The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-03
THREE REPORTS.
Continued From First Page.


department.
Statistics are submitted contrasting our
service with that OF Great Britain and Ger
many and France, demonstrates that in
cheapness Of postage, gross revenue and
expenditures, number Of posiofiices, ex-
tent of mail routes, mileage OF mail service
and volume Of mail matter transmitted, the
postal system OF the United States is the
leading one OF the world. The average
number OF pieces OF mail matter to each
inhabitant OF the several countries named,
taking the last census as the basis OF the
calculation, is now about as follows:
United States, pieces per capita, III;
Great Britain, 81. Germany. Al; France, 81.
The total cost OF foreign mail service was
$500, 067, OF which $464, $40 was for trans
porting mails OF United States origin. OF
this amount there was paid for transat-
lantic service 1858, 262; for transpaciic
service, 1924, 453 and for miscellaneous
service, $5S, 553, transatlantic steamship
service.
The mails have been invariably assigned
each montb-to the steamers which made
the fastest time, ascertained from an aver
age of number OF trips as reported by the
steamship companies.
lllt ldottol AltDt liOin INtW iOIh W Lph-
don, via Queenstown, was made by the
Cunarder Umbria, viz: 1917 hours.
The fastest time from New York to Lon
don, via Southampton, was made by the
North German Lloyd steamship Labn, viz;
1877 hours.
The fastest time from New York TO
lIavre was made by the General Trans
atlantic steamship La Champagne, viz
lS9 hours.
The Department during the year nego-
tiated postal convention between the
United States and Canada, which was put
into operation March /, 1888, and makes
virtually one postal territory OF the United
States and Canada. Uniformity OF postal
rates has generally been established, but
there is still the restriction that no mer-
chandise of any kind could be sent to Can
ada. This restriction has now been re-
moved, and, with the exception of spe-
cially prohibited articles, merchandise can
now be sent at fourth class rates of post
| age.
Parcel post conventions have been con-
cluded during the fiscal year ending June
80 1888, with Barbadoes, the Bahamas,
British Honduras and Mexico. Parcel
post conventions are now pending with all
the Central and South American States,
and will doubtless prove great benefit e
American commerce and industry.
Report of the Secretary of the Interior
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-The following /,
a synopsis OF the report OF the Secretary o.
the Interior to be submitted TO Congress,
today:
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
The complete and elaborate report Of tn,
| Commissioner OF the General Land Office
exhibits the work accomplished in tina
bureau during the year and the prcsen
state OF its affairs and shall extract it,
general features Conformation with view
to calling attention 10 some points in re
spect TO which legislative action may ap
pear desirable.
Patents were issued during the past yea
to the number Of AZ, $50 for agriculture
lands, covering an area estimated 20 ex.
coed 1900 900 acres, an increase OF 22,62.
patents over the number issued during thu
preceding year, with greater acreage b,
moro than 100000. One thousand anC
thirty-iour mineral patents and ia Goa
land patents, the latter for l5,0SS.73 wer,
issued. OF railroad lands there were pat
ented or certified $50, 1872. 40 acres Unde
the swamp land act title passed 10 State
for SO, 5l5. 10 acres; and under other inter
nal improvement aud educational grant
10 various States 30, POS. ~ acres were con
veyed. On miscellaneous claims, embrac
ing private land claims, donations, Indiai
severalty grants aud scrip locations, pat
ents issued covering %. i02.5l acres; max
Ing the aggregate quantity Of land 70
which title was passed during the year, II
part reckoncd and estimated In part
1905, 1919 acres.
LAND RESTORED TO THe PUBLIC DOMAIN.
The Commissioner Of the General Ian,
Office presents in his report statement O
the quantities OF lands which have beel
restored TO the public domain since tn
incoming Of your administration, by 10
claiming them under forfeiture Of railroa,
grants by acts Of Congress, by revocation
OF executive Withdrawals for the benefits q
railroads or for private land claims, by tn
discovery OF frauds aud illegalities in en-
tries by private parties under the yariou
laws for the disposition OF public lands
whereby such entries have been Cancelled
as well as by cancellation for other causes
aud by the rejection OF selections b
States for internal improvements an
swamp lands inyalidy made, which b
states 30 be a correct exhibit Of this work
The lands actually restored TO the publ
domain amount 20 SO, lbS, 0D05l.
4 cannot refrain from rcmarking upo
the testimony which this statement afford
10 the abilities Of my distinguished prt
dcccssor in this office, under whose dircC
ton the most Of this work was done. a
well as Ia proof OF the improvidcnce wit
which grants have been sometimes hereto
fore msde, and Of the reckless disregard {
the laws on the part Of no many person
who have attempted by fraudulent pra,
tees 20 secure ownership OF lands frcel
offered without price 10 the honest, ac,uI
/ settler.
The Commissioner makes IN addition,
statement OF the acreage Of lands the r,
covery and restoration 81 which have bee
recommended or for which steps ha,
, taken, which amounts 10 Us, $685.
acres.
SWAMI LANDS.
, Tho acts Of 1870 and 1850, by which
flrst the State Of Louisiana and aiicrwar
"the State Of Arkansas and other States,
were granted the swamp and overilowe
, lands within their boundaries upon N
pretcxt Of drainage. must be awarded
, high place M models for public mischic
/, making. The quantities which have bee
patented 20 the several States under the,
; acts and Others extending them 10 Stat,
. not al drst embraced. arc 5G,sl0, 25l.O
, acres.
: The claims Of this character prcsente
! TO the Land Office during the past yes
! cover ISL. S5L5D acres. making the lot
7 amount claimed by virtue OF said acts u
! TO this time rs, lsg, 1906 acres.
Thus TO less than One-half Of the Stats