Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-12-12

y
invites emigration from the old, and from
the more crowded portions of the new world
Its propitious results are undoubted, and
will be more signally manifested when time
shall have given to it wider development
Congress has made liberal grants of pub
lie land to corporations, In aid of the con
struction of railroads and other internal i'm
provements Should this policy hereafter
prevail, more stringent provisions will be
required to secure faithful application oi
the fund. The title to the lands should not
pass, by patent or otherwise, but remain In
the Government 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 cor
poratlon, but never in greater ratio to the
whole quantity embraced by the grant than
the completed parts bear to the entire length
of the projected improvement. Thisrestric-
ton would not operate to the prejudice of
any undertaking conceived in good faith
and executed with reasonable energy, as it is
the settled practice 20 withdraw from market
the lands falling within the operation of such
grants, and thus to exclude the inception of
a subsequent adverse right A breach of
the conditions which Congress may deem
proper to impose should work forfeiture of
claim to the lands so withdrawn but upeon-
veyed, and of title to the lands Conveyed
which remain unsold.
Operations ON the several lines of the Pa
cific Railroad have been prosecuted with
unexampled vigor and success. Should no
unforeseen causes of delay occur, it is con-
fdently anticipated that this great thorough
fare will be completed before the expira-
ton of the period designated by Congress.
During the last fiscal year the amount
paid to pensioners, including the expenses
of disbursement, was thirteen millions four
hundred and fifty mine thousand nine hun
dred and ninety-six dollars, and fifty thou
sand one hundred and seventy-seven names
were added to the pension rolls. The entire
number of pensioners, June 80, 1866, was
one hundred and twenty-six thousand
seven hundred and twenty-five. This fact
furnishes melancholy and striking proof of
the sacrifices made to vindicate the consti-
stutional authority of the Federal Govern
ment, and to maintain inviolate the in
tegrity Of the Union. They impose upon
us corresponding obligations. 1t is esti-
mated that thirty-three million dollars will
be required to meet the exigences of this
branch of the service during the next fiscal
year.
Treaties have been concluded with the In
dians, who, enticed into armed opposition
to our Government at the outbreak of the
have Internationally submitted
to our authority, and manifested an earnest
desire for renewal of friendly relations
During the year ending September 80,
1866, eight thousand seven hundred and six
teen patents for useful inventions and de-
signs 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 two hundred and twenty
seven dollars.
mense amount Of the production and COM
merce of the country, | recommend to Con-
gress such legislation as may be necessary
for the preservation of the levees of the Mis-
sissippi river. 1t is matter of national i'm
portancc that early steps should be taken
not only to add to the efficiency of these bar
riers against destructive inundations, but for
the removal of all distractions to the free
and safe navigation of that great channel of
trade and commerce.
The District of Columbia, under existing
avs, is not entitled to that representation
in the National Councils which, from our
earliest history, has been uniformly accorded
10 each Territory established from time to
time within our limits. 1t maintains pecu-
lar relations to Congress, to whom the Con-
stitution has granted the power of exercising
exclusive legislation over the seat of govern
ment. Our fellow-citizens residing in the
District, whose interests are thus confded
10 the special guardianship of Congress, ex-
,eed in number the population of several of
Dur Territories, and no just reason is per-
,eived why delegate of their choice should
rot be admitted to seat In the House of
No mode seems so appro-
pirate and effeetual of enabling them to
make known their peculiar condition and
wants, and securing the local legislation
adapted to them. / therefore recommend
he passage of law authorizing the cleo
,ors of the District of Columbia 70 choose a
delegate, to be allowed the same rights and
privileges as a delegate representing Ter
.itory. The increasing enterprise and rapid
progress of improvement in the District are
highly gratifying, and trust that the efforts
If the municipal authorities to promote the
of the national metropolis will re-
GIVE the efficient and generous cooperation
If Congress.
The report of the Commissioner of Agri-
.ulture reviews the operations of his Depart
nent during the past year, and asks the aid
# Congress in Its efforts to encourage those
States which, scourged by war, are now
earnestly engaged in the reorganization of
domestic industry
1t is subject of congratulation that no
oreign combinations against our domestic
)eace and safety, or ourlegitimate influence
Lmong the nations, have been formed or at
empted. While sentiments of reconcilia- |
ion, loyalty and patriotism have increased
It home, more just consideration of our
rational character and rights has been man
tested by foreign nations.
The entire success Of the Atlantic Tele
,raph between the coast of Ireland and the
Province of Newfoundland, is an achieve
nent which has been justly celebrated in
10Th hemispheres as the opening of an era
u the progress of civilization. There is rea-
on to expect that equal success will attend,
nd even greater results follow, the enter
rise for connecting the two Continents
trough the Pacific Ocean by the projected
inc of telegraph between Kamschatka and
he Russian possessions in America.
The resolution of Congress protesting
h., co-o,ry, Of