Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-12-11


tentlon0f congress WIN o7
ally engaged for some time to come WITH
great national questions.
II was intended by the organization Of
the Conls Of Claims, mainly to remove this
branch Of business froa the halls Of Con-
gress; but, while the court has proved to
10 an efficient and valuable means ofinves-
LEGATION, it, in a general degree, fGls to ef-
feet the object Of its creation for want Of
power to make its judgments 6la'.
Fully aware Of the delicacy, not to say
the danger Of the subject, | commend 70
your careful consideration, whether this
form Of making judgments final may not
be properly given to the court, reserying
the right Of appeal, on questions Of Law, to
the Supreme Court, with such other pro-
visions as experience may have shown to
be necessar5y
ask attention to the Report Of the Post
Master General, the following being a sum
mary statement Of the condition Of the De-
partment: The revenue from all sources
during the fiscal year ending the 30th June,
1861, including the annual permanent APP
preparation Of 100000 for the transpor,
tation Of free matter, was S0,l48, 296,40,
being about two per cent less than the rev
enue Of 1860.
The expenses were I3,506,7o9,11,
showing a decrease Of more than s per
cent, as compared with those Of the pre-
yious year, and leaving an excess Of expen-
ditures over revenue for the last fiscal year
of over $5,574,027.
The gYoss revenue for the year ending
June 20th, 1862, is estimated at an in
crease Of four per cent. on that of 1861,
making 1853, 900, which should be adj
ded to the earnings Of the Department for
carrying free matter, viz: 100000,
making $9,382,o00. The total expendi-
lures for 1862 are estimated at Sl2,528,-
600, leaving an estimated deficiency Of So
So, GOO to be supplied from the Treasury
in addition to the permanent approprla-
ton.
The present instruction shows, | think,
that the extension Of this District across the
Potomac river at the time Of establishing
The Capitol here, was eminently wise, and
consequently the REIMBURSEMENT OF that
portion Of which lies IN the State OF Vlr-
rinia was unwise and dangerous. ! sub
nit 10 your consideration the expedieney
of retaining that part Of the District, and
the restoration of the original boundaries
thereof through negotiation with tho state
of Virginia.
The report Of tho Secretary Of the In
terror, with the accompanying documents,
exhibit the condition Of the several branch
es Of the public business pertaining to that
department. The depnssdng influences
of the instruction have been especially
| felt in the operations Of tue Patent and
General Land Offices. The cash receipts
for he sales Of public lands during the
year have exceeded the expenses Of our
iaad system only about 100000. The
ssles have been entirely suspended in the
Southern States, while the Interruptions to
the business of the country and tho diver
sion of LARGE numbers Of men from labor
10 military service has INSTRUCTED settle
ments in the new States and Territories Of
the Northwest. Tho Patent Office have
declined III nine months about 100000,
rendering a large reduc ION Of the force
necessary to make it self-sustaining.
The demands upon the pension Office
will Be largely increased BY the insuTFec-
ton. Numerous applications for pensions
based upon casualties Of the existing war
have already been made. There Is reason
TO believe that many who are now upon
the pension roll AID in receipt Of the boun-
| t. Of the government, are il the ranks q
/ the iasureent army, or giving them aId
and comfort. The Secretary Of the ifite-
rjor has directed the suspension Of the pay
meats of the pensions Of such persons Up
81 moot Of their disIoyalty. recon-
mend that Congress authorize that oiileei
Is cause the names Of such persons to pe
stricken from the pension roll n,
The relations Of the government Wiih
tho Indian tribes have been lately disturb
ii ~ tue instruction, especially IN tht
| Southern Supepntendency and IA thai q
New Mexico. The Indian country soa'l
of Kansas IS in possession Ct lnsufgsup
from Texas and Arkansas. The agents 2
tho u. S. appointed since ths an rs. :
March for this supeiintendeacy assV ~. pss'
unable to reach their posts. WINE 1los
Who were appointed g the Office oeion
~ t;,aa hava es,,onscd The insurrealonal.