The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-12-06
THE Presidents MESSAGE.
tConcluded.)

Inc report OF Enc p0StmastoA RohoA"A Pto
ssnts most satisfactory condition OF the
nostal service. and so admits recommendation
which deserve the consideration OF congress.
, The revenues of the department for the year
ending June 80, 1866, wore $l4, 1886, 1856, and
the expen ditures SIS 1852, 079, showing an IN
crease of the latter Of 1865. 093. In antici.
/. nation of this deficiency, however, q special
= auprouriation was made by congress in the
act approved July %, 1866. Including the
standing appropriation of 500. 900 for free
mail matter, as a legitimate portion of the
revenues yet remaining unexpended, the ae-
tual deficiency for the past year is only $685.
O93, q sum within SIS, 14l Of the amount es-
timated 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. ow-
ing principally to the enlargement of the
mail service in the south, was II per cent.
Gu the Both of June last, there were in OPP
GRAFTON $3.50 routes, with an aggregate
Z length of $50, 92l mlles-an annual trans
portation of II, 1877 ,9l4 miles, and an aggre-
gate annual cost. including all expenditures,
Of S8,410,lS4 The length of railroad routes
is 80, 092 miles, and the annual transports
ton 80, 600 ,467 miles. The length of steam
IS boat routes is Ia, 346 miles. and the annual
transportation 3, al, 1862 miles.
lH6 ulhil boENtCU % EhplNl1 luOl6aoiuS
throughout the whole country, and iss stead
extension in the southern states indicates
their constantly improving condition.
The growing importance of the foreign
service also merits attention. The postofhce
department. of Great Britain and our own
have agreed upon q preliminary basis for q
new postal convention, which, it is believed,
will prove eminensly beneficial to the com
mercial interests of the United States, as il
contemplstes reduction of the international
letter postage to one-hslf the existing rates;
. reduction of postage with all other coun-
tries to and from which correspondence is
transmitted in the British mail, or in closed
mails throughout the united kingdom; the
establishment of uniform and reasonable
charges for these, and territorial transit Nof
correspondence in closed mails and an allow
snce to each post office department of the
right to use all mail communications esssb-
lished 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 transmits
sion. n.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
The report of the secretary Of the interior
exhibits the condition of those branches Of
the public service which are com mitted to
his supervision. .r
-. During the last fiscal year 4,629. 312 acres
of public land were disposed OF, 1882, 5l6
acres of which were entered under this home
stead act.
d The policy originally adopted relative to
the public lands has undergone essential
notifications. Immediate revenue, and not
their rapid settlement, was the cardinal fea-
ture of our land system. Long experience
and earnest discussion have resulted In the
conviction that the early development Of our
agricultural resources, and the diffusion OF
An energetic population ovsr our vast terrific
~, are objects of far greater Importance to
the national growth and presp Gritty than the
proceeds of the sale of the land TO the high
est bidder in open market. The presumption
laws confer upon the pioneer who complies
with the terms they impose tho privilege of
purchasing q limited portion of unofsrsd
lands at the minimum price. The homestead
enactments relieve the settler from the pay
ment of purchase money, and secure hIn G
permanent home upon the condition OF resi-
dsnce for q term of years This liberal policy
invites emigration from the old and from the
more crowded portions of the new world
Its propltious results are undoubted, and
will DO more signally manifested when
time shall have given to it @ wider develop
ment.
Congress has made liberal .grants of pub
lie land to corporations in cid of the con
struotios of railroads and other internal I'm
provemsnts. Should this policy hereafter
prevail, more stringent provisions will BIO re-
Quired to secure faithful appii cation of the
fund. The title to the lands should not pass
by patent or otherwise, but remain in the
government, and subject to its control until
some portion of the road has bsen actually
built. Portions of them might then, from
time to tima,b conveyed to the corporation,
but never in greater ratio to the whole
quantity embraced by the grant than the
completed parts bear TO the entire length Of
the projected improvement. This restriction
would not operate to the prejudice of any IN
dertaking concluded in good faith, and exc
cused with reasonable energy, as it Is the
settled practice to withdraw from market the
lands falling within the operation of such
grants, and thus to include the inc option OF
a subsequent adverse right a breach of the
conditions which congress may deem proper
to impose should work a forfeiture OF the
claim to tho lands,so witadrawa.s1-S
Operations on she several lines of the Pa
cifc railroad have been prosecuted with I'M
examplsd vigor and success. Should no I'M.
forseen causes of delay OCCUR, il is confident
ly anticipated that this great theroughtare
will be completed before the expiration of the
period designated by congress.
During the last fiscal year the amour. paid
to pensioners, including the expenses of dis
bursemeht. was SIS ass, 996, and 50,l77
names were added to the pension rolls. The
entire number of pensioners on june 80,
1866, was l26. 1872. This fact furnishes mel
ancholy aud striking proof of she sacrifices
made to indicate the constitutional authority
OF the federal government, and to maintain
lnviolate the integrity of tae union. They
impose upon us corresponding obligations
1t is estimated that S33 ,o0D 900 viii be re-
quirsd to meet the exigenctss of this .h.anuh
of the servioe during the next fiscal year.
Treaties have been concluded with the In
dams, who's ensiced INTO armed oppesi ion to
our government at tho outbreak of th rebel.
lion, have Internationally submitted TO eur
authority, and manifested an earnest desire
for renewal OF friendly relations.
Duaing the year ending Sept. 80, 1866,
8,7lG patents for useful Inventions and de.
signs were issued, and at that rate the bal.
ancs in the treasury to the credit of the pat.
ent fund was SOS ,297. =. r.
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
AS a subject upon which depends an I'M
mense amount of the production and com
MERGE of the country, recommend congress-
to make such Legislation as may be necessary