Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-12-18

which postage should be paid upon public
matter, is set forth fully in the report OF
the Postmaster General.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
The report of the Secretary Of the Int
rior shows that the quantity ofpublic lanes
disposed of during the year ending June
Both, 1869, was 1866, 81 acres, exceeding
that Of the preceding year by 10000
acres. Of this amount 2,S99.544 acres
were sold for cash, and 2,737 50 acres Sc
cured by the homestead laws; the remainder
was granted to aid the construction Of works
Of internal Improvements, approved to the
States as swamps, and land warrants and
scrip. The cash receipts from all sources
were "a ,472. 1856, exceeding those of the
preceding year s2,S4o,l4O.
PENSIONS.
During the last fiscal year %, l9G names
were added to the pension rolls, and 1896
dropped there from, leavngat the close lS7,
1863 The amount paid to pensioners, includ-
ing the compensation Of disbursing agents.
was S2S ,42S, 9S4, an increase of Sal % on
ofthc previous year. The munifcencc
Of Congress has been conspicuously mani
tested in its legislation for the soldiers and
orphans who suffered in the struggle to
maintain that unity of Government which
makes us one people. The addition to the
pension rolls Of each successive year since
the conclusion of hostlitics results in a
great degree from the repeated amendment
of the act of the 14th Of July, 1867, which
extends its provisions to cases not falling.
within the original scope. The large out
lay which is thus occasioned is further in
creased by the more liberal allowance be-
slowed since that date upon those who in
the line of duty were permanently or
wholly disabled. Public opinion has given
an emphatic sanction to those measures Of
Congress, and it will be conceded that no
part of our puolic burden is more checsfully
borne than tdat which is imposed BY this
branch of the service. 1t necessitates for
the next fiscal year an addition to the
amount justly chargeablc to the Naval Pen
sion Fund Of an appropriation Of $40 ,O0O.-
900.
THE PATENT OFFICE.
During the year ending September 30th,
1869, the Patent Office issued 1892 pa
tents. andthe receipts were 5000 1889, being
S2l3,O36 more than the expenditures. |
would respectfully call your attention to
the recommendation of the Secretary of the
Interior for uniting the duties Of supervision
of the education of freedmen with the 9th
er duties devolving upon the Commissions
er of education. If it is the desire of Con-
gress to make the census, which must be
taken during the year 1870, more complete
and perfect than heretofore, would sug.
gcst early action upon any plan that may
be agreed upon, as Congress at the last SEES
sion appointed committee to take into
consideration such measures as might be
deemed proper in reference to the census
and report plan. desist from saying
more.
recommend to you favorable consider
alton the claims of the Agricultural Blu
reau for liberal appropriation. Ina coun
try SO diversified in climate and soil as ours
and with population so largely depend
ant upon agriculture, the benefits to b'
conferred by properly fostering this Burea,
are incalculable.
desire respectfully to call the attention
of Congress to the inadequate salaries o
number of the most important officers o
the Government. In this message l vii
not enumerate, but will specify only thu
Justice oftbe supreme Court. No chang
has been made to their salaries in Is years
Within that time the labors of the Cour
have largely increased, and the expense
of living have at least doubled. Durin,
the same time Congress has twice found
necessary to increase largely the compcn
sation of its own members, and tho duty
owes to another department of the Govern
ment deserves to and undoubtedly will re
ceive its due consideration.
There are many subjects not alluded t.
in this message, which might with propri
city be introduced, but substain, believin,
your patriotism and craftsmanship vii
suggest the topics for legislation most con
ducive to the interests Of the whole people
On my part | promise rigid advocacy o
the laws and their strict enforcement.
U. S. GRANT.
Washington, D. c., Dec. 6, 1860.