White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1869-12-16
piled with. or tha, Legislation be bad tor
ths protection of the seal 6sheriel. from
which q revenue should he derived.

WHICH IeNeHue suOu'u DC uti''N
The report of the Secretary ofWsr contains
q synopsis Of the reports of the heads OF bu-
reaus, OF the commanders of military disisobs
and of the districts Of Virginia, Mississippi and
Texas, and the report of the general OF the ar
nv in FULL The recommendations therein con-
tanned have been we'll considered, and are sub
mitted for your action. /. hewever, call spe |
cial attention to the recommendation OF the |
chief of-ordnance for the sale OF arsena's ard
lands 40 longer of use to the government; also
the recommendation OF the Secretary Of War,
that the act OF the third OF March, 1869, pro-
hibiting promotions and appointments on the
Staff Corp. of the army, be repealed. The ex-
tent of the country to be garrisoned and the
number Of military posts to be occupied are the
same with a reduced army as with a large
one. The number of staff officers required is
more dependent upon the latter than the for
mer condition.
The Report Of the Secretary of the Navy,
accompanying this, shows the condition of the
Navy, when this Administration came into Of
fce, and the changes made since. Strenuous
Efforts have been made 10 place az many yes
sells in commission, or render them tt fer SER
vice, il required, as possible, and to substitute
the sail for steam while cruising, thus materi
ally reducing the expenses Of the navy, and
adding greatly 10 its efficiency. Looking to
our future. recommend a liberal though not
eItravagant policy toward this branch OF the
public service.
The repert of the Postmaster General fur
bisbes clear and comprehensive exhibit OF
the operations of the postal service and of the
financial condition of the Post Office Depart
ment. The ordinary Postal revenues for the
year ending the 30.h of June. 1869, amounted
TO SIs.344, $40, and the expenditures to $685.,
69S, ISL, showing an excess OF expenditures
over receipts of SIS, ,352 $40. The excess of e.-
penGitures over receipts for the previous year
amounted to S6.437 .992. The increase of reve-
nues for 1869 over those Of 1868 was s. n5l 500,
and the increase ofexpenditures was $961 ,535.
The increased revenue in 1869 exceeds the in
creased revenue in 1865 by 1896 339. and the
increased expenditure in 1869 was 81 527 $40
less than the increased expenditure in 1868,
showing by comparison the gratifying feature
of improvement: that while this increase Of
1868 was 81 ,439 s535, the increase of receipts
over theincrease Of expenditures in 1869 was
Sl.0s4,37I.
Your attention is respectfully called to the
recommendations made by the Postmaster
General for authority to change the rate of
compensation to the main trunk railroad lines
for their services in carrying the mails: for
post route maps executed; for reorg snizng and
increasing the efficiency of the Special Agency
for the increase of the mall service on TIE Pa
cifc, and for establishing mail service under
the flag of the Union on the Atlantic; and most
especially do call your attention to his recon-
incubation for the total abolition of the frank
ing privilege. This il an abuse from which
no one receives commensurate advantage; 1t
reduces the receipts for the postal service from
25 to 80 per cent, and largely increases the
service to be performed. Tie 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 80 of June. 1869.
was 1866, l52 acres, exceeding that of the pre-
ceding year .0I0. .40s. OF this amount $780,
544 acres we're sold for cash, and 2,736,375
acres entered under the Homestead laws The
remainder was granted to aid in the construc-
tion of works of internal improvement. ap
proved to the States as swamp lands, and loca
ted with warrants and scrip. The cash receipts
from all sources were S4,472.ss9. exceeding
those of the preceding year 80 s40.l40. Du-
ring the last fiscal year 23,l96 names were
added to the pension rolls. SIC dropped there
from, leaving at its close ls6, 1863. The amount
paid to pensioners, including the compensation
of discussing agents, was SOS, ,422. .6s4, an in
crease of $4, All ,902 on that of the previous
year.
The munifcence of Congress has been con
spicuously manifested in its legislation for the
soldiers and sailors who suffered in the recent
struggle to maintain that unity of government
which makes us one people. The addition to
the pension rolls of each successive year since
the conclusion of hostiIities results in . great
degree from the repested amendments Of the
Act of the l4th of July, 1863, which extends
its provisions TO cases not falling within its
original scope. The large outlay which is thus
occasoned is further increased by the more lib-
eral allow ance bestowed since that date upon
those who. in the line Of duty, we're wholly or
permanently disabled. Public opinion has Civ
en- an emphatic sanction to these measures of
Crongress, 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 necessitstes the next fiscal year
10 addition to the amount justly chargeable to
the Naval Fund, an appropriation Of $50, O0o,-
600.
During the year 1869 the Patent Office is
sued l3,762 patents. and its receipts were
$685. ,3sS, being S3l3 925 more than the ex-
penditures.
would respectfully call your attention to
the recommendation of the Secretary of the
Interior for uniting the duties of supervising
tho education of freedman with the vther duties
devolving upon the Commissioner of Educa-
ton.
If fit is the desire of Congress TO make the
census, which must be taken during the year
1870, more complete and perfect than hereto
fore, would suggest early action upon any
plan that may be agreed upon, as Congress
at its last session appointed a committee to
take into consideration snch measures as
might be deemed proper in reference to the
census and to report plan.
desist from saving more. | recommend to
your favorable consideration the claims of the
Agricultural Bureau for liberal appropriation.
In country SO diversified 10 climate and soil as
ours and with q population so largely depend
ent upon agriculture. the benefits that can
be conferred BY properly fostering this Bureau
are incalculsble.
desire respectfully to call the attention Of
Congress to the indeqnate salaries of q number
of the most important officers of the Govern
ment. To 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 Is years, and within that time
the labors of the Court have largely Increased,
and the expenses ofliving have at least doubled
during that time. Congress has twice found
IL necessary to increase largely the compensa-
tion Of its own members. and the duty which
IL ewes to another department Of Government
deserves, and will undoubtedly receive, Its due
consideration.
mere are many suhJecB NOT ahuoeu 70 iu
this Message which nigh. be with properiety, but
] abstain, believing that your patriotism aud
Craftsmanship will suggest the topics of the
Liquidation most conducive 70 the interests oi
the whole people. On my part l promise a
rigid adherence to the laws, and their strict en-
foscement. u. 8. GRANT.
IKIo THE VALLEY-Tbe following
prominent officers or ex.o6icers of the
Government hsvs died within two months