The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-12-14

respectfully submit that the army, which,
under our system, must always be regard
ed with the highest interest, as nucleus
around which the volunteer forces of the
nation gather in the hour OF danger, re-
quires. augmentation, or modification. to
adapt it to the present extended limits and
frontier relations of the country, and tie
condition Of the Indian tribes in the interi
or Of the continents; the, necessity of which
will appear IN the communications of the
Secretaries of War and the Interior
In the administration of the PostO Office
Department, for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1853, the gross expenditure was ST.
982, ,756; and the gross receipts. during
the same period, S., ,942 ,734; showing that
the current revenue failed to meet the cur.
rent expenses of the department by the
sum of Sc 2,O42 O32. The causes which,
under the present postal system and laws,
led inevitably to this result, are fully ex-
planned by the report Of the Postmaster
General; one great cause being the enor-
PEELED 10 pay for mail service rendered by
railroad companies.
/ The exhibit in the report of the Post
master-General Of the income and expen-
ditures by mail steamers will be found Pc
culiarly interesting. and Of a character to
demand the immediate action Of Congress.
Numerous and 1agrant frauds upon the
Pension Bureau have been brought to light
. within the last year, and, in some instan-
, ces, merited punishments inflicted; but,
unfortunately, in others guilty parties hsve
escaped, not through the want Of sufficient
) evidence to warrant a conviction, but in
5 consequence Of the provisions of Limitation
! IN the existing laws.
L From the nature Of these claims, the re-
moteness of til tribunals to pass upon
them. and the mode in which the proc
S is, of necessity, furnished; temptations to
! crime have been greatly stimulated by the
: obvious difficulties Of detection. The de
e lects in the law upon this subject are sc
# apparent. and so fatal to the ends of jus
e tce, that your early action relating to i
a is most desirable.
c During the last fiscal year, 9,3l9.4l1
acres oil the public lands have been sur
!. yeyetl, and lO,363, 1871 acres brought int
e market. Within the same period, the sale
e by public purchase and private entr.
J. amounted 10 1893, ,495 acres; located un
: der military bounty land warrants. 6, l42,
$50 acres; located under other certi6cat es
/. 0 1877 acres; ceded to the States as swami
n lands. l6,664.953 acres; selected for rail
/. road and other objects, under acts @
IS Congress, 1,427,457 acres.
Total amount of land disposed of with
q in the fiscal year. 95,346 ,9s9 acres; whc
J. is anincrease in quantity sold. and locate
!. under land warrants and grants. OF I2
d 231.81G acres over the fiscal year inme
>. diately preceding. The quantity Of Ian
J. sold during the second and third quarter
20 of $50. was 334 45l acres. The amour
n received therefor, was $623 687. Th
:. quantity sold the second and third quar-
d ters of the year 1858, was ,609,9l9 acres
h, and the amount received therefor, So .226
5. 876.
10 The whole number OF land warrants i:
=. sued under existing laws. prior TO the 30t
'. Of September last, was 966 o42; of whic
,s there were outstanding. at that date. &C
Is 947. The quantity OF land required TO sa
d .is'y these outstanding warrants, is 4.778
#. 100 acres.
:. Warrants have been issued TO 30th
10 September last under The act Of 1th Eel
a. ruary. l847. calling for 1880 $50 acre
rs under acts OF September 2s, 1850. an
March 90, 1852. calling for 12.5o5.36
,e acres; making total OF 25.384 GAO acre
is Ii is believed that experience has ver
" fed the wisdom and justice of the preser
e. system, with regard to the public domain
If. in most essential particulars.
le You will perceive, from the report Of tl
ar Secretary of the Interior, that opinion
c. which have often been expressed in rel;
e. ton TO the operation of the land system
OF as no, being source ofrevenue to the iet
efal treasury, were erroneous. The n
in profits from the sale Of The public lands
n June 30, 1858, amounted TO the sum
= $53. .289, ,465.
ali | recommend the extension Of the Ian
3. system over the Territories of Utah ar
ty New Mexico. with such notifications {
y their peculiarities may require.
en- Regarding our public domain as chief
of valuable to provide homes for the industI
ee Gus and enterprising, am not prepare
ne to recommend any essential change in Il
n. land system, except by notifications
of favor Of the actual settler, and an exte
" sion Of the pre- emption principle in ce
81. tain cases, for reasons. and on ground
a, which will be fully developed in the repor
es TO be laid before you.
nd Congress, representing the proprieto
". Of the territorial domain. and charged e
O. pecially with power to dispose Of territo
n belonging TO the United States, has, for
to long course Of years. beginning with Il
OF administration Of Mr.. jefferson. exercise
the power to construct roads within Il
b. territories; and there are so many and o
is vious distinctions between this exercise
ST. power and that of making roads within Il
ch States. that the former has never been col
IS, sidered subject 10 such objections as app
es to the latter. and such may now be consi
er cred the settled construction of the pow
or of the federal government upon the su
NJ ject.
n Numerous applications have been. ar
no doubt will continue to be, mado f
.e. grants of land. in aid Of the constructie
,of OF railways. 1t is not believed 10 be wit
,al in the intent and meaning ofthe constit
he ,ion, that the power to dispose Of the pu
.ly lie domain. should be used otherwise ths