# Report of the Secretary of the Interior/1872

ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
ON THE
OPERATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT
FOR
THE YEAR 1872
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1872.
REPORT
OF
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
Department of the Interior,
October 31, 1872.
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this Department during the year. It has been made as concise as possible, to present an intelligent review of the work of the year, and contains, also, such suggestions and recommendations as, in my judgment, will conduce to the more successful administration of the Bureaus of the Department.
It is a source of satisfaction to be able to report substantial reforms and real progress in each and all the Bureaus during the year, and they are now, without exception, in excellent condition. The Indian-Office is working in the most satisfactory manner; the Patent-Office reports important improvements in the details of management; the Land-Office has brought up the large arrears of work which had embarrassed its operations for years; the Pension-Office has materially reduced the number of claims on file at the beginning of the year, for the first time since the close of the war; the ninth census is completed in a shorter time and in a more satisfactory manner than ever before; and the Bureau of Education is rapidly increasing its field of usefulness.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Attention is invited to the able and interesting report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, which is more than usually full of information relative to the present numbers, location, and condition of all the tribes under the administrative control of the Indian-Office.
Measured by any true standard, the present Indian policy of the Government has proved a success, inasmuch as for three years it has secured the largest and freest extension and development of our railways and frontier settlements which was possible under the circumstances, with far less of loss of life and property than would have been suffered under any other plan of dealing with the hostile and roving tribes beyond the Missouri River. In our intercourse with the Indians it must always be borne in mind that we are the more powerful party, and have uniformly regarded the Indians as the wards of the nation. ​We are assuming, and I think with propriety, that our civilization ought to take the place of their barbarous habits. We therefore claim the right to control the soil which they occupy, and we assume that it is our duty to coerce them, if necessary, into the adoption and practice of our habits and customs. In doing this, it seems to me that humanity and justice, as well as honor and dignity, demand that our conduct should be characterized, so far as practicable, by forbearance and uniform kindness of treatment.
It may be true, as the Commissioner remarks, that the only object at which practical statesmanship will aim is to reduce the evil to a minimum in degree; to circumscribe the field of its operations as closely as possible, and to forward the operation of those causes and give scope to those forces which will most speedily put an end to its duration. This much the Indian policy is effecting. The feeding system adopted with the dangerous and hostile tribes has reduced the loss of life and property to a degree which must be termed inconsiderable, when the extent of territory and the exposure of our settlements are fairly taken into account. The reservation system withdraws the great body of the Indians from the direct path of our industrial progress, and allows the work of settlement and the extension of our railways to go forward up to the full limit of the capacities of capital and immigration, with absolutely no check or diminution on account of Indian hostility, actual or apprehended. There is not a mile of railway which has authority of law for its construction, and for which the capital stands ready, which is unbuilt to day by reason of danger from Indian attack. There is not a family at the East, or newly arrived from Europe, which is desirous of a western settlement, but can locate itself in safety on public lands at any point from Omaha to Sacramento. It follows, from these two propositions, that the peaceful progress of settlement and industrial enterprise is only limited by the resources of the country and the expansiveness of our population. The work of circumscribing and confining the evil, of which complaint is made, is, therefore, being carried forward as rapidly and effectively as in the nature of the case is possible; and the three conditions of a successful treatment of the Indian difficulty are shown to be realized in the present policy of the Government toward the hostile and semi-hostile tribes.
While the accomplishment of the objects already referred to may embrace all that practical statesmanship demands, there is still another view of the Indian question to which the Commissioner does not advert in his report, but which enters largely into the new policy, and which has unquestionably commended it to a large class of people who are seldom attracted to the discussion of political questions, or to the active participation in governmental details. I refer to the scheme of civilizing and Christianizing the Indians.
To what extent the success of the conditions above alluded to is due to the workings of the last named, I have no means of determining, and ​it is a question which each man will doubtless settle in his own way, from his own stand-point. I have no doubt, however, but that the civilizing portion of the policy has exerted a most wholesome influence upon the entire question, inasmuch as it has brought into the Indian service an entirely new element, the direct effect of which has been the great improvement in the personnel of the service, and, consequently, in the entire treatment of the whole Indian population.
Industrial progress and settlement have been unimpeded, probably as much on account of the more humane treatment of the Indians, as because of their confinement to a smaller area upon restricted reservations; and they have also submitted more quietly to confinement upon smaller reservations, for the same reason. Many, if not a majority, of the causes which, in years past, excited Indian hostilities, have ceased to exist. The Indians are becoming convinced of the entire good faith of the Government in its peaceful overtures, and they manifest a disposition to respond in a similar spirit of peace and good will.
That a semi-hostile condition still exists in some remote localities, as in Arizona and some portions of Texas, for example, is no doubt as property attributable to the non-extension of the policy in its entirety over those sections as to its inefficiency or failure. That it works uniformly well where it has had a thorough trial, even among tribes before regarded as almost incorrigible, is very good evidence that it will work equally well elsewhere, under similar circumstances.
In Arizona, the special commissioner, sent out by the Department, has reported improper or inefficient agents on duty and asked their removal, which is being done as rapidly as suitable persons can be found to replace them. It is but reasonable, therefore, to request the withholding of unfriendly criticism relative to the efficiency of the policy until the Department is prepared to announce that it is thoroughly inaugurated in all its parts over all the tribes under control of the Indian Office.
The military occupancy of posts adjacent to the Indian country has not been withdrawn, and should not be so long as there is the slightest danger of Indian incursions upon the settlements, or attempts to prevent the extension of new settlements in all legitimate directions. A show of strength will be needed for some time to enforce the new policy.
The policy of confining the wild tribes to smaller reservations is regarded as of the utmost importance; and carried forward to its full, extent, will result in restricting them to an area of sufficient extent to furnish them farms for cultivation, and no more. The rapid disappearance of game from the former hunting-grounds must operate largely in, favor of our efforts to confine the Indians to smaller areas, and compel, them to abandon their nomadic customs, and establish themselves in permanent homes. So long as the game existed in abundance there was little disposition manifested to abandon the chase, even though Government bounty was dispensed in great abundance, affording them ​ample means of support. When the game shall have disappeared, we shall be well forward in the work in hand.
In the country now occupied by the majority of the tribes of the Dacotah nation, bordering on the Missouri Elver, and by the Rees, Mandans, Gros-Ventres, River Crows, and Assiniboines, near the same river, there is but little land that is available for agriculture, on account of the great dryness of the summers and the intense cold of the winters. Without irrigation nothing can be grown there save in the narrow bottoms skirting the larger water-courses. Some of the tribes there resident are endeavoring to farm, but their efforts have little effect beyond discouraging them from all farming operations. They must have a better location for agricultural pursuits, else but little improvement can be made in their condition.
The Rees, Mandans, and other tribes at Fort Berthold, numbering about 2,500 persons, have been engaged in farming for a number of years. Their efforts have not been attended with encouraging success, for reasons above stated; but they are becoming well convinced that their only hope for the future lies in agriculture, and they are inquiring for a more favorable location for farming. I feel confident that their removal to the Indian Territory south of Kansas can be made with their cheerful assent next year. There their habits of industry, and the knowledge they already possess of agricultural pursuits, will doubtless enable them to make rapid progress in the direction of self support and civilization.
This leads me to allude once more to the subject of a plan for the proper organization and settlement of the Indian Territory lying south of Kansas. The events of the year have seemed to confirm the opinion expressed in my last annual report, that the interests of both Indians and whites will be subserved by organizing that country under a territorial form of government, apportioning the lauds into farms of proper area among the Indians now thereon, and using all proper influences to settle other tribes therein, in the same way.
It is certain that but little progress can be made in the work of civilization while the Indians are suffered to roam at large over immense reservations, hunting and fishing, and making war upon neighboring-tribes. It is only as they are led into habits of industry, and learn the advantages of labor, that anything can be done to elevate them. Industry is the great civilizer; without it no race can be permanently benefited. Efforts should all tend in that direction which will most effectually cultivate those habits. This can best be done by placing them upon farms, and giving them such material aid and practical instruction as wall enable them to cultivate their farms profitably. In proportion as they do this will they learn the advantage of our form of life and abandon their present habits. This must be the work of time; but I confidently believe the result will vindicate the wisdom of the policy in force.
​There is but little in the past to encourage the belief that the adult Indian of to-day can be very thoroughly civilized. We can hope for little more than to hold him in restraint, confine him to smaller reservations, and induce him to remain at peace, while we devote the energies of the Department to the improvement of the rising generation.
The policy of reducing the area of present reservations, and consolidating friendly tribes or bands, may be regarded as the first step toward the establishment of the Indians upon farms. We have now under control of the Indian-Office tribes in every stage of civilization, from the partially civilized nations in the Indian Territory, with their schools, churches, and written language, to the hostile tribes of Arizona, which know nothing of the habits of civilization. The former are, no doubt, as well fitted as they will ever become in their present mode of life for settlement upon farms of proper size. The latter can only be brought gradually to that condition, the first step toward which, as has been said, is confining them to smaller reservations than they at present occupy. This subject has been presented to the various delegations which have visited the East, and by the several commissions to the Indian tribes at their homes. It has been received with interest by all, and while the most of them are not yet sufficiently convinced of the advantage and necessity of an agricultural life to appreciate the importance of removal, those who have made some progress in farming have expressed a willingness to adopt the suggestion, if some of their leading chiefs can be allowed to visit the new Territory and examine their proposed new homes. Judicious management will, in a few years, secure the removal of a large portion of the tribes east of the Rocky Mountains to the Indian Territory.
I cannot regard the rapid disappearance of the game from its former haunts as a matter prejudicial to our management of the Indians. On the contrary, as they become convinced that they can no longer rely upon the supply of game for their support, will they turn to the more reliable source of subsistence furnished at the agencies, and endeavor to so live that that supply will be regularly dispensed. A few years of cessation from the chase will tend to unfit them for their former mode of life, and they will be the more readily led into new directions, toward industrial pursuits and peaceful habits.
In the present imperfect system of detailed reports from agents, as to the condition of the tribes in regard to their progress in industry, it is difficult to furnish any statement in figures as to the condition of all the tribes. The following statement, however, will show the progress made by twenty tribes in the southern superintendency, during the past four years, in the work of farming and stock-raising. They do not include the larger and more civilized nations, Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, and Chickasaws, occupying the Indian Territory:
| In population they have increased | 12 | per cent. |
| In schools | 350 | per cent. ​ |
| In teachers | 200 | per cent. |
| In scholars | 390 | per cent. |
| In number of acres cultivated | 300 | per cent. |
| In number of bushels wheat raised | 500 | per cent. |
| In number of bushels corn raised | 685 | per cent. |
| In number of bushels oats raised from 0 in 1868 to | 9, 243 | in 1872. |
| In number of bushels potatoes raised | 900 | per cent. |
| In number of tons hay raised | 750 | per cent. |
| In number of horses owned by | 250 | per cent. |
| In number of cattle owned by | 1, 000 | per cent. |
| In number of hogs owned by | 1, 000 | per cent. |
| Total value | 250 | per cent. |
The increase in value is from $751,183 in 1868, to $1,870,285 in 1872.
It is gratifying to be able to report the general and very encouraging success of the Indian policy. There is nothing in the sporadic incursions and outrages to weaken confidence in the final success of measures now in force for the treatment of the Indian tribes. So far from any change of policy being decided upon, or being indicated as necessary by the events of the year, there is abundant reason to take all proper steps to render the policy more efficient wherever it may be found necessary, and to extend it over tribes where it has not yet been established.
The aid and co-operation of the various religious associations of the country have been of the highest value. In no case has there been the slightest misunderstanding between them and the Department, and they have, in all cases, responded promptly to my wishes and suggestions. They are, without exception, doing all in their power to render the humane and peaceful policy of the Government as efficient as possible. In every missionary society having a part in this great work the Department recognizes a most valuable assistant, thus largely increasing the working force of the Government, and without expense.
The report of the Board of Indian Commissioners for the past year not yet having been received, I am unable to state anything with regard to their operations during that time. If the policy now in force with regard to the Indians can be maintained and perfected, until it reaches all the tribes now occupying our soil, I feel confident that it will result in the amelioration of their condition in every respect, make many of the tribes self-sustaining, elevate them morally and mentally, and greatly reduce the present expense of their maintenance. To effect this in the shortest time, it will be necessary to have the policy so clearly defined and established that it cannot be misunderstood, and to secure the completest co-operation of all the influences which have been invoked in its behalf.
The missionary authorities have done well in their portion of the work They have not only generally nominated, as agents, good men, whose hearts are in the work, but they have molded and directed a healthy public sentiment favorable to the Indian policy, without which no measure of governmental policy in this country can be entirely successful. They have done so well in their branch of the work that I am loth to ​assume the appearance of suggesting or advising any change in their methods. Yet I cannot refrain from quoting an extract from a report by the Assistant Secretary of the Interior, who made a very extensive tour of inspection among the wild tribes of the Upper Missouri River during the past summer:
"I have returned from my three months' tour among the Indians, more than ever convinced of the propriety and the feasibility of the President's policy in the conduct of Indian affairs. If time he given, it must more and more commend itself to the Christian people of the country. It is of so recent origin that it is, as yet, not fairly inaugurated in all its details. It seems to me, however, that some of the church missionary authorities have not yet fully realized the importance of the work which the President, in the establishment of his policy, invited them to perform. They were requested to select agents, and the Department expected them to name men of integrity, business experience, and capacity, sufficient to conduct the affairs of the agency honestly and efficiently This has been done in a highly satisfactory manner. But the new policy contemplates the moral and religious welfare of the Indians, to effect which the agents should be men, not only in favor of the new policy, but who will take an active part in promoting it in all its details. This can only be done properly, as I believe, by men of pronounced religious convictions. * * It is not enough that agents are willing to tolerate missionary work among their people; they should be men who can and will render efficient aid themselves in the work, and cordially acquiesce in all proper missionary appliances There are men now on duty as agents who, although good business men, have no confidence whatever in the capacity or disposition of the Indian for moral or mental improvement, nor any desire, apparently, to see the experiment tried. Such men are obstacles to the missionary branch of the present policy of the Government, whom I am well satisfied the churches which nominated them would promptly remove if their attention were invited to the subject. These same remarks apply to all Government employe's at the agencies.
The success of the present policy is so encouraging that I would gladly see it perfected and carried out to its fullest extent and capacity. The religious bodies have rendered such valuable assistance in the past, and seem so heartily in accord with the Executive and the Department, that they will undoubtedly act upon the suggestion made above, and wherever it may be necessary replace unfit agents by those who will be entirely satisfactory to the Department, while at the same time carrying out, in other particulars, the details of the peace policy."
I concur in the suggestions made by the Assistant Secretary; and the Department has received evidences from a majority of the missionary societies having a part in this work that those suggestions are received in the most cordial Christian spirit, and will be acted upon wherever it may be found to be necessary.
The duty of the nation toward the original occupants of the soil, who have become the wards of the nation by the fortunes of conquest and territorial acquisition, seems to me plainly marked out. The Executive is endeavoring in good faith, and in what is deemed the most proper and efficient manner, to fulfill the nation's duty toward a helpless and benighted race. He has sought to combine influences which may effect their physical and moral elevation and improvement. The missionary authorities have an entire race placed under their control, to treat with in accordance with the teachings of our higher Christian civilization. Their work is immense, and while results may not be ​encouraging within a very short time, they must lose faith in the power of our aggressive civilization if they refuse to accept the truth or forego their efforts in this direction until complete success is attained.
Even though the success we hope to attain may be but partial, yet the very efforts the Government is making in so righteous a cause must redound to the substantial good as well as to the honor and glory of the country by attracting public attention to so commendable a work, and educating the people into a higher conception of the duties of the nation.
public lands.
During the last fiscal year public lands were disposed of as follows:
| | Acres. |
| Cash sales | 1, 370, 320.15 |
| Located with military warrants | 389, 460.00 |
| Taken for homesteads | 4, 671, 332.14 |
| Located with college-scrip | 693, 613.37 |
| Grants to railroads | 3, 554, 887.58 |
| Grants to wagon-roads | 465, 347.21 |
| Approved to States as swamp | 714, 255.19 |
| Indian-scrip locations | 5, 760.00 |
| Total | 11, 864, 975.64 |
a quantity greater by 1,099,270.25 acres than was disposed of the previous year. The cash receipts, under various heads, amounted to $3,218,100. During the same period there were surveyed 22,016,608 acres, which, added to the quantity already surveyed, amounts to 583,364,780 acres, leaving unsurveyed an area of 1,251,633,620 acres.
The Commissioner's report is accompanied with the usual papers and tabular statements, showing in detail the transactions of his office for the past year. The reports of the United States surveyors-general, which form the appendix to his report, are replete with the most interesting information in regard to their respective districts. They all make mention of the fruitfuluess of the soil during the past season, and the increased yield of all manner of produce. Even in those States and Territories where mining is the principal pursuit, the agricultural products have so far exceeded the local demand as to cause large shipments of cereals to the Eastern States. The Commissioner's suggestions in reference to the propriety of consolidating into one statute the principal features of the pre-emption and homestead laws, are, in my judgment, specially worthy of the attention of Congress. The necessity of a re-organization of the clerical force in his office, and of vesting him with authority to appoint special agents who shall bring the subordinate land-officers more immediately under his supervision, is clearly and forcibly stated, and the matter will, I earnestly hope, receive the early and favorable action of Congress. I take great pleasure in bearing emphatic testimony to the marked zeal, integrity, and efficiency of the ​head of this Bureau, and the intelligent promptness with which the duties of his office have been discharged. By his unremitting efforts, seconded by the cheerful industry of his clerical force, not only has the rapidly increasing current business of the office been expeditiously attended to, but the accumulated acrearages of years have been brought up to date, thus placing this important branch of the public service in a condition eminently satisfactory to all who have to do with it.
patents.
Needed reforms have been made in the condition of the Patent-Office during the past year, the most noticeable and important of which is the abolition of the old form of Patent-Office reports, and the substitution therefor of the Official Gazette of the Patent Office. Defective as the old reports were, and published from two to three years after the date of the issue of the patents reported in them, their discontinuance seemed to greatly alarm the inventors and manufacturers of the country, and the demand for their restoration, or an adequate substitute, was so great as to require prompt action in that direction. During the last session of Congress authority was given for the publication of the Patent-Office Official Gazette, comprising the Commissioner's decisions, the decisions of the Supreme Court and the circuit courts in patent-cases, all changes in the rules of practice of the Office, notice of all applications for extension of patents, a brief of the specifications, and the full claims of all the patents issued, together with such illustrations, taken from the drawings of the patents, as would give to the public a clear idea of what is patented. It will thus be seen that these publications embrace very much more than was contained in the old Patent-Office reports; and, instead of being two or three years behind date, as the old reports were, they are issued within three days of the delivery of the letters-patent. This work seems to meet the demand, and is received with universal favor.
The number of applications for patents, including re-issues and designs, during the year ended September 30, 1872, was 19,587; the number of applications for extension of patents, 284; the number of applications for the registering of trade-marks was 589. During the same time there were issued 13,626 patents, 233 extensions, 556 certificates of registry of trade-marks, and 3,100 caveats have been filed. This shows a small increase over the number of the preceding year. The fees received during the same period, from all sources, amounted to $700,954.86, and the total expenditure to $623,553.90, making the receipts in excess of the expenditures to the amount of $77,400.96.
It will at once be perceived that the addition of about twenty thousand applications for patents every year must greatly increase the work of the office. Over 200,000 applications for patents have been filed since 1836, and about 133,000 patents have been granted. The drawings, models, and files accompanying these applications must be so classified and arranged as to facilitate access to them, otherwise there ​would be constant danger of duplicating patents upon the same invention, and each year's accumulation adds largely to this danger. The office is now being administered under substantially the same law and the same general organization adopted at its inauguration, when only from one hundred to five hundred applications were made per annum.
The office has outgrown the plan of organization that was sufficient for it then, and a new organization has become absolutely necessary to secure to inventors and to the country the benefits of our patent system. I invite attention to the communication forwarded to Congress suggesting a re-organization of the Patent-Office.
The Commissioner urges the importance of a separation of the Patent-Office from the Department of the Interior. This matter is embraced in the bill now pending before Congress for a re-organization of the Bureau. Another subject to which attention is earnestly invited is the necessity for more room for the work of the Patent-Office. A plan has been devised by which it is thought the model-gallery will be sufficient, in all time to come, to store such models as it may be desirable to retain in the office, but for the working force and the necessary files of the office there is great want of room. It is impossible to transact the business of the office, with safety to the inventors or the manufacturing interests of the country, excepting with more room in which to arrange the files and drawings that must be consulted hourly in the transaction of office business.
The work of the office has been conducted in the most satisfactory manner during the entire term of the present Commissioner, and I most cheerfully attest his efficiency and capacity for its manifold and delicate duties.
pensions.
There are now on the pension-rolls the names of 578 widows of soldiers who served in the revolutionary war, a decrease of 56 since the last annual report. The names of 1,157 widows and children of soldiers who served in the wars subsequent to the Revolution, and prior to the late rebellion, excepting the war of 1812, are borne on the rolls, being 57 less than the preceding year.
During the last fiscal year there were examined and allowed 6,317 original applications for invalid pensions of soldiers, at an annual aggregate rate of $424,626.50, and 5,116 applications for increased pension of invalid soldiers, at an aggregate yearly rate of $261,165.50. During the same period 7,120 original pensions to widows, orphans, and dependent relatives of soldiers were allowed, at an aggregate annual rate of $950,798, and 290 applications, of the same class, for increase of pension were admitted, at a total annual rate of $15,853.35. The number of claims, original and increase, admitted during the year, was 18,843, and the annual amount of pensions thus granted was $1,652,433.35. On the 30th day of June, 1872, there were on the rolls the names of 95, ​invalid military pensioners, whose pensions annually amounted to $8,611,854.91, and of 113,518 widows, orphans, and dependent relatives of soldiers, whose yearly pensions amounted to $14,530,778.39, making an aggregate of 208,923 Army pensioners, at a total annual rate of $23,142,033.30. The whole amount paid during the last fiscal year to invalid military pensioners was $10,145,145.49, and to widows, orphans, and dependent relatives, $17,266,156.02, making a grand total of $27,411,301.51, which includes the expenses of disbursement.
During the same year there were examined and allowed 151 original applications for invalid Navy pensions, at an aggregate annual rate of $14,552; 68 applications of the same class for increase of pension, at a total yearly rate of $3,915; 124 new applications of widows, orphans, and dependent relatives of those who died in the Navy, at an aggregate yearly rate of $18,494; and 6 pensions of the same class were increased at an annual rate of $654. On the 30th day of June, 1872, there were borne on the rolls of Navy pensioners the names of 1,449 invalids, at an annual aggregate of $136,545, and of 1,730 widows, orphans, and dependent relatives, at an aggregate yearly rate of $269,208; making the whole number of such pensioners 3,179, at a total annual rate of $405,753. The aggregate amount paid during the last fiscal year to Navy invalids was $149,442.85, and to widows, orphans, and dependent relatives, $295,186.57; a total amount of $444,629.42, which includes the expenses of disbursement.
On the 30th day of June, 1871, there were pending 26,190 applications of soldiers and widows of soldiers of the war of 1812. During the year subsequent to that date there were received 6,546 applications of survivors of that war, and 3,815 applications of widows, in all 10,361 applications, making a grand total of 36,551 claims for pension of this description filed prior to June 30, 1872. Of these there were allowed, during the last fiscal year, 17,021 applications of survivors, at a total annual rate of $1,634,016; and 3,105 applications of widows, at an annual aggregate rate of $298,080, making a total of 20,126 claims allowed, at an aggregate annual rate of $1,932,096. Four thousand eight hundred and forty-five claims were rejected during the year, leaving 11,580 claims pending on the 30th of June last. On the first instant there were pending 8,184 claims, more than half of which are believed to be without merit, and will probably be rejected. The total amount paid during the year to survivors of the war of 1812, $1,977,415.84, and to widows, $335,993.63; a total amount of $2,313,409.47, including the expenses of disbursement.
The number of pensions of all classes, granted during the past fiscal year, was 33,838. During that period there were dropped from the pension-rolls, from various causes, 9,104 names, leaving a grand total of 232,229 pensioners on the rolls June 30, 1872, whose yearly pensions amount to $25.480,578.30. The amount paid during said year for pensions of all classes, including the expenses of disbursements, was ​$30,169,340.60, being $2,908,043.03 less than the amount paid during the preceding year.
Four hundred and forty-three bounty-land warrants were issued during the year, for 68,040 acres, being 338,120 less than the number of acres issued for the preceding year.
During the same period, 782 persons availed themselves of the benefits of the act of June 30, 1870, providing for artificial limbs and apparatus for resection, or commutation, of whom 458 perferred the latter.
On the 30th of June, 1872, there were on file, unadjusted, 37,176 claims for invalid pension, 33,762 claims of widows, orphans, and dependent relatives, and 11,580 claims of soldiers and widows of soldiers in the war of 1812, making a total of 82,518 claims. The Commissioner estimates that the claims for pension on account of the war of 1812 will be disposed of by the 1st of May next.
The investigation of frauds continues to receive especial attention, with such gratifying results, both in the detection and repression of wrong-doing, as to demand a continuance of the present policy.
It is estimated that $30,480,000 will be required for the pension service during the next fiscal year.
bureau of education.
The great increase of interest in education throughout the country, in the last few years, is gratifying to every sincere patriot. Of this increase I believe the Bureau of Education is one of the principal exciting causes; and the hearty indorsement of the office, by educators of every section and every sort of institution, is a fitting recognition.
The business of the office has increased so rapidly during the past year, that 2,300 letters have been received and 3,500 have been written by it, an increase of more than 150 per cent. over the same work last year. More than 33,000 documents have been distributed in the same time, an increase of nearly 200 per cent, over last year.
The report of the Educational Bureau will show the amount and character of the work of the office. No previous volume contains such a mine of educational facts and statistics for the guidance and information of the country. I recommend increased appropriations for the office.
The bill, introduced at the last session of Congress by the Committee of the House on Education and Labor, providing for the expenditure of the net proceeds of the sale of public lands in establishing an educational fund and in assisting the States in the universal education of their youth, has received the unanimous approval of the educators of the Union; and I commend it to the favorable attention of Congress.
census.
The report of the Superintendent of the Ninth Census announces the completion of that great national work. All the tables of the census ​are now in press, whether for the three quarto volumes authorized, or for the compendium to be published in octavo. The quarto volumes are at the present date wholly in type, except about 150 pages of the volume on Industry. The Population volume will, it is anticipated, be laid upon the desks of members on the assembling of Congress, in December. The other volumes will follow with only such interval as is required for press-work and binding. The early completion of the census is a subject of congratulation, inasmuch as the use to be made of the statistics obtained with so much of labor and expense depends very greatly on the promptitude of publication. With such rapid changes of population and industry as occur in the United States, the census remains even approximately true but very few years after the date of enumeration. Every year, therefore, for which the publication of results is delayed, subtracts a large portion of the actual present utility of the census. There still remains, it is true, a secondary use, namely, for statistical retrospect and comparison, which is independent of this consideration. But the main object of the census, in which alone would be found the justification for so great an expenditure of labor and money, is its immediate use in directing the legislation and the industrial and social efforts of the present age. For this purpose, every month saved in publication amounts to a large positive addition to the value of the work.
The appropriation made at the last session of Congress for illustrating graphically the quarto volumes of the census has been expended with results which, it is believed, will meet with cordial recognition and approval from Congress and the country. No authority or appropriation exists for maps and charts to accompany the compendium in octavo, the copy for which is to-day sent to the Congressional Printer from the Census Office. The expense of illustrating in this style a work of which so large an edition is to be printed as of the compendium, would be very considerable, and I do not feel justified in making a distinct recommendation to that effect, but content myself with suggesting the matter, leaving it to Congress to determine whether the expenditure will be consistent with other calls upon the revenue. I do, however, strongly recommend that a statistical atlas of the United States, based upon the results of the Ninth Census, to contain a large number of maps, with appropriate text and tables, be authorized in an edition not exceeding five thousand, to be prepared under the direction of the Superintendent of the Census, for distribution to public libraries, learned societies, colleges, and academies, with a view to promote that higher kind of political education which has heretofore been so greatly neglected in this country, but toward which the attention of the general public, as well as of instructors and students, is now being turned with the most lively interest. The exact knowledge of our country should be the basis of this education; and it is in the power of Congress, by authorizing such a publication as is here recommended, to practically ​naugurate the study of political and social statistics in the colleges and higher schools of the land.
The recommendation made by the Superintendent for a census to be taken in 1875 will, I trust, receive the early and earnest attention of Congress. Such an account of the national numbers, wealth, and industry, would form an invaluable catalogue and guide-book to the American sections in the International Exposition to be held in Philadelphia in 1876, as well as constitute a noble monument to the progress of the United States during the first century of its political life.
The additional reason urged by the Superintendent that a census in 1875 would go far to secure the taking of the Federal census thereafter at intervals of five years has even stronger claim to consideration. It is unquestionably true that the interval at present established between the Federal censuses is too long for the proper information of Congress and the body of citizens, as to the material condition, wants, and resources of the nation. No one will dispute this. In the present stage of political and social science, no intelligent person would, were the question a purely original one, propose a longer interval between the periodical enumerations of the country than five years. It is simply a question now, whether the constitutional provision shall be enlarged to meet the manifest requirements of this later time. Regarding, as I do, the provision of the Constitution in respect to the census as a minimum provision, guaranteeing to the growing States that not less than once in ten years shall the representation in Congress be apportioned according to a new determination of the population of the several States, I see no difficulty in making the intermediate census thus proposed the equivalent in all respects for the decennial census authorized and required by the Constitution. But, in view of the doubts which might not unreasonably arise in the minds of some as to this construction, and of the jealousy of the States more stable in population, arising from the fear of parting prematurely with portions of their representative power, I would recommend that the census of 1875, if authorized and provided for, should be distinctly divested of a political character, and the next redistribution of congressional representation be left to follow the census of 1880, as in due course by the Constitution.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES.
The operations of the United States geological survey have been very much extended the past season, owing to the increased appropriations by Congress. It was deemed advisable by the Department to continue the work of exploration in the little-known region of the Northwest about the sources of the Yellowstone, Missouri, and Snake Rivers. Accordingly, the chief geologist was directed to organize two properly-equipped parties. One party, under the immediate direction of Mr. James Stevenson, took, as its initial point, Ogden, Utah, and proceeded hence to Fort Hall, Idaho. From this point a careful survey of the ​Snake River Valley was commenced. The party ascended the valley on the east side to the sources of Henry's Fork, thence to the sources of the Madison, where they crossed the divide to the head-waters of Snake River, and descended this river to Fort Hall. The great Teton range was minutely explored and located. Madison Lake, which has hitherto been regarded as the source of the Madison, has proved to be the source of Snake River. Many very important changes were made in the geography of this interesting region. The second party, under the direction of Professor Hayden, proceeded to Bozeman, Montana, and there commenced an examination of the Yellowstone to its sources. The Gallatin and Madison Rivers, with their numerous branches, were carefully mapped. The National Park, with its unique borders, was examined in more detail, and great numbers of sketches, photographs, specimens, &c., were secured. A great mass of observations in astronomy, meteorology, and topography were obtained, and the collections in geology, botany, and natural history were more extensive and interesting than those of any preceding year. The materials for a report, both of a practical and scientific character, exceed those of any previous season.
Besides the two parties mentioned above, there were five small parties making special examinations, under the auspices of the survey, in different parts of the West. The parties have all returned from the field, and are busily engaged in preparing their reports, to be submitted to Congress at an early day.
RAILWAYS.
The subscriptions to the stock of the Union Pacific Railroad Company amount to $36,783,000, of which $30,762,300 has been paid. The receipts for the year ending June 30,1872, from the transportation of passengers, were $3,067,808.17; of freight, $4,122,651.20; and from miscellaneous sources, $771,711.41; total, $7,962,170.78. The entire cost of the road and fixtures to said date, (unadjusted balances with contractors not included,) was $114,258.535.97. The indebtedness of the company at the same date amounted to $75,894,512, of which $27,236,512 is due to the United States.
The Central Pacific Railroad Company, by consolidation now embraces, besides the original company of that name, also the Western Pacific, the San Francisco and Oakland, the San Francisco and Alameda, and the California and Oregon companies. Stock to the amount of $59,644,000 has been subscribed, and $54,283,190 paid. The receipts for the year ending June 30, 1872, from transportation of passengers, were $3,620,510.33, and of freight, $5,753,246; total, $9,373,765.33. The expenses were $4,317,332.32, leaving net earnings to the amount of $5,056,433.01. At the close of said year the indebtedness of the company amounted to $80,900,132.37, of which $27,855,680 was to the United States.
The stock subscription of the Central Branch Union Pacific Railroad ​Company is $1,000,000, of which $980,600 has been paid. The receipts for transportation of passengers for the year ending June 30, 1872, were $60,807.65, and for freight, $83,662.03; total, $144,469.68. The expenses of the road and fixtures have been $3,723,700. The company's indebtedness (exclusive of first-mortgage bonds, $1,600,000, and the Government loan, $1,600,000) is $94,896.34.
The amount of stock of the Kansas Pacific Railway Company subscribed is $9,992,500, and the amount paid in is $9.621,950. Receipts for the year ended June 30, 1872, from transportation of passengers, were $1,351,837.51; of freight, $2,156,190.21; and from miscellaneous sources, $79,600.75; total, $3,551,628.47. The construction and equipment of the road have cost $29,602,974.28. The total funded debt of the company is $26,044,600, and the amount of the other liabilities and indebtedness is $2,081,102.16, making a total of $28,125,702.16, of which $6,303,000 is due to the United States. On the 19th of October, 1872, you accepted the western part of this road, extending from the 393.9425 mile, and terminating in Denver, Colorado Territory, 638.6 miles from the initial point.
The amount of stock of the Denver Pacific Railway and Telegraph Company, subscribed and paid in, is $4,000,000. This road, running in a nearly north course, 106.33 miles from Denver, Colorado Territory, to Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, where it connects with the Union Pacific road, was completed in the summer of 1870. The receipts for the year ended June 30,1872, for transportation of passengers, were $176,312.46; of freight, $170,709.83; and from miscellaneous sources $8,066.40; total, $355,088.69. The cost of construction and equipment of the road and telegraph to the date last above stated was $6,493,800, and the indebtedness of the company to that date was $2,519,076.25. The road and telegraph line were, on re examination, accepted by you on the 2d day of May last.
The amount of stock of the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad Company subscribed is $4,478,500, of which $1,791,400 has been paid in. The receipts for the year ended June 30, 1872, from the transportation of passengers, were $63,548.71; of freight, $85,803.24; of mails, $7,549.40; from express, $1,735.80; and from miscellaneous sources, $3,768.56; total, $162,405,71. The expenses during that period were $152,062.98. The indebtedness of the company is $5,361,977.86, of which $1,628,320 is due to the United States.
At the close of the last fiscal year, (June 30, 1872,) the amount of subscribed stock of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company was $9,384,000, and the amount actually paid in, $8,404,000. The company reports that surveys have been made from the end of the completed road, a point one hundred and three-tenths miles from San Francisco, to Fort Mohave, on the Colorado River, via Tehachapi Pass, and from said pass to Fort Yuma, on the Colorado, via Los Angeles and San Bernardino. The cost of these surveys has been $66,894.84. The ​amount received during said year for transportation of passengers was $383,563.93, and of freight, $291,908.97. The expenses on account of the road and fixtures for said period were $376,278.11. The indebtedness of the company is $5,750,000. Seventy and twenty-six hundredths miles of this road have been completed in a first-class manner, and have been accepted. The road commences at San Jose, California. The entire cost of the road and fixtures, together with the lands for stations, &c., since the organization of the company, is estimated at about $12,000,000.
The amount of stock of the Texas and Pacific Railway Company subscribed is $2,000,000, of which $200,000 has been paid in. The company has neither bonded nor floating debt. It is progressing rapidly with its surveys, having a number of corps in the field, but as the final reports have not been received, no definite description can be given of the line of road surveyed and fixed upon for construction. The receipts of the company from 15th April, 1871—the date of its organization—to the 1st July, 1872, have been $204,392.05, and the disbursements amount to $125,056.87, leaving a balance in hand of $79,335.18. The line of this road will be "from a point at or near Marshall, county of Harrison, State of Texas; thence by the most direct and eligible route, to be determined by said company, near the thirty-second parallel of north latitude, to a point at or near El Paso; thence by the most direct and eligible route, to be selected by said company, through New Mexico and Arizona, to a point on the Rio Colorado, at or near the southeastern boundary of the State of California; thence, by the most direct and eligible route, to San Diego, California, to Ship's Channel, in the bay of San Diego, in the State of California, pursuing, in the location thereof, as near as may be, the thirty-second parallel of north latitude." The act of Congress of May 2, 1872, (17 Statutes, 59,) requires "that the said Texas and Pacific Railway Company shall commence the construction of its road at or near Marshall, Texas, and proceed with its construction * * * * so "as to have at least one hundred consecutive miles of railroad from said point complete and in running order within two years after the passage "thereof, and so continue to construct, each year thereafter, a sufficient number of miles, not less than one hundred, to secure the completion of the whole line within ten years after the date of said act: "Provided, however, That the said company shall commence the construction of said road from San Diego eastward within one year from the passage of this act, and construct not less than ten miles before the expiration of the second year, and, after the second year, not less than twenty-five miles per annum in continuous line thereafter between San Diego and the Colorado River until the junction is formed with the line from the east at the latter point, or east thereof." The name of this companywas changed by the said act from "Texas Pacific Railroad Company" to "Texas and Pacific Railway Company."
The report of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Company for the ​year ended June 30, 1872, shows that $16,400,000 of stock has been subscribed, and that $16,375,000 has been paid in. The company has completed, since the date of its last annual report, the road from Prairie City, in the Indian Territory, to Vinita, in same Territory, a distance of 21¼ miles. The road and telegraph from Pacific, Missouri, to Vinita,a distance of 32¼ miles, has been completed. Parties have been, during the last year, surveying for the road in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The total cost of surveys to June 30, 1872, was $162,173, and the amount received during the year ending on that date, from passengers, was $325,607.87, and for freight, $790,030.43. The cost of railroad and fixtures up to the same time was $31,608,044.54. The total indebtedness to that date (including assumed debt of $7,191,050 of South Pacific Company, whose road from Pacific, Missouri, to Springfield, it has obtained by purchase) was $15,013,999.53. The mortgages of the company were received and recorded by the Department, as required by law, in November and December, 1871. One hundred and twenty-five miles of this road and its telegraph line have been accepted, of which fifty were accepted by you on the 6th of December last.
Stock of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company has been subscribed to the amount of $100,000,000, and certificates for 165,336 shares, of $100 each, have been issued. The cost of surveys up to July 1, 1872, (so far as reports have been received by the company,) was $454,689.79. The accounts, &c., are not yet in a condition to render an accurate report of the amounts received from passengers and freight during the year. The expenses of the road and fixtures have been $11,481,467.70. The indebtedness of the company is reported to be $20,442,245.49. On the 20th February last a map of preliminary route from the crossing of the Red River of the North, at Fargo, in Dakota, to a point opposite the mouth of the Walla-Walla River, Washington Territory, a distance of about 1,448 miles, was received by the Department. On the 1st instant, commissioners were ordered to examine and report upon the completed portion "from the junction with the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad, near Thomson, Minnesota, to the Red River of the North," a distance of about 228 miles. Their report has not yet been received. The company report that, on the 30th ultimo, cars passed over the track for a distance of 113 miles west of the Red River. Track has recently been laid at the rate of 2¼ miles a day. The report states that, at the present rate of construction, the road would be completed to the Missouri River by the 3d proximo. The character of the soil in Dakota, through which the road passes, is reported very good, adapted to grain and grazing, of an average excellence equal to Illinois lands. Water is abundant. Timber is scarce. The construction of buildings for depots, engine-houses, and water-stations, is progressing rapidly. The work of the company in establishing and preparing for construction the line of route to the Yellowstone River and up that stream was resumed during ​the year. The location of the line of route has been greatly retarded at various points by hostile Indians. The company has this year surveyed and examined the Missouri Biver above the Great Falls, and determined that it is practicable for steamboat navigation up to Gallatin Forks, a distance of 220 miles. They have also found that a short railroad is practicable around those falls, at small expense. Thus the whole course of the Missouri River can be made available to commerce and to the settlement of the vast region it drains. Surveys have been in progress on the Salmon River line in Montana, making a connection therewith of the survey in progress on the Wisdom River line. The survey of the route from the Columbia River to Lake Pend d'Oreille is reported complete. It is also reported that 75 miles of the road from the Columbia River to Puget Sound will be in operation at the close of the season.
The road and telegraph of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway Company, from the southern line of Kansas to the Arkansas River, a distance of 86.76 miles, was accepted by you on the 17th May last. On the 28th of last March 1 accepted the first 50 miles of the Cairo and Fulton Railroad, extending" from a point on the north bank of the Arkansas River, opposite the city of Little Rock, called 'Argenta,' to a point fifty miles north, called 'Judsonia,' near Little Red River."
On the 13th of December last, the seventh section of twenty miles of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad, in Nebraska, was accepted by you. This section extends from the end of the one hundred and twentieth mile of said road west of Plattsmouth. And on the 18th instant commissioners were ordered to proceed to the examination of an additional portion of 50¾ miles—from the one hundred and fortieth mile to a connection with the Union Pacific Railroad. Their report has not yet been received.
On the 11th March last you accepted the fifth and sixth sections of 20 miles each of the road and telegraph line of the Oregon and California Railroad Company. This portion, with the sections previously accepted, makes a length of line, already reported upon and accepted, of 120 miles, commencing at East Portland, Oregon, and ending at a station 2½ miles Northwest of Eugene City.
On the 16th February last I accepted the first section of twenty miles of the road and telegraph of the Oregon Central Railroad Company. This road is to run "from Portland to Astoria, and from a suitable point of junction near Forest Grove, to the Yamkill River, near McMinnville, in the State of Oregon."
CAPITOL.
The Architect of the Capitol Extension notices, in his report, the various improvements and repairs to the Capitol during the last fiscal year, and renders an account of the expenditures during the same period for that, as well as for the other public works committed to his charge. A large amount of earth has been deposited in the grounds ​south of the Capitol. The curve which connects Pennsylvania avenue with B street north is about to be paved on one side of the railway with the "Parisen" concrete pavement, and on the other with Belgian blocks. In compliance with instructions from this Department the architect entered into contract with Mr. Albert Brisbane for the construction of a pneumatic tube to connect the Capitol with the Government Printing-Office building. Mr. Brisbane represents that he has all the machinery ready to put in place, and that the tube is nearly ready for delivery, so that its completion will not be delayed beyond the 1st of July, 1873.
In conformity with the act of Congress approved May 15, 1872, relating to the Reform School of the District of Columbia, plans for the main building and one family-building for said school have been prepared by the architect, and the same were approved by this Department.
The extension of the Government Printing-Office, the north front of the Patent-Office building, and the paving of G street, between Seventh and Ninth streets, N. W., have been completed. The architect further reports that, at the request of the Joint Committee on the Library, he has made various plans for, and directed the work in the enlargement of the conservatory and forcing-houses in the Botanical Garden, and, at the request of the directors of the Women's Hospital for the District of Columbia, he has taken charge of the enlargement of the same, the title to which is now vested in the United States.
EXTENSION OF CAPITOL GROUNDS.
In compliance with the requirements of the act of Congress, approved May 8, 1872, (making appropriations for the legislative, executive, and judicial expenses of the Government for the current fiscal year,) proper steps have been taken for the purchase of the property embraced in squares numbered 687 and 688 in this city, which squares are to be included in the extension of the Capitol grounds, as contemplated by section 6 of said act. Pursuant to the provisions of section 7, the owners of said property were duly informed of the desire of the Government to purchase the same at prices "not exceeding the appraisal made by the commission of nine in their report to Robert Ould, United States district attorney for the District of Columbia, on the 21st day of January,1861."
In every instance, where answer was made, the price of such property, as fixed by said appraisal, was refused. The eighth section of the act apparently provided for such a contingency, and under the authority conferred by said section, this Department made application to the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia," to make a just and equitable appraisement of the cash value of the several interests of each and every owner of the real estate and improvements thereon necessary to be taken for the public use in accordance with the provisions" of the act. A board of these commissioners, to make such appraisement, was ​duly appointed by said court, and the report of their labors was filed therein on the 12th day of July last. But two exceptions to the appraisal made by said board were filed. which were overruled by the court sitting in "special term." Appeal was made in one of these cases to the court in "general term," and on the 16th instant said appeal was overruled and the whole appraisal confirmed.
By the ninth section of said act, the sum of $400,000 was appropriated for the purchase of said squares. The value of the property on these squares, as appraised by the commission of nine in 1861, amounted to $346,374.90. It is generally conceded that real estate in this city has greatly enhanced in value since the year 1861; it was apparent, therefore, to my mind, that Congress, in appropriating but $400,000 for the purpose, could not have entertained the possibility of purchasing the whole property for that sum. Acting upon the best attainable advice, and believing that the public economy would not be subserved by deferring action in the premises for another year, I decided to accept the appraisement made by the board of commissioners and confirmed by the court. The total value of the property in both squares according to said appraisement is $681,878.65, so that, with the appropriation of $400,000, it was only possible to purchase one of the squares, and a portion of the other, until Congress should make the necessary additional appropriation to complete the purchase. I concluded to purchase the whole of square No. 687, on the north side of Capitol Square, and the five easternmost lots in square No. 688, amounting in value to $395,388.15. The owners of said property were requested to submit the proper deeds for the conveyance of the same to the United States, and, in a majority of the cases, deeds have been received and transmitted to the Attorney-General for examination and appropriate action. In all cases, wherein the deeds were not submitted within fifteen days after the appraisement was confirmed by the court, the purchase-money will be deposited in said court, as required by section 9 of the act. It is expected that possession of most of the property purchased will be had before the 1st of December next.
Provision should be made for payment of the expenses incident to the purchase of this property. I have the honor, therefore, to recommend the appropriation by Congress of $295,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for completing the purchase of square No. 688, and for payment of expenses incident to the appraisement and purchase of the whole property.
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
During the past fiscal year the whole number of persons under treatment in the Government Hospital for the Insane was 693, being 45 more than were treated the preceding year. Of these, 389 were from the Army and Navy, and 525 were males. One hundred and eighty-five patients were admitted during said year; 51 were discharged as
​recovered, 29 as improved, and 4 as unimproved. The recoveries were 39 per cent, of the discharges, including, and 58 per cent, excluding, deaths. The number of deaths during the same period was 44, leaving under treatment at the close of said year 561, of whom 422 were males. Since the hospital was opened for the reception of patients in January, 1855, 3,181 persons have been treated therein, 1,542 of whom were native born. During the year 65 private or pay-patients received treatment, 26 of whom were discharged, leaving 39 under treatment. The general health of the hospital has been excellent.
The expenditures for the past fiscal year were $137,843.22. The sum of $11,198.65 was received for board of private patients, and $1,644.57 from the sale of live stock, &c. The value of the products of the farm and garden during the year is estimated at $5,791.50; and the live stock,farm and garden implements, &c., belonging to the institution, at $15,804.70.
The board of visitors submit the following estimates:
For support of the institution during the year ending June 30, 1874, including $500 for books, stationery, &c., $130,500; repairs and improvements, $20,000; erection of a stock-barn on one of the out-lying farms, and a hay-barn on the other, and of a poultry-house, $9,000; completion of walks and roads, $2,000; erection, lighting, heating, and furnishing a detached building, to contain tailors', shoemakers', and mattress makers' shops, and store-rooms and dormitories for mechanics and farm laborers without families, $10,000; and for removing, repairing, and building cottages for employes of the hospital having families, $5,712.22; a total of $177,212.22. The fifth item of the foregoing estimates, amounting to $10,000, contemplates a substitute for the present use of the basement story of the extension built in 1870-'71, which will vacate excellent rooms for 35 patients of the quiet chronic class, at a moderate cost. The last item of $5,712.22 is simply asking for the reappropriation of an unexpended balance of an appropriation made for the same purpose in 1865, which has lapsed into the Treasury. All the estimates submitted by the board of visitors are represented by them as being essential to the efficiency and welfare of the institution.
I have the honor to renew the recommendations contained in the annual report of this Department, dated October 31, 1871, in relation to the propriety of the passage of an act by Congress, authorizing the prolonged restraint of inebriates.
On the 15th instant there were 116 pupils in the Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, 34 of whom were received since July 1, 1871. Sixty-six of these were in the collegiate department, representing twenty-three States and this District, and 116 have received instruction since July 1, 1871, of whom 100 were males. Eighteen pupils have left the college during the year, and five have left the primary department. The health of the institution has been excellent, not a single death having occurred during the year.
​The appropriation of $70,000, made by Congress on the 10th of June last, by means of which the purchase of Kendall Green was consummated, was of great benefit to the institution, as it is now provided with one hundred acres of land, affording ample space for gardening, farming, play-grounds, &c.
The receipts for the support of the institution, during the last fiscal year, exceeded the disbursements $384.60.
The board of directors submit the following estimate for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874:
For the current expenses of the institution, $48,000.
During the last fiscal year 4,576 women received treatment at the Columbia Hospital for Women and Lying-in Asylum, a number more than double that of the preceding year. Three thousand seven hundred and eight were restored to health, 561 relieved, and 35 discharged as incurable; twenty-one died; in 101 cases the results are unknown, and 150 remained under treatment.
The annual report of the surgeon-in-chief will contain, in addition to the statement of the year's transactions, a résumé of the operations of this charity, from its commencement, June, 1866, to June, 1872, and a detailed account of the principal operations performed during that period, illustrated, when practicable, by photo-lithographs. This is one of the most interesting reports that have been made to this Department. As a scientific production it will be of great value to the medical profession throughout the country, illustrating, as it does, the efficiency of well-directed surgical aid in curing many of the diseases which but a few years ago were not considered amenable to treatment.
The directors report that the expenditures of the institution have been characterized by the strictest economy, and that its whole conduct has given great satisfaction.
The estimates for the ensuing fiscal year are as follows:
| For support of the institution | $23,00 0 |
| For microscope and appliances | 50 |
| For new furniture | 5,00 |
| Total | 28,50 0 |
This is an excess of $5,200 over the estimates submitted for the current fiscal year; but the increase is deemed necessary in order to meet the expenses which will be incurred in view of the increasing demands upon this deserving institution.
Congress, at its last session, appropriated the sum of $25,000 for the purchase of the building and grounds now occupied by the hospital. The purchase has been consummated, the deed of conveyance having first been approved by the Attorney-General. The title to said real estate is now vested, as required by the statute, in the United States.
NEW JAIL.
Congress, by an act approved June 1, 1872, created a board of commissioners, composed of the Secretary of the Interior, the governor of the District of Columbia, and the chief justice of the supreme court of said District, with full power to carry out the provisions of the act approved July 25, 1866, entitled "An act authorizing the construction of a jail in and for the District of Columbia," and the acts amendatory thereof, and directed that the plans and designs for said jail should be prepared by the supervising architect of the Treasury Department; the work to be done under his supervision, subject to the approval of said commission.
The board of commissioners met in July last, and decided that it was inexpedient to have the jail erected on the site theretofore selected. At a subsequent meeting a portion of reservation No. 13 was selected as a new site for the building, this being deemed by the commission the only available public reservation in this District fit for the purpose. The reservation is situate on the western bank of the Anacostia River, and is bounded on the north by B street south; on the west by Nineteenth street east; and on the south by G street south. The northern portion of the reservation was selected, embracing a tract of ground 600 feet in width, and running back over 1,000 feet to the Anacostia; about one-third of the entire area of the reservation. Abundant room for the building is thus secured, while the contiguity of the site to the river will be of manifest advantage in the transportation of materials for its construction. At a later meeting of the commission certain plans, designs, specifications, and estimates, prepared by the supervising architect, were approved, and the proper steps taken for the early commencement of the foundation-walls. The architect is of the opinion that the building can be completed during the ensuing year. During the coming winter the necessary excavations will be made, the foundation laid, and materials prepared for beginning the superstructure at the opening of spring.
REFORM-SOHOOL.
By the act of Congress approved March 5, 1872, all the powers conferred and duties enjoined by existing laws upon this Department, relating to the reform-school and jail in the District of Columbia, were transferred to the Department of Justice. A subsequent act, however, approved May 15,1872, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to purchase a new site for said school, to be selected by himself and the board of trustees, on which buildings for the accommodation of three hundred boys shall be erected under the supervision of said Secretary, the board of trustees, and the architect of the Capitol, for which purposes the sum of $100,000 was thereby appropriated.
A new site for said school has been selected on the farm of Thomas ​Peter, situate about three miles from the Capitol in an easterly direction, and on elevated ground. This site was believed to be as salubrious a location as could be found in the District, and embraces one hundred and fifty acres of land, for which the sum of $30,000 was paid. It is called Mount Lincoln, in commemoration of Fort Lincoln, which formerly stood on the site. Plans and specifications for the necessary buildings were prepared by the architect of the Capitol, and approved by me. Proposals for the erection of said buildings were invited in due form by advertisement, and, on the 22d day of August last, the contract for the work was awarded to the lowest satisfactory bidder, conditioned in the sum of $64,000. There yet remained $6,000 of the appropriation unexpended, of which sum $3,129.03 has been expended by the board of directors in grading and preparing the ground for the buildings, and for steam-boiler, pump for hoisting water, &c. The work on the buildings has not progressed very rapidly, owing to the insufficient supply of water, but a new supply has been discovered, and it is confidently hoped that the family building will be ready for occupation by the 1st of December next. The children were removed from their former unhealthy location on the aqueduct farm in August last, and have been provided with temporary lodgings on the barn on the new site.
The board of trustees submit an estimate of appropriations, amounting to $15,000, which will be required for a steam-heating apparatus, gas, water, and for grading grounds. In addition to the 150 acres of land already purchased, the remainder of the farm, comprising 100 acres, can be purchased at $150 per acre. For the purpose of providing the school with sufficient farm and garden land, whereon to employ its inmates, and which will, in the future, go far toward supporting the schools, I cordially recommend that an appropriation of $15,000 be made for said purchase.
METROPOLITAN POLICE.
The Metropolitan police force numbers 238 men, of whom 6 are detectives. The board represents the inadequacy of the force to the needs of the service, and strongly recommends that an increase be authorized of 12 sergeants and 50 privates, or patrolmen. The members of the force have faithfully and vigilantly discharged the duties required of them in maintaining good order, and protecting the rights of persons and property within the District. During the year ending September 30 last, 11,306 persons were arrested, of whom 1,858 were females; 6,778 were unmarried; 4,299 could neither read nor write. Of those arrested, 4,562 were dismissed, 21 turned over to the military, 720 committed to the jail, and 931 committed to the work-house; 187 gave security to keep the peace, 64 were sent to the reform-school, 60 gave bail for court, and 65 cases were undisposed of at that date. Minor punishments were inflicted in 700 cases, and fines were imposed in 3,996 ​cases, amounting to $31,469.15. During said year 4,838 destitute persons were provided with temporary lodgings, 144 lost children were restored to their parents, 522 sick or disabled persons were assisted or taken to hospitals, and 315 horses, cattle, Vehicles, &c., were returned to their owners. Of the whole number arrested, 2,251 were foreign-born; 8,084 were charged with offenses committed upon the person, and 3,222 with offenses against property. During the year, lost or stolen property to the amount of $135,387.34 was recovered by the force.
The detective force made 266 arrests, recovered lost or stolen property valued at $25,990.99, and were efficient in rendering other valuable service.
The sanitary officers have been actively engaged in abating nuisances and enforcing the necessary regulations for the cleanliness and health of the city.
TERRITORIAL PENITENTIARIES.
On the 21st instant the penitentiary at Laramie City, Wyoming Territory, was completed, and on the same day was transferred to the custody of the marshal of the United States for that Territory, pursuant to the act of Congress approved January 10, 1871. The committee of inspection report that the building is, in every respect, properly constructed, and a credit to the Government.
Congress having failed to appropriate an additional sum of $20,000 required to build a penitentiary in Washington Territory, no steps have been taken looking toward the erection of the building. I renew the recommendation made in my last annual report, that an additional appropriation of $20,000 be made for the purpose. If the appropriation be made immediately available, the building can be erected during the ensuing year.
THE VIENNA EXPOSITION OF 1873.
The exhibition of the resources and products of the country at the World's Exposition to be held at Vienna in 1873, so far as the same may be practicable, is deemed of such importance that the necessary steps will be taken, so far as I have the power, to forward a complete series of such reports of this Department as may be necessary for that purpose. The reports of the Land-Office, of the Ninth Census, and the Official Gazette of the Patent-Office, will furnish a very full statement of our progress and resources; while the reports of the Indian-Office, of Pensions, of the Bureau of Education, and of the geological survey of the Territories, will show the methods we have adopted in those several directions. Such an exhibition will best serve to place the United States in her proper rank among the nations.
C. DELANO,
Secretary.
    The President.
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work of the United States federal government (see 17 U.S.C. 105).
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