Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-12-04
Making in all, .23s

Making in all. .236, ,I2l
and leaving 13l, 102 applications upon which
warrants had not been issued at the last named
date. These were go far reduced on the 18th
of November as to leave but 25, ,542 original
cases which had not been examined, from
which it will be seen that the business under
the various acts granting bounty lands is fast
drawing to a close. Several amendments to
the pension laws are recommended for the pro
lection of the public interests aud to render
the bounty of the Government Of the utmost
value to its recipient.
Nor has the Patent Office been overlooked
an Office which, few years since, was man
aged by q comparatively small force and
yielded revenue hardly sufficient for its sup
port, but which has now an annual revenue Of
some 5000 600, and ono hundred employees
Probably no other Office under the Govern
ment is growing moro rapidly than this, and
1t is quite easy to perceive that ere long it will
absolutely require the entire building for its
accommodation. The number Of applications
for patents last year was 4, 435, while in Grea,
Britain it was only 2.958, and in France ,056
The number for the present year will proba-
bly, reach 5000
The agricultural division Of the Office claim:
and receives much attention. The first appro.
priation for this was made in 1889, and
amounted TO only 81 900, payable out of the
patent fund; that for the present year i.
Sl05,000, payable out of the Treasury-aG-
mitting of largely extended operations.
The boundary between the United States
and Mexico hes been surveyed, and the re.
port OF the Commissioner is now being pub
lished. After defraying all the expenses o!
the work both in the field and Office, as well
as for printing the report, balance of about
$50 900 will remain untouched of the appro-
priatiOns made therefor, and 20 to swell the
surplus fund in the Treasury.
The laws respecting the judiciary still prove
defective in several particulars, and their
amendment is urged. Many other matters OF
tary, and suggestions made which require
careful consideration.
We cannot close this hasty sketch withou.
briefly calling the attention Of our city read
ers to what most vitality concerns them in their
personal interests. We refer to the recon-
mendations for improvements of tho public
buildings and reservations at the seat Of gov
eminent. These are most liberal and show
that while the head Of the department mas
been almost overwhelmed with vast amount
of business Of moro general nature, he has
by no means lost sight of the duties imposed
upon him growing out Of his supervision Of the
operations of the Commissioner of Public
Buildings. Much has already been done for
the establishment Of the public grounds, but
much yet remains to be done, and additional
buildings are required for the accommodation
of the several departments. The present is
suggested as the proper time to supply all
these wants, when the condition of the Treas
ury is such as to justify it. We shall have
occasion to refer again to this subject at an
carly day, when we propose to furnish full
abstract Of the recommendations in respect to
these matters which are Of much local in
tereSt