The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1865-12-09


monopoes Of this kind is still feeble, to the power
OF Congress to prevent any selfish mpediment to
the free circulation Of men aat merchandise tax on
travel and merchandise IN their transit constitutes one
of the worst forms of monopoly aud the evil is ncreas
ed coupled with denial Of the choice of route When
the vast extent of countT Is considered II is pam
that every obstacle to the free circulation o commerce
between the States ought be sterny guarded against
by appropriate legislation within the limits OF The Con-
sttution.
The re 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 Indian affairs, the progress made IN the costrc
ton of the Pacific railroad, and furnishes information
in reference matters Of local interest III the Dstrct o
Columbia. 1t also presents evidence OF the successful
operation of the Homestead Act under the provisions
which 1GO $50 acres of the pubic lands were entered
during the last fiscal year-more than one-iourth ot the
whole number OF sold or otherwise disposed o
during that period 1t IS estimated that the receip's de
rived from this source sufent IN 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 cent will be made 10y settlers
who may thus at any time acquire tue before the cS
ton Of the period which would otherwise vest Inc
homestead policy established only after ohe aii'
earnest resistance; expo rcnce proves its wisdom The
lands in the hands of industrious settlers whose labor
crtates Wealth and contributes to the pubic resources
worth the United States than If the; a' Dee
eryed as solitude for future purchasers
The amcntable events OF the last four years ana W.
sacrifices made by the gallant men OF or Army au N
W. have swelcd the records OF the Pension Bureau to az
unprecedented extent. On the Goth day OF Je a| 'r
total number of pensioners was $50 requiring iOr tt
annual pay exclusive Of expenses, the sum VI
The number of applications that haze been allowed sce
that date will require large increase of TINS amount M lr
the next fiscal year. The for the payment ol ne
stipends due under existing laws, TO our dlsaoo S.
ders and sailors and the families of such AS nave per-
shcd in the service Of the country, will no douotbe Te
fully and promptly granted grateful people wiz no.
hesitate TO sanction any measures havinS ior 'ii
the relief of soldiers mutilaed and families made iaier
less in the effort to preserve our national existence
The rcpor; of the erCeneal presents an en-
exhibit of the operations OF the Post Once De-
parfmcnt during the wear Thc revenues of TIE past
year from the loyal States alone exceeded the maximum
nua receipts from all the States previous to TIE rcD-
on in the OF S603s 09l and the annual average
increase of.revenuc during the last four years.
with the OF the for years immediately precG
ing the rebellion So, ,5SIHj. The revenues o. u
last fiscal year amounted sl4 1873, and the exrh"-
lures 20 SIS 2 leavinga surplus Of receipts Owe eN
pepdures Of sS6l .430 Progress has been made III re-
storing the postal service in the Southern sl'fS ne
views presented ty tic Postmaster General ."Es' 'e