Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1864-12-08

nitcly located for one hundred miles west
ward from the central point at Omaha City,
Nebraska and a preliminary location Of
the Pacific Railroad Of California has been
made from Sacramento, eastward, to the
great bend Of Mucker River in Nevada
Numerous discoveries of gold, silver and
cinnebar mines have been added to the
many heretofore known, and the country
occupied by the Sierra Nevada and the
Rocky Mountains and the subordinate
ranges now teens with enterprising labor,
which is richly rcmuncrative.
1t is believed that the products Of the
mines Of precious metals in that region
has during the year reached, if not exceed
ed, 500, 100000 in value. 1t was recon-
mcnded in my last Annual Message that
our Indian system be remodeled Congress
at its last Session, acting upon the recon-
mendation, did provide for reorganizing 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 yet remains
to be done to provide for the proper gov
ernment of the Indians in other parts of
the country, to render it secure for the adj
vancing settler and to provide for the wei
fare Of the nation. The Secretary reiter-
ates his 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 in battle or died Of disease
contracted, or Of wounds received in the
service Of their country, have been dill
gently administered.
There have been added to the Pension
Rolls during the year ending the Both day
Of June last, the names of 40 invalid
soldiers, aud Of 27l disabled seamcn, max
ing the present number Of army invalid
pensioners p, 767, and of navy invalid pen
sioners 7l2. Of widows, orphans and
mothers, y, 1913 have been placed on the
Army Pension Rolls, and 24S on the Navy
Rolls. The present number of army pen
sioners Of this class is 20, 443 and of navy
pensioners, 1913.
At the beginning of the year the num-
Der of revolutionary pensioners was ,430.
Only twelve Of them were soldiers, of whom
seven have since died. The remainder are
those who, under the law, receive pensions
because Of relationship to revolutionary
SOlultIS.
During the year ending the 30th of June
1864, 81 ,504 GIG 80 have been paid to pen
sioners Of all classes
| cheerfully commend to your continued
patronage the benevolent institutions of
the District of Columbia, which have hith
ertO been established or fostered by Con-
gress, and respectfully refer for information
concerning them, ard in relation to the
Washington Aqueduct, the Capitol and
other matters Of local interest, to the re,
port of the Secretary
The Agricultural Department, under the
supervision Of its present energetic and
faithful head is rapidly commencing itself
to the great and vital interest it was Gre
ated to advance. 1t is peculiarly the Pco-
pies Department, in which they feel more
directly concerned than in any other
commend it to the continued attention and
fostering care Of Congress.
The war continues. Sin0c the last An
nual Message all the important lines and
positions then occupied by our forces have
been maintained, and our armies have
steadily advanced, thus liberatng the re-
gions left in the rear, 50 that Missouri,
Kentucky, Tennessee, and parts of other
States have again produced reasonably fair
crops.
The most remarkable feature in the mill
tary operations of the wear. is General
SHERMAN's attempted march of three hum
dred miles directly through an insurgent
region 1t tends to show great increase
Of our relative strength, that our General
in-Chief should feel able to confront and
hold i'll check every active force of the enc
my, and yet to detach a we'll appointed
! large army to move on such an expedition.
The result not yet being known, conjecture
i'll regard to it cannot here be indulged
/ Important movements have also occur
! red during the year to the effect of molding
society for durability in the Union, although
short of complete success, it is much in the
/ right direction that 5000 citizens in each
. of the States of Arkansas and Louisiana
/ have organized loyal State Governments
with free constitutions, and are earnestly
! struggling to maintain and administer
| them.
/ The movement in the same direction
more extensively, though less definite in
Missouri Kentucky and Tennessee should
! not be overlooked
/ But Maryland presents the example of
complete success. Maryland is secure to
/ Liberty and Union for all the future The
genius of rebellion will no more claim Mary
land. Like another foul spirit, being driv-
en- out, it may seek to tear her, but it will
! WOO her nor more.
/ At the last session of Congress a pro-
/ posed amendment of the Constitution abol-
ishing slavery throughout the United States
passed the Senate but 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, and without questioning the wis
dom or patriotism of those who stood in op-
position | venture to recommend the re-
consideration and passage of the measure
at the present session. Of course, the alb
| stract question is not changed, but an in
tervening election shows almost certainly
! that the next Congress will pass the mea-
sure if this does not. Hence there is only
question of time as to when the proposed
amendment will go to the States for their
action, and as it is to 60 at all events may
we not agree that the sooner the better
! 1t is not claimed that the election has inn
posed a duty on members to change their
! views or their votes any further than as an
| additional element to be considered. Their