Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-12-04
REPORT OFTHE SECRETARYOF THE
fNThRIOR

1he Secretary of the Interior saws that nv
reason OF the increased rates OF pension. more
than thirty three millions OF dollars will be
required for rhys branch of The service during
the next fiscal year. = 4 . =
Samuel Downing of Edfnburg, SARATOGA
county. New \ ork, is the only surviving SOL
dier OF the Revolution.
The names OF nine hundred and thrty -one
widows OF revolutionary soldiers appear on
the pension rolls at the close OF the last fiscal
year.
TIE invalid pensioners disabled in the wars
prior 10 that OF 1851 do not exceed three thous-
and. The widows and MINOR children who
receive pension by reason OF the services and
death OF those who served in such wars um-
ber one thousand two hundred and twenty
seven.
The total number OF pensioners of all classes
army and navy. Oh the rolls June 30 1856, was
one hundred and twenty-six thousand Sc ven
hundred and twenty-five, and the amount paid
pensioners, including expenses OF disburse-
ments during the last fiscal YEAR was thir.aen
million four hundred and fifty-ntne thousand
nine hundred and ninety-six dollars and for
fy-three cents. This amount includes ninety.
nine thousand two hundred and thirty seven
dollars and flfteen cents paid 10 one tho IA sand
ana forty-rhTee pensioners residing IN the
States " hose inhaoitants were lately in rebel
lion.
bounty land warrants We're iss ufd for stxty-
three thousand eight hundred and sixty acres
of iand.
During tie year ending September 30. Ists.
there Were fourteen thousan and thirty. MIN.
applications for patents Eight thousand sew
en- hundred ana sixteen patents incIudin- re-
Issue and assigns Were issned; fourteen nun
dred and fifteen applications were allowed
bat patents have not issued thereon BY reason
of be non payment OF the fiHal tees, twenty
i've hupdIrd and seyenty.nine eayats We're
MED, aad h;ty-hye txteEsIons OF patents Were
granted.
The northern and western porlicos of the
north wing OF The CIpitoi are completed, and
the columns The southern portico are soon 10
be set. 1t is believed that the ensuing YEAR
Will witness the completion or all the porticos.
Efforts have been made. which il is hoped Will
prove successful, 10 improve the imperfect
and Objectionable ventilation OF the Sonata
chamber and hall OF the House of Representa
nyes. In order 10 obtain n supply OF air that
shal at the same time be pure and in lie
summer, cool, IL is proposed to construct from
each nail an underground duet, opening in the
centre OF fountain in the eastern grounds
The jets and overflow would AT once assist in
cooling the air and serve TO relieve il OF all
mechanical impurities.
The balance on hand OF the appropriation for
The capitol extension, October 81, lota was
eighty thousand four hundred and ten dollars
ana elShty three cents. The architect esti-
mates hat TWO hundred and fifty thousand
dollars VIII be required 10 continue the work
dnrins the next fiscal year.
Tie apparatus for lighting. by means of ral
Nanic electricity, the one thousand and eighty-
three gas s-hurners OF the dome, has pro we'd q
cbnplete success.
THE belt between the second and third cor
nices Of ne Totunda should be ornamented by
a series OF natlocal pictures. or in some other
apPrGpltate manner; and designs for the pur-
pose VIII be Invited from emInent. ARTISTS, If
Congress confer the req uIsiIe authority
The architect repeats The Recommendation
made IN his preceding report in favor OF
the extension. Cf The central pOrucO, IN con-
iormity win the plan proposed by has prede.
oessor, Thomas z. Waller, Esq Should this
recommendation be sanctioned by Congress, it
would be advisable 10 commence the work at
an early Jay. while OperaiI 0ns on the other p1r-
IONS OF the edibce are M progress, aud before
me eastern Grounds aFe improved. In view of
tue anheipitsd early cCmpl-tan OF h CapitoE
should me central pOItICo not De rXtsnded. il
- Iee"an amended that Goag-ress authorize ia :.
clcs'hg the public grounds acrth and south OF
lhe 0uhdlng. and squares numbered six hun-
uitn ana e'ghty.seveu Sni -iN hundred and
eiShtF-eight, s6ould the Di,i which passed the
S+paie AT the last session providing for the
pufcbHss OF them berO!n- l't~ aud fnl,1ro win y
the Caproi grounds "a is!.. bsdttmg the
magGlhceht edIhe" which crowns their SUM
init.
about three-fonrths OF the material necas =
Sary 10 compieis the norfhsra portco OF tnis
department - op The ground. and it is ex peeted
that lie work wIli be completed pext sea ,on