Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1864-12-14

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Oil, 567 acres.
AGRICULTURAL GRANTS.
Nineteen States have accepted the pro-
visions of the acts donating lands ''for the
benefit Of agriculture and the mechanic
arts" and have received land and land scrip
amounting to 4, 950, 900 acres.
PACIFIC RAILROAD.
Under the acts Of Congress Of July I'd,
1862, and July I'd, 1864, making grants of
lands to aid the construction Of railroad and
telegraphic lines to the Pacific coast, the
initial points of the main line Of railroad
from the Missouri river, westward, has been
fixed at Omaha, Nebraska, and the definite
location Of the road for one hundred miles
vest from that point has been approved by
the President.
Much interest has been manifested in q.
vor Of the establishment of bureau of mines
and minerals, to which the administration
Of oil details in respect to this important
subject shall be committed. I am satisfied
that such legislation will, before many years,
be found necessary, if it has not already be.
come SO.
UNION PACIFIC 8AILBOAD.
The Union Pacific Railroad Company has,
since the adjournment Of Congress, expend.
ed more than half million Of dollars upon
the main line Of the road leading westward
from Omaha, Of which one hundred miles
have been permanently located, and forty
miles are in process Of construction.
EASTERN DIVISION.
The progress made in the construction Of
the branch road in Kansas, known as the
Union Pacific Railroad, eastern division, has
not met the reasonable expectations of the
public. For this state of affairs the compa-
ny is not altogether without excuse. The
assinati0n of its contractor in July last, soon
after the adjournment of Congress, the con-
tinued insurmountable difficulties Of obtain.
ing the necessary materials, either by river
Or rail, from causes known to all, prevented
them for time from prosecuting the work.
DIRECTORS.
The President has appointed George All
mum, Of Massachusetts, Springer Harbaugh
Of Pennsylvania Charles +. Sherman, Of
Ohio Jesse L. Williams, of Indiana, and
Timothy j. Carter, of Illinois, to be direc-
tors, on the part ofthe United States in the
Union Pacific Railroad Company, and these
gentlemen have accepted the appointment
The wisdom Of Congress in providing for
the appointment of such officers cannot be
doubted. Being impressed with the con-
viction Of the importance Of securing the in
terest Of the government in the roads con-
Meeting with the main line, and the faithful
compliance, by the companies constructing
them, with the terms and conditions upon
which they are entitled to the munificcnt
bounties offered BY Congress, should not
hesitate to recommend, II it were practical
bic, that such directors should be ca o6scie
members of the board or other governing
authority Of each Of such companies.
INDIANS.
The management of the Indians during
the past year has been attended with diff.
Guilty. In addition to tho war against that
PORTION Of the Sioux that committed the
massacres in Minnesota in 1862, and who
are pet UNPUBLISHED and unsubducd, militia
~ operations have been carried on against
the combined bands of the Sioux Of the
plains Of the Upper Missouri, as well as
against considerable portion of the Chey-
cnnes and Arapahoes, particularly those of
the upper Platte river and who were par.
ties to the treaty Of Fort Laramie. It il
not necessary toinquirc whether, by adopt
| ing conciliatory measures, these military
operations might not to great extent, have
been avoided. Those who desire to investi-
gate the subject may, with advantage, con-
suit the report Of the commissioner Of In
dian affairs. The question of interes is,
what course shall hereafter be pursued