Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-12-07

the navy ms the most eligible location for that class of
vessels. 1t is important that suitable public station
should be provided for the iron clad fleet. It Is in
tended that these vessels shall be in n proper condition
for any emergency, and it is desisable that the bill
accepting League Island for naval purposes, which
passed the House of Representatives at its last session.
should receive final action ut an early period, in order
that there may be suitable public station for this
class Of vessels, well ms navy-yard OF area sufl
cent for the wants of the service, the Delaware
river. The naval pension fund amounts to S11 100,
600 having been increased $3.50 900 during the year
The expenditures Of the department for the fiscal
year ending Both June last were 1924 800 and the
estimates for the coming year amount to S23 436.
Attention is invited to the condition of our seamen
and the importance of legislative measures for their
relief and Improvement The suggestions in behalf
of this deserving class of feowcitzens are earn
estly recommended to the favorable attention of Con
grcss.
THE POST OFFICE
The report Of the postmaser-general presents a
most satisfactory condition of the postal service and
submits recommendations which deserve the consd-
GRAFTON of Congress The revenues of the depart.
ment for the year ending June 30, 1866, were Sl4-
3s6,0s6, and the expenditures Sl5352, O79, showing
an Of the latter Of S965 O03. In anticipation
Of this deficiency, however, special appropriation
made by Congress in the act approved July 2s,
1866. Including the standing appropriation Of $500,
600 for free mail matter, legitimate portion of the
revenues yet remaining unexpended the actual def
cheney for the past year is only S2G5 093a sum with
in SOL l4l OF the amount estimated in the annual re-
port of 1864. The decrease Of revenue compared
with the previous year was and oneth per cent.
and the increase OF expenditures, owing principally
to the enlargement of the mail service in the South,
II per cent. On the goth June last there in
operation $3.50 mail routes, with nm aggregate length
OF 1eO92l miles an aggregate transportation Of ~,
e91 9l4 miles, and an aggregate annual cost lncud-
ing all expenditures, OF SS,410.1S4 The length OF
railroad routes is $4,000 miles and the annual trans
portation 30,6Q9,467 miles. The length of steamboat
routes is 14,346 miles and the annual transportation
3,41 ,9G2 miles. The mail service is rapidly increns-
ing throughout the whole country and its steady ex-
tension in the southern states indicates their constant
ly improving condition. The growing imI orance Of
the foreign service also merits attention. The post
Office department of Great Britain and our own have
agreed Upon IL preliminary basis for new postal con
vention, which it is believed will prove emineutly
beneficial TO the commercial interests OF the United
States inasmuch it conempntes reduction of the
international letter postage TO one-hulf the existing
rates; reduction Of postage with all other countries
to and from which CORE pondence is transmitted in
the British mall or in closed mails through the United
Kingdom; the establishment of uniform and rcasOna-
bic charges for the and territorial transit OF CORE
spondence in closed nails and an allowance to each
post-oce department Of the right to use all mail con-
muncations established under the authority of the
other for the dispatch of correspondence, either in
open or closed mails on the same terms as those APP
plicable to the mhabn,, of the country providing
the means OF transmission.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
The report Of the secretary of the interior exhibits
the condition Of those branches Of the public service
which are committed to his supervision. During the
last fiscal year four million six hundred and twenty
nine thousand three hundred aud twelve Of
public land was disposed OF, million eight hun
dred and niuetv-two thousand five hundred and six
teen acres Of which were entered under the home
stead act. The policy originally adopted relative TO
the public lands has undergone essential mndiCN-
tons. Immediate revenue and not their rapid settle
ment the car.nal feature OF our land system.
Long experience aud earnest discussion have resulted
in the conviction that the early development Of our
agricultural resources and the diffusion Of an ener
gec population over our vat territory obects 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 pre- emp
ton laws confer upon the pioneer who complies with
the terms they impose the privilege of purchasing
limited portion of "unoilered lands Mt the minimum
price. The homestead enactments relieve the settler
| from the payment Of purchase money, and secure
him permanent home, upon the condition Of resi-
dence for term of years The liberal policy invites
emigration from the old, and from the more crowded
portions OF the world. Its proptous results are
undoubted, and will be more signally manifested
| when time shall have given to it wider development.
Congress has made liberal grants of public land to
corporations, in aid of the construction Of railroads
and other internal Improvements. Should this policy
| hereafter prevail more stringent provisions will be
| required to Il faithful application of the fund
The title to the lands should not pass, by patent or
otherwise, but remain in the government and subject
to its control until some portion OF the road has been
actually built. Portions of them might them from time
to time be conveyed to the corporation but never in
greater ratio to the whole quantity embraced by the
| grant than the completed parts bear to the entire
| length OF the projected improvement. This restrc-
! ton would not operate to the prejudice Of any under
| taking conceived in good faith and executed with
reasonable energy is the settled practice to with
draw from market the lands falling within the opera
ton OF SUCH grants and thus to exclude the inception
of subsequent adverse right A breach of the con-
ditons which Congress may deem proper 10 impose
should work forfeiture Of claim to the lands with
drawn but uncOnveyed, and Of title to the lands con
! veyed which remain unsod. Operations on the sew
eral lines of the Pncifc railroad have been prosecuted
! with unexampled vigor and success. Should 10 I'M
oreseen of delay occur it is confidently antci
| pated that this great hroughiare will be completed
before the expiration of the period designated by
Congress.
| PENSIONS, INDIAN TREATIES PATENTS.
During the last fiscal year the amount paid to PEN
sioners, including the expenses Of disbursement was
thirteen million four hundred and ifty-nine thousand
nine hundred aud niney-siX dollars and fifty thou
sand one hundred aud seventy-seven names were ad-
ded to the pension rolls. The entire number Of pen
sionerS June 80, 1866, one hundred and twenty
| six thousand seven hundred and TWENTY-FIVE. This
fact furnishes melancholy and striking proof of the
sacrifices made to vindcate the constitutional author
ity of the federal government, and to maintain nvio-
late the integrity of the Union. They impose upon
us corresponding obligations 1t is estimated that
thirtgthree million dollars will be required to meet
the exigences of this branch Of the service during
the next fiscal year
Treaties have been concluded with the Indians who,
enticcd into armed opposition to the government at
the outbreak of the rebellion, have Internationally
submitted to our authority, and manifested earnest
desire for n renewal of friendly relations
During the year ending Sept 80, 1866 eight
thousand seven hundred and sixteen patents for use
lul inventions and designs issued, and at that
date the balance in the treasury to the credit of the
patent fund was two hundred and twenty-eght thou
sand two hundred and ninev-seven dollars.
As subject upon which depends I'm immense
amount OF the production and commerce Of the cOun-
try, recommend to Congress such legislation as may
be necessary for the preservation of the evees of the
| Mississippi river 1t is matter OF national mpor-
lance that early steps ahoud be taken not only to add
to the efficiency of these barriers against destructive
foundations, but for the removal Of all distinctions
to the free and safe navigation Of that great channel
of trade and commerce.
THE FEDERAL DISTRICT.
The district of Columbia, under existing laws, is
not entitled to that representation in the national
councils which, from our earliest history has been
uniformly accorded to each territory established from
time TO time within our limits 1t maintains peCul-
lar relations TO Congress, TO whom the constitution
has granted the power Of exercising exclusive egis-
lation the seat of government, Our fellow c
zens residing in the District, whose interests are thus
confded to the special guardianship Of Congress- eN-
coed in number the population of several OF our ter
rores, and no lust reason is perceived why dele
gate Of their choice should not be admitted TO seat
in the House of Representatives. No mode seems so
appropriate and efectua Of enabling them TO make
known their peculiar condition an1 wants and Of SC
curing the local legislation adapted to them there
fore recommend the passage of n law authorizing the
electors of the District of Columbia to choose dele
gate, to be allowed the rights and privileges as
delegate representing IL territory. The ncrens-
ing enterprise and rapid progress of Improvement in
the District highly gratifying and trust that the
efforts of the municipal authorities to promote the
prosperity of the national metropolis will receive the
efficient and generous cooperation Of Congress.