The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-09

~ NOT mr. nom I'VE hundred mlulons.
Held e i Z tor the most part y , On. own 2,
national. though private properly.
For obvious reasons the more nearly this
property, can be distributed among the people
the better. To fAvue such general distribu-
tiou, greater Inducements 70 become owners
might perhaps with good effect be presented
to persons Of limited means. with this view I
auggest whether It might not both be expe-
that limited amount Of some fnture issue Of
public securities might be held by any bona fde
purchaser, exempt from taxation and from
seizure for debt, under such restrictions and
limitation as might be necessary to guard
against abuse OF 30 important privilege.
This would enable prudent persons to set
aside a small annuity against possible day OF
want 't
PACIFIC RAILROAD. f
The route of the main line of the Pacific
Railroad has been definitely located for one
hundred miles westward from the initial point
at Omaha City, N. T, and q preliminary lOca-
ton of the Pacific Railroad Of California has
been made from Sacramento eastward to the
great bend of Mucke River in Nevada.
4 MINING INTERESTS. @
Numerous discoveries of gold, silver and Gin
nebar mines have been added to the many
heretofore known, and the country occupied
and the subordinate ranges now teens with
enterprising labor which is richly remunera-
tive. 1t is believed that the products Of the
mines Of precious metals in that region has
during the year reached, ifnot exceeded, $780,
00O, 900 In value. ~a 80 @aa
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Il was recommended in my last annual mes.
sage that our Indian system be remodelled.
Congress ct its last session, acting upon the
Recommendation did provide for recognizing
the system in California and it Is believed that
under the present organization the manage
ment Of the Indians there will be attended with
reasonable success. Much remains yet to be
done to provide for the proper government of
the Indians in other parts of the country to
render it secure for the advancing settlers and
provide for the welfare Of the Indians. The
to them the attention of Congress is invited.
THE rKNsloN SYSTEM.
The liberal provisions to invalid soldiers and
sailors Of tho Republic, and to the widows, or.
phans and dependent mothers Of those who
have fallen In battle or died of diseases con-
tracted, or of wounds received In the service
Of their country have been diligently admins
tered. ,.,u.
There have been added to the pension rolls
during the year ending the goth day of June
last the names Of 1910 soldiers. and of FL
OlSouAeu booMcu, uahinR tue Plcccnt uumocE
Of army invalid pensioners 22,767 and of navy
invalid pensioners 712. Of widows, orphans
and mothers, q, 1873 have been placed on the
army pension rolls and 248 on the navy rolls.
The present number of army pensioners of
this class is 25 433, and Of navy pensioners 793.
At the beginning of the year the number of
Revolutionary pensioners was 1,430. Only
have since died. The remainder are those who
under the law receive pensions because of rela-
tionship to Revolutionary soldiers. During
the year ending the 30th of June 1864, "a, 504,.
1892 have been paid to pensioners of all
classes.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Icheerfully recommend to your continued
patronage the benevolent Institutions of the
District of Columbia, which have hitherto
been established, or fostered by Congress, and
respectfully refer to information concerning
them and in relation to the Washington Aque-
duct. the Capitol and other matters of local
interest, to the report of the Secretary
AGRICULTURAL BUREAU.
The Agricultural Department., under the su-
pervision of its present energetic and faithful
head, is rapidly commencing itself to the great
and vital interest it was created to advance. It
ie peculiarly the peoples department. in which
they feel more directly concerned than in any
other. l commend it to the continued atten-
WOh ouu iooSOiAhS SotC VI SOuSiCSc.
PROGRESS OF THE WAR.
Since the last annual message all the impor-
tant lines and positions then occupied by our
forces have been maintained and our armies
have steadily advanced, thus hberating the re-
giOns left in the rear, SO that Missouri. Ken
lucky, Tennessee and parts of other States have
again produced reasonably fair crops.
The most remarkable feature in the military
operations of the year is General Sherman's at
tempted march of 800 miles directly through
the insurgent region. 1t tends to show great
increase of our relative strangth, that our Gen.
eral.in- Chief should feel able to confront and
hold In check every active force of the enemy,
and yet to detatch a well-appointei large army
to move on such an expedition The result
not being known, conjecture ia regard to it is
greatly INDUCED.
MOULDING SOCIETY.
Important movements have also occurred
during the year to the effect of moulding So
ciety for durability in the Uuion. Although
short of complete success, it is much in the
right direction that II 600 citizens in each of
the States of Arkansas and Louisiana have or
ganized loyal State governments with free
constitutions and are earnestly struggling to
maintain and administer them. The move
ment in the same direction, more extensive
though less definite, in Missouri Kentucky
and Tennessee should not be overlooked but
Maryland presents I'll example Oh complete sue.
cess Maryland is secure to Liberty and Union
for the future. The genius of rebellion will
no more claim Maryland. Like another full
spirit, being driven out, it may seek to tear
her, but it will WOO her no more.
THE AMENDMENT PROHIBITING SLAVERY,
At the last session of Congress q proposed
amendment of the Constitution abolishing sla
very throughout the United States, passed the
Senateebut failed for lack of the requisite two
thirds Vote in the House of Representatives.
Although the present is the same Congress,
and nearly the same members without ques-
tioning the wisdom or patriotism of those who
stood in opposition venture to recommend
the reconsideration and the passage of the
measure at the present session.
OF course, the abstract question is not
changed, but an intervening election shows al
most certainly that the next Congress will pass
the measure if this does not; hence there is
only aquestion of time as to when the pro-
posed amendment will go to the States for their
action, and if it is to 60 SO at ALL We may agree
that the sooner the better.
1t is not claimed that the election has inn
posed duty on members to change their views
or their votes any further than an additional
element to be considered. Their judgment
may be affected by it.
1t Is the voice of the people, now for the
first time heard upon the question. In great
national crisis like ours, unanimity of action
among those seeking common end is very