Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1865-12-16


States. The position of many States is such
tnat, IL they were allowed to take advantage
OF 1t for purposes Of local revenue, tie com
merce between States might be injuriously
nurdened, or even virtually prohibited. 1t
is best, while the country is still young. and
whlle the tendency to dangerous monopo-
lies OF this kind is stil feeble, to use tho
power OF Congress so as to prevent any
selfish impeachment to the free circulation of
men and merchandise, A tax on travel
end merchandise, in their transit, constitutes
one OF the worst forms Of monopoly. and
the evil is increased if coupled with denial
OF the choice OF route. When the vast extent
OF our country ia considered, it is plain that
every obstacle to the free circulation of com
merce between the States ought TO be sternly
guarded against by appropriate legislation,
within the limits of the Consultation.
lhe report of the Secretary of the Interior
explains the condition of the public lands.
the transactions of the Patent Office and the
Pension Bureau, the management of our
indian atfrirs, the progress made in the con
struction 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 1,160,533 acres of the
pubic lapds were entered during the last
fiscal year-mors than one;fourth of the
whole number of acres sold or otherwise dis.
posed ut during that period.
1t Is estimated that the receipts derived
from this source are sufficient 10 cover the
expenses 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 he made by settlers,
who may thus at any time acquire title be.
tore the expiration of the period at which
1t would otherwise vest. The Homestead
policy was established only after long and
earnest resistance; experience proves its
wisdom. The lands, in the hands of indus
trious settlers, whose labor creates wealth
and contributes to the public resources, are
worth more to the United States than if they
had been reserved as solitude for future
purchasers.
The lamentable events of the last four
years, and the sacrifices made by the gallant
men OF our Army and Navy, have swellcd
the records of the Pension Bureau to an
unprecedented extent On the 3Oth day
OF June last, the total number nS pensioners
was 1886, requiring for :heir annual pay,
exclusive of cxpenyes, the SUN of IS, ,02S ,445,
The number of applications that have been
allowed since that date will require largo
iHcfesso 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 ths
families OF such as have per;shed in the SER
vice of the country, will no doubt be cheer-
fully and promptly granted. A grateful
people will not hesitate to sanction any
measures having for their object the relief
of soldiers mutiated and families nlads
!atherless in the efforts to preserve cur ma
tiopal existence.
The Report Of the Postmaster General pro
sents an encouraging exhibit Of the opera
tons of the Post Office Department during
the year. The revenues of the past year
from the loyal States alone exceeded the
maximum annual receipts from al The States
previous to the Rebellion, in the sum of
Sc 6,O3S, ,00l; and the annual average Increase
of revenue during the last four years, com
pared with the revenues of the four years
Immediately proceeding the Rebellion, was
So ,533,S45.
The revenues of the last fiscal year
to Sl4,556, 1853, and the expend-
lures to $l3,694,72s, leaving surplus of
receipts over expenditures of 1851 ,43O.
Progress has been made in restoring the pcs
views presented by the Postmaster General
against the policy Of granting subsidies to
ocean and mail steamship lines upon estab.
lished routes, and in favor of continuing the
present system, which limits the compenss.
tion for ocean service to the postage earnings,
are recommended to the careful consideration
Of Congress.
1t appears, fronthe report oftbs Secretary
Of the Navy, that while, at the commence
nent OF the present year, there were in com
mission $50 vessels of all classes and descrjp-
IONS, armed with 5000 guns and manned by
8 900 men, the number of vessels at present
in commission is III, with S3e guus and
II, 1873 men. BY this prompt reduction Of
The naval forces the expenses of the Govern
ment have been largely diminished, and u
number of vessels, purchased for naval pur-
poses from the merchant marine, baye heen
returned to the peaae01l pursuits Of COM
nercc
Since the suppression of active hoatilisies
our foreign squadrons have been re-establish-
ID, snd consist of vessels much more efficient
han those employed on similar service pre-
'ious to the Rebellion. The suggestion for
he enlargement of the navy yards, and
specially for the establishment of Que in
Iresh water for iron-clad vessels is deserving
)i conslutTdtloD, as Is hlsO tue fecCmuepuh-
ioL for different location and more ample
grounds for the Naval Academy.
In the report of the Secretary of War, o
general summary IS given of the military
of 1854 and 1865, ending in tho
of armed resistance 10 the ma
ional sutherity ip the insurgeDt States.
fhe operations of the general administrative
bureaus of the War department during the
,ast year are detailed, and an estimate made
If the appropriations that will be required
or military purposes in the fiscal year com,
neIGing tue aoth Gsy Of June, 1866. The
national military force on the lst Of May,
1865, numbered l,000,5l6 mer. Il Is pro-
posed to reduce the pilitary es.ablisbment
10 peace footing, ,comffebeDding fjsy thou.
isDd troops of all arms, orgsuiZsG 80 rs 20
'dmit of an enlargement by fHng up the
anks to eigbty-two thoussne six hundred,
the circumstances of toe country should
equire an augmentation Of the army.
The volunteer force has already been re-
ucsd by the eischasge from sssy.Ge of over
igbt hundred thousand troops, and the
department. is proceeding rapidly in the
'ork of further redletiol. The war est.
rates are reduced from s5l6, ,240, ,lsl to SSs,
l4,s5l, which amount, in the opinion of
ls Department. us adequate for>s peace
The measures OF fetrench'