Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-12-25

llYered to writers, ia, ,G66.
Mong Letter Division Received for dis
position, I7,589 letters, containing $50, ,26;
i OF; registered for disposition, ISL letters
! containing IS, 033 so; total received, is, $40
letters, containing $50, 63S &c; fled and held
for disposition, 2,l24 letters, containing
81, 1852 sc; lost, 81 letters, containing Sl4;
50; outstanding, l24 letters, containing
1852. OF money letters 81 per cent were
delivered to owners.
Minor Letter Dirsioa. Received and
sent out II, 750 letters, nominal value $9,-
609,2I so; delivered to owners l6,S09 let
ters; filed and for disposition S2l letters;
outstanding 100 letters. OF minor letters
80 per cent were delivered to owners.
Property Diglsiou Received I3, 964 let
ters and packages, probable value IS, 500;
letters aud packages sent out, II ,4s9; letters
and packages delivered, 9,9ll; letters ani
packages unclaimed, 1878; letters and
packages filed and destroyed, 2,475; num-
Der Of packages eff jewelry, l,l30; miscolla-
neous articles, books, &C., 1859; number Of
unmailable letters received and disposed of
3S7, 323; held for postage, 29O, 44S; misdirec
ted, SIS, 3S7i no mail service, 13,437; blank,
1850; hotel, %, 425.
Abstract of the Annual Report of the
Secretary of the Treasury.
The Secretary congratulates the country
that the national finances are in a good con-
ditlon, and that the nation has not suffered
from an expensive credit system, based on
too redundant currency. Economy in pub
lie and private business interests has divert
cd industry into healthy channels and he
believes that with proper financial legisla.
ton, in the revision of the tariff and the
modification Of certain portions of the In
ternal Revenue laws, the path to specie
payments may be reached, though he is op-
posed to naming by legislation any time for
resuming, and declares that nothing can be
gained by forced resumption.
The funding Of the public debt he regards
as one step toward resumption. The report
shows that up to date, of the seven thirty
bonds SS27, ,629, $50 have been funded into
hve-twenty six per cent bonds; of the first
series, 1929, ,5G5, 700; second series, $780,
ASS, 200 third series, $l97, ,875, ,450. This
leaves, on the lst of December, of the out
standing 7-30 notes but 81, 363, $50. The
floating Indebtedness in the shape of Com
pound Interest notes which became due be-
tween the 10th of June, 1867, and the 10th
Of October, 1868, have not all been redeem
ed; but many have been received in ex-
change for the three per cent. certificates,
leaving a few millions outstanding. This
policy Of funding-so carefully and steadily
pursued by converting the temporary loans,
interest bearing notes. etc, into a 6 per cent.
gold bonds regarded as having most
important bearing on the question Of re-
sumption
The report next discusses the contraction
Of the paper circulation by the redemption
Of United States notes. Mr.. McCulloch
well known views remain unchanged. The
Secretary estimates the expenditures for the
fiscal year ending June so, 1870, to be
S250000, 900 in round numbers, though the
War Department, in the event of an Indian
war, viii add many millions to this estimate
Last year the War Department asked for
$25, 600, 900 for bounties, but its estimate
this year is less than that amount, as no
more appropriations for bounties are reouir.
ed. The report further shows that the
annual interest on the public debt is, in
round numbers, $40, 600, 900, and the esti-
mate for the next fiscal year is but little in
excess of that amount
The estimates of the Navy Department are
some $l5,o00,o00 less than last year, and
the Secretary calls again upon Congress to
continue its work Of reducing the expendi- |
ture in all branches of the service. The re.
ceipts show that the Internal Revenue for
the present fiscal year will amount to about |
sl20,00O 600 which, deducting the amount
of revenue cut of by the act of March last,
will prove the Secretary's estimates made |
last November to be correct. The estimated
revenue for the next fiscal year from Gus
toms. internal revenue, lands and miscela-
neous sources, Is many millions in excess of
the expenditures. This year the estimated
excess was but $4,000. 900. Ofcourse these
estimates do not include the contingency of
an Indian war
The SecretaTy's report shows that the |
public debt has been reduced during the
year from November l, 1867, to November
/, lS6S-the dates at which the comparison
is made-$35, GA, l02 50. If the month of
November be added to the year, the dent
from November l, 1867, to December !,
1869, has been reduced but about 27,OOO,- |
600. These figures show the amount of debt
less the cash in the treasury. The re- |
port will show an expenditure on account of
the public debt of about $3.50, 500, 600.
which includes redemptions, conversions,
interest on the public debt, &C. The Sec
retary also renews the recommendation con-
tained in his last annual report of a reorgan-
ization of the Bureaux of the Department,
and most respectfully aud earnestly solicits
for it the favorable action of Congress. He
also alludes to the taxation of Government
bonds by the States, and adheres to his
views on that subject.
The War Report.
The report of Secretary Sehofeld of the
War Department is the most compact and
concise of the official documents presented.
The country has reason to be grateful that
our war reports lack the terrible Importance
they possessed few years ago. The Army
will be reduced to 43, 900 by the lst of Janu-
ary. The actual current expenses of the
War Department during the year have been
sos, 743,094 II besides $9,96I 400 43 old
war debts paid during the year, making the