Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1865-12-16

OF monopoly; The evil Is Increased, II cOus
pied with q denial ofthe choice OF route
When the vast extent ofour country Is cons
sidered, II is plain that every obstacle to the
free circulation of commerce between the
States ought to be sternly guarded against
by appropriate legislation, within the limits
OF the Constitution:
The report Of the Secretary Of the Int
rior contains explanations OF the condition
of the public lands, the transactions of the
Patent Office and the Pension Bureau, the
management Of our Indians affairs and the
progress made in the construction of the
Pacific Railroad, and furnishes information
in reference to matters OF local interest in
the District of Columbia. 1t also presents
evidence of the successful operation OF the
homestead act, under the provisions Of which
l,l60,533 acres of the public lands were
entered during the fiscal year-more than
quarter of the whole number OF acres sold
or otherwise disposed of during that period,
Ii Is estimated that the receipts derived from
this source are sufficient to cover the eX.
penses incident to the survey and disposal
OF the lands entered under this act, and that
payments in cash, to the extent of from
forty to fifty per cent, will be made by set
tiers, who may thus, at any time, acquire
title before the expiration of the period at
which II would otherwise vest. The home
stead policy was established only after a
long and earnest resistance. Experience
proves that the lands, in the hands OF
Industrious settlers, whose labor creates
wealth and contributes TO the public res
sources. are worth more to the United States
than if they had been reserved rs solitude
70. future purchases. The lamentable events
of the last four years, and the sacrifices
made by the gallant men OF our army and
navy, have swelled the records Of the PEN
sion Bureau to an unprecedented extent.
On the Both of Sune last the total number
of pensioners was 1886 requiring for their
annual pay. exclusive Of expenses, the sum
of SS,023 AS. The number Of applications
that have been allowed since that date will
require large increase of this amount for
the next fiscal year. The means for the
payment of the stipends due under existing
laws to our disabled soldiers and sailors, and
to the families Of such as have persisted in
the service Of the country, will no doubt be
cheerfully and promptly granted. A CRATE
full people will not hesitate to sanction any
measures having for their object the relief
of soldiers mutatcd, and families made
fatherless, in their efforts to preserve our
National existence
The report of the Postmaster General pre-.
sents an encouraging exhibition of the ope-
rations CT the Postotfice during the year.
The revenues of the past year from the loyal
States alone exceed the maximum annual
receipts from all the States previous to the
rebellion by the sum of $6,O3S,O 9l, and the
annual average increase of revenue during
the last four years Immediately preceding
the rebellion, was So, $50, S45. The revenues
of the last fiscal year amounted to $ll, 55G,-
15S, and the expenditures to Sl3,694,O2S,
leaving a surplus of receipts over eXpendi-
lures of 1851 ,43O. Progress has been made
in restoring the postal service in the South
ern States. The views presented by the Post
Master General against the policy OF grant
ing subsidies to ocean mail steamship lines.
upon established routes saud in favor OF
continuing the present system, which limits
the compensation to postage earnings, are
recommended to the careful consideration of
Congress.
1t appears, from the report Of the Secre-
tary of the Navy that while, at the cons
mencement Of the present year, there were
in commission $50 vessels Of all classes and
descriptions, armed with 5000 guns and
manned by 81 coo men, the number of yes
sells at present in commission is III, with
$50 guns, and l2,l2S men. By this prompt
reduction of the naval forces, the expenses
of the Government have been largely di-
minisLed, and a number Of vessels purchas-
ed for naval purposes from the merchant
marine have been returned to the peaceful
pursuits of commerce. Since the suppress.
sion of active hostilities, our foreign squad
rons have been re-established, and consist OF
vessels much more efficient than those en-
ployed on similar service previous to the
rebellion. The suggestion fOr the enlarge-
ment of the navy yards and es-
pecially Tor the establishment of one
in fresh water for iron clad vessels, is de-
serving of consideration as is also the re-
commentator for different location and
more ample grounds for the naval academy.
In the report of the Secretary of War q
general summary is given of the military
campaigns of 1864 and 1865 ending in the
suppression of armed resistance to the Ma
tional authority in the insurgent States.
The operations of the General Administra-
ton Bureau of the War Department during
the past year are detailed, and an estimate
is made of the appropriations that will be
required for military purposes in the fiscal
year commencing with the 30th day ofJune,
1866. The National military force on the
fist of May, 1865, numbered l,0O0,500 men.
1t is proposed to reduce the military estab-
lishment to peace footing, comprehending
$4,000 troops of all arms, organized so az to
admit of an enlargement by filling up the
ranks to $4,000 if the circumstances of the
country should require an augmentation of
the army. The volunteer force has already
been reduced by the discharge from service
of over 100000 troops, and the Department
is proceeding rapidly in the work Of further
reduction. The war estimates are reduced
from S5I6, 24O,l3I to S33,SI4,461, which