Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1866-12-13
NO. 10.

ceptlng League Island TOR naval purposes,
which passed the House of Representatives
at its last session, should receive final ac-
ton at an early period, in order that there
may be suitable public station for this class
OF vessels, as we'll as a navy-yard of area
sufficient for the wants Of the service, Oh
the Delaware river The naval pension
fund amounts to 81, 750 900, having
been increased S2.750,000 during the
year. The expenditures Of the Depart
ment for the fiscal yearending Both O. June
last were S43, 1924, 526, and the estimates
for the coming year amount to 1874, 56s.-
437. Attention is invited to the condi-
ton of our seamen, and the importance of
legislative measures for their relief and
Improvement. The suggestions in behalf
Of this deserving class of our fellow-citi
zens are earnestly recommended to the
favorable attention of Congress.
Report of the Postmaster General.
The report af the postmaster General
presents a most satisfactory condition of
the postal service, and submits recommcn-
dations which deserve the consideration Of
Congress. The revenues of the Depart
HiCllO 1OI Vic sCdI CuUiti2 - uliC oO. iCOC.
were S14, $50 1886, and the expenditures
S15, 332 ,079, showing an excess of the
latter Of 1865, 093. In anticipate on Of
this deficiency, however, a special appro-
priatoa was made by Congress in the act
approved July %, 1866 Including the
standing appropriation of $1,000, 900 for
free mail matter, as legitimate portion Of
the revenue yet remaining unexpended.
the actual deficiency for the past year is
only $3.50 ,093-a sum within $51 141 of
the amount estimated in the annual report.
of 1864. The decrease of revenue COM
pared with the previous year was one and
one-Gfth per cent. and the increase of ex-
penditures, owing principally to the en-
largemcnt Of the mail service in the South,
was twelve per cent On the Both of June
last there were in operation $3.50 mail
routes, with an aggregate length of $780,
921 miles, an aggregate annual transport
tation Of l. 837 ,0l4 miles, and an aggre-
gate annual cost. including all expendi-
lures, Of S., 410, 1874 The length Of rail-
road routes is 80 092, and the annual
transportation 80, 6094G7 miles. The
length OF steamboat routes is IA, 1916 miles,
and the annual transportation 3,411 1862
miles The mail service is rapidly in
creasing throughout the country, and Its
rapid extension in the Southern States in
dictates their constantly improving condi-
ton. The growing importance Of the for
e1gn service also merits attention. The
Post Office Department of Great Britain
and our own have agreed upon a prelimi
nary basis for a new postal convention,
which it is believed will prove eminently
beneficial to the commercial Interests of
the United States, nasmuch as it contem-
plates reduction Of the International letter
postage to one half Of the existing rates;
reduction Of postage with all other coun-
tries to and from which correspondence is
transmitted in the British mail, Or in clos
ed mails through the United Kingdom;
the establishment Of uniform and reasona-
bic charges fer the sea and territorial tran
: sit 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 despatch Of correspondence. either
in open or closed mails, Oh the same terms
as those applicable to the inhabitants of
the country providing the means Of trans
mission.
Report OF the Secretary Of Interior.
The report of the Secretary of the Int
rior exhibits the condition Of those branch
es Of the public service which are commit
ted to his supervision. During the last
fiscal wear four millions six hundred and
twenty nine thousand three hundred and
twelve acres Of public lard were disposed
Of, one million eight hundred and ninety
two thousand five hundred and sixteen a
ores of which were entered under the
homestead act Immediate revenue, and
not their rapid settlement was the cardi-
nal feature of our land system. Long ex-
perience and earnest discussion have re-
suited in the conviction that the early de-
velopcment Of our agricultural resources,
and the diffusion of an energetic popnla-
ton over our vast territory, are objects of
far greater Importance to 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 upon the pioneer who complies with
the the terms they impose the privilege OF
purchasing a limited portion of .sunoffered
land" at the minimum price. The home
stead enactments relieve the settler from
the payment of purchase money, and Sc
cures him a permanent home, upon the con
dition of residence for a term of years. This
liberal policy invites emigration from the
Old, as we'll as the more crowded portion
of the New World. It's propitious results
are undoubted ana will be more signallys
manifested when time shall have given to
it wider Development.
The Public Lands.
Congress has made liberal grants ofpub-
lie land to corporations, in aid of the con-
struction of railroads aud other internal
y improvements. Should this policy hereaf-
ter prevail, more stringent provisions will
be required to secure a faithful application
of the fund The title to the lands should
not pass. by patent or otherwise, but re-
main in the Government and subject to its
control until some portion of the road has
been actually built. Portions of them