Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-12-17
POLITIC A H.
ABSTRACT OF, THE REPORT OF THE SEC
RETARY OF THE INTERIOR.


The Secretary of the Interior in his an
nua report, sets out by enumeratlng The du,
ties of his Office as defined by the law OF Sd
March, 1S49, creating the Department Of
the Interior indicating pretty large field OF
supervision and accountability.
The estimates ofappropriation of the De-
partment for the year ending SOth OF June,
1862, is set down at $7,132, 023 Al, while
the amount for the year ending 3oth June,
1853, is SIS, ,695, 1923 Cd showing that the es.
Inmates for the next year are less by ST.
436 6o5 43 than those for the present fiscal
wear. The reduction results from no dimi-
mutton of the expenses, but because the es-
Inmates of this year included many defcen-
ciencies of the proceeding year. A vicious
practice has prevailed of reducing the estl-
mates at the commencement of session oi
Congress with view to provide the amount
actually necessary by deficiency bill. The
expression of the Secletary's disapprobatlon
of this practice in his last report has resulted
in the deficiencies, amounting to only $780,
900 instead of two millions. as IN years pre-
ceeding. There isa reasonable approximation
punoI 81 ~ ueqM 'sGes eq 'GoeInooe o.
that in the disbursement of more than sew
en- millions of dollars the expenditures ex-
ceed the estimate only about $500, 900.
The estimate for the Department proper
next year is S7,577 5O-the smallness Of
the amount resulting from unexpended bal
ances of former appropriation.
On the business of the "Pension Once
the most interesting statements refer tc
the claims under the bounty land law OF
2Sth Sept, 1851. Since the passage of thai
law the number of applicants has reached
$50, 1000 on the 1st of Nov, 1851.
By the greatest application and persever'
ance, of this number, 10000 had been ex.
amined, and $4,000 carried into warrant
%, 900 have been rejected or suspended fol
further consideration. The number of war.
rants now issued daily exceeds 400. 1t j:
alleged to have been the invariable rule ol
the office to act on the cases in the order ol
their presentation. In all cases in which
complaint has been made of departure
from this rule, they proved to originate in
suspensions for some defect orimiormality
The following suggestions OF amend,
ments and notifications of existing laws are
made =
First. That the benefits of the pension
laws be confined to those who rendered the
Military service, and to the widows and mi.
nor children of such as are dead.
Second. That more efficient provisions be
adopted to prevent frauds under the various
pension laws, s. more especially under those
relating to invallds.
Out of 231 applications for invalid pen
sions from two of the Western States, on in
vestigation, only 81 were found to be just
the residue were fraudulent.
Third. That warrants for bounty lands
under the act of 2Sth September, 1850, be
made assignable. Most of the holders ol
these claims are person far advanced inlife
or widows or orphans who have not the
means of locating them to advantage, s Gail
therefore only make them available by sale
Fourth. The enactment of "a law making
it felony to forge, utter or publish as gen
uine, any forged land warrant or other evil
dence of claim against the United States fol
land, Or any endorsement or assignment
thereof.
The passage of general law on the SUBJ
iect of forgery provision for the appoint
ment of an assistant commissioner of PEN
sions and law regulating the compensa-
ton of clerks in this department are recon-
mended.
The disposal of the public lands embrac.
es very active and prosperous condition
of affairs.
The quantity of land sold during the last
fiscal year was 1,846,S49 49-100 acres, for
which the sum of So, $40, CAT 45 was recelv-
ed. The quantity sold during the first quar-.
ter of the present fiscal year was 473, 14O,.
65-1O0 acres, producing S601,691. The
quantity sold during the corresponding
quarter of the last fiscal year was 266, ,S79,.
66 100 acres, the proceeds of which amount
to S349, IT'S 06; thus showing consider
able increase in the sales of the present o.
yer those of the last fiscal year.
The report on the general state OF Indian
affairs is in some respect quite interesting.
1t states that the progress of civilization is
in many instances apparent, and that the
tribes in New York, and the country west Of
Arkansas, are living under governments
established by themselves.
Treaties have been effected in various
quarters, by which the Indian title has been
extinguished, ,andlarge tracts of country have
thus come into the undisputed possession Of
the government.
The subject ofJudicial expenses is dis
cussed with a good practical purpose. The ir.
regularity of practice, and the inequality Of
fees arising from different constructions Of
the same provisions, is brought to the at
tentlon of Congress, and system of uni
formity urged.
Some remarks of no general interest are
made in relation to Public Buildings, the
improvements and renovation thereof &
the extension of the Capitol, which is stead
lily progressing.
Returns have been received from the Of
fcers engaged in taking the census in all
the.States and territories except California
and Utah, and the delay has prevented the
Secretary from making the apportionment oil
representation contemplated by law.
The Secretary makes sundry explanations
and suggestions in regard to the census, and
recommends an additional appropriation Of
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars to
complete its preparation and publication.
In connexion with the Patent Office, the
Secretary refers to the London Industrial
Exhibition to Mr.. Charles F. Stansbury,
whom he sent thither as an agent; and to
the valuable and interesting document which
that gentleman has prepared IN pursuance
of his instructions.
TITO Cacrotorv o,vec sLetcb of tho on.