The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-12-10

and cultivation. But in later Years these
laws through vicious administrative methods
and under changed conditions of commune
cation and transportation, have been so
evaded and violated that their beneflcent
purpose is threatened with entire defeat.
The rapid appropriation of our public lands
without bona fide sentiments or cultivation.
and not only without intention of residence,
but for the purpose of their aggregation in
large holdings in many cases in the hands of
foreigners invites the serious and immediate
attention Of the congress. / recommend
the repeal of the pre-emption and timber
culture acts, and that the homestead
laws be so amended as to better secure
compliance with their requirements Of resi-
dence, Improvement, and cultivation for the
period of five years from the date of entry,
without Communication or provision for specu-
lative REIMBURSEMENT. l also recommend the
repeal OF the desert-land laws unless IL shall
be the pleasure of the congress to so amend
these laws as to renAer them less liable to
abuses.
The removal of the fences still remaining
which inclose public lands will be enforced
with all the authority and meaos with which
the executive branch of the government is or
shall be invested by the congress for that
purpose.
THE NATIONAL DEBT.
The sum paid upon the public debt during
the fiscal year ended June 80, 1886, was
S44, ,551, ,043.36.
During the twelve months ended Oct 81,
1886, . per cent. bonds were called for redemp-
ton amounting to 1927 ,2s3, 100, of which
SoO,643,2O0 was SO called to answer the re-
quirements of the law relating to the sinking
fund and SAC, $780, 900 for the purpose of re-
ducing the public debt by application of a
part OF the surplus in the treasury to that
object. OF the bonds thus called st02 1863, ,450
became subject under such calls to redemp-
tion prior to Nov /, 1886. The remainder,
amounting to $25, ,013,6 $50, matured under the
calls after that date.
In addition to the amount subject to pay
ment and cancellation prior to Nov. 1, there
were also paid before that day certain of
these bonds with the interest thereon,
amounting to IS, or, $780, which were antici-
pated as to their maturity, of which S2,604,-
B5O had not been called. Thus Sl07, ,34l 800
had been actually applied prior to Nov. l,
1885, to the extinguishment of orr bonded
and interest bearing debt, leaving on that
day still outstanding the of 81, 1853 4i3, 1l2.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
The affairs of the postal service show
marked and gratifying Improvement during
the past year. The reduction of the rate of
letter postage in 1888, rendering the postal
revenues inadequate to sustain the expendi-
lures, and business depression also contribp-
ting, resulted in an excess of cost for the
ts al year ended June 80, 1885, of eight and
OHe-JulIu UlllilOlS OF AN
check upon receipts by doubling the measure
of weight in rating sealed correspondence
and diminishing one-half the charge for news
paper carriage, was imposed by legislation
which took effect with the beginning of the
past fiscal year; while the constant demand
OF our territorial development and growing
population, for the extension and increase of
mail facilities and machinery, neceSsitates
steady annual advance in outlay; and the
careful estimate of year ago upon the rates
OF expenditure then existing contemplated the
unavoidable augmentation of the def
cheney in the last fiscal year by nearly $2,-
OOOO00. The anticipated revenue for the last
year failed of realization by about S64, 900,
but proper measures of economy have so sat
isfactorily limited the growth of expenditure
that the total deficiency, in fact fell below
that of 1885. At the close of the last fiscal
year the expense of transportation on star
routes stood at an annual rate of cost less by
over $3.50, 900 than at the close of the previ-
GUS year, and steamboat and mail messenger
service at nearly S200,00 less The service
has been in the meantime enlarged and ex-
tended by the establishment of new offices, in
crease of routes of carriage, expansion of car
rier delivery conveniences and additions to tn
railway mail facilities, in accordance with the
growing exigencies of the country and the
long established policy of the government.
The differences which arose during the year
with certain of the steamship companies have
terminated by the acquiescence OF all in the
policy Of the government approved by the
congress in the postal appropriation at its
last session; and the department now enjoys
the utmost service afforded by all vessels
which sail from our ports upon either ocean
"a service generally adequate to the needs
of our intercourse Petitions have, how
ever, been presented to the department by
numerous merchants and manufacturers for
the establishment of direct service to the
Argentine republic and for semi-monthly dis
patches to the empire of Brazil; and the sub
ject is commended to your consideration.
suggest that as distinguished from a grant or
subsidy for the mere benefit of any line of
trade or travel, whatever outlay may
be required to secure additional postal
service, necessary and proper and
not otherwise attainable, should be
regarded as within the limit of
legitimate compensation for such service
The extension of the free delivery service as
suggested by the postmaster general has here
tofore received my sanction, and it is to be
hoped "a suitable enactment may soon be
agreed upon. The request for an appropria.
tion sufficient to enable the general inspection
of fourth class offices has my appreciation
PENSIONS.
The report of the commissioner of pensions
pOnta ins n dptnitad and gqtisfapfOrv axyhtIt