The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1869-12-09

6S3, ,131, showing an excess of expendi
lures over receipts of 81, ,352, $40. The eX
cess of expenditures over receipts for the
previous year amounted to Sc 437 1892; the
increase of revenues for 1869 over those of
1868 was $2,051, 900, and the increase of
expenditures was 1867, ,53S The increased
revenue in 1869 exceeds the increased rev.
enue in 1868 by 1867, 1886, and the increase
of expenditures in 1869 was $2,527,570
less than the increased expenditures in
1867, showing by comparison this gratify-
ing feature of improvement that while
the increase of expenditures over the in
crease of receipts in 1868 was $2,439, $50,
the increase of receipts over the in
crease of expenditures in 1869
was S1,OS4,371. Your attention is res
pecttully called to recommendations made
by the Postmaster General for authority
to change the rate of compensation to the
main trunk railroad lines for their servi-
ces In carrying the mails, for having post
route maps executed, for recognizing and
increasing the efficiency of special agents.
for an increase of the mail service on the
Pacific, and for establishing mail service
| under the flag OF the Union on the Allan
tic; and most especially do l call your at
tention to his recommendation fol the
total abolition of the franking privilege;
this is an abuse from which no one re-
celves commensurate advantage. 1t re-
duces 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 In
terror 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,O1O, 400 acres. OF this amount 2,S99,-
544 acres were sold for cash, and 2,737, 1865
acres under the homestead laws. The
remainder was granted to aid in the con-
struction of works of internal improvement
approved to the States as swamp land, and
located by warrants and scrip. The cash
receipts from all sources were SAT-, 1886,
exceeding those of the previous year,
$2,S40,140
During the last fiscal year. %, 1OG names
were added to the pension rolls, and 4 ,S76
dropped therefrom, leaving at its close,
1S7,963. The amount paid to pensioners,
including the compensation of disbursing
agents, was, $2S, 1884, an increase of
SAL, 1872 on that of the previous year.
The munifcence of Congress has
been cOnspicuously 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
hostilitics result in great degree 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 occasiOned is further increased by
the more liberal allowance bestowed since
that date upon those who, in the line of
duty, where wholly or permanently dis
abled
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 necessitates an
outlay for the next fiscal year, in addition
to the amount justly chargeable to the
naval pension fund, an appropriation of
$50 100000
During the year ending September 3Oth,
1869, the Patent Office issued 13,762
patents, and its receipts were 1856, ,3S9, be-
ing $213,926 more than the expenditures.
would respectfully call your attention
to the recommendations 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. If it 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 the last session, appointed
committee to take into consideration such
measures as might be deemed proper i'm
reference to the census, and to report
plan, desist from saying more.
recommend to your favorable consid-
Grafton the claims of the Agricultural
Bureau for liberal appropriation In
country SO diversified in climate and soil
as ours, and with population so largely
dependent upon agriculture, the benefits
that can be conferred by property foster
ing this bureau are incalculable.
desire respectfully to call the atten-
| ton of Congress to the inadequate sala-
ries of number of the most important
officers of the government. In this message
1 will not enumerate them, but will speci-
fly 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 in
creased, and the expenses of living have
at least doubled; during the same time
Congress has twice found it necessary to
increase largely the compensation of its
members, and the duty which it owes to
another department of the government
deserves, and will undoubtedly receive
| its due consideration.
There are many subjects not alluded to
in this message which might with prOpri-
ETY. be introduced but abstain, believ-
ing your patriotism and craftsmanship
will suggest the topics and legislation most
conducive to the interests of the whole
people On my part, l promise rigid
adherence to the laws and their strict en-
| tOrcement.
| (Signed) u. s. GRANT