The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-12-04

nitious results are undoubted, and viii
lie more signally manifested when time
shall have given to it a wider develop
ment.
Congress has made liberal grants OF
public land to corporations, IN ald o.
the construction of railroads and othel
internal improvements. Should this
policy hereafter prevail, more stringent
will be required to secure
faithful application of the fund. Inc
title to the lands should not pass, by
patent or otherwise, but remain IN the
and subject to its contro
until some portion of the road has beeI
actually built. Portions of them might
then, from time tn time, be conveyed u
the corporation, but never III greater
ratio to the whole quantity embraced
by the grant than the completed parts
bear to the entire length of the project
ed improvement. This restriction woulC
not operate to the prejudice OF any un
conceived in good faith ant
executed with reasonable energy, as Il
is the settled practice to withdraw from
market the lands falling within the op
Grafton Of such grants, and thus 20 eI
clude the inception of subsequent al
verse right 4 brsssh Sf eth the fa9SYbRelqfoRpi fa9SYbelq q
impose should work forfeiture of claim
to the lands so withdrawn but uncon
veyed, and of title to the lands convey
ed which remain unsold.
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 will be com
pleted before the expiration of the pc
riod designated by Congress.
During the last fiscal year the amount
paid to pensioners, including the eX'
penses Of disbursement, was thirteen
million four hundred and ffty-nine
Thousand nine hundred and ninety-siS
dollars; and fifty thousand one hun.
dred and seventy-seven names were ad'
ded to the pension rolls. The entire
of pensioners, June 80
1866, was one hundred and twenty
six thousand seven hundred and TWEEN.
ty-two. This fact furnishes melan,
choly and striking proof of the sacri.
fees made to vindicate the constitu.
tional authority of the Federal Govern.
ment, and to maintain inviolatc the
integrity of the Union. They impose
upon us corresponding obligations. 1t
is estimated that thirty three million
dollars will be required to meet the ex-
igencies of this branch of the service
L bn focal
Treaties have been concluded with
the Indians who, enticed into armed
opposition to our Government ut the
outbreak of the rebellion, have uncon-
submitted to our authority,
and manifested an earnest desire for a
renewal of friendly relations.
During the year ending September
30, 1866, eight thousand seven hun
ired and sixteen patents for useful in
ventions and designs were issued, and at
that date the balance in the Trearury to
the credit of the patent fund was two
hundred and twenty-eight thousand
two hundred and ninety-seven dollars.
Az subject upon which depends an
immense amount of the production and
commerce of the country, l recommend
TO Congress such legislation as may be
necessary for the preservation of the
levees of the Mississippi river. 1t is q
matter of national importance that ear
" steps should be taken not only to add
TO the efficiency of these barriers against
destructive inundations, but for the re.
moval of all distractions to the free and
safe navigation of that great channel Of
trade and commerce.
The District of Columbia, under eX.
sting laws, is not entitled to that rep
rcsentation 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-
ations to Congress, to whom the Con-
,titution has granted the power of ex-
exclusive legislation over the
seat of government. Our fcllow-citizens
residing in the District, whose interests
ire thus confded to the special guar
of Congress, exceed in number
,he population of several of our Terito-
les, and no just reason is perceived why
/ delegate of their choice should not be
admitted to n seat in the House of Rep
No mode seems so appro-
,riate and effectual of enabling them
o make known their peculiar condition
md wants, and of securing the local
egislatiOn adapted to them. | there
ore recommend the passage of law
the electors of the District
f Columbia to choose delegate, 10 be
flowed the same rights and privileges
8 delegate representing Territory.
The increasing enterprise and rapid
'rogress of improvement in the District
re highly gratifying, and l trust that
he efforts of the municipal authorities
o promote the prosperity of the nation
j metropolis will receive the efficient
nd generous cooperation of Congress.
The report of the Commissioner Of
agriculture reviews the operations OF
lis Department during the past year,
nd asks the aid of Congress in its ef-
orts to encourage those States which,
by war, are now earnestly en-
aged in the reorganization of domestic
Industry.
1t is subject Of congratulation that
20 foreign combinations against our
omestic peace and safety, or our legiti-
nate influence among the nations, have
een formed OF attempted. While senti-
lents of reconciliation, loyalty, and
atriotism have increased at home, n
lore Just consideration Of our national
haracter and rights has been manifest
d by foreign nations.
The entire success Of the Atlantic
between the coast of Ireland
nd the Prov inos of New foundland, is
n achievement which has been justly
celebrated in both hcmispheres as the
pening of an era in the progress of
utilization. There is reason to expect
hat equal success will attend, and even
reater results follow, the enterprise
,r connecting the two Continents
trough the Pacific Ocean by the pro-
,cted line of telegraph between Kam-
,hatka and the Russian possessions in
merica.
The resolution of Congress protesting |
gainst pardons by foreign Governments
persons convicted of infamous Of |
.nces, on condition Of emigration to |
ur country, has been communicated TO
le States with which we maintain in
recourse, and the practice, so justly the |
lbject Of complaint on our part, has
Ot been renewed.
The congratulations of Congress to
le Emperor of Russia, upon his escape \