Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-06
The report of the Postmaster General pre-

The report Of the Postmaster General pre-
sents a most satisfactory condition of the postal
service. and submits recommendations which
deserve the consideration of Congress. The
revenues for the Department for the year end
inc June 80, 1866, were $l4, 1886, 1886, and the
expenditures SIS, ,079, showing an excess
of the latter of S965,093. In anticipation OF
this deficiency, however, special appropria-
ton was made by Congress in the act approved
july %. 1866 Including the standing appro-
priation of 100000 for free mail matter, as
legitimate portion Of the revenues yet remain
ing unexpended, the actual deficiency for the
past wear is only 1926, 093-a sum within SOL,
l4I Of the amount estimated in the annual re-
port of 1864. The decrease of revenue COM
pared 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 in the South, was twelve per cent.
On the SOth of June last there were in opera
ton six thousand nine hundred and thirty mail
routes, with an aggregate length of one hundred
and eighty thousand nine hundred and twenty
one miles, an aggregate annual transportation
of seventy-one million eight hundred and thir-
ty seven thousand nine hundred and fourteen
miles and an aggregate annual cost, including
all expenditures, of SS,410,lS The length of
railroad routes thrty-two thousand and ninety
two miles, and the annual transportation thirty
millions six hundred and nine thousand four
hundred and sixty-seven miles.
The length of steamboat routes it fourteen
thousand three hundred and forty-six miles, and
the annual transportation three million four
hundred and eleven thousand nine hundred
and sixty-two 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 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 Convention. which it is
believed will prove eminently BENEFICIAL to the
commercial interests of the United States, mas
much as it contempates reduction of the in
ternatiOnal letter postage to one-half the exis-
ting rates; a reduction of postage with all 9TH
er countries to and from which correspondence
is transmitted in the British mail, or in closed
mails through the United Kingdom; the cstab
lisbment of uniform and reasonable charges for
the sea and territorial transit of correspondence
in closed mails and allowance to each Post
Office Department of the right to use all mail
communications established nnder the authority
of the other for the dispatch of correspondence,
either in open or closed mails, on the same
terms as those applicable to the inhabitants of
the country providing the means of transmits
sion.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior
Il e. loco hro, oh nff hn
public service which are committed to his SUI
pervision. During the last fiscal year, four
millions six hundred and twenty-nine thousand
three hundred and twelve acres of public land
were disposed of, one million eight hundred and
nnety-two thousand five hundred and sixteen
acres of which were entered under the home
stead act. The policy originally adopted rcla-
tive to the public lands has undergone essential
notifications Immediate revenue, and not
their rapid settlement, was the cardinal feature
of our land system. Long experience and ear
nest discussion have resulted in the conviction
that the early development of our agricultural
resources, and the diffusion of an energetic pop
ulation 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
vino complies with the terms they impose the
privilege of purchasing a limited portion OF
"unoffered lands" at the minimum price. The
homestead enactmentS relieve the settler from
the payment of purchase money, and secure
him a permanent home, upon the condition of
residence for a term of years. This liberal pol
icy invites emigration from the old, and from
Il III IS tba world
It's propitous results are undOubted, and will
be more signally manifested when time shall
have given to it a 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 strn-
gent provisions will be required to secure
faithful application of the fund. The title to
the lands should not pass, by patent or other
wise, but remain in the Government and sub
iect to its control until some portion of the road
has been actually built. Portions of them
might then, from time to time, be conveyed to
Incorporation, but neverin greater ratio to the
whole quantity embraced by the grant than the
completed parts bear to the entire length OF the
proiectedimprovement This restriction would
not operate to the prejudice of any undertaking
conceived in good faith and executed with rea-
sonable energy, as it is the settled practice to
withdraw from market the lands falling within
the operation of such grants, and thus to ex-
clude the inception of subsequent adverse
right. A breach of the conditions which Con-
gress may deem proper to impose should work
n forfeiture of claim to the lands so Withdrawn
but unconveyed, and of title to the lands con-
veyed which remain unsold.
Operations on the several lines of the Pacific
Railroad have been prosecuted with unexam-
pled vigor and success. Should no unforeseen
causes of delay occur, it is confidently antcipa-
ted that this great thoroughfare will be COM
peted before the expiration of the period desig-
mated by Congress.
During the last fiscal year the amount paid
to pensioners, including the expenses of dis
bursement, was thirteen millions four hundred
and fifty-nine thousand nine hundred and nine
ty-six dollars; and fifty thousand one hundred
and seventy-seven names were added to the