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

for another year, that amount may be increased
BY not far from five hundred millions.
Held as it is for the most part by our own
people, It has become a substantial branch OF
national. though private property.
For obvious reasons the more nearly this
property can be distributed among the people
the better. To favor such general distribu-
ton. greater Inducements to become owners
might perhaps with good effect be presented
to persons oflimited means. With this view I
suggest whether it might not both be exPe-
dent and competent for Congress TO provide
that limited amount of some future issue of
public securities might be held by any bona 6de
purchaser, exempt from taxation and from
seizure for debt, under such restrictions and
limitation as might be necessary to guard
against abuse of 80 important o privilege.
This would enable prudent persons to set
want.
PACIFIC RAILROAD.
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 preliminary loca-
ton of the Pacific Railroad of California has
been made from Sacramento eastward to the
great bend of Mucke River In Nevada.
MINING INTERESTS.
Numerous discoveries of gold, silver and Gin
nebar mines have been added to the many
heretofore known, and the country occupied
by the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains
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,
000, 900 In value.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
It was recommended in my last annual mes.
sage that our Indian system be remodelled.
L At lao a
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 p'-rts of the country to
| render it secure for the advancing settlers and
provide for the welfare Of the Indians. The
Secretary reiterates his recommendations, and
to them the attention of Congress is invited.
THE PENSION SYSTEM.
The liberal provisions to invalid soldiers and
sailors Of the 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.
There have been added to the pension rolls
| during the year ending the 3Oth day of June
| last the names Of Is, 40 soldiers. and of 271
| disabled seamen, making the present number
! Of army invalid pensioners 22,76 and of navy
| invalid pensioners 712. Of widows, orphans
| and mothers, %, 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 %. 433 and of navy pensioners 793.
| At the beginning of the year the number of
Revolutionary pensioners was 1,430. Only
/ twelve of them were soldiers, of whom seven
have since died The remainder are those who
1 md fbo In nf ro1o
tionship to Revolutionary soldiers. During
the year ending the 30th of June 1864, 81 504,-
| 1892 have been paid to pensioners of all
classes.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Icheerfnlly recommend to your continued
patronage the benevolent institutions of the
District of Columbia, which have hitherto
been established. or fostered 10y 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 SUI
pervsiOn of its present energetic and faithful
| head, is rapidly commencing itself to the great
| and vital interest it was created to advance. 1t
| ie peculiarly the peoples department. in which
| they feel more directly concerned than in any
other. commend it to The continued atten-
| ton and fostering care of Congress.
| 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 n 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 or Gen.
| eral.in-C Chief should feel able 10 confront and
| hold in check every active force Of The enemy
and yet to detatch a ellappointei large army
to move on such an expedition The result
not being known, conjecture in regard to il is
greatly INDUCED.
| MOULDING SOCIETY.
Important movements have also occurred
| during the year to the effect OF moulding So
ciety for durability in the Uui0n Although
| short of complete success it is much in the
right direction. that II 900 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 tn example of complete sue
| cess. Maryland Is secure 10 LlbertN and Union
| for the future. The genius OF rebellion will
no more claim Maryland. Like another fapl
spirit being driven ou5, it may seek to tear
| her, but it will WOO her no more.
| TIE AMENDMENT PROHIBITING SLAVERY.
At the last session Of Congress proposed
| amendment Of the Constitution abolishng sla.
very throughout the United States, passed the
senat4but 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 noL; hence there is
only aquestion of time as to when the pro-
posed amendment will go to the States for their
4