The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-12-17


eilitste postal intercourse between ma
tons, and, ~ the basis Of future con.
ventions. iuaugurate general system
Of uniform international charges at re-
dnced rates of postage, and cahhot fail
to produce beneficial results:
TaY INTERIOR REPORT.
Prefer yon to the report of the Sec
retsry Of the Interior, which is here
with laid before you, for useful and
varied Information in relation to the
public lands, Indian affairs, patents,
pensions, aud other matters of public
concern pertaining to this department..
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
The quantity Of land disposed Of du-
ring the last, and the Hrst quarter of
the present fiscal year, was 3,s4l,549
acres, of which l6l oil acres were sold
for cash; l,456,5l4 acres were taken
up under the homestead law, and the
residue disposed of under the laws
granting lands for military bounlies for
railroad and other purposes.
II appears that the sale of the public
lands is largely ou the increase. II has
long been cherished opinion OF some
ct our wieest statesmen that the people
Of the United States hal a higher and
more enduring interest in the early
settlement and substantial cultivation
of the public lands, than in the amount
Of direct revenue to be derived from
tho sale of them. This opinion has
had . controlling influence iu shaping
leeslaiion on the subject Of our nation
al domain. | may cite, as evidence of
this, the liberal measures adopted in
difference to actual settlers. The grant
to the States OF the overf1owed lands
within their limits, in order to their be-
ing reclaimed aud rendered fit for cul.
swseion; and the grant to railroad
companies of alternate sections of land
.upoD the contemplated lines of their
ResAs when completed, will, too, large
1y multiply the facilities for reaching
our distant possessions. This policy
has received it's most signal, and ,bene
fcient illustration in the recent enact
ment granting: homestea.ls to actual
settlers. Since the ist day Of January
last, the before mentioned quantity OF
l,456,5l4 acres Of land has been taken
mp under its provisions. This fact, and
tie amount Of sales, furnish gratifying
evidence of increasing settlement upon
Shs public lands, notwithstanding the
grest<tpuggle in which the energies o.
the nation have been engaged has re
CURED so large a withdrawal Of ou
ciiizsnsf from their accustomed pursuits
I cordially concur in the recommen
daticu OF The Secretary of the Interior
suggesting q modification of the act il
favor of those engaged in the military
and naval service Of the United States
/ doubt not that Congress will cheer
fully adopt such measures az will, with
out essentially changing the genera
featnres of the system, secure tn,
greatest practical extent of its benefit
to 'those who have left their homes il
defence of the country in this arduou
crisis. Goods .fa5l - -t'sa- aft
.REvENuE FROM MINERAL LANDS.
a invite your attention to the view
of the Secretary of War as to the pro
priety of raising, by appropriation o
legislation, a revenue from the minera
lands of the United States.
,stis ia THE INDIANS.
The measures provided at your las
session for the removal of certain In
dian tribes have been carried into effect
Snndry treaties have been negotiated
which will, in due time, be submitted
far the constitutional action of the Sen
ate. They contain stipulations for ex
tinguishing the pOssessOry rights o.
che Indians to large and valuable tract.
of hand. 1t is probable that the effects
f'these treaties will result in the es
tablishment of permanet friendly re
latinn with such of these tribes as have
been brought Into frequent and bloody
collisions with our outlying settlement
and emigrants. 10 lfsl1laeJf
Sound policy, and eur imperative
duty to these wards of government
demand our anxious and constant at
tenrfon t. their material well-being, tt
their progress in the arts of civilization
aud. above all, To that neral training
which, under The blessing of Divine
Providence. will confer upon them the
.eyeslastiSg and saDctifyiug influence
the hopes aud consultations of III,
Christian faith. t b'aoI- ft-.r
] suggested III my Last annual mes
sage the propriety of remedying oul
In iian -ay~tem. Subsequent event,
have satisfied me Of its necessity. The
details set forth in the report of the
Secretary, will evince the urgent need
for immediate Legislative action.
INSTITUTIONS In THE DISTRICT OF CO
LUMBIA.
commend the benevOlence of th'
institutions established or patroniEet
By the Government in this District t
your generous apd fostering care.
THE SHIP CANAL.
The attention of Congress, during
the last session, was engaged to some
extent with proposition for enlargine
the water communications between the
MISSISSIPPI River and the northeastern
seab0ard, which proposition, however
failed tor some time. Since then, upor
. call of the greatest responsibility, :
conventions has been held at Chicago
npon the same subject, q summary Of
whose views is contained IN memoria