The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1866-12-05


conntrymen abroad. The vessels not en-
ployed are undergoing repairs or laid up till
their service may be required Most of the
iron clad heet are at League Island and at
the city of Philadelphia, which until decis-
i've action should be taken bv Congress. was
selected by the Secretary of the NAVY as the
most eligible location for that class of vessels.
Lit is important that "a suitable station should
he provided for the iron clad fleet Ii Is in
tended that these vessels shall he in propcr
condition Tor any emergency aud it is iesira-
bic that the law accepting League Island
Tor naval purposes which passed the House
of Representatives at its last session should
have final action at an early period in order
that we may have a suitable public station
for this class OF vessels, as well as navy
yard sufficient for the wants of the service on
the Delaware river. The naval pension fund
amounts to Sll,75O,00 having been increased
S27O,OOO during the year. The expenditures
of the debt for fiscal year ending 30th June
last, We're S43,324,526, and the estimate for
the coming year amounts to S23.56S, 436
Attention is invited to the condition of
seamen, and the Importance of reoulative
measures for their relief and Involvement
The suggestions in behalf of this deserving
class of our fellOw-citizens is earnestly re-
commended to the attention of Congress.
The report of the Post Master General pre-
sents a most satisfactory condition of the
postal service, and submits recommends
ton which deserves the consideration of
Congress. The revenues of the department
for the year ending June Sd 1866, were Sl4,-
1886, and the expenditures SIS, 1852, 039,
showing an excess Of the latter of 1865, 093.
In anticipation of this deficiency, however,
a special appropriation was made by Con-
gress in the act approved July 2Sth 1866
including the standing appropriation of
100000 for free mail matter as legitimate
portion of revenue yet remaining uneXpend-
ed. The actual deficiency for the past year
is only 5263, 053, sum within SOL ,I41 of-the
amount estimated in the annual reports of
1854 The decrease of revenue compared
with the previous year, was 40 per cent,
and the increase of expenditures, owing
princpally to enlargement of the mail ser
vice in the South u per cent. On 3Oth
June last, there were in operation, $3.50
mail routes, with an aggregate length of
transportation of Il, S31, GA miles
and an aggregate cost including all expen-
ditures of 54,I0I, $40. The length Of rail
road routes is 1902 miles and the annual
transportation 1869, 467 miles The length
ofsteamboat routes is I4,346 miles and the
annual transportation Is 3,4ll,962 miles.
The mail service is rapidly increasing
throughout the whole country and its stea-
dy eXtentiOn in the Southern States indi
The growing intercourse OfIoreign service
also merits attention. The post office de-
partment of Great Britain and our own have
agreed upon a preliminary basis for 4 new
postal contract which it is believed will
prove eminently beneficial to the CONNER
cial interests of the United States in as
much as it contemplates reduction Of let
ter postage to one-half the existing rates;
also a reduction of postage with other
countries and from which correspondence is
transmitted in British mails or enclosed by
mail through the united kingdom The
uniform and reasonable charge for the sea
and territorial transit of correspondence in
enclosed mails and the allowance to each
post office department of the right to use all
mail communications, Is referred.
The report of the Secretary of the Int eri-
or exhibits the condition of those branches
of public service. Eighteen million nine
hundred and twenty-five thousand and TWEEN
tv-six acres of land were entered under the
homestead act. The policy originally adop-
ted relative to public lands has undergone
essential notifications. A moderate reven-
ne and rapid settlement were the cardinal
features of our land system.
Long experience and earnest discussion
have resulted in the conviction that the de-
velopments of our agricultural resources, and
the diffusion of an energetic populace over
our vast country, are objects of greater i'm
DOrtaNce to the national growth and pros
perity than the proceeds of the sale of the
land to the highest bidder in open market
The presumption laws confer upon the pio-
neer who complies with the terms they I'M
pose, the privilege of purchasing a limited
portion of land at the minimum The home
stead acts relieve the settler from the pay
ment of purchase money, and secures him a
permanent home on the condition of resi-
dence for a term of years. This liberal policy
IN, fi. nd
more crowded portion of the New World. It's
propitious results are undOubted, and will
be more sgnally manifest when we shall
have given to it a more wide development
Congress has made liberal grants of public
lands to corporations in aid Of the construc-
ton of railroads and other internal improve
ments Should this policy hereafter prevail,
more stringent provisions viii be required
to secure the faithful application of the fund
The title of lands should not pass, by patent
or otherwise, but remain in the Gov
eminent and subject to its control
until some portion of the road has been
actually built. Port ons of them might
then from time TO time be conveyed to the
corporation, but never in a greater ratio to
the whole quantity embraced by the grant
than the complete parts bear to the entire
length of the proposed Improvement This
restriction would not operate t0the preju-
dice of any undertaking concerned in good
faith and executed 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 in
clude the inception of subsequent adj
verse right or breach of the condi-
lions which Congress may deem proper to
impose, should it work a forfeiture of
claim to the lands so withdrawn.
Operations on the several lines of the Pa
ellie Railroad have been prosecuted with I'M
eXampled vigor and success. Should no I'M
forseen cause Of delay occur it is confidently
that this great thoroughfare will
he completed before the expiration of the
period designated by Congress. During the
last fiscal year the amount paid to the pen
sioners, including the expenses of disburse-
ment, was Sl3,459996 and 5O,I77 names
were added to the pension rolls. The
entire number of pensioners in June
Both, 1866 was I26,722 This fact furnishes
and striking proof of sacrifices
to vindicate the constitutional authority of
the Federal Government, and to maintain
lnviolate the integrity of the Union. They
impose upon us corresponding obligations.
1t is estimated that $33,000,000 will be re-
luired to meet the eXigencies of this branch
Of the service during the next fiscal wear.
Treaties have been concluded with the
Indians who entered into armed opposition
TO our Government at the outbreak of the