The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-12-07

creased expenditures In 1869 were
2,527, $40 less than the increased
expenditures In 1867, showing by COM
parison this gratifying feature of i'm
provement; that while the increase of
expenditures over the increase of re-
eeipts In 1868 was g, 439, 535, the in
crease of receipts over the increase Of
expenditures in 1869 was 81, 084, 81.
Your attention is respectfully
called to the recommendations made
by the Postmaster General for
authority to change the rate of
compensation to the Main Grand
Trunk Railroad lines for their
services in carrying the mails; for
having post route maps executed; for
reorganizing and increasing the eff
cheney of the special agency service;
for the increase of the mail service;
for the increase of the mail service
on the Pacific, and for establishing a
mail service under the flag of the
Union and Atlantic. And more es-
pecially do | call your attention TO his
recommendation for the total abolition
of the franking privilege. This is an
abuse from which no one receives a
commensurate advantage. It reduces
the receipts for postal service from
twenty-five to thirty per cent, and
largely increases the service to be
performed.
{ The method by which postage
should be paid upon public matter, is
set forth fully in the report 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 Both of June, 1869.
was Z ,666, 152 acres, exceeding that of
the preceding year by 1.010, 400 acres.
Of this amount, 2,999. 544 acres were
sold for cash, and 1871, 1865 acres were
entered under the homestead laws. The
remainder was granted to aid ia the
construction of the work of inter-
nal improvement, approved to the
States as stamp land and located war
rants and scrip. The cash receipts
from all sources were 4.472, 1856, ex-
ceediBg those of the proceeding year
g, $40, 140. During the last fiscal year,
23,196 names were added to the
Pension and Rolls, 4 ,S75i6ropped there
from, leaving at its close 49,, 1868.
The amount paid to pensioners, in
Guiding the compensation of disburs-
ing agents, was SIS, 422, S84, an increase
of Sal, 1872 on that of the previous
year. The muniicence of Congress
has been conspicuously manifested Ia
legislation for the soldiers aud sailors
who suffered in the recent struggle to
maintain that unity of the Govern
ment which makes us one people. The
addition to the pension rolls of each
successive year since the conclusion
from the repeated amendments of
the act Of the 18th of July.
1862, which extended its provisions
to cases not falling within its original
scope. The large outlay which is
thus accustomed is further increased
by the more liberal allowance be-
slowed since that date upon those
who, while in duty,were wholly or per-
manently disabled. Public opinion
has given an emphatic sanction to
these measures of Congress, and it
will be conceded that no part
of our public burden is more
cheerfully borne than that which
is imposed by this branch of
the service. 1t neeessitates for the
next fiscal year, an addition to
the amount justly chargeable to
the Naval Pension fund. on the ap-
preparation of $30,000,000.
During the year ending the Both
of September, 1869, the Patent
Office issued 1862 patents, and
its receipts were 1886, 389, being
1913, 1926 more than the expendi-
lures. / would respectfully call
your attention to the recommends
ton of the Secretary of the Interior
for uniting the duties of supervising
the education Of ,freedmen together
with the other duties devolving upon
the Commissioner of Education, If it
is the desire of Congr ess.
To make the census, which must be
taken during the year 1870, 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 be deemed proper in reference
to the canvass, aud to report plan.
l desist from saying more.
1 recommend to your favorable no.
tice the claims of the Agricultural
Bureau for liberal appropriation. In
a cou1try so diversified in climate
and soil as ours, and with popula-
lion so largely dependent upon agri-
culture, the benefits that can be
conferred by properly fostering this
Bureau are incalculable.
/ desire, respectfully, to call the
attention of Congress to the made
quate salaries of a 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 Su-
preme Court. No change has been
made In their salaries for fifteen
years. Within that time the labors
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 tho compensation
of its own members; and the duties
which it owes to another department
of the Government deserves, and will
undoubtedly receive, its due consid-
Grafton.
There are many subjects not alluded
to in this message which might with
propriety be introduced, but abstain,
believing your patriotism and states
manship will suggest the topics and
legislation most conducive to the in
terests of the whole people. On my
part promise a rigid adherence to
the laws and their strict enforcement.
u. S. GRANT.
PLUMBING, &C.