Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-12-15


has during the year reached, ii not exec d.
one huad4cd millions in value
It was recommended in Ty last annua
message that our Indian system be renlodeled
Congress, at its last session, acting uPoI
tue recommendation, did provide for rcorgau
hing the system in California, and it is be-
lieved that under the present organization TIL
management Of the Indians there will be at
tended with reasonable success Much ye
remains TO he done to provide for the prope,
government of the Indians in other parts Of
the country, to render it secure for the al
vaucing settler, and to provide for the welfare
of the Indian The Secretary rciterates hi.
recommendations, and to them the attention
Of Congress is invited.
The liberal provisions made by Congress
for paying pensions to invalid soldiers and
sailors of the Republic, and to the widows,
orphans and dependent mothers of those who
have fallen iu battle, or died of disease con-
tractcd or wounds received in the service OF
the oddHtry, have been diligently admins
tered.
There has been added to the pension rolls
during The year ending the 30th day of June
last the names of 1910 invalid soldiers, and
OF I'll disabled s"amen, making the present
number of army invalid pensioners 22,767j
and of navy invalid pensioners, 712.
Of widows, orphans and mothers %, 195
have been placed OF the army pension rolls
and 246 on the navy rolls. The present num-
Der of army pensioners of this class is %, 444,
and Of navy pensioners 1913. At the begin
ming of the ycar Tie number of Revolutionary
pensioners was ,43O. Only twelve of them
we're soldiers, of whom seven have since died.
The remainder are those who under the laws,
receive the pensions because IF relationship to
revolutionary soldiers. During the year end
ing the 30th of June, 1864, $4,5O4, 6l6.92
have been paid to the pensioners of all classes
cheerfully commend to your continued
patronage tho benevolent institutions of the
pistritt of Columbis, Which have been estab-
Tshcd and fostcred by Congress, and respect
fully refer, for information concerning them,
and in relation to the Washington Aqucluct,
the Capitol and other matters cflocal interest,
o the Report of the Secretary.
The Agricultural Department, under the
supervision of its present energetic and faith
full head, is rapidly commencing itself to the
great and viia, interest it was created to adj
vahce. 1t is particularly the pcoples's de-
partment in which they feel more deeply con-
cerncd than in any other. l commend it to
the continued attention and fostering care of
Congress-.
The war continues. Since tho last ANNUAL
message all the important lines and positions
then occupied by our forces have been main
taincd, and our arms have steadily advanced,
thus libcrstng the regions left in rear, so that
Miss6uri, Kentucky, Tennessee and parts Of
other States have again produced reasonably
fair crops.
The most remarkable feature il the mill
tary operations of the year is General Sher-
mans attempted march of three hundred miles
directly through tic instrgcnt region. 1t
tends to show great increase in our relative
strength that our Gcneral-in- Chief should feel
able to confront and hold in check every ac-
tive force of the enemy. and yet to detach
wcll-appointed, large army. to move on such
an expedition. The result, not yet being
known, conjecture in regard to it is not here
INDUCED.
Important movements have also occurred
during the year to the effect Of moulding So
cicty for durability in the Union. Although
short of complete success, it is much in the
right direction that twelve thousand citizens
in each of the States of Arkansas and Louis
lana have organized loyal State Governmc nts
with Free Constitutions, and are earnestly
struggling to maintain and administer them.
The movements in the same direction, more
extensive though less definite, in Missouri,
Kentucky and Tennessee, should not be over
looked. But Maryland presents tho example
of complete success. Maryland 10 secdre to
Liberty and tuion for all the future. The
genius of rebellion will no more claim Mary
land Like another foul spirit, being driven
out it may seek to tear her, but it will WOO
her no more.
At the last session of Congress proposed
amendment Of the Constitution abolishing sla-
very throughout the United States passed the
Senate, ut failed for lack of the requisite
two thirds vote in the House of Representa-
tiyes. Although the present is the same Con-
gress and nearly the same members, and with
out questioning the wisdom or patriotism of
those who stood in opposition, | venture to
recommend the reconsideration and passage of
the measure ct tho present session,
Of coarse the abstract question is not
changed, but an intervening election shows
almost certainly that the next Congress will
pass the measure il this one does not j hence
there is only question of time as to when the
proposed amendment will 60 to the States for
their action, and as it is to 60 ct all events,
may We rot agree that the sooner the better.
1t is not claimed .hat the election has i'm
posed duty on members to change their views
OF their votes any further than as an additional