Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1866-12-13
POSTMASTER GENERAL hASpALL's Rgtoisr.

POSTMASTER GENERAL hASpALL's Kgtoisr.
Tho report Of the Post Master General
presents most satisfactory condition of
the POSTAL service, hnd submits recornunen-
aAtions which deserve the consideration of
Congress- The revenues of the Depart
Hcert for the year ending June SO, 1866,
were 1886, 9S6, and the expenditures
Sl5,362,O19, showing an excess of the
ia.;ce of 1865, ,O93. In anticipation of
shis deficiency, however, a special appro-
priation was made by Congress in the act
approved July 2S 1866. Including the
standing appropriation of 100000 for
free mail matter, as a legitimate portion
of the revenues yet remaining unexpended,
the actual deficiency for the past year is
only 1892, ,O93, sum within S5l, ,14l Of
the amount estimated in the annual re-
port of 1861. The decrease of revenue
compared with the previous year was one
and one-fifth per cent, and the increase
of expenditures, owing principally to the
enlargement Of the mail service of the
South, was twelve per cent. On the 20th
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 hun.
drcd and twsnty-one miles, an aggregate
annual transportation of seventy-one mill.
ion eight hundred and fourteen miles, and
an aggregate annual cost, including all
expenditures, of $S,4IO, l4s. The length
Of railroad routes is thirty-two thousand
and niuety-twe miles, and the annual
transportation thirty million six hundred
and nine thousand four hundred and sixty
seven miles. The length Of steamboat
routes 10 fourteen thousand three hundred
and fosty-six miles, and the annual trans
pertatlon three million four hundred and
eleven thousand nine hundred aud sixty
two miles. The mail service is rapidly
increasing throughout the whole country,
and iss steady extension in the Southern
States indicates their constantly improving
condition. The growing importance Of
the foreign service also merits attention.
The Post Office Department of Great
Britain and our own have agreed upon a
preliminary basis for a new Postal Con.
yention, which it is believed will prove
emincntly beneficial to the commercial
interests of the United States, inasmuch
as il contemplates a reduction of the in
ternational letter postage to ene-half the
existing rates; a reduction of postage with
all other countries to and from which cor
rcspondence is transmitted in the British
snail or in closed mails through the Uni
ted Kingdom the establishment of uni
fI,r1 ohn g. 81
and territorial transit of correspondence in
closed mails ; and an allowance to each
Post Office Department of the right to use
MI mail communications established under
the authority of the other for the dispatch
OF correspondence, either in open or closed
mAils, on tue same terms as those applica-
bio 10 the inhabitants of the country pro-
viding the means Of transmition.
sscEzTAsr BnowNiSG's ExHIB1. FOR THE
INTERIOR.
The report Of the Secretary of the In
terror exhibits the condition of those
branches of the public service which are
committed to his supervision. During
the las! fiscal year four millions ak hum
dred and twenty-nine thousand three hum
dred and twelve acres of public land were
disposed of, one million eight hundred and
ninety-tWo thousand five hundred and
sixteen acres of which were entered under
the homestead act. The policy originally
adopted relative 10 the public lands has
undergone essential notifications. I'm
mediate revenue, and not their rapid
settlement, was the cardinal feature of
our land system. Long experience and
earnest discussion have resulted in the
conviction that the eariye development of
our agricultural resources, and the diffu-
sion of ar energetic population over our
vaSt territory, are objects 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 presumption laws confer
upon the pioneer who complies with the
terms they impose, the privilege of pur-
chasing a limited portion Of ''unoffered
land" at the minimum price. The home
stead enactments relieve the settler from
the payment of purchase money, and Sc
cure him permanent home, upon the
condition of residence for a term Of years.
This liberal policy invites emigration from
she old, and from the more crowded por-
tions OF the new world. Its propitious
results ars undoubted, and will be more
signaiiy manifested when time shall have
given to it wider development.
Congress has made liberal grant. of
public lands to corporations, in aid of the
construction of railroads and other inter-
aal Improvements. Should this policy
hereafter prevail, more stringent provisions
will be required to secure q faithful appli-
cation Of the fund. The title to the land,
should not pass, by patent or otherwise,
but remain in the Government and subject
TO its control until some portion of III.