Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-12-15
VOL. XI::: NO 48.

commerce between the States ought to be
sternly guarded against by appropriate
| legislation, within the limits Of the Con.
stitution.
The report of the Secretary of the In.
terror explains the condition Of the public
Iands, the progress made in the constructs
ion of the Pacific railroad, and furnishes
information in reference to matters of To-
cal interest in the District of Columbia.
1t also presents evidence Of the successful
operation Of the Homestead Act, under
the provisions OF which l.16O,539 acres
eff the public lands were entered during
the last fiscal year--more than ono fourth
st the whole number Of acres sold er
9th erwise disposed Of during that period.
1t is estimated that the receipts derived
to IN this source are sufficient to eovor
the expenses incident to the survey and
disposal of the lands entered under this
Act and that payments in cash to the ex-
tent OF from 40 to so 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 estab,
lished only alter long aud earnest resist
ance; experience proves its wisdom. The
lands, in the hands Of industrious settlers
whose labor creates wealth and contrib
ates to the public resources, are worth
more to the United States than if they
had been reserved as solitude for future
purchasers.
The amcutable events Of the last four
wears. and the sacrifices made by the gal.
liant men of our Army and Navy. have
swellcd the records Of the Pension Bureau
to an unprecedented extent On the 3Oth
day of Jane last, the total number Of
pensioners was S5,9S6. requiring tor
their annual pay, exclusive Of expenses,
the sum Of 023,445. The number of
applications that have been allowed since
that date will require large increase of
this amount for the next fiscal year. The
means for the payment Of the stipends
due, under existing laws, to our disabled
soldiers aud sailors, and to the families
of such as have pershed in the service Of
the country. will no doubt be cheerfally
and promptly granted. A grateful peo-
pie will not hesitate to sanction any
measures having for their object the re-
lief of soldiers mntilated and families
made fathcrless in the efforts to preserve
our national existance.
The report of the Postmaster General
presents an encouraging exhibit OF the
operations of the Post Office Department
during the year. The revenues OF the
past year from the loyal States alone e1-
cecicd the maximum annual receipts from
all the States previous to the rebellion, in
the sum of sG,D3S,091: and the annual
average increase of revenue during the
last four years compared with the revenues
of the four years Immediately preceding
the rebellion, was s3.533, ,S45, The
revenues of the last fiscal year amounted
to Sl4, ,556 l59. and the expenditures to
s13,694.72S, leaving surplus of receipts
over expenditures Of SS6l ,43O. Pro-
eress has been made in restoring the postal
service in the Southern States. The
views presented by the Postmaster Cen
eral against the policy of granting sub.
sides to ocean nail steamship lines upon
established routes, and in favor of con-
linujng the present system, which limits
the compensation for ocenn service to the
20 tsge earnings, are recommended to the
careful consideration Of Congress.
1t appears from the report Of the
Secretary Of TIE Navy, that while, at
the commencement of the present year,
there were in commits >ion $50 vessels of
all classes and descriptions, armed with
| 5000 gu,s and manned 10y GOO men,
the be- of vessels at present in com.
mission is 2l7, with $50 gus and u, 1873
. men. by this prompt reduction of tho
naval forces the expenses OF the Govern,
ment have been largely diminished, and .
number of vessels, purchased for naval
purposes from the merchant marine. hays
, been returned to the peaceful pursuits Ut
, commerce. Since the suppression OF act
i've hostilsies ogr foreign sqaadrons have
been rc.establishcd and consists of vessels
much more efficient than those employed
on slWilar service previous to the rebsls'
ion. The suggestion for the enlargement
OF the Vineyards, AID especially fer the
+, establishment Of one in fresh water tor
iron-cla, vessels, is deserving of considers.
ton, as is also the recommendation for
different location and more ample grounds
Tor the Naval Afadewy:
+, In the report Of the Secretary of War.
general summary is given of the military
: mpagns cf 1854 ard 1865. ending IN
- t ie >spIit - Oh Of armed resistance tc tho
f. ma iona! authority in t iusurgent States
, rne operations Of the general adminstra.
{ tive Bureaus Of the War Department
= during the past year are de,ailnd, aud an
: estimate made OF the appropriations that
J will be required for military purposes ip
y the fiscal year commencing the 30th day
Of June. 1866 The national military
:, force on the lst of May, 1865, numbered
9 1000 ,5l6 men. Il is propos, to reduce
: the military establishment to peace foot:
/, ny, comprehendng fifty thousand troops
d of all arms, o.ganized 80 Us to admit Of
d IN enlargement oy filing up the ranks to
j eighty two Thousand six hundred, il the
}. circumstances Of the country should re-
il quire an augmentation Of the army
il The volunteer fo.ce had already been re.
f. duced by discharge from service Of over
Ell hit hundred thousanl ps. and tho
t Depar,men, is proceeding rapidly in the