Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1854-12-16


lis doubtful legality; thai Ihey're,ard Toe settlement
OF the county; The difficulty OF ascerla;ning in
what cases i, is likely the grants will be made !;
and The fear OF iniuring the section Of country in
which the improvement is contemplated by turning
thence The tide Of ofemigralion.
| The Secretary rei'erales his recommendation iha,
! The officers connected with The survey and sale OF
| the public lands be prohibited by law from bccom-
ing interested in its purchase.
| Afer the passage Of The act OF September, 1850,
granting The swamp and overhowed lands 10 the
States in which they are situated, many Of such
! lands were taken up BY purchase or location as
| agricultural lands. The &C, G! 1850 being grant
IN present. to the States The Government cannot
make titles 10 the individual purchasers or loca'ors
! and many difficulties have grown up under this
| head 10 settle which and afford The necessary
relief The Secretary recommends remedial egisa.
ton
! The Secretary also recommends, as indispensa-
bly, necessary 10 the completion Of the vas. amount
/ OF business before it, a continuation, for another
year, OF the commission to settle land claims n
California. The commissioners have, by their
there is still much to be done. They have adjudi.
Gated 397 claims, which is less than half the mum
Der presented. Ofthose adjudjca'ed 294 wee con.
/ frmed for abou, 1876 square leagues OF lard, and
1913 rejected, covering abou, 383 square leagues.
| The Secretary alver's 10 The irregularities and
| inequarrs produced by the numerous and diss.
mar existing pension laws, and recommends
some important notifications with view to uni
! iorny, and also resore The system somewhat 10
The original design OF lis projectors and 10 increase
| It's benefits and restrict its operation 10 those who
are really and egil:ma'ely deserving ohjecs OF
governmental favor and protection.
| He renews his recommendation of a biennial ex-
animation of invalid pensioners, and cites the sin
gular fact that while applications numerous and
constantly being presented Tor an increase Of pen.
sion on account alleged increase of disability but
two instances have occurred OF voluntarily ac.
acknowledgement Of diminulion Of The disease or
wound for which The pension was originally grant
! ed
The Department has been emineny successful
in erre,ing out and bringing 10 punishment the per.
petraors Of frauds on The Pension Bureau. Up TO
The 30lh oil September last, and since the 4th of
March, 1853, 30 persons have been indicted or
these, II have been convicted 9 have forfeited
their recogn,zances and fed; | has died com.
milled suicide; have eluded The officers of the
law, and awaied trial.
We are surprised to learn tha, in so large and
important department that Of the Interior, no
appropriation ledsers were kept therein, by which
! the financial condition OF the Department could be
! ascertaned, until The present head OF the Depart
menr took charge of it. We do not see how its
affairs could have been in'elligenly managed with
ont having this information readily al hand.
! II now appears that an admirable and econom-
cal system has been devised and is in successful
operation, (tequiring but one disbursing clerk in
stead Of lhree, which The laws alIows,) by which
uniformity and promp i'ude are secured in The dis.
bursement of the public moneys, and advances to
discussing officers regulated by the wants Of the
public service and The OF the Department 10
meet them.
On the 3lst March, 1918, the enormous of
S94s,475 80 was in the hands of agents for paying
pensions alone. This new financial system has en-
abled the Secre ary Of The Inferior 10 call in this
amount, so that on the 30h Of June last, those
agents only had on hand The aggregate sum ofS393,
SOl2O-an amount amply sufficient for The promp,
| payment Of pensions l.able 10 be called for until
other advances are made.
1t was supposed until recently, that The new line
of boundary between the United Sales and the
Republic Of Mexico would be completed with the
! time and amount estimated al the last session.
Recent intelligence however, indicates that further
appropriation may be necessary, but the Secretary
still hopes that if made, lis use may be avoided.
The Secretary recommends The demarkalion of
| boundary line between the United States and the
Bri i.h Possessions on tie Northwest and parlicu-
Iarly that portion of the Territory CT Washington
| aud also the settlement Of The claims Of The Hud
sons Bay and Puget Sound Companies. before
difficulties grow up between the citizens Of The
two naions and create embarrasmeuls for The fu
lure.
| He makes some jndicous Suggestions respecting
, The laws and organization Of The Patent Office,
as the better to secure the rights OF inventors, and
increase the efficiency of Inc office in proportion TO
The rapidly increasing business devoivng upon il.
| He also recommends The creation, in connection
with The office OF Attorney General of law depart.
men, of The Government, the increase Of salaries
OF the judges Of the district courts of the United
| State, and certain notifications OF the fee bill OF
| 1853
A large amount OF discretion being in the head
of The Department. respecting judicial expenses Of
various kinds, the Secretary deems it best and
safest, and recommends that all such matters, as
far as practicable, be regulated by law.
A lhroroush examination Of the subject has re
suited in showing that The expenses incident TO The
office OF coroner OF the District (amouniing TO about
$4,000 per annum) are not legally chargeable to
the United States, and he drafts upon The Treasury
on this account have consequently ceased. The