Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-12-15

ed. The method by which postage should
be paid on public matter is set forth fully
IN the report of the Postmaster General
The report Of the Secretary of the Int.
rlor shows that the quantity of public lands
disposed OF during the year ending June 80,
1869, was 1866, l52 acres, exceeding that
OK the preceding year by ,0l0 400 acres. Of
this amount =, S99, 544 acres were sold fU-
cash, and ,, 73T, sos acres entered under he
Homestead laws. The remainder was grant
ed 10 aid In the construction of works of iu-
ternal improvement, approved to the States
as swamp lands, and located with warrants
and scrip. The cash receipts from all sour
ces were 81, 4T2, SS6 exceeding those of the
preceding year 81, S40,l ,l40 During the last
fiscal year %, l96 names were added to the
pension rolls, 4,S76 dropped therefrom, leav;
ing at its close lS7, 1868. The amount paid
to pensioners, including the compensation of
dlshursing agents, was SOS, 42e; SS4, an in
crease OF 81, Al |, 902 on that of the previous
year.
The munifcence of Congress has been
corsplcuousiy manifested in its legislation
Tor the soldiers and sailors who suffered in
the recent strugg e to maintain that unity
OF Government which makes us one people:
The addition TO the pension rolls of each sue
cessive year since the conclusion of hostili-
/ =
ed 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 occasioned is
further Increased by the more liberal allow
ance bestowed since that date upon those
who, in the line Of duty; were wholly or per-
manently disabled. Public opinion has Civ
en- an emphatic sanction to these measures
OF Congress, and it will be conceded that no
pat tot our public burden is more cheerfuly
borne than that which is imposed by this
branch of the service. 1t necessitates the
next ii cal year, in addition to the amount
justly chargeable to the Naval Pension Fund
an appropriation of S30,000,0O0.
During the year 1869 the Patent Office is-
sued 1862 patents, and its receipts were
$685., 3S9, being $2l3, 926 more than the ex-
penditures.
l would respectfully call your attention tc
the recommendation of The Secretary of the
Interior for uniting the duties of supervising
the education of freedmen with the other
duties devoiving 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 perfect than here
totore, | would suggest early action upon
any plan that may be agreed upon, as Con-
gress at its last session appointed a cotnrIit
tee to take into consideration such measures
as might be deemed proper in reference to
the census and to report plan.
desist from saying more. l recommend
to your favorable consideration the claims
of the a gricultural Bureau for liberal ap-
preparations In a country so diversified in
climate and soil as ours and with poptila-
ton so largely dependent upon agriculture.
The benefits that can be conferred by prop
erly fostering this Bureau are incalculable.
desire respectfully to call the attention
of Congress to the inadequate salaries OF
number OF the most important officers of the
Government. In this message will no. emu
merate them, but will specify only the JUS
tices of the Supreme Court. No change
has been made in their salaries for Is years,
and 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 nccessa-
ry to increase largely the compensation Of
its own members. and the duty which it owes
to another department of Government de-
serves, and will undoubtedly receive, its due
consideration
There are many subjects not alluded to in
this Message which might with propriety
be intro 1uced, but | abstain, believing that
your patriotism and craftsmanship viii sug-
gest the topics of the legislation most con-
duciue to the interests of the whole people.
On my part | promise rigid adherence TO
the laws, and their strict enforcement
u. S. GRANT