Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-12-05

twelve per cent. On the 30th of June last,
there were in operation six thousand nine
hundred and thirty mail routes with an
aggregate length Of one hundred and
eighty thousand nine hundred and TWEEN
ty-one miles, an aggregate annual trans
portation of seventy one million eight
hundred and thirtv.seven thousand nine
hundred and fourteen miles, and an aggre-
gate annual cost. including all expendi-
lures, of SS.4IO,l84 The length of rail-
road routes. is thirty-two thousand and
ninety-two miles, and the annual trans
portation thirty million SIX undre ana
nine thousand four hundred n sixty
seven miles. The lengtA oil steamboat
routes is fourteen thousand three hundred
and forty-six miles, and the annual trans
portation three million four hundred ana
eleven thousand nine d n sixty
two miles. The mail service Is rapidly
increasing throughout the whole country,
and its steady extension IN the Southern
States indicates thei- constantly improv-
ing condition. The growing Importance
of the foreign service also merits attention.
The Postofice Depa. tment OF Great Brit
ain and our own have agreed upon a pre-
limary basis for a new Postal Convention,
which it is believed will prove emlnently
beneficial to the commercial Interests OF
the United States, inasmuch as 1t con-
templates a reduction of postage with all
countries to and from which correspond
ence is transmitted in the British mails or
in closed mails through the United King
dom /: the establishment of uniform and
reasonable charges for the sea n terri
tOrial transit of correspondence IN closed
mails and an allowance to each Postof-
fee Department of the right to use all
mail communications established under
the authority of the other for the dispatch
of correspondence, either in open or closed
mails, on the same terms as those appli-
cable to the inhabitants OF the country
providing the means of Transmission
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE INTE-
RIoR.
The report of the Secretary of the Int
rior exhibits the condition of those BRAN
ches of the public service which are COM
mitted to his supervision. During the
last fiscal year, Sour million six bundred
and t~wenty-nine thousand three hundred
and twelve acres public land were dlspos-
ed of, one million eight hundred n
ninety-two thousand five hundred and
| sixteen acres of which were entered. I'M
der the homestead act The policy orig
inally adopted relative to the pubic lands
has undergone essential notifications
Immediate revenue, and not their rapid
settlement, was the cardinal feature OF our
land system. Long experience ana ear
nest discussion have resulted in the con-
viction that the early development OF u
agricultural resources, and the diffusion
of an energetic population over our vast
territory, are objects of far greater impor-
lance to The national growth and prosper
itv than the proceeds of the sale of the
land to the highest bidder in open mar
ket. The preemption laws confer upon
the pioneer who complies with the terms
they impose the privilege of purchasing
a limited portion of "unoftered lands at
the minimum price. Thehomestead en- act
nents relieve the settler from the pay
ment of purchase money, and secure him
a permanent home, upon the condition OF
residence for a term ofyears. This hber-
al policy invites emigration from the old,
and from the more crowded portions OF
the new world. Its propitious Tesults are
undoubted, and will be more signally
I m anifested when time shall have given il
a wider development.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Congress has made liberal grants of pub
lie land to corporations, in aid OF the con-
structions of railroads and other internal
improvements. Should this policy here
after prevail, more stringent provisions
will be required to secure a faithful appli-
catio on OF, the fund. The title of the lands
should not pass, by patent or otherwise,
but remain in the hands of the Govern
ment and subject to its control until some
portion of the road has actually been built.
Portions of them might then, from time
to time, be conveyed to the corporation,
but never in n greater ratio to the whole
quantity embraced by the grant, than the
completed parts bear to the entire length
I of the projected improvement. This re-
striction would not operate to the prelu-
dice of any undertaking conceived in good
faith and executed with reasonable ener-
gy, as tits the settled practice to withdraw
from market the lands falling within the
opperation of such grants, and thus to ex-
] ciude the inception of a subsequent ad-
verse right. A breach of the conditions
! which Congress may deem proper to I'M
nose should work a forfeiture of claim to
the lands so withdrawn but conveyed,
and of title to the lands conveyed which
remain unsold.
Operations on the several lines of the
! Pacific Railroad have been prosecuted
with ~unexampled vigor and success
Should no unforeseen causes OF delay occur,
it is confidently anticipated that TINS
great ~thoroughfare will be completed Dc
fore the expiration of the period deslgna'
ted by Congress.
PENSIONS.
During the last fiscal year the amount
Maid TO pensioners , including the expen-
ses of disbursement, was thirteen million
four hundred and ffty-nine thousand
- hnnIrn nnd n~inefv-siX dollars: and