The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1866-12-07

mObl u Nne lIOn-Clau Hcel IL NJ League
Island in the vicinity of Philadelphia,
q place which, until decisive action
should be taken by Congress, was Sc
lected by the Secretary of the Navy as
the most eligible location for that class
ofvessels. 1t is important that u suit.
able public station should be provided
for the iron-cla6 feet. 1t is intended
that these vessels shall he in proper
condition for any emergency, and il is
desirable that the bin accepting
Ueague Island for naval pnrpores,
which passed the House of Represen.
tatives at its last session, should receive
final action at an early period, in order
that there may be a suitable public
station for this class Of vessels, as well
as n navy yard of area sufficient for
the wants of the service, on the Della
ware river. The Naval Pension fund
amounts to 81, 750,00 having been
increased 50, $50, 900 during the year.
The expenditures Of the Department
for the fiscal year ending both of June
last were S43, 1924, 526, and the estimates
for the coming year amount to s23,-
56S,436. Attention is invited TO the
condition of our seaman. and the inn
portance Of legislative measures for
their relief and Improvement. The
suggestions IN behalf of this deserving
class of our fellow eountrymen are
earnestly recommended to the favora-
bic attention of Congress.
The report of the Postmaster Gene
raj presents most satisfactory condi-
ton ofthe postal service, and submits
recommendations which deserve the
consideration Of Congress The reye
nues of the Department for the year
ending June 30, 1866, were S14,3S6 1886
and the expenditures S15, 352,079, show
ing an excess OF the later of 1861, 093. -
In anticipatian Of this deficiency, how
ever, a special appropriation was made
by Congress in the act approved July
rs, 1866. Including the standing APP
preparation of 5000 900 for free mail
matter, us a Legitimate portion Of tho
revenues yet remaining unexpended,
the actual deficiency for the past year
is only s265, O93-a sum within s51,-
142 ofthe amount estimated in the
annual report o. 1S64. The decrease
of revenue compared withthe previous
year was one and onc-itth per cent,
and the increase ofexpenditures, owing
principally TO the enlargement Of the
mail service in the South, was twelve
per cent. On the Both Of June last
there werc in operation six thousand
nine hundred and thirty mail routes,
with an aggregate length Of one hun.
bred and eighty thousand nine hun
drcd and twenty. one miles, M aggre-
gate annual transportation of seventy
one million eight hundred and thirty
seven thousand nine hundred and four
teen miles, and an aggregate annual
cost, including all expenditures, of 49,
410,194. The length Of railroad routes
is thirty two thousand and ninety-two
miles, and the annual transportation
thirty million six hundred and nine
thousand four hundred and sixtyaseven
miles. The length ofsteamboat routes
is fourteen thousand three hundred
and forty-six miles, and tho annual
transportation three million four hun
dred and eleven ahousand nine hun
dred and sixty two miles, The mail
service is rapidly increasing throughout
the whole country, and its steady ex-
tension inthe Southern States indicates
their constantly improving condition.
The growing Importance of the foreign
service also merits attention, The
Post Office Department Of Great Brit
tain and own have agreed upon a
preliminary basis for a new Postal
Convention. which it's, believed will
proYe eminently beneficial to the com
mercial interests Of the United States,
innsmuoh asitcontemplatesa reduction
rof the international letter. postage to
cone-half the existing rates; a reduction
lof postage with all other countries to
and from which correspondence is
transmitted IN the British mail or in
closed mails through tho United King
fdomy the establishment Of uniform and
reasonable charges for the sea and
territorial transit of correspondence in
closed mails; and an allowanceto each
Post Office Department of the right to
use all mail communications established
under tho authority ofthe other for
the despatch Of correspohdence, either
in open, or closed mails, on tho same
terms as those applicable to the inhab1
itants Of the country providing the
means Of transmission. .'I'
The report IF the Secretary OF the
Interior exhibits the condition ofthose
branches of the public service which
are committed 70 his supervision!-
4 During the last fiscal Year, four million
2 IT, 49, IL - NA4A.n 49, q. t.4n NlIlttaar "A