Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-12-29
These extra official duties were discharged by I


township in Oregon. This grant, in eacn OF Tue
new States, of one section Of the public lands
in each township, was designed 10 secure lhe
benefit of education 10 all the children oil mat
township This object has failed 10 great OK
tent: because one section in The centre oil toWh-
shin six miles square is too distant from many
| other sections 10 furnish school 10 winch all
can resort and because, as pecunlary proVl-
sion. il is inadequate. The grant, however, OF
one section for every quarter township would DE
sufficient, whilst the central location would De
adjacent 10 every other section IN such quarter
township. bringing the school-hous within
the immediate vicinage Of every child with
in its limits. Congress, TO some extent, adoP'
ted this recommendation, by granting TWO
school sections in each township, instead oil one,
for education in Oregon; but it is respect
fully suggested that even thus extended, the
grant is still inadequate in amount, whilst the
location is incuuvenien and TOO remote iof
school which all can attend. This subject IS
again presented To The attention OF Congress,
" IN The recommendation ina! II shall be extent
ed 10 California and New Mexico and also 10 all
The other new States and Territories containing
The public domain Even as question u re-
venue, such grants would more than refund their
value 10 the government rs each quarter town
ship is composed VI nine sections, uf which me
central section would be g,anIed for schools, and
each Of the remaining eight sections would be
adjacent 10 that granted. These eight sections,
thus located, and each adjoining school sec
lion, would be Of greater value than when sepa-
rated, by many miles from such opportunities;
and the hirty.two sections OF one entire township
with these benefits, would bring larger price 10
The government than lhiny-ive sections ont u
lhirty-siY where une section only so remote from
The rest was granted Tor such purpose The
public domain wonlt thus be settled a, an earlier
pericd, and, yielding larger products, thus soon
augment our exports and our imports, with cor
respondent increase Of rcveSue from duties The
stea or diffusion OF education would increase the
power OF mind and knowledge applied IL our IN
du>lrial pursuits, and augment IN this way also
the products and wealth Of The nation. Each
State is deeply interested III the welfare 81 every
Other; for the representatives OF The whole reSn-
laie by their votes The measures Of The Union,
which mus; be more happy and prosperous in
proportion rs ls councils are guided by more en-
li2htencd views, resulting from the more univcr-
sal diffusion Of light, and knowledge, and educa-
ton.
The attention of Congress is respectfully in.
yited 10 the condition of the public lands in Ca
lifornia. The official reports of the great mi
neral wealth of that region, present important
questions for your consideration. That gold
and quicksilver exist 10 a great extent IN Cali
lornia, would seem to be placed beyond con,ro-
versy. This gold would appear 10 require the
establishment Of branch Of the mint of the
United States at San Francisco. The quick
silver is no, only important a connected with
The mining Of The precious metals, with health
and tie arts, but still more with the advance
Of science and The progress of discovery IN ply
sizes. The mines of gold, and perhaps of other
minerals. would seem to be located chiefly on
The public lands. They belong to the Govern
ment as trustee for the people, whose interests
should be protected and secured by Congress.
scientific commission, to make geological
examination, accompanied with linear surveys,
is deemed important
The voulninous character OF this report, grow
ing oul Of The varied and important duties, con-
sanity augmcniing, assigned by law IL has de-
pariment, renders il necessary that | should re
serve for lew days and loT special report TO
Congress, The warehousing system In advance
Of This report, | would remark al this time hat
new instructions Ale prepared by this department,
and the iorms nearly compc cd, among other re-
sulalions, extending more Tree competition Tor
The storage OF fpfeigr imports. The progress oi
The system has been mos satisfactory and sue.
in our poris since The passage IL The law ~ Au.
sus, 1886, up 10 the 30lh September las, having
amounted 10 he very large sum OF about iurty-
four millions OF dollars.
In soon retiring from this department, and
from public lie, in which have served 50 long
win inferior abilities 10 many others, oul win
equal solicitude 10 promote Tue best interest OF
my beloved country, submit, with the utmost
Difference 10 the superior wisdom OF Congress,
my views and experience as regards The orsanl-
zalion OF the Treasury Department. It's varied
and important duties, with the rapid increase OF
our area, business and population, can scarcely
BE- all promptly and properly performed by any
one Secretary. Yet in bleaching any OF its duties
from this department. the greatest care must De
taken not to impair the unity simplicity, and
efficiency OF the system. To take from this de.
parlment lis supervision over the commerce and
finances, or over any OF the accounting oihcerS,
OF The treasury, The two CompirolleIs, the six
Auditors, The Treasurer, the Solicitor or Regis
Ter the Assistant Treasurer or collectors, The
revenue marine, The Coast survey, the mint, the
weights and measures The marine hospitals, or
The lighthouse system would crea confusion,
an he most preIudcia 10 The pablo service.
But there are important public duties, having
no necessary connection with commerce or IL
nances that could be most advantageously sep
new department of The government. Among
these are The Land Office, land titles and surveys
| connected herewith, linear and geological. The
business OF The Land Office occupies very large
portion of the lime of the Secretary OF The Trea-
| sury every day, and his duties connected there
| with must be greatly increased by The accession
| OF our immense domain in Oregon, New Mexi
] co and California, especially in c0nnex,on with
| their valuable mineral lands, their private land
| claims and conflicting tides From all decision:
| Of The Commissioner of the General Land Office
as 10 government titles or private land claims pre-
| emplions, private entries Or purcha.es oil he pub
lie domain, an appeal lies 10 the Secretary OF the
| Treasury. This il bnl one branch Of these tu
| ties; and YET, AS some evidence Of the amount q
| labor thus eryolyed upon him from his source,
have pronounced judgment in upwards OF hve
thousand cases involving land titles since The OF
| Of March 1915 These are generally luiicia
| questions and 10; financial, requiring often erea
| lab and rcsearrh. and havins no necessary cen
ncXi"n with he cafes OF The Treasury Depar
men'. The daily correspondence Of this depart
ment with lhs Commissioner 81 the Genera
| Land Office, surveyors general, the reoisers anr
| receivers, and other persons connected with tn
| system, is most voiuminons.
The supervisory power now exercised by the
Secretary of the Treasury over the expenses o.
the courts Of the United States, and other du
| ties connected Herewith, through The marshal:
and clerks Of these courts, gives rise to very
considerable daily correspondence with these
officers, and having no necessary connexlon will
the finances, should also be detached from thu
Treasury Department. as well as from the Slate
| Department The duties Of these marshals II
| connection with the census of the United States
Having transferred the laborious duties emu
meratcd from the Secretary Of the Treasury
! Congress should authorize him TO appoint al
| assistant Secretary who should be man o.
| great talents and experience, with salary no
less than $4,000 year, who should examine
all letters, contracts and warrants prepared fol
the signature Of the Secretary, and perform
such other duties, not requiring the signature o
the Secretary. as nigh, conveniently be devolv
ed upon him BY the department To MAINTAIN
the unity and efficiency Of the system, ne shoul'
be appointed BY the Secretary aud subject e
his direction. He would want one able and ef
icient clerk, with salary not less than 81, 7O(