Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-01-11

the leading statistical and historical facts Of the
year, that the report is complete without being
lengthy.
In the general policy of the laws administered
through the Department. the Secretary perceives no
necessity of change The land service in its extent
and simplicity, in its past and present history and
condition, is eloquently defended Its general sta
t;sticS ut present arc as follows:
the 3oth Septem5er last 1879, 500
Located with warrants 3,6l7, 440
Approved to States under the swamp
grants 1,712,o4o
railroads, 6,s1s,2Os
Total 1858, 1873
Surveyed during the same period, l3,Sl7,22l
Brought into market during the same
time, 1878, 55a
offered 5e,971, 900
Number of acres now subject to private
entry at all land offces-estimated ag-
ereeate, 5000, 900
The policy of radical change in the land laws,
as proposed in general homestead BILL is ably dis
cussed and condemned with brevity, but with such
truth and planness as to astonish the reader, and
cause him to wonder why it was that suggestions
to himself
AS near as we can classify his terse statements,
the Secretary condemns the new policy by four
classes of considerations:
First: Its ruinous effects upon the results that
have been attained by the discriminating berality
of Congress through series of years in its grants
of land to States for public objects and ends.
Second: The failure of all the partial donation
laws heretofore enacted for particular localities
nnrfiD of fha
Third Its want of adaptation to promote the
prosperity of those States and Territories in which
the public lands are situated.
Fourth: Its general injustice.
No one will rise from the perllsrl Of the Sccreta-
rvs remarks without new and important nforma-
ton on the topic discussed.
Passing to Indian affairs the reader is struck with
the magnitude of the financial relations of Indian
tribes to the government.
Reducing the annuities to present value the liza
bilitieS Of the government to Indian tribes amount
to near twenty one and half millions of dollars,
and the average annual expenditure on Indian ac-
count exceeds s3,Oon,o0O.
The number of Indians within the limits of the
United States and Territories is set down at $50 600
The Semcivlized tribes living on the frontiers have
been for years on the increase in population, and
improving morally and socially. With the more
barbarous tribes the reverse the case; they are
fast waning. The plan of assigning separate farms
to individual Indians. within the limits of tribal
reservation, is regarded the most promising in its
adaptation to arrest this degencracy, and restore
these tribes to prosperity.
the number of pensioners now on the rolls is
stated to be eleven thousand five hundred and eigh
ty-fivc; and the annual sum required to pay them,
at the present rates, is 81 ,0349l4 Is.
During the year ending the 30th September last,
6,S0l bounty-land warrants were issued calling for
1850, $50 acres.
The Secretary calls attention to the desirableness
Of having some rule established hy which it could
be determined what class of public improvements
in the city of Washington ought to be made at the
expense of Congress, what portion of the annual
expense of the municipal government ought to be
paid from the federal treasury. lie suggests an an
nlal appropriation by Congress- to be applied as
shall direct or approve, for city purposes. The con-
ditiOn and progress of the public buildings and
grounds under the supervision of the Department,
is briefly stated; and the condition and present
wants Of the district pcnitentiary the government
hospital for the insane, and the institution for the
education of the deaf and dumb and blind are set
forth.
Information is given, and suggestions are made
in reference to the distribution of public documents
and other books printed or purchased by order of
Congress; and attention is invited to the expenses
of the judiciary and the proprety of sundry amend
mcns in the laws regulating the expenditures of the
federal courts and their officers
The census of 1860 will be conducted under the
law enacted in 1850. An appropriation of 81 O0O,-
200 will be necessary to defray the expenses; and
under the present arrangements the marshals will
enter vigorously upon the performance of their d-
, ties on the 1st of June next.
The business of the Patent Office has continued
10 increase during the year. The number of appli-
cations for patents during the three quarters ending
on the 30th September 1859, was j, l67, being an
! increase OF 1916 over the same months in 1861
The other business of the office and its income, in
creased in corresponding degree. the present sur
plus of the patent fund on hand being $31 ,437 g.
The Secretary is of the opinion that an increased
number of examiners and clerks should be provided
that the business of the office may be done well,
and with proper dispatch.
1t has been the policy Of the Department recent
ly to conne the purchase and distribution of plants
seeds, cuttings, &C., under the appropriations made
I by Congress, to such varieties as had not already
been introduced into the country 1t has been i'm
practicable to open and conduct an experimental
farm at the expense of the government, and agri
cultural experiments have been left to the various
agricultural societies and interested individuals
| through out the country. The functions of the De
partment in this direction have been confined to tn,
collection. arrangement and publication of the re
! suits of individual experience.
l
The tea plant has been terminated in houses pre-
pared for the purpose, and at the proper time viii
be distributed to such persons in the proper local.
| ties as will probably conduct the experiment of cul
tvating the plant and curing the leaves successfully
The success of the culture of the vine in tn,
United States is mentioned and it is estimated tina
we now have more than II 900 acres of land il
| vineyards, the average crops of which, per acre
will compare favorably with the most successful
winc-growing countries of Europe; and the valu
of which is five or six hundred per cent greater
the respective places of production.
The Secretary takes occasion in the introductor,
part Of the report, to MENTION in terms of genera
commentator, the fidelity of the officers connects
with his Department. Washington Constitution.
Abstract of the Report of Postmaster General
This report opens with an alluson to the death G
the late Postmaster General and Third Asslstan
Postmaster General, which filled this Department
with gloom and Encouragement. Associated wit