Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1867-12-11
PAYMENT OF PENSIONS.

realized from those sources during the pre-
ceding year.
PAYMENT OF PENSIONS.
The amount paid to pensioners, includ-
ing the expenses Of disbursements, was
sl8,6l9,956, and 36,4S2 names were al
ded to to the rolls. The entire number Of
pensioners On the 20Ih of June last was
155,474.
ISSUES OF PATENTS.
Eleven thousand six hundred and fifty.
five patents and designs were issued during
the year ending September 80, 1867, and
at that date the balance in the Treasury
to the credit of the Patent fund was S2S6,
COZ.
NAVAL AFFAIRS
The Report of the Secretary of the Ma,
Wy states that we have seven squadrons
actively and judiciously employed under
efficient and able commanders in protect
ing the persons and property of American
citizens, maintaining The dignity and pow.
er of the Government, and promoting the
commerce aud business interests of our
countrymen IN every part of the world -
OF the 238 vessels composing the present
navy of the United States, fifty-six, carry.
ing five hundred and seven guns, are in
squadron service. During the year the
number of vessels in commission has been
reduced II, and there are thirteen less On
squadron duty than there were at date OF
last report A large number of vessels
were commenced and in course of construc-
tiou when the war terminated, and altho'
Congress has made the necessary appropri-
ations for their completion, the Depart
ment has either suspended work upon
them, or limited the slow completion OF
the steam vessels, so as to meet contracts
for machinery made with private establish
ments. The total expenditures Of the Ma
w Department for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1867, were S3l ,O34,Oll: No
appropriations have been made or required
since the close of the war for the construc-
ton and repair of vessels, for steam machi-
merry, ordinance, provisions and clothing,
fuel, hemp, &c, the balance under these
several heads having been more than suf.
ficient for current expenditures. 1t should
also be stated to the credit of the Depart
ment that, besides asking no appropriations
for the above objects for the last two years,
the Secretary of the Navy, on the 30th OF
September last, in accordance with the act
of May l, 1920, requested the Secretary
of the Treasury to carry to the surplus
fund the sum of $65,000,Co0 being the
amount received from sales of vessels and
other war property, and remnants of for
mer appropriations.
POSTAL AFFAIRS.
The Report of the Postmaster General
shows the business Of the Postofficc De-
partment and the condition of the postal
service in very favorable light, and the
attention of Congress is called to its prac-
tical recommendations. The receipts Of
the Department for the year ending June
30, 1867, including all special appropria-
tions for sea and land service and for free
mail matter, were Sl9,97S,693. The ex-
penditures for all purposes were Sl9,235,-
4S3, leaving an unexpended balance in IA
vor of the Department OfS743.2lO, which
can be applied toward the expenses Of the
| Department for the current year. The in
crease of postal revenue, Independent OF
specific appropriations for the year 1867
over that of 1866, S85O,O4O. The increase
of revenue from the sale Of stamps and
stamped envelopes was $7s3,404. The in.
crease of expenditures of 1867 over those
of the previous year was owing chiefly to
the extensive land and ocean mail service
During the past year new postal conven'
tions have been ratified and exchanged
with the United Kingdom ofGreat Britain
and Ireland. Belgium, the Netherlands
Switzerland, the North German Union
Italy, and the Colonial Government al
Hong Kong, reducing very largely the rate:
of ocean and land postages to and from anC
within those countries.
THE AGRICULTURAL BUREAU.
The Report of the Acting Commissione1
of Agriculture conciscly presents the con-
dition, wants, and progress of an interes
eminentIy worthy the fostering care of Con
gress, and exhibits large measure OF use
ful results achieved during the year t.
which it refers.
| FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The establishment of peace at home
and the resumption of extended trade, ,trav
ell, and commerce abroad, have served t
increase the number and variety of ques-
tions in the Department for Foreign AT,
fairs. None of these questions, however
have seriously disturbed our relations witt
other States. The Republic of Mexico
having been relieved from foreign inter
vention, is earnestly engaged in efforts t.
re establish her constitutional system o
government. A good understanding con
times to exist between our Governmen
and the Republics of Hayti and San Do
mingo, and our cordial relations with tn,
Central and South American States re-
main unchanged. The tender made, il
conformity with resolution of Congress
of the good Offices of the Government, witt
a view to an amicable adjustment of peac,
between Brazil and her allies on the on.
side and Paraguay on the other, and be-
! ,,uoo,, Cb;l; N, 4 hnr alIios On ona sida . ~