Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-12-14

they are convertible into bonds only at the
pleasure OF holders, the Secretary desires to
he authorized to fund them, whenever it can
be advantageously done in advance of their
maturity. To meet deficiency for the pres
ent fiscal year he desires authority to sell, in
his discretion, bonds of similar character,
to reduce the temporary loan, to pay ma.
turing certificates Of indebtedness, and also
to take up any portion of the debt maturing
prior to 1869 that can be advantageously re-
tired. ut is not probable" remarks the
if it could be done without pressing them
upon the market, to sell much larger
amouAt of bonds within the present or the
next fiscal year than will be necessary to
meet any deficiency Of the Treasury, to pay
the past due and maturing obligations OF the
Government, and part Of the temporary
loan, and to retire an amount of the COM
pound interest notes and United States notes
sufficient to bring back the business Of the
country to a healthier condition. But no
harm can result from investing the Secre-
tary with authority to dispose of bonds If
the condition of the market will justify it, in
order to anticipate the payment of those OBJ.
! legations that must soon be provided tor.
The total debt on the first of July. 1866,
is estimated at $4,000, 100000. The Secre-
! tary believes the whole amount may eventual
ly be funded at rate of interest from 5 to 81
per cent. and he suggests the application of
$200,000,000 per annum to the payment of
principal and interest together, by which
the wbele would be extinguished in from %
to 80 years.
III. Internal Rcrenue. The Secretary
recommends frequent and careful revision
of the system of taxation, with view to its
/ hpan al, IL II
! tive. For specific recommendations he
awaits the report Of the special commission,
expected early in the present session. In
reference to the Southern States, the Secre.
/ tary recommends that the collection of taxes
accruing before the establishment therein
Of revenue Offices be indefinitely postponed !;
that sales of property for direct taxes be
postponed till the States have an opportu-
nifty of assuming those taxes, as the loyal
States did and that all transactions invalid
for want Of stamps be legalized so far as lies
in the power of Congress. For a great va
riety of statements and suggestions on other
points the report itself may be consulted.
REPORT oFTHE SECRETARY oFTHE INTERIOR.
1t appears from the report of the Secre-
tary of the Interior that during the past
year 4,5l3,73S. 46 acres of the public lands
have been granted to various parties, and
that on the 30th September there were still
132, 285,035 acres surveyed and undisposed
OF. For lands sold he has received $74S,
APT 25, an excess OF ten per cent. over the
previous year Different re sulations are il
force in the different territories regarding
claims to unoccupied lands, and some uni
form law is asked. The lands are very wise
ly sold for the sum necessary to survey ant
transfer them TO actual settlers and pur
chasors.
1t is estimated that $50 900 able-bodicC
men are mining upon the public domain
without paying anything for the privilege
In view OF the tax upon most other pusuits
!, it is suggested they be not neglected.
The number of pensions added to the rol
during the year was Is, 32S, requiring 81,
22O, 7S5 90 annual payment. Allowed dur
ing the year were "a, 693, at an annual charge
of $2,574,l79. OF naval pensions there
were 266 awarded, and $205, 4S0 50 paid
ment Of the Government share of priz,
money. The increasing number of pension
ers demands largely-increased appropria
ton.
There are within our boundaries abou
$50, 900 Indians, most of whom have beer
amicable and few loyal and progressive
Some, however, have been melted by Rehel
and by resentment to wage war against the
Government, and in the Territories, by the
collisions with the white race, have kept ur
predatory warfare, which we have sent
troops to suppress 1t ought not to be the
policy of the Government to exterminate
the red men, but rather, through missions
and treaties, to pacify them.
There have been 6,29l patents granted
during the fiscal year. The work of the
census has been pushed as far as was pos.
sible:. The work upon the several branches
OF the Pacific Railroad appears to be pro-
crossing satisfactorily, and they will doubt
less be finished by the specified time of their
charters. Surveys are being made Of the
main line westward.
More money is asked for the completion
District also want the Government to heI
them pay the local taxes, and to clean the
city, and for other benevolent and humane
purposes.
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
, Secretary Weles rehearses in his ropor
, tho immensely of the task of organizing the
Navy, and maintaining the blockade, anC
the operations Of our fleets towards the
close ofthe war. In four years the nav,
addea 20S (steam) vessels and $4,000 mer
w no iotS' ucSluc puTCHaSlnB 40 Vessels
OF which 3l3 were steamers, which on sale
have deprecated in value Sl2, zoe, ,OOO.-
The co operation of the navy in the capture
of Wilmington, Charleston and Mobile will
be read with keen interest. The conduct OF
England in building and equipping privat sers
and blockade runners is referred to in en-
phatic terms, and an engagement AMI per,
fection Of our Navy Yards is urged that we
may be prepared for future emergencies. =
There are now five squadrons of national
vessels-on tho coast of Europe(7), Brazil
ll0l, East India (4), Pacific (lI), West
India ls). At tho highest period of efficien,
cy OF the blockadng sqnadrons, in January
last, there were All vessels, with "a, $50 guns.
Of prizes there have been captured Of all
kinds l,l5l vessels, of which 2i0 were
steamers, rams and gunboats IL; and s55
of all kinds have been sunk or destroyed.
The estimated value of those sunk and cap.
tured is over $3l 100000, The amount OF
prizes condemned up to the lst November
is S2l .S29, 543 90, and ainumber of ofimportant
cases are still before tho courts Most o!
the whole has been British property.
There are on the pension roll 2,027 receiv-
ing an annual sum of SPAS, ,529 so. An
increase of the salaries of officers and clerks
is asked for. The resources Of the Depart.
ment for the fiscal year were $l40, ,00l 1875,
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