The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1866-12-13

sHNAtby rHAiV ShhoJ arc. III CpIUIuIbSlOIl,
distributed chiefly among seven squad
rons. The number of men in the SER
vice is thirteen thousand six hundred.
Great activity and vigilance have been
displayed by all the squadrons, and
their movements have been jndiciousIy
and efficiently arranged in such manner
as would best promote American COM
merce, and protect the rights and in-
teresta Of our countrymen abroad. The
vessels unemployed are undergoing re-
pairs, or are laid up until their services
may be required. Most of the ironclad
feet is at League Island, in the vicinity
Of Philadelphia, place which, until de-
cisiye 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 impor-
tant that suitable public station should
be provided for the ironclad feet. It's
intended that these vessels shall be in
proper condition for any emergency, and
it is desirable that the bill accepting
League Island for 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 well as navy
yard of area sufficient for the wants Of
the service, on the Delaware river. The
Naval Pension Fund amounts to SILL
$50, 900, having been increased $780,
900 during the year The expenditures
of the Department for the fiscal year
ending 30th June last were S43 ,324,-
526, and the estimates for the coming
year amount to $23. 1884 Attention
is invited to the condition of our sea-
men, and the importance of legislative
measures for their relief and improve
ment. The suggestions in behalf Of
this deserving class of our fellow citi-
zens are earnestly recommended to the
favorable attention of Congress.
PosTOFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Postmaster Gener.
al presents most satisfactory condition
of the postal service, and submits recon.
mendations which deserve the consider.
alton of Congress. The revenues of
the Department for the year ending
June 80, 1866, we're S14.386, 1856, and
the expenditures Sl5,352,O79, showing
an excess of the latter of 1865, ,093. Ia
anticipation Of this deficiency, however,
a special appropriation was made by
Congress in the act approved July %,
1866 Including the standing appro.
priation of 100000 for free mail mat
ter, as Legitimate portion of the reve
nues yet remaining unexpended, the
actual deficiency for the past year is
only $265, ,093 "a sum within S51, ,l4l
of the amount estimated in the annual
report of 1864. The decrease Of revs
nue. 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
service in the South, was twelve per
cent. On the Both of June last there
we're in operation 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
of seventy one million
eight hundred and twenty>seven thou.
sand nine hundred and fourteen miles,
and an aggregate annual cost, including
all expenditures, of s8,410,1s5. The
ength of railroad routes is thirty-two |
thousand and ninety two miles, and the |
annual transportation thirty million six
hundred and nine thousand four huns
1redand sixty-seven miles. The length !
of steamboat routes is fourteen thousand |
,hree hundred and forty-six miles, and
he annual transportation three millions
our hundred and eleven thousand nine
hundred and sixty.two miles. The mail
service is rapidly increasing throughout
he whole country, and its steady ex>
ension in the Southern States indicate
heir constantly improving condition.
The growing Importance of the foreign
ervice also merits attention. The Post
,fice Department of Great Britain, and
,ur own have agreed upon a preliminary
,asis for a bew Postal Convention, which
t is believed will prove eminently ben
fetal to the commercial interests of the
United States, inasmuch as il contem.
,lates reduction of the international
etter postage to one-half the existing
ates'; reduction of postage with all |
'ther countries to and from which cor
is transmitted in the British |
nail, or in closed mails through the
United Kingdom the establishment of |
Uniform and reasonable charges for the
ca and territorial transient correspond
nee in closed mails !; aud an allowance
o each POstoffice Department of the
light to use all mail communications es-
under the authority of the
ther for the dispatch Of correspondence,
ither in open or closed mails, on the
anne terms as those applicable to the
inhabitants Of the country providing the
means Of transmission.
THE INTERIOR.
The report of the Secretary of the In.
erior exhibits the condition Of those
branches of the public service that are
committed to his supervision. During
he fiscal year, four millions six hun
aoA and tuantu.nina thnnsand three