The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-12-11
CONCLUDED from first page.

NtO IilCo WIN llIC LC1llio LII1 III pOoC
the privilege of purchasing limited por-
ton of "unotfored lands at the mini mum
price. The homestead enactments relieve
the settler from the payment of purchase
money, and secure him a permanent home
under the condition of residence for term
years. This liberal policy invites emigra-
ton from the old, and from the more crowd
ed portions of the new world, It's propi-
tious results are undoubted, and will be
more signally manifested when time shall
have given to it a wider development
Congress has made liberal grants of pub
LELAND to corporations in aid of the constr uc-
tion of railroads and other internal improve
ments. Should this policy hereafter pre-
vail, more stringent provisions will be re-
quired to secure a faithful application of
the fund. The title to the land should
not pass, by patent or otherwise, but re-
main in the Government and subject to its
control until some Portions of them might
then, from time to time, be conveyed to
the corporation, but never in a greater ratio
to the whole quantity embraced by the
grant than the completed parts bear to the
entire length Of the projected improvement.
This restriction would not operate to the
prejudice of any undertaking conceived in
good faith and executed with reasonable
energy, as it is the settled practice TO with
draw from market the lands falling within
the operation of such grants, and thus to
nvnl,lo Tho Ipoa,,fion nf hcopt1ort nI
verse right. A breach of the conditions
which Congress may deem proper to impose
should work forfeiture of claims to the
lands so withdrawn but unconveyed, and
Of title to the lands conveyed which remain
unsod.
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 con-
fdentIy anticipated that this great thorough
fare will be completed before the expiration
of the period designated by Congress.
During the last fiscal year the amount paid
to pensioners, including the expenses of
disbursement, was $,l3,457, 1896, and So
AT names were added to the pension rolls.
The entire number of pensioners, June 80,
1866, was 126,722. This fact furnishes
melancholy and striking proof Of the sacrifi-
ces made to indicate the constitutional au-
thority of the Federal Government, and to
maintain ,,invioate the integrity of the
Union. They impose upon us correspond
ing ob igations. 1t is estimated that $33,-
100000, will be required to meet the
exignncies of this branch Of the service
during the next fiscal year.
treaties have been concluded with the ndi-
ans who, entIced into armed opposition to our
Government at the outbreak of the Rebellion,
have Internationally submitted to our author
ity, and manifested an earnest desire for a re-
newal of our friendly relations. During the
year ending September 30, 1865. 9,7l7 patents
for useful inventions and dasigns were issued.
and It that date the balance III the Treasury to
the credit of the Patent fund was $228,297
A a subject upon which depends an immense
amount of the production and commerce of the
countsy, recommend to Congress such, legs-
Latte as may be necessary for the preservation
of the levees of the Mississippi river. L is a
matter of national Importance that early steps
should be taken not only to add to the efficien-
cy of these barriers against destructive inunda-
tons, hut for the removal of all distractions to
the free and safe navigation of that great chan
mel of trade and commerce.
The District of Columbia, under existing laws,
is not entitled to that representation in the Ma
tional Councils which from our earliest history,
has been universally accorded to each Territory
established from time to time ~ithln our limits.
i t maintains peculiar relations to Congress- TO
whom the Constitution has granted the power
of exercising exclusive legislation ovcr the seat
of government. Our fellow-citzens residing in
the District whose interests are thus confined to
the special guardianship of Congress, exceed in
number the population of several of our Terri
tories, and no Just reason is perceived why a
delegate of their choice should not be admitted
to a seat in the House of Representatives. No
mode seems so appropriate and effectual of en-
abhng them to make known their peculiar con-
dIton and wants and of securing the local leg
islation adapted to them. | therefore recon-
mend the passage of a law authorizing the
electors of the District of Columbie to choose a
delegate, to be allowed the same rights and
privileges as delegate representing Territory
The increasing enterprise and rapid progress
of improvement in the District are highly graf
flying, and | trnst that the effEts of the munic-
Ipal authorities to promote the prosperity fthe
national metropolis will receive the efficient and
generous cooperation of Congress.
The report of the Commissioner of Agric' l.
ture reviews the operations of his Department
during the past yeal and asks the aid of Con-
gress in its efforts to encourage those States
which scourged by war are now earnestly en-
gagedin the reorganization of domestic industry.
1t is a subject of congratulation that no foi-
eIgn combinations against our domestic peace
and safety or our legitimate influence among
the nations, have been formally attempted |
While sentiments of reconciliation, loyalty and |
patriotism have increased at home, more Just |
consideration of our national character and |
rights has been manifested by foreign nations.
The entire success of the Atlantic Telegraph |
between the coast of Ireland and the province
of Newfoundland is an achievement which has
been justly celebrated in both hemispheres as
the opening of an era in the progress of civil
lzation. There is reason to expect that equal
success will attend, and even greater results
follow, the enterprise for connecting the two