The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-12-07

Ii can be done, and giving them absolute
protection there. As soon as they are lifted
for it they should be induced to take their
lands in seyeralty and to set up territorial
governments for their own protection. For
full details on this subject I call your special
attention to the reports Of the Secretary OF
the Interior and the Commissioner of In
dian Affairs.
THE ARMY-FoBT1F1cAT1oE &c.
The recommendation of the General of
the Army that appropriations be made for
the forts at Boston, Portland, New York,
Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Fran
fsco, is concurred in.
| call special attention TO the recommen-
dations of the Chief of Ordnance for the
sale Of arsenals and lands no longer of use to
the Government; also to the recommends
tion Of the Secretary OF War that the act
prohibiting promotions in the staff corps Oh
the army be repealed. The extent ofcountry
to be garrisoned and the number of military
posts to be occupied is the same with re-
duced army as with large one. The num-
Der Of staff officers required Is more de-
pendent on the latter than the former con-
dition.
TIE NAVY.
The report of the Secretary Of the Navy
accompanying this shows the condition OF
the navy. When this Administration came
into office, and by changes made since,
strenuous efforts have been made to place
as many vessels in commission, or render
them fit for service when required, as pos
sible, and to substitute the sail for steam
while cruising. thus materially reducing
the EXPENSE of the navy and adding greatly
to its efficiency. Looking to Our future, [
recommend q liberal though not extraya-
CANT policy towards this branch Of the pub
lie service.
PosT-oFF1CE DEPARTMENT.
The report Of the Postmaster-General
furnishes a clear and comprehensive cX-
hibit of the operations of the postal service
and of the financial condition Of the Post
office Department.. The ordinary postal
revenues for the year ending June 80, 1859,
amounted to SIS, Ia, 80, and the expendl-
lures to 3,69S, l31. Your attention is re-
spectfully called to the recommendation
made By the Postmaster-General for autho-
rity to change the rate of compensation to
the main trunk-railway lines for their SER
vices in carrying the mails, for having post
route maps executed, for reorganIzlng ana
increasing the efficiency OF the spcclall
agency service, for the increase OF the mail
service of the Pacific, and for establishing
mail service under the flag Of the Union IL
the Atlantic; and most especially do call
your attention to his recommendation Tor
The total abolition Of the Thanking privilege.
This is an abuse from which 10 one receives
commensurate advantage. 1t reduces the
receipts for postal service from twenty-five TO
thirty per cent, aud largely Increases the
service to be performed.
THE PATENT oFFIcE-ISTERIoR DEPARTMENT,
ETC.
During the year ending September 80,
1869. the Patent Office issued Is, 1872 patents.
and its receipts were 1856, $3.50, being S2l3,-
926 more than the expenditures,
respectfully call your attention to the
recommendation of the Secretary OF the In
terror for uniting the duties Of supervising
the education of freedmen with the other
duties dcvolving upo1. the Commissioner Of
Education.
If it is the desire Of Congress to make the
census during the year 1870 more complete
and perfect, L would suggest early action
upon any plan that may be agreed upon.
| As Congress at the last session appointed n
committee to take into consideration such
measures us might be deemed proper in re-
| ference to the census. and to report plan,
| ! dcsist from saying more.
| | recommend to your favorable conslde-
ration the claims OF the Agricultural But
reau for liberal appropriations. In coun-
| try so diversified in climate and soil as ours,
and with q population so largely dependent
upon agriculture. the benefits that can be
conferred by properly fostering this Bureau
are incalculable.
| I desire respectfully to call the attention
of Congress to the Inadequate salaries OF 4
number Of the most important officers OF
the Government. In this message | Will
not cnumeratc them, but will specify only
the Justices Of the Supreme Court. No
change has been made i'll their salaries for
fifteen wears. Within that time the lahors
OF the court have largely increased, and the
EXPENSES of living have at least doubled
During the same time Congress has twice
| found it necessary to increase largely the
compensation OF lis own members, and the
duty it owes TO another department OF the
| Government deserves, ana VIII doubtless
receive, due consideration.
CONCLUSION.
There are many subjects not alluded to il
this message which might with proprictv be
introduced, but | abstain, believing that
your patriotism and craftsmanship will suS.
ccst the topics and the legislation most con.
ducive 10 the interests of the whole people
On nv part promise 2 rigid adherence tc
the laws and their strict enforcement.
L. s. GRANT.
Washington December 6, 1869.
BOARDING. AND LODGING.
VERY DESIRABLE ROOMS, WITH