The daily clarion. [volume] (Meridian, Miss.) 1863-1866, 1865-12-10

tions of the Patent ONCE ana the rem
sion Bureau, the management OF our
Indian 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. It also presents evidence OF
the successful operation of the homestead
act under the provisions OF which 1'loo'-
533 acres of the public lands were enter
ed during the fiscal year-more than a
quarter of the whole number of acres
sold or otherwise disposed of during that
period. 1t is estimated that the receipts
derived from this son.ce are sufficient to
cover the expenses incident to the sur
vey 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 settlers, who
may thus, at any time, acquire title
before the expiration of the period at
which it would otherwise vest. The
homestead policy was established only
after long and earnest resistance. Ex-
perience proves that the lands, in the
hands of industrious settlers, whose labor
creates wealth and contributes to the
public resources, are worth more to the
United States than if they had been re-
served as solitude for future purchases.
The lamentable events OF the last four
years, and the sacrifices made by the
gailent men of our army aud navy, have
swelled the records If the Pension
Rureau to an unprecedented extent. On
the 30th of June last the total number
of pensioners was 50 ,9S6, requiring for
their annual pay, exclus We OF ex penses
the sum of $8O2S, AS. The number of
applications that have been allowed since
1t
this amount for the next fiscal year. The
means for the payment of the sti
pends due under existing laws to our
disabled soldiers and sailors, and to the
families of such as have perished in the
service of the country, will no doubt be
cheerfully and promptly granted. A
grateful people will not hesitate to sane
ton any measures having for their object
the relief of soldiers mulilated, and fam
lilies made fatherless, in their efforts to
preserve our National existence.
The report of the Postmaster General
presents an encouraging exhibition of the
operations of the Post office 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 $6,038,0 ,09l, and the annual aver
age increase of revenue during the last
four years compared with the revenue of
the four years Immediately preceding the
rebellion, was So, 533,845. The revenues
of the last fiscal year amounted to
Sl4, 1855, 158 and the expenditures to $l3,-
694, ,O28, leaving a surplus of receipts over
expenditures of 1851, ,430 Progress has
been made in restoring the postal service
in the Southern States. The views pre-
sented by the Postmaster General against
the policy of granting subsidies to ocean
mail steamship lines, upon established
routes, and In favor of continuing the
present system, which limits the compen-
sation to postage earnings, are recom>
mended to the careful consideration of
Congress.
1t apprears, from the report of the Sec
retary of the Navy, that while, at the
of the present year, there |
we're in commission $50 vessels of all |
classes and descriptions, armed with 5000 |
guns and manned by 81 900 men, the |
number of vessels at present in commits |
'ion is III, with $50 guns and II I28 men,
BY this prompt reduction of the naval |
orces, the expenses of the Government
have been largely diminished, and
number of vessels purchased for naval
purpose from the merchant marine have
oeen returned to the peaceful pursuits of
commerce. Since the suppression of
Lctive hostilities our foreign squadrons
lave been re~Pstablished, and consist of
-essels much more efficient than those I
Employed upon similar service previous
o the rebellion. The suggestion for the
OF the navy yards, and es~
,ecially for the establishment of one in
resh water for iron-clad vessels, is de.
elving of consideration, as is also the
recommendation for a different location
nd more amyle grounds for the naval
n. -s-r
In the report of the Secretary of War
general summary is given of the mil
tary campaigns of 1854 and 1865 ending
a the suppression of armed resistance to
he National authority in the insurgent
tates. The operations of the General
Bureau of the War De-
artment during the past year are de,
allied, and an estimate of the appropri-
tions that will be required for military
urposes ip the fiscal year, commence Q
he Both day of June, 1866. The Ma. :
onal military force on the.f1rst of Nav,
865, numbered 1,000,500 men. 1t is
roposed to reduce the military estab
shment to peace footinE, comprehen :
ing $4,000 troops of all arms, organized
} as to admit of an enlargement by :
ling up the ranks to $4,000 if the cir :
instances of the country should require :
4 augmentation of the army. The vols /,
nteer force has already been reducr DIR !;
y the discharge from service of owe :
)O,0O0 troops, and the Department is
'oceeding rapidly in the work of further 9
The war estimates are re !,
Iced from $5l6, ,240,13I to $38,8I4,46I, :
hich amount, in the opinion of the De
artment, IS adequate for a peace esq
blishment. The measures of the ser 9
ce exhibit diligent economy worthy .
commendation. Reference is also
ade IN the report to the necessity of IL
royiding for uniform MALTA system. n
Id to the propriety of making suitable a
DIVISION for wounded and disabled fl
feers and soldiers. O
The revenue system of the country is Il
subject of vital interest to its honor and
'osperity, and should command the earn a
t consideration of Congress. The Sec D
tary OF the Treasury will lay before you o.
free and detailed report of the receipts o.
I'd disbursements of the last fiscal year. Il
the first quarter of the present fiscal G
ar. and of the probable receipts and u
.penditures for the other three quarters. p
ID the estimates for the year FOLLOWING 81
q Both of June, 1866. l must content u, ~
yself with reference to the report. "