The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-03

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chiefly among seven squadrons. The number
of men in the service Is thirteen thousand six
been displayed by all the squadrons, and their
movements have been judicously and eff.
Gently arranged In such manner as would best
promote American commerce, and protect the
rights and interests of our cOuntrymen abroad.
he vessels unemployed are undergoing re-
pairs, or are laid up until their services may be
required
The League Island Iron Clad Navy Yard
Most Of the iron-clad feet is auLeague Island,
in the vicinity of Philadelphia, place which,
until decisive action should be taken by Con-
gress, was selected by the Secretary of the Navy
as the most eligible location for that class of
vessels. 1t is important that a suitable public
station should be provided for the iron-clad
fleet. IL is intended that these vessels shall be
in proper condition for any emergency, and II is
desirable that the bill accepting League Island
for naval purposes. which passed the House OF
Representatives at It's last session, should re-
Ceve final action at an early period, in order
that there may be a suitable public station for
this class Of vessels, as well as q navy yard of
area sufficient for the wants of the service, on
the Delaware river: The Naval Pension fund
amounts to $ll,750,00O, having been increased
s2750,00O during the year. The expenditures of
the Department for the fiscal year ending Both
of June last were SAB 324,526, and the 20 estimates
tention is invited TO the condition of our sea-
men, and the Importance of legislative mea-
suggestions in behalf of this deserving class of
our fellow citizens are earnestly recommended
to the favorable attention OF Congress
Randalrs Report
The report of the Postmaster General presents
a most satisfactory condition of the postal SER
vice, and submits recommendations which de-
serve the consideration of Congress. The reve-
nues of the Department. for the year ending
June 80, 1885, were $l4 1886, 1856, and the expendi-
lures Sl5352,079, showing an excess of the latter
of S965 U93 In anticipation of this deficiency,
however, q special appropriation was made by
Congress in the act approved July Is, 1866 In
Guiding the standing appropriation of 100000
for free mail matter, as q legitimate portion of
the revenues yet remaining unexpended. the
actual deficiency for the past year is only $685.
093-a sum within $5l, ,l4l of the amount esti-
mated in the annual report OF 1864 The de-
crease of revenue compared with the previous
wear was one and one-ffth per cent, and the
increase of expenditures, owing principally to
the enlargement OF the mail service iii the
South, was twelve per cent.
on the Both of June last there were in opera
ton six thousand nine hundred and thirty mail
routes, with an aggregate length of one hundred
and eighty thousand nine hundred and twenty
one miles, an aggregate annual transportation
Of seventy-one million eight hundred and
thirty-seven thousand nine hundred and four
teen miles, and an aggregate annual cost, in
Guiding all expenditures. of SS.4lO, lSi. The
length of railroad routes is thirty thousand
and ninety-two miles, and the annual trans
portation thirty million six hundred and nine
thousand four hundred and siXty-seven miles.
thousand noe a unree hundred and forty-six miles,
and the annual transportation three million
four hundred and eleven thousand nine hun
dred and siXty-two miles,. The mail service is
rapidly Increasing throughout the whole coun-
try, and its steady extension 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 agreed upon preliminary basis
for new Postal Convention, which it is be-
lieved, will prove eminently beneficial to the
commercial interests of the United States, mas
ternational letter postage to one-half the exist
ing rates; reduction of postage with all other
countries to and from which correspondence is
transmitted in the British mail, or in closed
mails through the United Kingdom the estab
lishment Of uniform and reasonable charges
for the sea and territorial transit of correspond
ence 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 despatch of cor
respondence, either in open or closed mails, on
the same terms as those applicable to the inha-
bitants of the country providing the means OF
transmission.
Secretary BrOwning's Exhibit for the
Interior.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior ex-
hibits the condition of those branches of the
public service which are committed to his
supervision. During the last fiscal year, four
three hundred 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 Home
stead act. The policy originally adopted rela-
live to the public lands has undergone essential
notifications. Immediate revenue, and not
their rapid settlement, was the cardinal feature
ofour land system. Long experience and earnest
discussion has resulted In the conviction that
the early development of our agricultural re-
sources, and the diffusion of an energetic popu-
lation over our vast territory, are objects OF far
prosperity than the proceeds of the sale of the
land to the highest bidderin open market
The pre-emption laws confer upon the pioneer
who complies with the terms they impose the
privilege of purchasing limited portion OF
'unoffered lands" at the minimum price. The
Homestead enactments relieve the settler from
the payment of purchase money, and secure
him permanent home upon the condition OF
residence for term of years. This liberal
policy invites emigration from the old, and
from the more crowded portions of the new
world. It's propittous results are undoubted,
and will be more signally manifested when
time shall have given to IL wider development.
Congress has made liberal grants of public
land TO corporations, in aid of the construction
of railroe DIS and other internal improvements
stringent provisions Will be required to secure
faithful application OF the fund. The title TO
/ wise, but remain in the Government and sub
ect TO its control until some portion OF the road
has been actually built Portions OF them "a might M
corporation, but never In a 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 undertaking
conceived in good faith ana executed Win rea-
sonable energy, as it is the settled practice To
withdraw from market the lands falling Withln
the operation of such grants, and thus 10 ex-
right. A breach of the conditions which Con-
gress may deem proper to impose should work
rut unconveyed, and OF title TO the lands con-
veyed which remain unsold.
The Pacific Railroad.
operations on the several lines OF the Pacific
railroad have been prosecuted with unexam-
pled Vigor and success. Should no unforeseen
causes of delay occur it is confidently antici-
pa ted that this great thoroughfare Will be COM
pleted before the expiration of the period desig-
mated by Congress. .-...... .... II.
Payment of Pensions.
During the last fiscal year the amount paid to
pensioners, including the expenses OF dtsburse-
ment, was thirteen million Ionr hunareu an. anu