" 1 A. r f i . ' i 30' (Gil . illLJld VOU "fill-No. 133 PHILADELPHIA, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1867. DOUBLE SHEET THREE CENTS. r 9 t MVMN - i FIRST E0IT10N RATIONAL BUDGET. REPORT OF SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR ADSTBACT. The Secretary ofthe Interior says: Experience bu vnrgmted Military cliunues In the ujodeoi disposing or Ibe public lamia. Credit on sales h is been lon since abolished. The right ol pre-emption originally Con ferred ouly by special enactment, has become a per manent pari of our system. At. a later period the bomeatead policy was engiafled upon it. In no re spect bas the wisdom of (Jungrens been more strikingly displayed tban In the adoption of general and uuf form method of public surveys. Until they are ex tended over the soli, the proprietorship thereof re mains Id the Government, This policy oilers a suaiktd contrast lo that of the natlous which esta blished colonies within our limit, and secures to the furrhaer an Inrtlsput ble rpghl to a well-defined rart. Notwithstanding our selllemeots have pro gressed with a rsildlty unequalled lu the history of unllous, few serious controversies have arli en in re gard to titles emanating from ibe United mates. Our present system is so simple and eUlcient, so well adapted to the wants of our population and the Inte rests of the service, ibat It Is not susceptible ot much improvement, fctucb modifications as were needed to periect It were alluded to in my last annual report. Ho necebslty exists lor making at this time more peoial relerence to them. Urn lug the last fiscal year 7,041,114 50 acres weredls- Sosed of. This quantity exceeds that disposed ol nrti g tne previous year by 2.411.800 acres. The cash recelpia of the oUice from sales and fees of various kinds amounted to $1,847,861-52: a sum greater than that teceived the previous year by more than hall a Bnllon dollars, During the last fiscal year and the quarter of the present year eudlDg 30th September last, 650 Indian patents were Issued, embraclug H SJ4 ores, under the several acts of Congress relatlug thereto, patents for prlva'e laud claims In Califor nia have been Issued embracing 4.3S3.3WJ acres. Con trai ta bave been entered into for surveylug and marking the northern boundary ot California, that portion of the eastern boundary of Oregon wnlch lies One south of the confluence or Owyhee wltn Snake river, to the northern Hue ot Nevada, and the north ern boundary of New Wei Ice. It is recommended tLat appropnatlous be made for the survey of the northern and eastern boundaries ot Colorado Tern ' tory and the northern and eastern boundaries of MO TS'! a. The last soldier of the Revolution who was on tbe r ei slou rolls at the date ot my last annual report has since died. By special act of Congress two other . vetersns of that war have beeu placed on the rolls at tbe rate of live hundred dollars per annum. Ol the widows ot such soldiers there are on tbe rolls tbe names of nine hundred and nluety-seveu; of tbese, one hundred and nineteen were married prior to 1st January, 1W 0. Of wa'S subsequent to the Revolution and prior to tbe Rebellion, tbe number of pensioned widows and orphans ol soldiers was one thousand three buodrel and ten at the close of the last fiscal year. The total aggregate ot army pensions Is one hun dred and tilty-ihree thousand atid ninety-three, at a total aouual rateol sixteen millions one hundred and forty-two thousand seventy-nine dollars and ninety seven cents. The whole amount paid during the last fiscal year to luvalld military pemlone.-s.thelr widows, orphans, and dependent relatives, was eighteen millions, three hundred and one thousand seven hundred and Hi teen dollars and twenty-six cents, which Includes the ex pi nsea of the disbursing agencies. On the 80th of June, 1W7, on the rolls of the navy Seoilous, were tbe names of one thousand and fifty tur Invalids, at an annual aggregate of elghty-iilue th ussnd six hundrtd and liny-two dollars and twenty live cents, and one thousand three hundred and twenty-seven widows, orphans, aud dependent relatives, at an aggregate annual rate of three hun dred and ttve thousand seven huudred and forty-two dollars and twenty-five cents. The amount paid during tbe last fiscal year to navy Invalids and to widows, orphans, and dependent relatives of otllcers and seamen of tbe navy, was three hundred and eighteen thousand two hundred aud lorty-oue dollars ind twenty cents. . ... Tha tniat anLufel amount of pensions of all classes Tens sixteen millions tour hundred and forty-seven tbouHund eight hundred and twnty-two dot ars and twenty-two cents, and the amount paid was eighteen millions six hundred and nineteen thousand nine hundred aud fifty-six dollars and forty-six eeuus, which Includes expenses ot disouriement. During the year eudlng September 80, 1867, there were admitted nine hundred and hity four applica tions lor bounty Und warrants, tequlrlng one hun dred and torty-elght thousand nine huudred and alxty acres of land to satisfy them. Tbe Invested navy pension fund now amounts to thirteen mill Ions of dollars, and there is an uninvested balance ot two hundred aud twenty-nine thousand two hundred and forty-six dollars and thirty-seven cents, Ab the Interest on the Invested sum tar ex ceeds the amount required for the navy pensions, Congress provided, by act approved Marco 2, 187, for tbe increase of the pensions of meritorious disabled officers, seamen, and marines. The Secretary of the Navy has favorably reported seven olaims of this lass. There is au urgent necessity f ran Increased appropriation for special investigation to prevent frauds upon lb Government lo ooialnu.g pensions. The amount saved to tbe Uovernmeut by suoh inves tigations has far exceeded tbe expenditures In con ducting tbem, while tbelr chiet value arises from their preventive Influence. Our Indian relations have assumed a new and Inte resting aspect. Tbe steady approach of emigration to the grounds heretofore devoted to the ohass.and the rapid progress of the railroads pointing towards tbe Pacific aud traversing the country over which the Indians from time immemorial have roamed, Impe riously demand that the policy of concentrating them upon reservations should, whenever practicable, be adopted. Until recently there was territory euongh to supply tbe demands of tbe while rao, without unduly encroaching upon tbe dlstrlots where the In dians subsisted by bnntlog. This condition of things no longer exists. Christianity and civilisation, with the Industrial arts, are spreading over the entire region from the Mississippi to the Pacltlo. The In dians are In possession of vast tracts ol country, abounding In precious metal, or rich In sources of agricultural wealth. These Invite the enterprise of the sdventurous pioneer, who, lu seeking a home and fortune, Is constantly pressing upon the abode of the IByUan Inevitable law two races, one civilized and the other barbarous, are being brougnt face to face. The obligations which rest upon the Government ex tend to bulb. Ksch is Justly eutltled to protection. Our duty requires ns lo eevlse a Sj stent by which Civilisation, with Hs;ttendaot blessings, may be fos tered and eitemted. and at the same time protection fee secured to the tribes. The estimated number of Indians Is about three hundred thousand, spreading from Lake (superior to the Pacific Ocean. Those east of tne Mississippi, with few exceptions, are on reservations; so also are the tribes In Kansas north of Ibe Arkansas, and those located between the western border of Arkansas aud the country known as the "leased lauds." Treatise were negotiated last wlnter-wltli the Kansas tribes, and submitted lo tbe (senate for its constitutional action. If ratified aud In good laith executed, these tribes will be provided with homes, where they will Boon become self-sustaining, as they hve already adopted tbe habits of civilized Ills aud beojids rami liar with agricultural pursuits. They will then re quire from us little beyond protection against the In trusion of tbe whites, at. d the faithful performauoe ot our stipulations. A consideration ot the proper policy to be pursued In respect 10 Ibe wild tribes presents moie ditllcult questions. As long as they cling to their nomadlo habits, and subslHt by hunting aud fishing, enoroacb roenl upon their bunting grounds and It does not seem possible to prevent it will necessarily lead to hostilities and a devastation of the frontier settle men ib The tribes within onr borders are capable of civili sation. The past furnishes gratifying i)7uoca mat well-dlret ted and persistent eiloils to that end wi.l in rewarded wlih s access, it is, uowever, a wun Ot time. Tbe arts of civilisation hut slowly dis placed the primitive tastes 7.u liablis of our own rl,cSi . i nUBl b" with the Indian: hecanuot lna xneaialeiy ty,, trar stormed from the hunter to tbe t'Tuier or mechanic. There are intermediate states through which he has to pass. lie should be gradu ally won from tbe chase to a pastoral life, and, under Us Influences, he will ultimately aoqulre a taste fur agricultural pursuits. '1 he first step in the process Ol Improvement is lo localise the ludlans. The same district should not ba appropriate! to the ssvase and the civilized, nnr should tribes blweeo whom hereditary feuds ex at be brought together, as U wo Hd be followed by disastrous results NO objection Is perceived u planing the civilized npon contiguous tracp; on the contrary. It is expe dient to do so. and. as soon as their consent cao ba ob tained, lo subject them to theiaiue svstem of govern ment and laws. But such a poiliy? is wholly luapoll cabie to the wild tribes: they require, iu propornou to their umbers, much more territory, and can only be governed and con'.rolled. and trained lo habits of In dustry, on separate and widely distinct reservations, selected In view of their ad tatlon to grazing as well as tillage, and amply stocked by Ibe Government wltn large numbers ol cattle, sheep, aud goal, 'i be Indian will discover that a be.-dsmau's life affords a belter aad surer subsistence than a preoa-iousdepeDt1e .ee uuoa the chase. A desire for the acquisition ol Indi vidual property will soon spring op. aud should be gratified by appropriating to each adult a Imbed ju.mlly ofland for bis exclusive aae. A title tbeiew saesid aatered letum.aad Xaraalus an.ua jar- nlsher). He will then lei.rn to Cultivate the soil. The mechanic art will follow Tne sctn nliuost-r, and, above ail, the mlaslonu.y.wlih the "leanings and hopes Of religion, will crow a and perpetuate the work. I be unoccupied country went or tbe Missouri Is Of such vast extent that large regions, If properly selected, at points remote from the great lines of travel, may be reserved without detriment to any public Interest. Long before the tide of emigration wl 1 resell them, they can, by an equitable arrange ment with the Indians, be reduced to tbe diroensUius required by the actual want of tbe agricultural population. The selection of suitable site and the removal ol the Indians to them cannot be accotm lished In the short time allotted lo the commissioner appointed by tbe act of Co nereis of July last. Twooomiuiaslous, each consisting of not less than three persons, should be appointed, and adequate means placed at the tits posal of the Secretary of tne Interior for theelliclent completion of tbe work. No consideration ot the time er expenditure likely to be required should be u tiered to defeat an object of such surpassing Impor tance. A guarantee against the useless consumption of time or money should be found In the character of the persons selected. The cost will be very Incon siderable compared with that of a war. Had a tithe ol our outlay In military operations against the In dians during the present year been honestly and Judi ciously applied to purposes of peace, the necessity of a rewort lo force would have been avoided. It Is more humane and economical to subsist Indians than to fight tbsm. A wire and Just policy will soon reneve u from either necessliy, Tbe salaries of the Superintendents of Indian A flairs and Indian Agents are Inadequate. Increased compensation would enable tbe Department to secure the services of men of undoubted capacity and integrity, and lend to remove the temptation to oo ra mi t tbt se frauds which, before and since the trans fer of the Indian Bureau to this Department, were and Still are Imputed to officers performing duties and Bustalulng relations to the Indians such as de volve npon this class of publlo servants. I -take pleasure, however, In bearing testimony to the abi lity and fidelity of many now In the Indian service, home of tbone of the greatest merit bave announced their Intention to resign on account of tbe insuill clency of their pay. Loss to tbe Govern men', and serious wrong to tbe Indians would be prevented by an appropriation fjr the employment ot siwoial agents to Investigate and correct, at remote posts, frauds and abuses, which cannot be properly dealt with by tbe Instrumentalities now subject to the order of the Department. o. H. BKOWNING. PUBLIC POST. REPORT OF THE POSTMASTER1 GENERAL ' ABSTRACT. The revenues of the Department during the flsoal year ended June sn, 1867, were ti5,2ii7,u(l's7, to which should be added amounts drawn fiom the Treasury under the acts making appropriations lor carrying "free mall matter,' n60,0un: and amount under the pedal appropriations f r overland mail and marine tervice between New York and California, foo,660; steamship service between Ban Francisco, Japan, and China, 4l,6t-67: and between tbe United mates and BruEil, iioe.ooo (Including ioo,ooo on account of ser vice performed during the previous lisal year); for new mall routes, flbo.000: and to supply deficiencies. i,S0.(hxi; making the receipts from ail sources, V78.G98 64. Tbe expenditures of ail kinds. Including the' foreign mall transportation, and service for wblob the above special appropriations were made, eay tl 1K1.6WK7, during tbe same period, were I9.2&,. 483'4, showing an excess of receipts over expendi tures Of 748.21U-OS. Tbeorulnary expenses ot tbe Department, not In cluding mall transportlon provided for by special ap propriation, were 18,048.8l6Tv; and the ordinary receipts, Including the amount drawn nnder appro- iriauon ior carrying free mall matter, were 18 1.17(287, showing an excess of expenditures of 1 W 6,7 89-B2. which bas been met by the unexpended .aianoes of former appropriations. No annrnnrfatlnn for the past year Is therefore needed. Tbe receipts for postage, as compared with tbe pre vious years, show an Increase of 6 per cent., and tbe expenditures an increase of 251-10 percent. The amount of revenue concentrated In the depositories aud draft offices was (s.l64,72S'ls; collected by the Auditor, $2.117,113 66; retained by postmasters for compensation and office expenses, (6,814 156-65: and remaining In the bands of postmasters, awaiting col lection, (661,028-60. - The ordinary expenditures for the year ending June 8U, I860, are estimated au.... (24,200,000 Add ior overland mall and marine service between New York and Oaillomi. ........... 900,(00 Bteamshlp service botween ban Jr ranclseo, Japan, and China......... (00,000 Bteamshlp service between the Uuitcd Hlales and Brazil..... m 150.000 Bteamshlp service between Ban i ranclseo and the Baudwlch Islands...... 7J.C00 To supply a dellolency In tbe service be tween the United States and Brazil In the hscul year ended June 80, 1866..... 12,500 - $1,6 7.600 Making the total estimated expenditures... (22,87,500 The ordinary receipts. Including tbe stand ing approprlatlou of (700,000 for carrying free mull matter, are estimated al., 18,700,000 Aod amounts of special appropriation for California, China, and Brazil malts, and lor the deficiency above named 1,562,500 (18,161.5110 Bhowlng an excess of expenditures of. $5,575,000 Deducting the undrawn balances appropri ations lor tbe department, amounting to. 1,000,000 Leaves tbe deficiency to be provided for from the geueral treasury 1,575 000 It will also be necessary to make the usual ocu appropriations as follows: lor overland mail transportation and marine service between New York and llsillnrnl. ......... Mall steamship service betweeu Ban Fran cisco, Japan, and China Mail steamstilpaervlce between tbe United Bute and Braxll.n... ... And lor deficiency ou account of seivloe be tween the United States and Brazil during tbe flsoal year ended June 80, 18s Mall steamship service between Han Fran cisco ana the Sandwich laianna, , tl 1900,000 800,000 150,000 12,500 7,000 Daring tbe year, 871,599,605 postage stamps of the value ol (11,678 807-44; 668,160 plain stamped envelopes, representing (190,688-60; 16.W2,7W stamped envelopes bearing printed cards aud requests, representing (494,712-60-, and 1,857,76V newspaper wrappers, valued at (37.166, were Issued. An aggregate value of (18,401,088. The Issue of postage stamps, compared with the previous year, shows an Increase of about 85 per ceut., whilst the issue of stamped envelopes has Increased almost 81 per cent. This increase la at tr lbs table to tbe Introduction of printed buetnens cards and re quests for return If not delivered, without additional cost. The Issue of Ibis class of euvelopes during the year was Increased 1 08 percent, over that ot 1866. The prediction In last year's report that the cse of such envelopes would tend largely to reduce the number ot dead letters has been verified. The sta tistics given under the head of dead letters how that Ibe number has diminished nearly one million dur tng tbe past year, aud that this gratliyiog result Is attributable lo the ose of envelopes with a request for the return to the writers ot unclaimed letters directly from the post olUce addressed. It Is estimated that fully tiny millions of these envelopes were used durlug the year, the department supplying about ooe thlrd ot the cumber. The sales of postage stamps and stamped envelopes during tbe year amounted to (i2.9t8,i;4 12, leaving unsold in the bauds of posiinas tS'S IG2.92878. Kxperlmenls are In progress with a postage stamp printed on embossed paper, which seems to attord good security against fraud. The fibres ot the paper being broken, canceling marks almost penetrate, so that tbey cannot easily be removed without destroy ing tbe stamp. Tbe adhesive properties are also pro moted, and other advantages secured which com mend the Invention to a tovorable noilce. The length ot routes has been Increased over tbe piecedlng year 22.824 miles; the annual transporta tion, 7 144.875 miles; and coat, (1,705.812; towhlcu add increased cost for rat way postal clerks, route, local, and other ageuis, 8241,171; making au aggregate of $1 , 946,078. 1 be rendition of the overland and territorial mall routes are luuy auu oieariy set lortn in me tvpwt, and very careful tabular slatemsuls Of the rates of pay and weights of mail ou railroad routes are given. Compared with the records kept before the Uebel llon, the service on Ibe southwestern route exhibits a marked Improvement, both with regard to speed and regularity, tbe average time In eacb direction being reduced about two hours, and the proportion of trips performed la tbe schedule time being lu creased from about one half the whole number then to nearly five-tenths now, reckoning the schedule time at tnreeand a-half days, until the 16ih ot Juue, and at three aud a fourth days after that dale, going south, aud at three and a-haU days fur the whole period going north. There are now In operation In the United states eighteen ra'lwsy peslal routes extending In the aggregate over four thousand four hundred aud thirty utiles- upon eight hundred aud seveuly-nine miles f which twice daily service is performed, making a total equal to five thousand three huudred aad fourteen miles ot railway postal service dailv earb way- Twelve, twenty-four, and elten forty-right hours are saved In Ibe transuilslton of all the mails passing over these 61 uO miles. At the date or ibe last annual report. Junction City, Kansas, ms miles weal of Wyandot's, and 418 miles eat ot St. Louis, Missouri, was the farthest polut to wl k ha continuous railroad line front the eastern Cities lAB.Mll lh. mm,mm '. ,1 Af M,1 a IftO Jl I hL- lug, east of Oiuaba City, Nebraska, In the Hue from Chicane to Ksarasy, This gap bas siuoe been filled p by the completion, of the Chicago aud Northwest em Railroad to Council BlnA's. Iowa, on the eastern side ol the Missouri river, opposite Omaba. and Ibe Union I'wcillc Kallrnad (the Plane route) has ben extended beyond Kearney IOT miles to Cheyenne, at the baesj of the Rocky Mountains. AID miles went or Omaha, and luis miles West ot Chicago. Illinois. Tbs Junction City or Rmoky mil route Unlon Pacltlo Railroad, eastern division), has also beeu extended 163 miles to Hay City, making tha length or the railroad routes west of HI. Louis 7I miW-s. Tbe mails are carried dally on these routes west from Wyandotte and Omaha, and on the Pacltlo side the malls are conveyed twice dally between Hecramento and Cisco, a distance of 94 miles, uner contract with tbe Central Pacific Railroad Company, The lines are thus extending east and west to meet each other: the aveiage prngiess on tb ITatte route the past year, Sundays excepted, exceeding one mile per day. A continuation ofthe wnrk with like energy will verify the promise ol the railroad companies by the year l87o to span the continent. The aggregate amount ot postage npon the correa- fonrtence exchanged with foreign countries was 2,441,242 62, an Increase of (152 028 x2 over the previous year. The number of letters exchanged wlthforelfrn coun tries (exclusive of tbe British North American pro vinces), was Io2!i8 284,of wn'ch6.8l2.4(U were sent irrm end 4 7.8; received In the United Suites, or this number 9.442 ill were exchanged with Kuropean Countries, an increase of 877.2tn as compared wit the previous year. The estimated number exchanged with tbe British Provinces was 2 8",tet, making a total of over li.ini .000 letters exchanged ia the malls with lore gn countries. lollowlng the notice given by tbe British Govern ment lor tbe termination of the postal convention or 16th December, 1818, between the United States and the United Kingdom, a preliminary basis of a new convention, reducing the International letter !ostageIrom twenty-four lo twelve cents, and establ ishing moderate charges tor sea and territorial transit of correspondence in closed malls, was . sgieed npon between this Department and the Bri tish Post Office, the leading features ot which were stated in the last report. As the details of this new convention were yet to be discussed and formally adjusted with the British office, a favorable oppor tunity was presented to establish enlarged facilities or mall communication with reduced and uniform rates of postage to tbe continent of Kutope- Tbe conventions with Belgium and tbe North Ger man Union also establish a reduced international rate or ten cents for letters transmitted by regular I nes of nail steamships plying directly betweeu any port of the United Stales and any port In the north at IE ti rope. . Tbe principle ot free transit for correspondence trat emitted in close malls is adopted In the conven tion with the Netherlands and Italy, aud In each ofthe other conventions veiy low transit charges are established. A postal convention, with simple provisions avoid lig postal e accounts, has also been concluded with the Colonial Government of Hong Kong, China, a copy of which Is annexed. The arrangement between tbe United State and Canada tor tbe mutual exchange of registered letters has been extended to registered letters exchanged with New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Kd ward's Island, respectively. The mall steamship service between the United Btatesand China authorized by the act of Congress approved February 17, 1865, was commenced ou the 1st of January, 1867. by the departure of the steam ship Colorado from San Francisco, with the malls for Japan and China, and two additional round tr'ps have been performed between San Francisco, Yoko hama, and Hong Kong, by that steamer, departing from San Francisco on 8d ot April and 4lh or July, and delivering returu malls at that port on 16lh June and lstb r-eptember. respectively. Tbe Great Bepubllo and China, built expressly for this service, have been placed npon tbe line. The contractors expect to have tha Japan, the third Bteamshlp building for tbe Use, ready for service about the 1st of July, 1868; and tbe fourth steamship, not yet named, but now on tbe stocks In a state ol for wardness, wlh likewise be ready lor service In Janu ary, 1889. The postal convention between tbe United States and Venezuela went Into operation on tbe 1st of Oc tober, 1866; and the Government of Venezuela has, thrtugh Its minister, proposed to this Department tbe establishment of a direct line of mail packets be tween the two countries, tbe expense of tbe service to be divided equally between the two Governments, T he propriety of authorizing this Department to unite with Vetiezaela In establlBhlngsucb a lineon the battle proposed Is respectfully reteired to the consideration of ongress. The uumber of post offices established during the year was 1H85; number discontinued, Sill; decrease of olllces. s '18; nnraoerof post ollloea In operation on thesoth June, 188, Including suspended otlices In the Southern Slates. 19,389: total number in operation on tbe soth June, 1867, 25,162: number ol offices subject to appointment by tbe President, 837; number by tbe Postmaster General, 24. 1-26. . A large majority 01 oflioea discontinued are In the Southern States, the service at which was suspended by the Postmaster-General In May, 1861, and were not In operation thereafter, but not regularly discon tinued. These offices were reported by tbe Auditor to tbe appnlntmei t office as having tailed to make returns for five years, aud their discontinuance recommended as necessary to enable that olUcer to cloee tbe accounts of U e late Postmasters on the books of h s office, and for that reason It was deemed advisable to formally discontinue them. The free delivery ot letters by carriers has been In operation during the past year In forty-seven ot the principal cities. The number of carriers employed was 94J, at an aggregate compensation ot (899,93181. This mode of delivery continues to grow In publlo favor, as Is Bbovn by the Increase of postages on local matter, the reductions of the number of post office boxes, and the large decrease ot advertised let ters In several of tbe cities where the system baa been more efficiently conducted. Experience, so far, Justi fies the belief that It will supersede tbe present sys tem of box delivery, Increase correspondence, espe cially In large cities, and not only pay its expenses, hut yield a revenue to tbe Department. Tbe whole num her of money order post offices now In operation is 1224, of which 461 have been established since the date of the last annual report. This increase bas occurred mainly In tbe Western and Southern States, where tbe facilities of ibe system tor the transmission of money appear at present to be most needed, Kxcess over expenditures, (26.260'Bl. To forge or counterfeit a money order Is made a penal off ense by the act of May 17. 1864. But one In stance of thla kind has happened since tbe establish ment of the system. A late postmaster abstracted, In June last, fiiiy-two blank money orders, especially Iirepared and numbered, from the book which he de Ivered to bis successor, tilled them up in tbe usual -manner, so that they appeared to bave been duly Issued on several postmasters lor small sums, aud forged upon each the signature of the postmaster. Payment of twenty-nine of these forged orders to tbe aggregate amount of (1822 was obtained on presenta tion. Tbe fraud was speedily detected, and tbe gallty person was recently convicted of the crime of forgery at tbe United States Court at Cleveland, Ohio, and duly sentenced to three years' Imprisonment and bard labor, and to pay a fine of ttve hundred dollars. By existing law a postmaster at a money order offioe Is uot authorized to issue an order payable or himself. Hence monev order olUoes caunot at ore sent he established at tbe stations or sub post offices lu the large cities, although in some Instances these stations luinlsh trdlnary postal facilities to a larger population In their v.clnlty than that of many con siderable towns. It Is evident that the couvenlence ol resident within tbe delivery of such stations would be sensibly promoted If tbey were al lowed to purchase and receive payment of money orders at these stations, instead of being com- felled, as now, to resort for such facilities to the oen rel post office of tbe city. The latter would more over be relieved, to some extent, or a great and con stantly increasing pressure of applicants for the pur chase and paymeutot orders. It would also prove useful In tbe sparsely settled States where tbe county town usually has a money order office, through which, under tbe prot osed modification, small debts oouid readily be paid lu any part of tbe county by means of money orders Issued aud payable at the post office in the county town, which Is habitually visited by resi dents ol the county. It Is gratifying to be able to state that notwithstand ing the Increase of expenses ofthe Department, grow ing out or the Increase of compensation of clerks, agents, aod employes of the Department, and Increase In the extent and expense of the mail service throughout the country and on the sea, the disburse ments were not only kept within tbe estimates for 18t7, but there remained an unexpended balance of over seven bucdred tbousand dollars to be applied towards the expenses of the current year. So great Is Ibe constant demand for It or eased mall service by the people ot tbe Territories, aud to supply the neces sities or the older Stales, aud so important la It to put luto lull operatiou tbe service lu the States lately In volved In the lu-helllon, that a considerable detloloncy Is estimated lor the year 1869. Jl cannot be aniiomai.i kkt the revenue of tbe Department derived from the sale ot stamps auu stamped envelopes, and from sources Independent or specific appropriations, can equal the a-acewary ex penditures or the Department, while tbe service is being constantly Increased, at great cost, to meet tbe wants ol the people In sparsely settled Territories. The laster tbe new Territories are peopled aud their material resources developed, the greater will be the postal revenues coming back to reimburse the depart ment for outlays. . . , Until the whole couutry is well settled by a stable, producing, thrifty population, It caunot be aasnmed, with certainty, that the Post Office Department cau become self-sustaining. New channels of postal communication are opening everywhere, and neoet saty expenses grow faster than legitimate revenue Increases. When tbe waste coun'ry becomes belter settled, aod the facilities lor mall transportation lucreaaed and cheapened, as they will be in a very few years, the luerease of reveuuea aud comparative decrease of carrying expenses will entirely chauge the relation of the taxes aud re sources ol the Department and, at Ibe present rale of pohtage, It will not only be self-sustaining but lurulah no Inconsiderable revenue to tbe Government. There Is no appropriation of publio money which brings back, directly and indirectly, so large a return to the Government and the people as that made In aid of the postal service. Only one otner department of the Government gets backareveuue anywhere near Its expenses In return lor the outlays of publlo money. Under the new postal couvs'ntlous with foreign countries, and nude the contract 1 ecenvl made fur Atlantic service, the lsre balances aralnst the De partment, which have burdened It 'or eo many ynnrs, will he entirely wiped out. a- d a very handsome re venue derived In aid of Us finances. The exhibits of this report show a remarkable In crease in tbe importance of the foreign mall service, aud the Increased care and watchfulness required of those In direct charge of it. Thesnbject of connecting tbe telegraphic system of the country with the postal service has attracted public attention, and It resolved, to some extent, the consideration of my predecessor. It bas recently transpired that the telegraphic system of Great Britain has been put in charge of tbe British P.ist Office Department. It is a matter of very great im- Iiortanrs, and us propriety and practicability ought to ie thoroughly Investigated by Congreris. The Post master-General calls attention to the gross francs perpetrated oiwn tbe department by violation ol tlie franking privilege, la almost all parts t -.he country. Theno mmil franks of dlffsrent me-nbers ol Congress are freely used to circulate obscene books and ps pern lottery slrculars, business cards, etc. and cover ail kinds ol buslnes and domestic oorresnon deuce of persons not authorised by law to frank mall able matter. Unless something Is done speedily by t ongress lo check this serious raisoulef, tbe annual ei propr atluo to cover the transmission of tree mat ter will have to be Increased from seven nnndred thousand dollars to at least one million ot dollars. To avoid the continuance ot this serious abuse In the use of f he names of members of Con gress without their knowledge or consent, he airain urges that the law be so changed as to require the written signature of the person exercising' the frank ing privilege upon the matter Irankeil.and, to relieve the heads of Depuriment aud Bureaus of great labor, that a franking clerk be authorised by law lor eaoii fleparimeutof the Government, with the authority to frank all matter pertaining to the -department for which he Is so appointed. Jt Is to be hoped that Congress will relieve labor and shlp-bul!dlng materials of taxes and impositions, so that ourown ships may be built ourown waters, to bear our commerce and carry our malls. As long as subsidies are paid by oth 1 Governments to aid In establishing and maintaining lines of ocean steam ers lo and Irom Kuropeau porta, giving them trie rommaud or the carrying trad .with comparatively little com petition. It Is dne lo the citizens of the United Slates tuat like aid should be furnished to American enterprise. This can, la bis Judgment, be very properly and profitably done by subsidies 10 lines of steamers already established a a considera tion lor carrying the ocean malls. A. W. RANDALL, Tbi National Banks. Comptroller Hulburd Informs vs in bis "port that there are now six teen bundled and thirty-nine National Bank in operation. Since tbe organization of the first one, which occurred June 20, 1863, ten of these banking associations bave failed. Their total liabilities amounted to $4,650,100. The circula tion -will be paid In full, so that the publlo will suffer no loss. The Comptroller considers it almost a matter of surprise that among so large a number of National Banks there bave not been more fall ares. He adds: "If the failure of ten banks among six hundred and seventy three banks of the Union during the past four years bad been three times greater, they would still, in the aggregate, not equal in magnitude the recent failure of tbe Boyal Bank at Liver pool, or the Commercial Bank of Canada, insti tutions which were supposed to be conducted npon the most approved system of English banking." ' ' ' ! 1 I The Navy Department. The expenditures of tbe Navy Department were over f 12,000,000 less during the last year than for tbe preceding fiscal year. Secretary Welles remarks in bis report: "165,000,000, besides meeting the extraordinary expenditures of the heaviest, branches of the service for three yean, must be regarded as evi dence that the business of the Department has been conducted with economy, as well as thai care has been taken by those entrusted with the disposition of useless publlo property to realize the nearest approximation to its value; and is a financial exhibit exceedingly gratifying to the Department" NEW YORK. Tbe Official Canvass Complete , Albany, Deo. 8, The Board of State Can vassers convened to-day and canvassed tbe vote for Blate offloers. The following are the official footings: I . Secretary of State. ' : I Nelson sa e seeaaeea 873.029 McKeon. 825.0!hJ Nelson's majority. 47,833 ' " Comptroller, 1 ' 872,517 825.(158 Alien..-....., lilllhou8e. sse.ssse . : Allen Majority.-..., 40,859 872.769 825.201 Treasurer. Bristol... dates...... s eetMs)s aseetw Bristol's majority.;.... 47,563 State Enaine&r and Surveyor. Richmond ......... 861,702 821,775 80,027 872,818 825,828 "Tjiao 872.786 824,059 fowell. Richmond's majority... ...... A Uorneu-General. unampiain Van Colt , Champlain's majority Canal CommUttoner. Fay - JAflTPDIOPdeoeeee see ens see Fay's majority. frr....T-. .... 49,277 872,828 825,018 Intveotor of State rritont. Rcheu De La Mater......... tHMMHMtMtMVMIMItlSIHI Scheu'a majority teeeeeeaeses 47,810 861.819 40172 Judge of the Court of Appeal. O rover Mason drover's majority - The New fork Uajeralty Election. The following are the figures reported of the New Yorsr city election yesterday for Mayor: Tue registered vote.......................... 13ti.ll4 The total vote cast MH 101.228 Hoffman's vote .. 62,Wl COd'S VOt6tH..H...IH...IMHI,IH.IH. NMHKH 23,832 Darling's vote J8.4U5 Hoffman over Wood 40,01)9 Hoffman over Darling 41,416 Hoflman over both... 21,ttJ4 Tbese results show ibat Tammany rales tbe roofct; tuat Mozart tiall may be prouoaaoed a defunct Institution : tuat for al leuxt anoilier yeur or two the taxes and spoliations are to be as they bave been, and that oulv from Ibe Benerul snaking up of tbe Presidential election can make a break In tbe spoils and plunder cornblnai ions and their wneels wllbln wheels of tbls metropolis. nissoum. Fatal Accident Ci-lsman, the Murderer. St. Louis, Dec. 8. A horrible accident hap pened at an early hour tbls morning. A French man named Joseph Labe, wbila under the effects of liquor, tell from a third story porch, corner Uroaiway aud Otbillon street, and was Instantly killed. II had been employed oa the new Mississippi river bridge, and leaves desti tute 1 Hmily. Chrlsman, who is to be ban tied on Friday next for murdering Edward Boss and Moses, bis son, last summer, in the Columbia Bottom, under peculiarly atrocious circumstances, exhi bits the same stubborn indiuerence which characterized him during the trial. He is incredulous as to being hauired, and th'nks his sentence will be com muted, though the Governor bas declined to interfere. He denies the murder, tuouph tbe evidence was overwhelming, and says the devil entered the house and committed the bloody deed. Preparations lor the execu tion arc nearly completed, DICKENS IN BOSTON. Mr. Dickens Second Reading at the Tre moat lanle. Bobtoh, Dec. 3. Mr. D.ekens' second reading was given this evening. On this occasion tbe audience had the happiness to make the per sonal acquaintance ot several men and women of whom the world has heard much, among them Copperfleld, Bteerforth, Pegnotty, Ham, Micawber and Mrs. Micawber, Pickwlcc, Bob lawyer, and Sawyer's landlady. Borne faint knowledge of these the world has bad throueh what has been written and printed of their acts and thoughts; but this evening they were actually present, and will in fature be known and remembered more by those traits of voice, manner, and grimace, that were an actual experience of tbe senses, then by the more elaborate pictures of them in the chroni cles of tbelr lives. Taken altogether, pei haps Copperfleld is the most successful of the pieces read. - It is the one with the larger range ot sympathy in it. In the others tbe very accuracy of local color and the picturing of class or per sonal peculiarities tames them; but the tone of Copperfleld is so broadly natural that it will be lelt wherever there are homes and lovers. Pogpotty will be understood wherever routth old men love their dashing little girls, and Micaw ber wherever there are unthrifty mortals who believe themselves wronged by society. It needed apparently a piece of this broad spirit to fully draw out the bearers here; for thoush their appreciation of the reader's power and recognition ot it was genial and ready on the first reading, they were far from having their sympathies cairied quite beyond control. Tbey were very decidedly themselves, and applause aod appreciation were more or less broken up as to the Pickwick party and other peculiar people; but Copperfleld fused all in a common expression of exquisite plea sure. Through the earlier chapter detailing tbe Pepgotty history, the impression, though not demonstrative, was nevertheless deep. David's dinner party and his pigeon pie had the first effect of the livelier sort, while Mrs. Micawber's declaration that uhe would never desert Mr. Micawber, given as it was with what could not bnt have been that faithful creature's very air and manner, awakened laughter that cleared away every cloud from the chill atmosphere of Boston taste. It Is observable that a Boston audience takes nothing for granted. Other audiences would let a man start from bis reputation; this audi ence requires him to start even, and make his reputation nnder its very eyes. He does it, too, and thus his triumph is all the greater, and all the more positively the triumph of his art and skill as a reader, and not his name as a writer. . The house was crowded with the beauty, fashion, and culture of the city an audience much quieter in tone and style than metropolitan audiences universally are. N. Y. JJirald. . . . i 's '.. CALIFORNIA. Hepert of the Ban Francisco Chamber of Commerce Committee- on the Acqalsl tlon ofthe Sandwich Island. Ban Francisco, Deo. 8. The report of tne committee appointed by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce on the Sand wlcb. Islands treaty set forth, first, that any strong naval power fortified on said Island would hold tbe key to tbe commerce of Ibe Paoirio Ooean: second, that France, England, and tbe United States are striving for their possession; tblrd, tbat a treaty appear to be best, U uot the only way of preventing any hostile power obtaining tbem and of securing them to ns, and tbat it will f fleet tbe object desired; fourth, that the commerce of the Paolflo const and of the United States will ' be; benefited Immediately and largely by suoh a treaty. From the Paclfle in Fifteen Day. We are assured by tbe Directors of the Union Paclflo Railroad tbat tbe railway from the Mis souri to tbe Paclflo will be completed in 1870, se tbat in three yeur from tbls date tbe time from New York to Han Francisco will be less than a week. It is hard to realise that ao great a dis tance may be accomplished In so short a time; but the results thus far attained by the Union Pacific Railroad Company are suoh aa to In epireairongeonfldeucein the fulfilment ;of Its f Homines. Thus we find that the road la now d complete order and active operation for 625 miles west from Omaha; and the practical benefit to be derived from this fact will be well illustrated to-day or te-morrow by the receipt of foreign mails which left Ban Franolsoo only fourteen day ago. When the time usually occupied in the transit of mall and passengers from that city to. thla I considered, the 1m mense advantage offered by this railway route are apparent to every business man, Even a saving of a single day will determine the mer chant's choice of route for the sending or bringing of mail or freights; and when, as In this case, the railroad running from Omaha to the Rocky Mountains efleols a saving of more than a week in tbe time between the f aolflo and Atlantic ports, Its value to the. meroantlie community can hardly be calculated. From tan Francisco to New York in fifteen days Is an achievement worth celebrating. v. Y. limes. .... Major. De Kay Alive. We have received the gratifying Information that the gallant Sidney De Kay, wounded, it was supposed mortally, In Crete, was doing well at last advices in the military hospital at Athens, and appears to be in a fair way to recover an mutilated perhaps to do further generous ser vice In the cause ot his adoption. Russian Railroads. During the last three years 750 versta of railroads nave been con structed in Russia, while a further length. . of 2277 versti ha been oonoeded and awaits con struction. The total leBgth of Russian rail way now opened to the publio is 4325 verats. Tbe Russian Government, between 18G2 and 1867, expended on subventions, works, sur veys, etc., in connection with railways, a sum of $1)0,553,660. The contemplated transfer from the State to private individuals of the St. Petersburg and Moscow Railway has not yet taken place. There can be little doubt that the construction of an extensive system of railways in Russia wonld be a great benefit to that vast empire. Giants have tendenoy to grow torpid at the extremities, and it ia im portant to quicken the circulation of their blood. Growth op Gkbat BnrrAm. In 1801 the population of the United Kingdom was 15,902,322; in 1811, 18,103,492; in 1816, 19,520,488; in 1826, 22,575,495; in 1831, 24,135,422; In 1836, 25,406,281; and in 1846, 28,002,094. Then came the years of Irish famine and extended emigration; and in 1851 the population had sunk to 27,393.337. In 1856 it had recovered, however, to 28,011,034. and in 1861 to 28,974,362. In 1862 it had further riBen to 29,204,983; in 1863, to 29,395,051; in 1864, to 29,666,316; In 1865, to 29,768,089; in- 1866, to 29,946,058 and in 1867, to 30,158,239. Doos isr tub UaiTxn Kihoikw . The tax on dogs in England was assessed on 301,281 ani mals in 1856; in 1886 the number had in creased to 358,472, and 79,281 dogs were re turned by surveyors of taxes as exempt. Be tween the 6th of April and the 31st of July, 1867, 656,977 dog licenses were taken out; 367,775 were granted by stamp distributors,, and 229,202 by officer! of exoue. In Scotland 36,365 dogs were assessed to taxation in the year ending the 24th of May, 1866, and 44,655 were returned by surveyors of taxes as exempt; between the 25th of May and tbe 31st of Jul, iWf (8,481 f licence! were granted. SECOND EDITION THE LATEST HEWS. The European Markets To-Day.. Barn Ins of a Church on Long Isfend . Legal, local, and Financial Intelligence. . Kte, ; JCte., Etc., Kte., Bce. Kto. . FROM EUROPE BY CABLE, Noon Report of Market, Londok, Dec. 4 Noon, Contois, for money,.. 03, ex-dividend; ; United States Five twentlef " 71 7 16; Erie, 7; Illinois Central, 89J. Fbauxjobt, Dec. 4 Noon. United 8tate Five-twenties, 76 8-16. Livbbpool, Dec. 4 Noon. Cotton quiet ami steady, with sales of 8000 bales. Breadstuff quiet. The Hammonla Arrived. Out. . Soutdaiipton, Dec. 4. The Hammonla baa. arrived Irom New Tors:. ,v Dnrning of a Church. ', ' ' Bavekswood, L. , I., Dec. ,4V Tie ' Astoria Episcopal Church of this place'was burned this morning. The loss is unknown. . ; Markets by Telegraph. ; Ww Tork. Dec 1 fltocltd strong,' Oblo&jre and Rock InlaDd, M.V: Reading. VAH; Oamon (Jonipany, 4. V,: Krle Ratlroud. 71N,t Cleveland and Toledo, 1W4; Cleveland and Pittsburg, 8W Pittsburg aod Fo't WayDe, K7jJ; Michigan Ceatral, lloi MicuVan SonlU em, 81; Mew York Cettral, Illinois Oeouatl.. 134f: Cumberland preferred. 127: Missouri m, S7?J Bndson River. M-i: U. a Flve-lwenilen, IHffi, log: do. lbt. 104; do. 1866, lu6,?; Ten-forties, loiK; Beran-th r tlra.106. Money, 7 percent. xonanga, losx. 0old. 137i, ' MxKTrKo op thb Agbicpltubai. Sooixtt. This mo rnl MR tbe stated meeting of the Agri cultural Society v as bold at tbelr room, corner of Seventh and Walnut, President Biudie la tbeobalr. . The minutes of last meeting were read and approved. The President stated that be had received a -letter from Edward Miller, enclosed In wnlch wns a specimen of wheat plucked by hi son at Mose Pass, at the bead of the Hereford1, a branch of the Arkansas, seven thousand feet above the sea. Several agricultural reports of Oetober were Mr. Morris stated that Owen Sheridan, aa old member of the Society, was deceased. On motion, it was resolved to Insert his death on tbe minutes. Dr. King stated tbat b bad received from Watson county, specimens or tbe Potato Rug whioh Baa com milled sncb extensive ravHges on tbe potato lo lowa. Tbey are travelling irom West to Knt at ibe rate of about seventy rolies per annum. They make their appearance In June in Incredible numbers, and at tselc the rotate plant wbn It Is three or lour Inches high, eating tbe leaves and destroying me plant. Tha peacb blow being a later variety, ba not been au lacked as much as others. D. w. Hemine was elected a member ef tbe f oclety. v , Mr. Morris stated that the experimental farm for the eastern part of tbe 8tate bad been purchased and located In Oxford township. Chester county, fort? miles from the city, on tne Baltimore Railroad It contains one hundred acres, and ooat Slg ooo. Mr. Ingersoll nominated tbe present olUcera, which are as follows: Precklenl. Craig Riddle; Vlci-l'resl-dents, Charles R. Harrison and Chsries R. King; Oor. responding Secretary, Sidney . Fisher; Recording becretary. A. K. Kennedy; A'slstant Recording Hcre tary, Thoniat M. Coleman; Treasurer, George Blicot Kxecntlve Committee, David Landretb, iiarrv In jersoll, Samuel Williams, tt W. Harrison, and John Maccowan; Library Committee, David Laodreih fL Biddle, and Oeo'ge Blight; Librarian. John Mac gowan, to serve tor lb ensuing year. Dr. McClure read the following report: -Oentlemea Since we last met much bas been stated in tbe papers of tbe prevalence and fatality of a Inng die ease of cattle In lb various and distant parts ol the country, totelher with the announcement or It In curability, at least al tbe bands or the cow doctors of IbeaU'ected districts. On this subject I have a word te say. and to which I would respectfully Invite Ibe attention of tbe press reporters, as the remarks are connned to tbe cases amongst us animals furnishing diseased meat and unhealthy milk. Your attention Is now Invited to tbe disease as It exists In the Iowa of Concord, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, tllus- J.r.Vi?i.V.,i.57,.lbe mOD ot IntrodnctloD Into dinereot part of the oounlry. how avslemailoallv and effectually the disease is nurtured and pro?ag?u3 and rapidly spread throoghoat the length and breadth of tbe land, making Its sdmuI.m 1b the District of Columbia" and Poth5? heretofore free from the affection. n wiii also show tbat sick and exposed animal are sold in the markets of our cliy, aod all this la done to save expense ef medical treatment and ta satisfy a semen nature, and henoe the cry against the poor cow doctor the dust that Is raised to cover the nnbellby carcase whilst It la being dressed for market. A farmer want a few cows, goes to market and get fonr or live, on of them a little out ot sorts, are driven to tbelr new bomes slowly, occasionally righting with other cattle over the roadside fences, and when bom they are put Into a bald adjoining the next farm, where cows and cattle are al pasture. The sickly on spoken of Is In two davs dead. Home of thoie animals exposed along the roadside are taken sick; seine die; others are sold to butchers; and the remainder are sent to market te be sold aod booght by other farmers for dairies and stock purposes II requires no very vivid imag'natlon to picture tha Heel upon tbe health of both man and lb ox tribe Considerable dlsrusstrn then took place aa to the relative merits ot tbe Jersey and Guernsey breed of cows for milking purposes and the product In butter Tbe prevailing opinion among the members seemed to be in favor of tb former. It being a more hardy animal. Adjonrned. ' Rial Estats Sals. James A. Freeman, auctioneer, sold to-day at 12 o'clock, at the Ex change, the following; 1 share Philadelphia Library .3u Hall interest in a three-story brick dwelling, Sixteenth street, above bbippen, lot 17 by 78 feet,.... 12000 Ground rent ot $i2S on lot, Johnson atreet, neat Ureen,(4rmntown .,,JJ. 13025 Lot, corner Flfly-fourlh street and Cedar avenue, lot) by 1)2 feet... ..., 1275 Lotot grouud, Somerset and Memphis street. (8 bv DO feet , 1000 Lot or ground, Tulip, William, and Mem phi streets 12900 Dwelling, Mo. 1816 Brown street, lot 18 by 78 tee 1 .., fltoe Jtwelllngs, No. 1814 Atmnr street, lu the rear Sil7fi Tbree-story brick residence, Ho, 226 flue street, lot 18 bv"l loot 111,800 Three-storv brick dwelling, Mo. 1211 Almond street, lot 18 bv 66 leet fssoo IlELriso thr Womkn. Miss Rye writes to the London Times that "there are in the Bri tish Islands nine hundred and seventy-six thousand nine hundred and thirty-one female domestio servants." An incident is told which shows the Btraits to whioh some of these per sons are reduced:-Last ahr" women came here, ''"Cl.f' and from different V?S whom had broken her -er f TB iteown from the Kortn, found her heA ta su a state of distress and desti Jntlon that she had to be carried away at once to the workhouse, where she now lies very seriously, if not dangerously ill." TowuT evils of this kind in New York new charities have been opened. No doub there are many oases of want here, similar t0 those whlvh Uh Rye describes.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers