The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1866-12-12
ASHLAND, OHIO. WEDNESDAY,, DECEMBER IL, 1866

estimatesfof the coming year amounts 70
s2S, SOS, ,4s6,, Attention Is invited to the
condition Of our seamen, and the import
anee Of legislative measures for their re-
lief and,improvement. The suggestions
insbehalf OF this deserving class Of our
fellow citizens are earnestly recommended
to the favorable attention sf: Congress. n
q Thereport Of the Postmaster General
presents most satisfactory condition Of
the postal service, aDdsnbmits recommen-
dations which deserve the consideration
Of Congress- The revenues Of the De.
partment for the year ending June 30th,
1866, were $l4, ,S86,986, and the expen.
ditures SIS, 1852, ,079, showing an excess
Of the latter OF S966,093 In apticipa-
tion Of this deficiency, however, special
appropriation was made by Congress in
the act approved July 28, 1866. Inclu-
ding the standing appropriation Of $780,
000 for free mail matter, as Legitimate
portion Of the revenues yet remaining I'M,
expended, tho actual deficiency for the
past year is only s265, ,098--a sum within
S51, ,l4l Of the amount estimated in the
annual report of 1864 The decrease Of
revenue compared with the previous year
was one. and one fifth per cent, and the
increase Of expenditures, owing princi-
pally to the enlargement Of the mail SER
vice in the South, was twelve per cent
On the Both Of june last there were in
operation six thousand nine hundred and
thirty mail routes, with an aggregate
length Of one hundred and eighty thou
sand nine hundred and twenty one miles,
an aggregate annual transportation Of
seventy one million eight hundred and
thirty seven thousand nine hundred and
fourteen miles, aud m aggregate annual
cost Including all expenditures, Of $8,-
4l0;184. The length Of railroad routes
ID thirty two thousand and ninety two
miles, and the annual transportation thir-
ty million six hundred and nine thousand
four hundred and sixty seven miles: The
length Of the steamboat routesis fourteen
thousand three hundred and forty six
miles, and the annual transportation three
million four hundred and eleven thousand
nine hundred and sixty two miles. The
mail service rapidly increasing through
out the whole country, and Its steady ex-
tension in the Southern States indicates
their constantly improving condition
The growing importance Of the foreign
service also merits attention. The Post
Office Department Of Great Britain and
our own have agreed upon preliminary
basis for new Postal Convention, which
liz is believed will prove eminently benef-
| cial to tie commercial interests Of the
United States, inasmuch as il contem-
plates a reduction Of the international
letter postage to one half the existing
rates reduction Of postage with all
other Countries to and,from which CORES
pondencs is transmitted in the British
mail, or in Closed mails through the Uni
ted Kingdom; the establishment Of uni
form and reasonable charges for the sea
and territorial tiansit Of correspondence
in closed mails; and an allowance to each
Post Office Department Of the right to
use all mail communications established
under the authority Of the other for the
dispatch of correspondence, either in
open or closed mails. on the same terms
as those applicable to the inhabitants Of
the country providing the means Of trans
mission. e,ll a4 ts if r@f
The report Of the Secretary Of the In
terror exhibits. the condition Of those
branches Of the public service which are
committed to the supervision, During
the hast fiscal year, four million six hun.
drcd and twenty nine thousand three hun.
dred and twelve acres Of public land were
disposed Of, one million eight hundred
and ninety two thousand FIVE hundred
and sixteen acres of which were entered
under the homestead act, The policy
originally adopted relative to the public
lands has undergone essential modifca-
tions. Immediate revenue, al not their
rapid settlement, was the cardinal feature
Of our land system. Long experience
and earnest discussion have resulted In
.bo oouvi5tiun that the early development
Of our agricultural resources, aud the dif-
fusion of an energetic population over our
vast territory, are objects Of far greater
importance 10 the national growth and
prosperity than the proceeds Of the sale
Of the land to the highest bidder. in open
market The preemption laws confer up
on the pioneer who complies with the
terms they impose the privilege Of pur.
chasing limited portion Of "unoffered
lands' at the minimum price. The home
stead enactments relieve the settler from
the payment Of purchase money, and Sc.
cure him d permanent home, upon the
condition Of residence for q term Of years.
This liberal policy invites emigration
| from. the old, and from the more crowded
portions Of the new world Its propitious
results are understood, and win bo more
signally manifested when time shall have
given to II wider development.
i Congress has made liberal grants Of
public land 10 corporations, in aid Of the
4 construction Of railroads and other inter
nal improvements. Should this policy
hereafter prevail, more stringent provis-
ions will be required 70 secure . faithful
application Of the fund, The title, tothe
| lands should not pass, ty pa.ent or other
wise, but remain in the Goyernment and
j subIoot to its control until some portion
! of the road has been actually built. Por-
tinns Of thcm might then, from time TO
time, bc conveyed to tho corporation, but
meyer in greater ratio 70 the whole
quautity embraced by the grant than the
cnmpleted parts bear % the entire length