactments grant
ing homes TO actual settlers. Since the
first day Of January last, the before
quantity of one million. four
hundred and fifty six thousand, FIVE
hundred ard fourteeen acres of land,
has been taken up under its provisions.
This fact aud the smonnt OF sales, fur
nish gratifying evidence of the increas.
ing settlement upon the public lards.-.
Notwithstanding the great struggle in
which the energies of the nation have
been engaged, and which has required
SO large withdrawal of our citizens
from their accustomed pursuits, COR
daily concur in the recommendation of
the Secretary OF the Interior suggest