Des Arc citizen., 1866-12-15

all expenditures. of $8,4l0,l44. The length ofrailroad routes is 32,092 miles and the annual transportation 30, ,609, ACT miles. The length of steamboat routes is 14,386 miles, and the annual trans portation 3,4l1 ,962 miles.
 The mail service is rapidly increasing througout the whole country, and it's steady extension in the Southern States indicates their constantly improving condition. The growing importance of the foreign service also merits attcn- ton. The Post-Office Department of Great Britain and our own have agreed upon preliminary basis for new pos tai convention which, it is believed, will prove beneficial to the commercial interests of the United States, inasmuch as it contemplates reduction of the international letter postage to one-half the existing rates, reduction of pos 1 tage with other countries to and from which correspondence is transmitted in the British mail, or inclosed mails through the united kingdom. The establishment of uniform and reason able charges for the sea and territorial transit of correspondence in closed mails, and an allowance to each post office department of the right to use all mail communications established under the authority of the other for the dis patch of correspondence, either in open or closed mails, on the same terms as those applicable to the inhabitants of the country, providing the meane of | transmission.
 INFERIOR DEPARTMENT.
 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 4,629,3l2 acres of public land were disposed of, 1,S92,5I6 acres of which were entered under the homestead act. The policy originally adopted, relative to the public lands, has undergone es- sential qualifications. Immediate reve- nue and not the rapid settlement was the cardinal feature of our land system. Long experience and earnest discussion have resulted in the conviction that the early development of our agricultural resources, and the diffusion of our cner- getic 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 ill open market.
 The pre-emption laws confer upon the pioneer who complies with the terms they impose, the privilege of purchasing a limited portion of unim- proved lands at the minimum price. The homestead exactments relieve the settler from the payment of purchase money, and secure him permanent home upon the condition of residence for a term of years. This liberal policy invites cmigrants from the old and the more crowded portions of the new world. It's propitious results are un- doubted, and will be more signally manifested when time shall have given to it wider development.
 TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
 The report of the Secretary of the Treasury affords much information res- pecting the revenue and commerce of the country. His views upon the cur- rency and with reference to a proper adjustment of our reveune system, in- ternal as well as impost,are commended to the careful consideration of Congress. In my last annual message I expressed my general views upon these subjects l need now only call attention to the necessity of carrying into every depart ment of the government a system of rigid accountability, thorough retrench- ment, and wise economy. With no exceptional nor unusual expenditures, the oppressive burdens of taxation can be lessened by such modification of our revenue laws as will be consistent with the public faith and tho legitimate and necessary wants of the government
 The report presents much more satisfactory condition of our finances than one year ago the most sanguinc could have anticipated. During the fiscal year ending the 30th ofJune, 1865, the last year of the war, the public debt was increased $94l ,902,577 and on the 3lst of October, 1865, it amounted to l S2.740,S54, ,750. On the 3lst day of Octo- Der, 1866. it had been reduced to S2,551, 3l0,006 the diminution during period of fourteen months, commencing Sep tember 1st, 1865, and ending October 3lst, 1866, Having been S206, ,379 ,565. | In the last annual report on the state of the finances, it was estimated that during the three-quarters of the fiscal year ending the 3Oth of June last, the debt would be increased $ll2,194947. During that period, however, it was reduced $32, l96,3S7. The receipts hav- ing been S99,9O5,905 more, and the ex- pcnditures S200,529, ,235 less than the estimates. Nothing could more clear ly indicate than these statements the extent and availability of the national resources, and the rapidity and safety with which, under our form of govern ment, great military and naval estab- lishments can be disbanded and expen- ses reduced from war footing to a peace footing.
 During the fiscal year ending the 30th of June, 1866, the receipts were S55S,- 2,620, and the expenditures $530, ,750, 940, leaving an available surplus of S36, ,2Sl ,6S0. It is estimated that the receipts for the fiscal year ending the Both of June, 1867, will be S475,061, ,3S6, and that the expenditures will reach the sum of S3l6,42S,07S, leaving in the Treasury surplus of Sl5S,633, ,30S. For the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1868, it is estimated that the receipts will amount to S436,000,000, and that the expenditures will be S350,247,6A1, showing an excess of S85, ,752, ,359 in fla | xO, of 1a arf rTbacn