Washington sentinel., 1853-12-22

by the Supreme Court of the United States,
has enabled many of the settlers on such lands
to secure their homes. An amendment should
be made to this act, however, to exclude from
its provisions all such lands as may be needed
for public uses. A further extension, however,
Of the general pre-emption law would seem
to be necessary to render even-handed justice
to all. By the sixth section Of the act of Sd
March last, the unsurveyed lands in California.
with certain exceptions, and on specified con-
ditions, were made subject to pre-emption.
There is no reason of policy or propriety why
this provision, with similar limitations and con-
ditions, should not be extended to all the land
States. Too much cannot be said Of the en-
ergy and enterprise of this class Of our people.
They are the pioneers Of civilization and Chris
tianity. They have pressed forward from the
Alleghanies to the Pacific, opening roads,
bridging the streams, telling the forests, and
cultivating the prairies. Before them the wild
beasts of the forest have passed away, and, like
bulwark, they have stood in front of their
less daring and adventurous fellow-citizens, who
have followed on and peopled the countries
thus opened up for them. 1t is, then, but q
small gratnity for such services that they shall
be permitted to purchase their homes at the gov
ernment price, without competing with specula-
tors for the fruits of their own toll, hardships,
and privations. 1t is, therefore, earnestly re-
commended that this extension be accorded to
them.
The expediency and propriety of early ac-
ton for the extension Of the land system over
the Territories of New Mexico, Utah, &C., is
suggested and recommended. The population
Of those Territories is constantly increasing,
and no doubt many settlers are improving
lands belonging to the government, without the
possibility Of obtaining titles for them under
existing legislation. To relieve this state Of
things, and to secure bona fde holders in their
possessions, without which their energies win
be checked and the prosperity Of the Terrific
ries prevented, it is suggested that proper sur
yeying districts be established, and q commits
sion instituted, to ascertain and report to Con-
gress the present condition of the titles therein
that surveyor general be appointed for each Of
those districts, with authority to survey and To-
cate such of the claims therein as the commits
sioner shall deem valid, and that he be author
lied to have the residue of the land surveyed
according to existing laws, or on such plan as
shall appear best adapted to the topography of
the country, to be approved Of, however, by the
Secretary of the Interior before adoption. The
nature and extent of the tennres by which the
Pueblo or civilized Indians of New Mexico hold
their lands seem to be but little understood, and
hence Legislation on the subject, without suffi-
cient information, might lead to confusion and
conflict of an endless and harrassing nature.
In these regions, as well, as in all our Pacific
possessions, it is recommended that the mineral
lands be thrown open to the enterprise and In
dnstry Of all our citizens, and those who have
declared their intention to become such, upon
the payment Of per centage or seignorage for
coming the precious metals.
From the foregoing statements it must be
apparent that the business Of this Office has in
creased to great extent, probably not less than.
thirty per cent. The reorganization in July
last nominally increased, but really reduced its
force; while the railroad, swamp, and pre-emp-
ton grants, the Virginia revolutionary claims,
and the establishment of land offices in Oregon
and California, have materially added to its
current duties. To meet these increased re-
sponsibilities with reduced force has required
great and unceasing efforts and unwearied dill
gence. Most of the gentlemen in the Office,
with spirit of emulation entitled to the highest
commentator, have labored indefatigably to
perform all the labor devolyed on them by this
state of things and that, too, under the dis
of reduced salaries, and the want
OF suitable and sufficient accommodations.
The crowded and uncomfortable condition of
our rooms, and the impossibility of laboring in
some Of them in cloudy weather without arti-
ficial light, have already been brought to your
attention; and the proper remedy will be ap-
Piled as soon as you can make arrangements
for that purpose. An advance Of salaries, how
ever, requires the interposition Of the legisla-
ture.
In consequence of the great influx Of the
precious metals, their consequent reduction in
value, and the corresponding increase in the
price Of every article Of domestic consumption,
the cost of living has materially advanced. In
every other branch of industry the compensa:
ton has kept pace with this advance, while the
salaries Of many Of the employees of the govern
ment have been materially reduced, especially
hose Of low salaries, who are employed on the
simpler duties of the Office. Some of these
have been reduced from twelve hundred to
nine hundred dollars per annum, while others,
who received still less, have had the twenty per
cent. previously allowed stricken from their
salaries.
The principal clerks Of this Office, by the act
,f 1886, are required to be appointed by the
President, by and with the advice and consent
II the Senate. Their compensation, however,
las never been commensurate with the diff
'ult and onerous duties performed by them, nor
ufficient for the talents and ability required to
discharge those duties. They have not at any
ime had the benefits Of the per centage ex-
ended to others, nor any increase Of salary from
836, when the law was passed organizing
hose divisions, to the present time, though
heir duties have become much more burden
ONE and complicated. Nor has any provision
een made, since that time, for the labor and
rouble of settling the FIVE per cent. accounts of
he several States, for which an allowance had
lways been previously made.
The impolicy of inadequate or insufficient
in any employment must be ap
aren't. A classification that might do justice
oother Offices would not suit this for the reason,
8 heretofore reported, that the duties are more
iyersifed, and many of them require high
nd peculiar order Of talent.
It is therefore respectfully recommended that
he salaries Of the clerks be arranged with ref.
renee to their duties, and that such increase
9 made in their compensation as will do JUS
ce to all, and that a proportionate increase be
xtendel to the messengers, assistant messen- |
ers, packers, watchmen, and laborers The