Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1869-12-17

amounted 10 Sb, ,43i ,99Z. The increase of
revenues for 1869 over those of 1868, was
$2,oJl, ,909, and the increase Of expendi.
lures was 1867 ,53S. The increased reye
nne in 1869 exceeded the increased revenue
in 1868 by $996.335, and the increased ex.
penditures in 1869 vas S252,757 less than
the increased expenditures in 1867, showing
by comparison this gratifying feature Of
Improvement; that while the increase of ex
pendltures, over the increase of receipts in
1868, was $2,439, ,535, the increase of re-
cepts over the increase Of expenditures in
1869, was l08,430.
Your attention is called to the recon-.
menda,ions made by the Post Master Gen
eral for authority to change the rate of coin.
pensation to the Main Trunk Rail Road
lines for their services IN coin carrying the
mails; for having post route maps execu-
ted for recognizing and increasing the eff
ficiency of Special Agents; for the increase
OF the mail service on the Pacific; and for
the establishment of mail service under the
flag Of the Union on the Atlantic!
THE PRANK SHOULD BE AEoLIsHEp.
Most especially do l call attention to bis
recommendation for the total abolition Of
the frauking privilege the abuse from which
no one receives a commensurate advantage.
1t reduces the receipts for postal sarviea
from 25 to 30 per cent. and largely increases
the service to be performed. The method
by which postage should be laid upon pub
lie matter is set forth fully in the report Of
the Postmaster General.
FROM THE SECRETARY OF TIE INTERIOR.
The report of the Secretary of the Interi-
or shows that the quantity of public lands
disposed of during the year ending the si,h
of June, 1869, was 7,66G,l52 acres, exceed
ing that of the previous year by l,0lO,409
acres. OF this amount 2,s99,544 acres
were sold for cash, and 2,737,365 acres were
entered under the homestead laws. The re.
mander was granted to aid in the construc.
ton OF work for internal improvement, or
approved to the States as swamp land, and
located with warrants and scrip.
The cash receipts from all sources were
S4,472 1856, exceeding those for the prece.
year $2,840,l40.
During The last fiscal year, 23,l96 names
we're added to the pension rolls, and 4,s7G
dropped therefrom, leaving at its close ls7,
963. The amount paid to pensioners, in
cluding the compensation of disbursing
agents, was CPS, 1922, 1854, an increase Of
| e44l l92 on that of the previous year. The
munihcence OF Congress has been conspicu-
ously in its legislation for the soldiers and
sailors who suffered in the re cent struggle
to maintain that unity of rights which make
US one people.
The additions to the pension rolls Of each
successive year since the conclusion Of hos.
tiltles, result in great degree from the re-
peated amendments 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 occasio ned,
further increased to the more liberal ad.
vance bestowed since that date upon those
who in the time of duty were wholly or per-
manently disabled. Public opinion has
given an emphatic sanction to these meas
ures Of Congress, and it will be conceded
that no part Of our pub ic burden is more
cheerful'y borne than that which is imposed
by this branch Of the service. 1t necessi-
tates for the next fiscal year, in addition to
the amount just chargeabe to the Naval
Pension Fund, an appropriation of $780,
100000.
During the year ending the 30th of Sep
tember, 1869, the Patent Office issued 49,
1862 patents and its receipts were S6a6,3SO,
being s2l 1926 mote than the expendi-
lures.
would respectfully call your attention to
the recommendation of the Secretary Of the
Interior for uniting the duties of supervising
the education of freedmen. with the other
duties devolving upon the Commissioner of
Education.
CENSUS OF 1870.
If it is the desire of Congress to make the
census, which must he taken during the
year 1870, more complete and perfect than
heretofore. would suggest early action up
on any plan that may be agreed upon, as
Congress, at the last session. appointed a
committee to take into consideration such
measures as might Re deemed proper in ref
erence to the census. and to report plan
desist from sayirg more.
THE AGRICULTURAL BUREAU.
alton the claims Of the Agricultural Burear,
for liberal appropriations. In a country 81
diversified in climate and soil as ours, and
with population so largely dependent up
on agriculture, the DEMENT'S that can be con.
ferred by the people by fostering this bureau
are incalcuable.
THE SUPREME JUDGES AND slim SALARIES.
desire, respectfully, to call the attention
of Congress to the inadequate salaries OF
some of the most important officers of the
Government. In this message l 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 increased, and the ex-
penses OF living have at least doubled. Dur.
ing the same, Congress has twice found it
necessary to increase largely the compensa-
ton of its own members, and the duty which
it owes to another department of the Gov
ernment deserves and will undoubtedly re-
ceiye its due consideration.
l PROMISE RIGID ADHERENCE TO THE LAWS.
There are many subjects which might
with propriety be introduced, bu, abstain,
believing your patriotism and statesman
ship will suggest the topics and legislation
most conducive to the interests of the whole
people. On my part promise rigid ad.
herence to the laws and their strict enforce.
mcnt.
L. S. GRANT.