The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-12-07

1869 exceeded the increased revenne in
1865 by 1896, 1874, and the In.
creased expenditure in 1869 was
81 527, $50 less than the increased
expenditures in 1867, showing from
comparison this gratifying feature of
Improvement, that while the increase
of expenditures over the increase Of
receipts in 1868 was g, ,4S9, ,535. the in.
crease of receipts over the increase OF
Expenditures in 1869 was 81 l,OSi ,3Il.
Your attention Is respectfully called
70 the recommendations made by the
Postmaster General, for authority TO
change the rate of compensation 20 the
main Trunk railroad lines for their
services in carrying the mails; for hav
ing post route maps executed; for reor-
gauiziDg and increasing the efficiency
of the special agency service; for an
increase OF the mail service on
the Pacific, and for establishing n mail
service under the flag f The Union-and
most especially do | call your attention
| to his recommendation for the total abo-
lition of the franking privilege. This is
an abuse from which no one receives a
commensurate advantage. 1t reduces
the receipts for such services from
twenty-five to thirty per cent, and
largely increases the services TO be per-
| formed.
The method by which postage should
be paid upon public matter is set forth
fully in the report of tho Postmaster
General.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary of the In
terrier shows that the amount of lands
disposed of during the year ending the
30th of June, 1869, was 1866, ,l52 acres,
exceeding that of the preceding year
by 100000 acres. OF this amount
| 2, ,S99, ,544 acres were sold for cash, and
!, ,737 1865 acres entered under the home
stead laws. The remsinder was granted
to aid in the construction of the
work of internal improve mrnt, ap-
proved to the States as stamp-land,
and located on warrants and scrip. The
cash receipts from all sources were
81, AZ, $50. exceeding those of the pre-
ceding year, S2,S40,l40, During the last
fiscal year 23,l96 names were added TO
the pension rolls, and 4S76 dropped
therefrom, leaving at its close lS7 1863.
The amount paid 10 pensioners, inclu-
ding the compensation of disbursing
agents, was S2S,422, ,SS4, an increase OF
S44l,l9 on that of the previous year.
The munifcence Of Congress has been
couspicuously manifested in its legisla-
tion for the soldiers aud sailors who
were wounded in the recent struggle
to maintain that unity OF government
which makes Us one people. The add
tions to the pension roll of each suo
cessive year since the Nconclusion OF
hostilities resulted in a great de
gree from the repeated amend.
ments of the act of the l4th OF
July, 1862, which extended its
provisions 10 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 perma.
uently disabled. Public opinion has
given an emphatic sanction TO these
measures of Congress, aud it will be
conceded that no part OF our public
burden is more cheeriully borne than
that which Is imposed by this branch OF
the service. H. necessitates, for the
next fiscal year, in addition L.
the amount just cbargeable to-
the naval pension fund, an appropria
rion of thirty million dollars.
PATENTS, EDUCATION AND AGRICULTURE.
During the year ending the 3Otb of
September, 1869, the patent Office issued
l3.762 patents and its receipts were
S636 $50, being S2l3 926 more than the
expenditures. would respectfully call
your attention te the recommendation
of the Secretary Of tho Interior for uni.
ting the duties of supervising the
education of the freedmen with
the other duties devolviDg upon
the Commissioner Of Education. II IL
is the desire of Congress to make the
census which must be taken in the year
1870 more complete aud perfect than
heretofore, would suggest early action
upon any plan that may bs agreed upon.
As Congress at the last session appointed
a committee to take into consideration
sush measures as might be deemed pro
per in reference to the census and TO
report plan, desist from saying more.
Grafton the claims of the Agricultural
Bureau for liberal appropriation. In a
country so diversified IN climate and
soil as ours, aud with a population 80
largely dependent upon agriculture, the
benefits that can be conferred by prop
erly fostering this Bureau are incalcu.
liable.
INCREASE OF SALARIES
I desire respectfully to call the atteu.
ton Of Congress 10 the inadequate sal.
aries of number ofthe most important
officers Of the Government. In this
message | will not enumerate
them, but will specify only
the justices of the Supreme
Court. No changes have been
made in their salaries for ffteeen years.
Within that time the labors Of the
Court have largely increased and the
expenses of living have at least doubled.
Within the same time Congress has
twice found it necessary 10 increase
largely the compensation Of it's own
members and the duty which 1t owes to
another department of Government dc.
serves and will undoubtedly receive It's
due consideration.
CONCLUSION.
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 leg
islatiOn most conducive TO the interests
of the whole people. On my part l
promise rigid adherence to the laws
and their strict enforcement.
1 [Signed1 L. s. GRANT.
NOTES FROM THE COUNTRY.