Evening star., 1869-12-06

70 the Recommendation OF the Secretary of War
that the act OF SCI March, 1ss9, prohibiting pro-
motions and appointments in the staff corps of
the army be repealed.
The extent of country to be garrisoned and
the number Of military posts to be occupied is
the same with a reduced army as with large
one. The number of stan officers required IS
more dependent upon the latter than the former
condition.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy. ae-
companying this, shows the condition OF the
Navy when this administration came into of P,
and the changes made since. Strenuous efforts
have been made TO place as many vessels - in
commission or render them fit for service. IL
required, as possible. and to substitute the sail
Tor steam whilst cruising, thus materially
ducing the expenses OF the Navy and aiding
greatly TO its efficiency.
Locking 10 our future, | recommend u liberal
though not eNtravagant policy toward this
branch Of the public service.
The report OF the Postmaster General fur
nshCS clear and comprehensive cXlIshit of tle
operations OF the postal service and OF tire imam
cial condition Of the Post Office DcpaItnI, nt.
The ordinary postal revenues fer the year end
ing TIE Sith OF June, 1S,', amounted Ia slG,hi+.-
30, and the expenditures to Si.G9s, 49, show ing
an excess Of expenditures over receipts al
~j55f .t-f'. The excess oi expenditures over re-
eSipts for the irc.iUUs ycaI amounted TO So i3
SG2.
The increase of revenues for 1853 were those
cf ie6s WAS 2,p5l s=9 dollars. ami the increase of
expenditures was .-bi .j;t9 dollars. The increased
revenue n 1S69 exc, cded the increased revenue
in 1855 10y J9t ,}fi collars; aud the increased cN-
l:endtuTe IN 1869 MAS 255i .5aO dollars less than
the tHcrI aspd cN Npenliturc in is,S> snow ing nv
by comparison this yga;iiNiu. I, altar, OF ili-
proTcmeEr, that while the iUcTs a>ri OF g ped
'ttrros over The Increase OF receipts !a i,sS
2.i3s.53J ,Olas. the Increase ~ receipts even the
Increase vi expenditures Ia 1863 Was l.0A ,jsi
dollars
Nour attention IS respectfully called to the re-
commentator made 10y the Postmaster General
for authority 10 change the rate OF compensation
to the main trunk railroad lines for their scryi-
ces in carrying The mails: for having pest rout"
maps executed; for rc-nrZanizins and increasing
the fficiency OF the special agency service: tor
increase of the mail service on the Pacific, AMI
for establishing mail service, under tie flag Oi
the Union, on the Atlantic; and most especially
10 call your attention to his recommendation
for the total abolition OF the franking privilege:
This is an abuse frum which one receives
commensurate advantage; il reduces the re-
celIt Tor postal service from p 10 50 per cent.
ami largely increases the service 10 be per
L. med.
he method by which postage should be- paid
upon public matter is set forth fully i'm the
rel ort of the Postmaster General.
The report OF the Secretary OF the Interior
shows that the quantity OF public lands disposed
of during the year ending the 30th of June, 1859,
was ,0t@, ,I52 acres, exceeding that of the pre-
ceedlig year by ,0l0 400 acres. OF this amount
2,se3 81 acres were sold for cash. and 2,.3. ,J65
acres entered under the homestead laws. The
remainder was granted to aid i'll tie cOnstruc-
uon OF works OF internal Improvement; approved
to the States, as swamp land anu located With
warrants and scrip.
The cash receipts from all sources were So
it2,es", cNceedinS those of the preceding year
$50, li0.
During the last fiscal year 23.i96 names were
ADDED TO the pension rolls, and i,s1G dropped
thcrriorom. leaving at It's close l., .9'Si. The
amount paid To pensioners, including the com
lensation OF disbIr.;ng agents, was -lS, i22 50
an increase oi ~ I'll :sJ2 on that OF the previous
year.
The muniliconce OF Congress has been con-
spHGu0Usl; manifested in it, legislation for the
soldiers ard sailors Who suffered iu the recent
struggle 10 maintain that unity of government
which makes Us orc people" The additions to
the pension rolls OF each Successive year since the
conclusion ofhostilities result. IN great degree,
i4gf i4 of a uy s ash aafes s s r. 5 T fs
10 cases not falling within its original scope.
The large outlay which is thus cccasioned is fur
ther increased by the more liberal allowance
bestowed since that Gate upon those Who I'm line
oI duty were wholly or permanently disabled.
Public opinion has given an emphatic sanction
10 these pleasures OF Congress, and il will he
conceded that 40 part of our public burden is
more cheeriuliy bcTnc than that which is i'm
posed 10y this branch of the service. Ii meceSS-
ta;s i"T the next fiscal wear. in addition TO the
amognt justly cbaTecablc to the Naval Pension
Fund, AN appropriation OF S0,9o0,@1.
During the year ending the :bHth of S,ytcm-
Der, lS'i, the Patent Dfcc Issued l 90 Patents
and its rect pts were >-1S63s being II; .r2j more
than the expenditures.
would respectfully call YOUR attention 10 the
recommendation OF the Secretary OF the nte-
riOr for uniting the duties OF supervising the
education Ot freedmen with the other duties de
volving upon the Commissioner OF Education. III
II Is the desire OF Congress TO make the census,
which must he taken during the year lSa0. more
complete and perfect than heretofore. would
suggest early action upon any plan that may
be agreed upon. As Congress, at the
last session, appointed committee TO take into
consideration such measures as might he deemed
proper in reference TO the census, and to report
plan, desist from saving more.
recommend to your favorable consideration
the claims OF the Agricultural Bureau for hbe-
raj appropriations. In a country diversified
in climate and soil as ours, and with a p0pula-
ton 80 largely dependent upon agriculture. the
benefits that can he conferred by prOperly fos-
tering this bureau are iucalculable. 1 desire re-
spectfully TO call the attention OF Congress to the
Inadequate salaries Oft number OF the most i'm
pCrtant officers of the Government
In this message / will not enumerate them.
but will specify only the Justices of the Supreme
Cont No change has been made in their salaries
for fifteen years. Within that time the labors of
the Court have largely increased, and the ex-
peDscs of living have at least doubled. During
the same time Congress has twice found il neces-
sary to increase largely the compensation of its
another department of the Government de-
serves, and will undoubtedly receive, its due CON
sideration.
There are MANY subjects not alluded to in this
message which might with propTcty lie intro
duccd, but abstain, believing that Vour patri-
otism and craftsmanship will suggest the topics
and the legislation most conducive 10 the inter
ests of the whole people. On my part, promise
ariGid adherence to the laws, aud their strict
enforcement. Us GRANT
WAsHIYGToN, December c. 1see.