The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-12-17

one-fourth of which was taken under the act
| of June 2lst, 1867, which applies only to
the States of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisi-
ana, Arkansas and Florida.
THE PENSION BUREAU.
On the 30th of June 1868, one hundred
and sixty-nine thousann six hundred and
hlty-three names were borne on the pension
rolls, and during the year ending on that
day, the total amount paid for pensions, in
Guiding the expenses of disbursements, was
$24 ,01O, 1882. being S., ,39I ,O25 greater than
that expended for like purposas during the
preceding year.
Exception is taken to the act of 23d July
last, which reduces the interest on the fund
loaned to the Government by the Secretary
as trustee, to three per cent, instead of six
per cent, which was originally stipulated
when the investment was made, An amend
ment of the Pension laws is suggested to
remedy omissions and defects in existing en-
actments. The expenditures of the depart
ment during the last fiscal year were $2O1, :
2O3, "a, and the estimates for the coming
year amount to $50, ,993, ,314.
THE PATBNT OFFICE
During the year ending the Both of Sep
TENDER last, the expenses of the Patent Office
exceeded the receipts by Dhundred and
seventy ono dollars, and including reissues
and designs, fourteen thousand one hundred
and hity-three patents were Issued
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
treaties with various Indian tribos have
been concluded, aad will be submitted tc the
Senate for its constitutional action. / cor
diallay sanction the stipulations which pro-
vide for reserFing lands for the various tribes,
where they may be encouraged to abandon
their nomadic habits, and engage in agricul-
turai and industrial pursuits This policy,
lnaugurated many years since, has met with
signal success whenever it has been pursued
in good faith and with becoming liberality
by the United States. The necessity for ex-
tending it as far as practicable in our rela
tions with the aboriginal population is greater
now than at any preceding period. Whilst
we furnish subsistence and instructions to
the indians and Guarantee the urdisturbed
enJ3yment OF their treaty rights, we should
hatltualiy insist upon the faithful observance
Of their agreement to remain within their re-
spective reservationsr This is the only mode
by which these collisions with other tribes
and with the whites can be avoided and the
safety of our frontier settlements secured.
THE Pacific RAILWAYS.
The compvnies constructing the railway
from Omaha to Sacramento have been most
energetically engaged in prosecuting the
work, and it is believed that the line will be
completed before the expiration of the next
fiscal year. The six per cent. bonds issued
to these companies amounted ou the fifth in
slant to S44, ,337 ,0Of, and additional work
had been performed to the extent of So 200,
600. The Secretary of the Interior in Au-
gust last, invited my attention 20 the report
of Director of the Union Pacific Railroad
Company, who had heen specially instructed
to examine the location, construction and
equipment Uf their road, and submitted for
the opinion of the Attorney General certain
questions in regard to the authority of the
Executive, which arose upon this report,
aud those which had from time to time been
presented by the Commissioners appointed
appointed to examine this and other lines,
and have recently submitted a sta tement
their investigations, Of which the report Of
the Secretary of the Interior furnishes spec.
ial information
THE WAR DEPARTMENT..
The report IF the Secretary of War con-
tains Information of interest respecting the
several BuaeauS of the War Department.
and the operations of the army. The
strength of our military force on the 30th Of
September last was s. 600 men, and II is
computed that this nun Der will be decreased
to $4,000. 1t is the opinion of the Secretary
of War, that within the next year a consid-
cradle diminution of the infantry force may
be made without detriment to the interest of
the country, and in view of the great ex-
pense attending the military establishment
and the absolute necessity of retrenchment,
wherever it can be applied, it is hoped that
Congress will sanction the reduction which
his report recommends. While in 1860.
sixteen thousand three hundred men cost the
nation II 6 ,472, 900, the sum of S65, ,682 900
as necessary for the support of the army du-
ring the fiscal year, ending June 80, 1870.
Tie estimates Of war debt, for the last two
fiscal years. were for 1867, $33, ,S14, ,461, and
and for 1868. S25, POS 500. The actual
expenditures during the same periods were
respectively, $50, ,224 AIS and 1923, 246 ,64S.
The estimate submitted in December last,
for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1869, was
81, ,124, ,707. The expenditures for the first
quarter, ending the 30th of September last,
were $27 ,219,Il7, aud the Secretary of the
Treasury gives $6o,000,000 as the amount
which viii probably be required during the
remaining three-quarters, if there should be
no reduction of the army, making its aggre-
gate cost for the year considerably II excess
of ninety-three millions. The difference be-
! tween the estimates and expenditures for the
three fiscal years which have been named, is
! thus shown to be $175,54 .343 for this sin
gle branch of public service.
THE NAVY.
| The report of the Secretary of the Navy
! exhibits the operations of that department
! and of the Navy duIing the year. A eonsid-
cradle reduction of the force has been effected
! There are forty-two vessels carrying four
hundred and eleven guns in the six squad
/ rons which are established in different parts
of the world. Three of these vessels are re-
turning to the United States and four are
used as storeships. leaving the actual cruis-
ing force thirty-fve vessels, carrying three
hundred and fifty six guns. The total.num-
Der of vessels in the Navy is two hundred
and six, mounting seventeen hundred anc
forty three guns. Eighty-one vessels of ev-
cry description are in use, armed with six
hundred and ninety-six guns. The number
of enlisted men in the service, including ap
prentices. has been reduced to eight thou
sand and five hundred. An increase of navy
yard facilities is recommended which will
in the event Of war, be pronotive of economy
and secuitY A more thorough and evs