Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-12-15

Aihbc VI hiih'nig HPPAOPi'p'OA-" - 49,
300, 600.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
1t is stated in the report of the Secretary
of the Navy, that the naval force at this
time consists of 27S vessels, armed with
1851 guns OF these lis vessels, carrying
l,029 guns, are in commission, distributed
chiefly among seven squadrons. The num-
Der of men in the service is 1880.
Great activity and vigilance have been
displayed by AL the squadrons, and their
movements have been judieiously and
efficiently arranged in such a manner as
would best promote American commerce,
and protect the rights and interests of our
countrymen abroad The vessels unem-
ployed are undergoing repairs, or are laiC up
until their services may be required. Most
of the irOn-ciad fleet is at League Island, in
the vicinity of Philadelphia, a place which,
until action shall be taken by Congress, was
selected by the Secretary of the Navy as
the most eligible location for that class OF
vessels. 1t is important that suitable pub
lie station should be provided for the iron
clad fleet.
1t is intended that these vessels snail 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 action at
an early date, in order that there may be
suitable public station for this class OF
vessels, as well as a navy yard OF an area
sufficient for the wants of the service on
| Delaware river. 81 sU
The naval pension fund amounts TO
SI1, $780, 900, having been increased S2,-
| $50, 600 during the year
| Of
the fiscal year ending on the Both of June
last, were SAB, 324, $40, and the estimates
for the coming year amount to $24,-
| SOS, 436.
Attention is invited to the condition of
| our seamen, and the importance OF legis-
| lative measures for their relief and inn
prOvement. The suggestions on behalf OF
| this deserving class Of our fellow citizens
are earnestly recommended TO the favorable
attention of Congress.
POSTMASTER GENERALS REPORT.
The report Of the Postmaster General
presents most satisfactory condition OF
! the postal service, and submits recommends
| tions which deserve the consideration OF
congress.
The revenues of tine department for the
year ending June 30, 1866, were $l4, "o6, :
| $50 and Ihe expenditures Sl5, 352,u1s,
| showing an increase of the latter of$s6o,-
/ U93. In anticipation of this deficiency,
| however, special appropriation was made
by Congress in the art approved July D,
! 1866, including the standing appropriation
! of 500. 900 for free mail matter, as a leglt-
| innate portion Of the revenue yet remain
! ING unexpended, the actual deficiency for
| the past year is only $2G5, 093, sum with
| in SIS. I4I of the amount estimated in the
annual report of 1868. The decrease OF
revenue as compared with the previous
year, was ] l,5 per cent, and the IN
creased expenditures, owing Principally TO
the enlargement Of the mail service IN the
south, was IL per cent.
GA the 9Oth OF June last there were in OPP
Grafton $50 mail routes, with an aggregate
length of l60,92l miles, with an aggregate
annual transportation OF ~ 1897, 9l4 miles and
an aggregate annual cost, including all ex-
pendtures, of S3,4lO ,lo4.
The length of railroad routes il 32O92 miles
and the apnual transportation 81, OO9, AZ
miles; the length of steamboat routes Ia IL,
BAG miles, and the annual transportation y,
All, O72 miles. The mail service is rapidly in.
creasing throughout teh swhOle country and
it's steady extending in the southern states
indicates their constantly improving condl'
ton. The growing Importance OF tho for
eign service also II its attention. The post
Office department 1T Great Britain and Oul
own have agreed upon preliminary basis for q
new postal convention, which 1t ls believed
will prove emmently beneficial to the CONNER
cial interests Of the United States IN future
and it contemplates reduction OF the inter
national letter postage CD per cent upon the
existing rates; reduction of postage with
all other countries to and from which eorree
pOndence is transmitted in the British mail
or III closed mails through the United King
dom. the establishment of uniform and rea
| phaTDaH thpRA.
transit of correspondence in closed mails, anC
| an allowance to each postoffice department
of the right to use all mail communications
esta' lished under the authority OF the othel
COR dispatch OF correspondence, either II
open or closed malis, on such terms as MAJ
be applicable to the inhabitants of the coun
try providing the means of transmission.
REPORT or THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
The report Of the Secretary Of the interior
exhibits the condition of those branches o.
the public service, which are committed tt
bis supervision. - ~ r..
During the last fiscal year 4, O2O, 3I2 acres o.
public lands were disposed of, l,S92 5l6 acres
of which were entered under the homestead
act. The policy originally adopted relative
to the public lands has undergone essential
notifications. Immediate revenue and not
their rapid settlement was the cardinal fea-
tufe OF our land system. Long experience
and earnest discussion have resulted in the
COnNitIlDn ItldL tue carry utFelODmtHb Ol OuI
| agricultural resources, and the diffusion OF
| an energetic population over our va. terrific
~, are objects of far greater Importance to
national prosperity than the proceeds CT sale
of land to the highest bidder in open market.
! The presumption laws confer upon the TO-
neer who comply with the terms they impose,
the privilege of purchasing limited portion
of unC ffered lands at a minimum price. The
homestead enactments relieve the settler
/ from the payment of purchase money, and
I q .atf,th fhua
/ ditIOn of residence for term of years. This
| liberal policy invites immigration from the
| Old and more populous. portions OF the New
/ World. Thus prOpitiOus results are inevita-
| BILE, and will be more signaly manifested
| when time shall have given it a further devel-
opment. Congress- has made liberal grants
of public lands to corporations in aid of the
construction of railroads and other internal
improvements. Should this policy hereafter
prevail, more stringent provisions viii be re-
quired to secure the 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 built.
Parts OF them might then from time to time
be conveyed to the c0TporOtion 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 improve
ment. This restriction would not operate to
the prejudice of any undertaking concluded in
good faith and executed with reasonable ener-
gy, as it is the practice to withdraw from
market the lands falling within the operation
of such grants aud thus to exclude the incep-
ton of subsequent adverse right. A breach
OF the conditions which Congress may deem
proper to impose should work forfeiture of
claim to the lands 50 Withdrawn but uncon-
veyed, and Of title 20 lands conveyed which
remain unsold.
Operations on the several lines of the Pa
citic Railroad have been prosecuted with nn'
exampled igor and success. Should no I'M
foroaefr oauga f,frt oIo,y ,co,r ia confilantlv