North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-12-11

Ordinary tyranny-oppressive or excessiv
taxation-these bear lightly on the happi
ness Of the masses of the community, com
| pared with fraudulent currency, and rob
berries committed by deprecated paper
| Our history is recorded for our inst uction
Enough, and more than enough Of the dc
moralizing tendency. injustice, and intol
cradle oppression on the virtuous and wei
| disposed of degraded paper currency.
Since the commencement of the secon
| session of the Thirty ninth Congress, fiv
hundred and ten miles Of road have beef
| constructed on the main line and branche
of the Pacific railroad. The line from
Omaha is rapidly approaching the eastern
base of the Rocky Mountains, while tn
terminus of the last section of constructe,
| road in California, accepted by the Gov
eminent on the oath day Of October last
was but eleven miles distant from the sum
| init Of Sierra Nevada. The remarkabl,
energy evinced by the companies officers
I; is the strongest assurance that the compile
| ton of the road from Sacramento to Oma
ha vii! not be deferred long.
During the last fiscal year 7,04l la
acres of public lands were disposed of, and
the cash receipts from the sale and fees ex
ceeded by one half million dollars the sun
realized from these sources during the pre-
ceding year. Gt
The amount paid pensioners, including
the cost of disbursement, was SIS. Gl9, g56,
and SO, 4S3 names were added to the roll.
The entire number of pensioners on the
Both Of June last was 1854
Elo,n, xL -, h,,~Anol IL
five patents and designs were issued du-
ring the year ending Sept. 80, 1867, and
at that date the balance in the treas
ury to the credit Of the patent fund was
$2s6,676. a aa
The report of the secretary of the navy
states that we have seven squadrons act
lively and judiciously employed, under eff
cient and able commanders, in protecting
persons and property Of American citizens,
in maintaining the power and dignity of
the government and promoting the COM
merce and business interests of our coun-
trymen in every part of the world. OF
23o vessels, comprising the present navy
of the United States, Sc, carrying 5O7
guns, are in squadron service. During
the year the number of vessels in commits
sion has been reduced II, and there are l3
less on squadron duty than there was at
the close of the past report.
A large number of vessels were com.
menced ad in course of construction when
the war terminated, and although Con-
gress has made the necessary appropria-
tons for their completion, the Department
has either suspended work upon them or
limited the slow completion of steam YES.
sells so as to meet contracts for machinery
made with private establishments. The
total expenditures Of the Navy Department
for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1867,
were So 1884, OH. No appropriations have
been made or required since the close of
the war for the construction and repair of
vessels, for steamer machinery, ordnance,
provisions and clothing, fuel, hemp, &c.,
the balance under these several heads hav-
ing been more than sufficient for current
expenditures. 1t should also be stated to
his credit, that besides asking no appro.
priations for the above objects for the last
two years, the Secretary of the Navy. on
the 3Oth of September last. in accordance
with the act of May lst, 1920. requested
the Secretary of the Treasury to carry to
the surplus fund the sum of sos, 900. 900,
being the amount received from sales of
the vessels. and other war property, and
remains of former appropriations.
The report Of the Postmaster-G General
shows the business of the Postofiice de-
partmcnt and the condition of the postal
service in very favorable light, and the
attention Of Congress is called to its prac-
teal recommendations. The receipts of
the department for the year ending June
80, 1867, including all special appropria-
tons for sea and land service, and for free
mail matter, were Sl9,97S,693. The ex-
penditures Tor all purposes were SlS,236,-
4S3, leaving an unexpended balance in ia
vor of the department of S743,2l0. which
can be applied towards 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, was SS5OO40. The in
crease of revenue from the sale Of stamps,
and stamped envelopes. was S773, 404. The
increase Of expenditures in 1867 over those
of the previous year was owing chiefly to
the extension Of land and ocean service
During the past year, new postal conven-
tions have been ratified and exchanged
with the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Irelan, Belgium, the Netherlands,
Switzerland, the North German Union,
Italy, and the colonial government of Hong
Kong, reducing very largely the rates of
ocean and land postage to and from and
within those countries.
The report of the acting commissioner
Of agriculture concisely presents the condi-
ton, wants, and progress Of an interest
cminently worthy of the fostering care of
Congress, and exhibits large measure of
useful results achieved during the year to
which it refers. The establishment of
peace at home, and the resumption of cx-
tended trade, travel and commerce abroad,
has served to increase the number and va
ricty of questions in the department of for
eign affairs. None Of these questions, how
ever have seriously disturbed our relations
with other states.
The republic Of Mexico, having been
relieved from foreign intervention, is earn
estly engaged in efforts to re-establish her
system of government. A
good understanding continues to exist he
tween our government and the republics
of Hayti and San Domingo. and our cor
dial relations with the Central and South
American States remain unchanged. The
tender made in conformity with resolu-
ton Of Congress of the good Offices of the
government, with view to an alnicablc
adjustment Of peace between Brazil and
her allies on one side, and Paraguay on
the other. and between Chill and her allies
on one side, and Spain on the other, tho
kindly received, has in neither case been
fully accepted by the belligerents. The
war in the valley Of theParana is still Wig
orously maintained. On the other hand,
actual hostilities between the Pacific States
and Spain. have been more than year sus-
pended. shall on a proper occasion that
may occur, renew the conciiiatory recon-
which have already been made.
Brazil, with enlightened sagacity and
comprehensive craftsmanship, has opened
the Great channels Of the Amazon and its