North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-12-15

to aid in tho construction of the work of
internal improvements approved to the
States as swamp land and located war.
rants and script. The cash receipts from
all sources were $4,47l 1856, exceeding
those of the preceding year 2,84O, l40.
During the last fiscai year &c, 1876 names
were added to the pension rolls, and
4,S76 dropped therefrom, leaving, ut its
close, 1877 ,96S. The amount psid to pen.
sioners, including the compensation of
disbursing agents, was $2S, AZ, S84-an
increase Of S441 1872 on that Of the pre-
vious year. The maunifcence of Con-
gress has been conspicuously manifested
in its Legislation for the soldiers and sail
ors who suffered in the recent struggle to
maintain that unity of the Government
which makes us one people. The add.
tons to the pension rolls of each success
sive year since the conclusion Of hostili-
ties, result in great degree from the
repeated amendments of the act OF the
l4th of July, 1862, which extended its
provisions to cases not falling within its
original scope. The large outlay which
is thus occasioned is further increased by
the more liberal allowance bestowed since
that date upon those who, in the line Of
duty, were wholly or permanently disabled.
Public opinion has given an emphatic
sanction to these measures of Congress,
and it will be concedsd that no part Of
our public burden is more cheerfully
borne than that which is imposed by this
branch of the service. It necessitates an
outlay for the next fiscal year. in addition
to the amount Justly chargeable to the
Naval Pension Fund an appropriation Of
$50, OOO,OO -
During the year ending the Both of
September, 1869, the Patent Office is
sued 1852 patents, and its receipts
were $3.50, 1889, being $213,926 more
than the expenditures.
I would respectfully call your atten-
ton to the Recommendation of the Secre-
tary Of the interior for uniting the dut-
les of supervising the education of freed
men with the other duties devolving
upon the Commissioner of Education.
If it is the desire of Congress to make
the census which must be taken during
the year 1870 more complete and per-
feet than heretofore, I 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 be deemed proper in reference to
the census, and to report plan, l desist
from saying more.
I recommend to your favorable con-
sideration the claims of the agricultural
Bureau for liberal appropriation. In
a country so diversified in climate and
soil as ours, with population so largely
dependent upnn agriculture, the benefits
that can be conferred by properly fost:l
ering this Bureau are incalculable.
/ desire respectfully to call the atten-
ton of Congress to the inadequate sala-
ries Of number Of the most important
officers Of the Government. In this
Message I will not enumerate them, but
will specify only the Justices of the
Supreme Court. No change has been
made in their salaries for fifteen years.
Within that time the labors of the
Court have largely increasd, and the ex-
penses Of living have at least doubled.
During the same time Congress has
twice fonud it necessary to increase large
ly the compensation Of its own members,
and the duty which it owes to another
department Of the Government deserves,
and will undoubtedly receive, its due
consideration.
There are many subjects not alluded
to in this Message which might with
be introduced, but abstain,
believing your patriotism and statetman-
ship will suggest the topics and the
legislation most conducive to the inter-
ests of the whole people. On my part
| promise rigid adherence to the laws
and their strict enforcement.
US. GRANT.
Washington, D. c., Dec. 6, 1869.