North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-12-20

should, from the very consideration OF Its
origin, be strong in its power of resistance
to the establishment of inequalities. Mo-
nopolies, perpetuities and class Legislation
arc contrary to the genius of free govern
ment, and ought not to be allowed Here,
there is no room for favored classes or mo-
nopolies, the principle of our government
is that of equal laws and freedom OF indus
try. Wherever monopoly attains foot
h"ld, it is sure to be source of danger.
discord and tronble. We shall but fulfill
our duties as legislators by according "equal
and exact justice TO all men," special privi-
leges TO none. The government is subor-
dinate to the people but, as the agent and
representative Of the people, it must be
held superior to monopolies, which,in them
selves, ought never to be granted, and
Which. whsre they exist, must be subordi-
nate and yield to the government.
The constitution conftrs on Congress the
right to regulate commerce among the sew
eral States. 1t is of the first necessity, for
the maintenance of the Union, that COM
merce should be free and unobstructed. No
State can be justified in~any device to tax
the transit Of travel and commerce between
States. The position of many States is
such that, il they were allowed to take ad-
vantage of it for purposes of local revenue
the commerce between States might be ia
juriou>ly burdened, or even virtually pro-
hbited. 1t is best, while the country is
still Young, and while the tendency to
danger' US monopolics of this kind is still
feeble, to use the power 0! Congress so as
to prevent any selfish impedilnent to the
free circulation ofnen and merchandise
A tax on travel and merchandise, in their
transit, constitutes one of the worst forms
of monopoly, and the evil is increased il
coupled with denial ofthe choice of route.
When the vast extent of our country is con-
sidcred, it is plain that every obstacle to
the free circu lation 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 Inte-
rior explains the condition of the public
lands, the transactions of the Patent Office
and the Pension Bureau, the management
of our Indian affairs, 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 ofthe
successful operations ofihe Homestead
Act, under the provisions of which l,l60,-
533 acres of the public lands were entered
during the fiscal year-more than one
fourth of the whole number of acres sold or
otherwise disposed of during that period
1t is estimated that the receipts derived
from this source are sufficient to cover the
expenses incident TO the survey and dis
posal of lanls 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 it would otherwise vest. The home
stead policy was established only after
long and earnest resistance experience
proves It's wisdom. The lands,i the hands
of industrious settlers, whose labor creates
wealth and contributes to the public re-
sources, are worth more to the United
States than if they had been reserved as a
solitude for future purchasers.
The lamentable events of the last four
years, and the sacrifices made by the gal
liant men of our army and navy, have swell
led the records of the Pension Bureau to an
unprecedented extent On the 3Oth day of
June last, the total number of pensioners
was 1896, requiring for their annual pay.
exclusive of expenses, the sum of So ,O23,-
AS The number of applications that have
been allowed since that date will require a
a large increase of this amount for the next
f,c, 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 perished in the
service of the country, will no doubt be
cheerfullv and promptly granted A CRATE
ful people will not hesitate to sanction, any
measures having for their object the relief
| of soldiers mutilated and families made fa-
therlcss in'thc tffolts to preserve our ma
tional existence. -...- ........
The report Of the Postmaster General
presents an encouraging exhibit of the op-