Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-12-10
crA TNToN " WFnNESDAY DECEMBER TO- 1901

notwithstanding the large donations which hav
been made 10 many Of the States, and the lbera
grants TO individuals as reward for military ser
vices. This fact furnishes very gratifying evl
dence of the growing wealth and prosperity VI GU
country.
Suitable measures have been adopted for com
mencing the survey Of the public lands in Caliior
I MIA and Oregon. Surveying parties have been or
gapzed, and some progress has been made IN es'
tabishing the principal base s. meridian lines. Bu
further legislation and additional appropriations
will be necessary before the proper subdivisions
can be made, and the general land system extend
I ed over those remote parts of our territory.
On the Sd Of March last an act was passed pro-
yiding for the appointment of three commissioners
~ selI,e private lard claims in California. Three
persons were Immediately appointed. all oil whom
however declined accepting the office, in eonse'
quence of the nadequacy OF the compensation
Others were promptly selected, who, fos the satne
reason, also declined and II was not untii Ia'e 70
the season that the services suitable persons eoaio
be secured. A majority of the commissioners con-
vened, in this city, on the lOth OF Septemoe! iasi
when detailed instructions were given to them IN
regard to their duties. Then hrst meeting ior 'he
transaction of business will be held IN San r ran
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have thought il proper 70 refer to these facts mol
only 10 explain the causes of the delay in filling
the commission, but 10 call your attention to the
propriety Of increasing the compensation OF the
commissioners. The office is one of great labor
and responsibility, and, the compensation should
he such as to command men Of high order oil tai
ep,s and the most unqueslionable integrity.
The proper disposal of the mineral lands OF Cal
ifo,Ba is subject surrounded by great difficulties
In nv last annual message recommended the
survey and sale Of them in small parcels, under
such restrictions as would efectually guard against
monopoly and speculation. But upon further in
formation, and in Difference 10 the opinions OF per-
sons familiar with the subject, am inclined to
change that recommendation, and to advise that
they be permitted to remain, as at present, COM
mon field, open to the enterprise and industry OF
all our citizens, until further experience shall have
developed the best policy to be Ultimately adopted
in regard TO them. 1t is safer to suffer the lncon
veniences that now exist, for short period, than,
5y premature legislation, to fasten on the country
system founded in error, which may place
the whole subject beyond the future control Of
Congress.
The agricultural lands should however, be sur
veyed and brought into market with as little delay
as possible. that the titles may become settled,
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improvements, and enter on the ordinary pursuits
of life. 10 eifecrth objects il is desirable that
the necessary provision be made by law for the es-
tabshment of land offices in California and Ore
gon, and for the efficient prosecution Ofthe surveys
at an early day.
Some difficulties have occurred in organizing the
Territorial governments of New Mexico and Utah;
and. when more accurate information shall be OBJ
tanned of the causes, further communication Will
be made on that subject
In nv las, annual communication to Congress |
recommended the establishment OF an Agricultural
Bureau, and take this occasion again to invoke
your favorable consideration of the subject.
Agriculture may justly be regarded as the great
interest of our people. Four-ffths Of our active
population are employed in the cultivation Of the
suil, and the rapid expansion of our settlements
over new territory is daily adding to the number
of those engaged in that vocation. Justice and
sound policy. therefore, alike require that Inc
Government should use all the means authorized
by the Constitution TO promote Tho interests ana
welfare Of that important class OF our feow-cll-
zens And yel it is singular fact that whilst The
manufacturing and commercial interests have en-
f gagged the attention Of Congress during a large
portion Of every session. and our statutes abound In
provisions for their protection and encouragement,
little has yet been done directly fur the advance
ment Of agriculture 1t is time that this reproach
10 our Legislation should be removed; and sincere
ly hope that the present Congress will not close
their labors without adopting efficient means 10
supply the omission Of those who have preceded
them.
An Agricultural Bureau, charged with the duty
of collecting and disseminating correct lniorma-
ton as to the best modes of cultivation, and OF the
most effsctual means of preserving and restoring
the fertility of the soil, and Of procuring and dis
ribu,ing seeds and plants and other vegetable pro.
ductions, with instructions in regard to the soil,
E climate, and treatment best adapted 10 their
growth could not fail to be, in the language OF
Washington in his last annual message TO Con-
gress, very cheap instrument OF immense ma
iional benefit"
Regarding the act of Congress approved 18th
September, 1850. granting bounty lands to persons
who had been engaged in the military service Of
the country, as great measure OF natlonal justice
and munilicence, an anxious desire has oeen ieit,
by the officers entrusted with lis immediate execa-
tiun 10 give prompt effect TO lis provisions. All
, the means within their conIrol were, therefore,
brought into requlsltlon 10 expedite the ao)udica-
tion of claims, and am gratiied TO be able 10
state that near one hundred thousand applications
have been considered, and about seventy thousand
warrants issued within the short space OF nine
months. If adequate provision be made by law to
carry into effect the recommendations OF the De-
parment, il is confidently expected that, before the
close of ibe next fiscal year, all who are entitled
70 the benefits of the act will have received their
, warrants.
The Secretary of the Interior has suggested in
his report various amendments Of the laws relating
to pensions and bounty lands, for the purpose OF
more e1ectually guarding against abuses and
frauds on the Government, to all of which lnVlte
yonr particular attention.
The large accessions TO our Indian population
consequent upon the acquisition OF New Mexico
and California land the extenion of our settlements
into Utah and Oregon, have given increased inter
est and importance 10 our relations with the aourg'
inal race. -, :,
No material change has taken place, within the
last year, in the condition and prospects OF the In
dian tribes who reside in the Northwest Territory
and west Of the Mississippi river. We are a
peace with all of them and il will be source ot
pleasure to you to learn that they are gradually
advancing in civilization and the pursuits OF socla
life. orr.
Along the Mexican frontier, and in CailtorI
: MIA. and Oregon, there have been occasional
: manifestations Of urfriendly feeling; and some
n Jepredaions committed. | am satisfied, how
ever. that they resulted more from the destitute
y and starving condition OF the Indians than IRON
e any settled hostility toward the whites. AS lhe
: Settlements of our citizens progress toward:
e Ibem the game upon which they mainly rely
for snbsistence, is driven off or destroyed, and
: The only alternative left to them is starvation OF
e nIunder Il becomes us TO consider, in view oi
ac ,b;poa whpfhpr iusticp and hl-