The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1866-12-15

.3,411.9G2 miles. The mail service is !
rapidly increasing throughout the whole
country, and its steady extension in the
Southern States indicates their constantly |
improving condition. The great impor-
tance Of the foreign service also merits at
tenti0n. The Postoffice Department of
Great Britain and our own country have
agreed upon preliminary basis for pos
tai convention which it is believed will
prove eminently beneficial to the CONNER
cial interests Of the United States, mas
much a. it contemplates reduction ofthe
international letter postage Of one half the
existing rates; reduction Of postage
with all other countries to and from which
correspondence IL Transmitted in the Brit
ish mails, or in mails through the United
| Kingdom the establishment ola uniform
and reasonable charge fog these, and terri
torial transit Of correspondence enclosed,
mails, and "a allowance to each Post
Office Department og the right to use all
mail communication established pnder
authority Of the other for the dispatch Of
Icorrespondcnce, either in open or closed
bDail, on the same terms as those appllca-
BILE to the inhabitants Of the country pro-
kiding the means Of transportation. The
VReport Of the Secretary Of the Interior
exhibits the condition Of these branches
Of the public service which are committed
to his supervision.
PUBLIC LANDS.
During the last fiscal year 4 1923 ,312
acres Of the public lands were disposed Of;
! .e92, SIG acres Of which were entered
under the homestead act The policy
Originally adopted relative TO the public
lands has undergone essential modifica-
ti0ns. Immediate revenue and not rapid
settlement was the cardinal feature Of our
land system. Long experience and earn
est discussion have resulted in the convic-
tion that the deyelopmcn. Of our agricul-
tural resources, aud the diffusion Of an
energetic population over our vast terri
tory, arc objects Of FAR greater importance
to the national growth aud prosperity
than the proceeas Of the sale Of the land
to the highest bidder in open market
The pre-cmption laws confer upon the po-
ncer who complies with the terms they
impose, the privilege Of purchasing a
limited portion Of offered lands at the
minimum price. The homestead enact
meat relieves the settler from the pay
mcnt Of the purchase money, and secures
to him permanent home upon condition
of residence for term Of years. This
liberal policy invites emigration from the
1 ! - IL
Of the new world. IT. proptious results
are undoubted, and will be more signally
manifested when time shall have gwen to
il wider development. Congress has
made liberal grants Of public lands to
corporations. in aid Of the construction Of
!: railroads aud other internal improvements.
Should this policy hereafter prevail, more
stringent provisions will be required to
secure faithful application Of the bonds.
The title to the lands should not pass By
patent or otherwise. but remain in the
government. and subject to its control un-
til some portion ol the road has been actu-
Ialiy built. Portions Of them might, from
time to time. be conveyed to the corpora
ton. but never in 4 greater ratio to the
whole quantity embraced in the grants
than the completed parts bear TO the en-
tire length of the projected improvement.
This restriction would not operate to the
prejudice Of any undertaking conceived
in good faith and executed with rcason2-
ble energy. 1t is tho settled practice to
withdraw from the market the lands fall,
ing within the operations of such grants
aud thus TO exclude the inception ofsub-
sequent subversive rights. 4 breach oi
s conditions for which Congress may deem
. it proper to impose upon such works q
forfeiture of claim to the land so with
drawn unconveyed 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 cause of delay occur
it is confidently anticipated that this grea
. thoroughiare will be completed before the
, expiration of the period designated by
, Congress. During the last fiscal year, tht
amount paid to pensioners, including the
!, expense of disbursement, was SIS, ,459, ,97t
. and 80. LII names were added to the pen
. sion rolls The entire number cf pension
| els on June 80, 1866, was 126, ,722.-
a These acts furnish melancholy and strik
= ing proof of the sacrifices made to vindi
. cate the Constitutional authority of th,
Federal Government, and maintain invio
late the integrity of the Union. The,
9 impose upon us corresponding obligations
= 1t is estimated that thirty-three million
j dollars will be required to meet the exi
gencies of this portion of the service dur
ing the next fiscal year.
I INDIAN TREATIES.
# Treaties have been concluded with tn
i Indians who were entered into armet
J. opposition to our Government at the out
c break of the rebellion, aud have condi
e tionally submitted to our authority AM
q manifested desire for the renewal o
!. friendly relations.
n PATENTS.
, During the year ending Sept. 30th
e 1866, S,756 patents for useful invention
g and designs were issued. At that dat
II the balance in the Treasury to the credi
+ of the patent fund, was $228, ,297. AS
I subject upon which depends an immens
e amount of the probationary commerce Q
l. the country, recommend to Congress
n such legislation as may be necessary 70
} the preservation of the Mississippi river
g 1t is matter of national Importance, tha
i every step should be taken-not only t