American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1866-12-15

pOlCN 1lNllcS Gill alum iloh' 'i''
old, and from the more crOwed pOr
lions Of the new world. Its propiti
Gus results are uudoubted, and vii
he more slgnally manifested wheI
time shall have given to it a wider
development.
Congress has made liberal grants
of public land to corporations, III alC
of the construction of railroads ant
other internal improvements. ShoulC
this policy hereafter prevail, more
stringent provisions will be required
to secure q faithful application OF Tho
fund. The title to thu lands should
not pass by patent or otherwise, but
I remain in the Government and sub
ject to its control until some portions
of the road has actually been built.
Portions of them might then, from
time to time, be conveyed to the cor
poration, but never in greater ratio
TO the whole quantity embraced by
the grant than the completed parts
bear to the entire length Of the pro-
iected improvement. This restriction
would not operate to the prejudice
of any undertaking conceived III
good faith and executed with reason
able energy, as it is the settled prac-
tice to withdraw from market the
lands falling within the operation Of
such grants, and thus to exclude the
inception of subsequent adverse
right, A breach Of the conditions
which Congress may deem proper to
pose should work q forfeiture OF
claim to the lands so withdrawn
but unc0nveyed, and of title to the
lands conveyed, which remain I'M
sold.
Operations on the several lines Of
the Pacific Railroad have been pro
secuted with uneXampled vigor and
success. Should no unforeseen causes
of delay occur, it is confidently anti
cipated that this great thoroughfare
will be completed before the cXpira-
ton OF the period designated by Con
gross.
During the last fiscal year the
amount paid to pensioners, including
the expenses OF disbursement, was
thirteen million four hundred and
titty-nine thousand nine hundred and
ninety six dollars; and fifty Thousand
one hundred and sevCnty-seyen
names were added to the pension
rolls. The entire number OF pension
ers, June 80, 1866, was one hundred
and twenty,siX thousand seven hun.
drcd and twenty-five. This fact fur
nisIes melancholy and striking proof
OF the sacrifices made to vindicatC
the constitutional authority Of the
Federal Government, and to main
tain inyi0late the integrity of the
Union. They impose upon us CORE
spending 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 have been concluded with
die Indians who, cnticed into armed
opposition to our Government at
the outbreak of the rebellion, have
Internationally submitted to cur an
thority, and manifested an earnest
desire for Il renewal of friendly re
latiOns.
During the year ending September
80, 1866, eight thousand seven hun
dred and sixteen patents for useful
Inventions 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 two hundred and
nincty-sevcn dollars.
AS a subject upon which depends
All immense amount Of the prOduC-
ton and commerce of the country, |
recOmmc I'd to Congress such lcgisla-
ton as may be necessary for the pre-
seryation Of the Ieyces of the MiSSis
sipi river. 1t is a mater OF national
importance that early steps should
be taken not only to add to the eff
cheney Of these barriers against de-
foundations, but for the
removal of all obstructioAs to the
free and safe navigation of that great
channel of trade and commerce.
The District Of Columbia, under
laws, is not entitled to that
in the National COun-
ellis, which, from our earliest history,
has been uniformly accorded to each
established from time to
time within our limits. 1t maintains
peculiar relation to Congress, to
whom the Constitution 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 coniided to the special guardian
ship of Congress, exceed in number
the population of several of our Ter
and no just reason is per
ceived why a delegate of their choice
should not be admitted to a seat in
the House of Representatives. No
mode seems soappropriate and effec
tual Of enabling them to make known
their peculiar condition and wants,
and of securing the local legislation
adapted to them. l therefore recon-
mend the passage of a law authoriz-
ing the electors of the District of
Columbia to choose a delegate, to be
the same rights and privil-
edges as a delegate representing
Territory. The increasing enterprise
and rapid progress of Improvement
in the District are highly gratifying.
[ trust that the efforts of the Munici-
pal authorities to promote the pros