The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-12-23

Many other subjects are treated OF at con-
siderable length. 81
Secretary of the Interiors Report.
This report will be read with general inter-
est, as exhibiting in a clear, brief, and com.
prehensive manner, the successful developments
and growing importance of the great home in :
terests of the country. During the past year
the business Of the General Land Office has
been largely augmented, and every facility Civ
en- to the hardy pioneers to secure eligible and
permanent homes. The Secretary says that
he labor on the part Ct the bureau produced
by the graduating principle is immense, and
has involved the office in difficulties that can
not be easily or effectively surmountcd with.
out the further aid of Congress.
During the last fiscal gear II, l,070,035 acres
of the public lands have been surveyed, and
S,l90,0l7 acres brought into market. In the
same period, 7,035,735 acres were sold yield.
ing S9,2S5,G33; "cated with military scrip
and land warrants, 34l6,S02 acres; swamp
lands ceded, ll,033,sl3 acres, exhibiting an,
increase Of 5,952240 acres over the previous
year of lands sold for cash, and sensible di.
minuion.in the amount located with scrip and
land warrants.
Although the Secretary sees no reason to
change his previously expressed views in favor
of donations of public and for the construction
Of great leading highways in the new States,
he yet audes to the fact that attempts have
been made to prostitute the scheme for pur-
poses which are totally unworthy Of public con-.
fdcnce. The applications to Congress, at its
last session, contemplated the construction Of
6. .!..-.i L Gft- -. .l.----.f o..4l---ex--
elusive Of the great Pacific railroad and its
branches-and, assuming six sections to each
mile of road, would have required in round
numbers twenty millions Of acres
The Secretary repeats his former recon-.
mendatlon, that officers connected with tie
survey and sale of the public lands be prohibi.
ted, under severe penalties. from becoming
purchasers. He says that it will be again nee.
esSary to extend the time for the completion
Of the work Of the commission to ascertain
and settle the private land claims in California,
which expires in March next.
The frauds practiscd by pension agents are
alluded to. The Secretary earnestly recon.
mends modification of the act of Congress
limiting to two years prosecutions for perjury
cases. Up to October last thirty pension
agents have been indicted; of whom eleven
were convicted, nine fed and forfeited their
recognizanccs, one died, one committed suicide,
two have eluded tho officers, and six await
trial. Others have not been prosecuted, ow-
ing to the limitation referreI to and, in sever.
al aggravated cases, the statute has been sue.
cessfulIy pleaded. The pertinacty and success
Of the Pension bureau in pursuing The Offend
ers have perceptibIy diminished the offence;
and, with enlarged power it may probably be
totally checked. !.
1t is stated, as remarkably striking fact,
that Of the large and entire number on the in.
valid pension roll, with recently two honora.
BILE cxceptons.) there appears never to have
been any diminution Of the disability, but fire.
quently an Increase.
1t is believed that the Mexican boundary
survey will be completed within the time .esti-
mated.
The Patent Office, it is stated is in excel
lent condition. and the manner in which its
affairs are conducted gives universal satisfac-
tioa. Since the lst of January last, sixteen
hundred patents have been issued. nf,}
The judicial expenses Of the United States
are largely on the increase. which is in part
accounted for by the number of terms and
places at which courts are held. The Secreta-
ry ia of opinion that the salaries of most of
the judges Of the district courts are inadequate.
lie aIIudes to the fact that extra charges have
been made by district judges, attorneys, and
clerks, which were not allowed BY the depart.
ment
The District of Columbia and its affairs oc-
cupy no small pace in The report. The con-
structon OF various public Improvements is
warmly recommended
Our Indian affairs are alluded to Mt consid-
cradle length. The annuties are abundantly
sufficient for all Legitimate purposes. With
the view to protect the interests and promote
the welfare of the Indian tribes, the agents and
sub. agents of the government are now required
to reside within the limits Of their respective
districts. Many of the Indian tribes are doing
: well, and their condition is daily improving !;
: but the aggregate number is fast diminishing.
Washington Union.
|, Vanity is the natural weakness Of an ambi.