The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1866-12-14

/ sand five hundred and sixteen acres Oh
! which were entered under the Home
stead act. The policy originally adopt
ed relative to the public lands has un-
dergone essential notifications. I'M
mediate revenue, and not their rapid
/ settlement, was the cardinal feature of
| our land system. Long experience and
| earnest discussion has resulted in the
| conviction that the early development
/ Of our agricultural resources, and the
/ diffusion Of an energetic population
over our vast territory, are objects OF
| far greater importance to the national
/ growth and prosperity than the pro-
| ceeds of the sale Of the land to the
/ highest bidder in open market.
The pre-emptiOn laws confer upon
| the pioneer who complies with the
terms they impose the privilege Of pur-
chasing a limited portion Of ''un0liered
lands" at the minimum price. The
Homestead enactments relieve the set
tier from the payment Of purchase
money, and secure him a permanent
home, upon the condition Of residence
for a term of years. This liberal policy
invites emigration from the old, and
from the more crowded portions of the
new world. Its prOpiti0us results are
undoubted, and will be more signally
manifested when time shall have given
to it wider development. Congress
has made liberal grants Of public land
to corporations, in aid of the cOnStruc
tion Of railroads and other internal i'm
provements. Should this policy here
after prevail, more stringent provisions
will be required to secure faithful APP
plicatiOn Of the fund. The title to the
lands should not pass, by patent or
otherwise, but remain in the Govern
ment and subject to its control until
some portion Of the road has been ac-
tually built. Portions of them might
then, from time to time, be conveyed
to the corporation, but neverin a great
er ratio to the whole quantity embra-
ced by the grant than the completed
parts bear to the entire length Of the
projected improvement. This restric-
ton would not operate to the prejudice
of any undertaking conceived in good
faith and executed with reasonable en-
ergy, as it is the settled practice to
withdraw from market the lands fall
ing within the operation Of such grants
and thus to exclude the inception of
subsequent adverse right. \ breach Of
the conditions which Congress may
deem proper to impose should work
forfeiture of claim to the lands 50 with
drawn but unconveyed, and of title to
the lands conveyed which remain un-
sold.
The PGcifc RdilrOdd.
Operations on the several lines of the
Pacific Railroad have been prosecuted
with uneXampled vigOr and success.
Should no unforeseen causes of delay
occur, it is confidently anticipated that
this great thOroughfare WILDE COM
pleted before the expiration Of the
period designated by Congress.
Payment Of Pensions.
During the last fiscal year the amount
paid to pensioners, including the eX-
penses of disbursement, was thirteen
million four hundred and fifty-nine
thousand nine hundred and ninety-siX
dollars; and fifty thousand one hun
dred and seyenty-seven names were
added to the pension rolls. The entire
number of pensioners, June 30, 1866,
was one hundred and tWenty-siX thou
sand seven hundred and twenty-five.
This fact furnishes melancholy and
striking proof of the sacrifices made to
vindiCate the constitutional authority
of the Federal Government, and to
maintain inviolate the integrity of the
Union. They impose upon us CORES
ponding obligations. 1t is estimated
that thirty-three million dollars will
be required to meet the eXigencieS of
this branch Of the service during the
next fiscal year.
Treaties 1cjtb the Indians.
Treaties have been concluded with
the Indians who enticed into armed
opposition to our Government at the
outbreak Of the rebellion, have uncOn-
ditionaIly submitted to our authority,
and manifested an earnest desire for a
renewal of friendly relations.
Tile Patent office.
During the year ending September
80, 1866, eight thousand seven hundred
and sixteen patents for usefuh inven-
tions and designs were issued, and at
that date the balance in the Treasury
to the credit of the Patent fund was two
hundred and tWenty-eight thousand
The Mississippi LereeS.
AS a subject upon which depends an
immense amount of the production
and commerce of the country, [ recon-
mend to Congress such legislation as
may be necessary for the preservation
Of the levees of the Mississippi river.
1t is matter of national importance
that early steps should be taken not
only to add to the efficiency Of these
barriers against destructive inunda-
tions, but for the removal of all OBJ
structiOns to the free and safe naviga-
ton of that great channel of trade and
commerce.
ReprcseHfati0Rfor the District Of C0l,Dl-
bia.
The District ctOfC0lumbia, under exist
ing laws, is not entitled to that repre-
sentation in the National Councils
which, from our earliest history, has
been uniformly accorded to each Terri
tory established from time to time with
in our limits. 1t maintains peculiar re-
latiOns to Congress, to whom the Con-
stitution has granted the power ofeXer-
cising exclusive legislation over the
seat of Government. Our fellow citi-
Zens residing in the District, whose in
terests are thus confided to the special
guardianship of Congress, exceed in
number the population of several ofour
territories, and no just reason is per-
ceived why delegate of their choice
should not be admitted to a seat in the
House of Representatives. No mode
seems SO appropriate and eflectual of
enabling them to make known their
peculiar condition and wants, and of Sc
curing the local legislation adapted to
them. | therefore recommend the pas
sage of a law authorizing theelectorso-