The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-12-17

The report of the Secretary of the In
terror shows that the quantity of public
lands disposed of during the year ending
the 30th of June, 1859, was 2, $3.50, ,152 acres,
exceeding that of the preceding year by
100000 acres. Of this amount 2,S99,-
544 acres were sold for cash, and 2,737, 1856
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 4,472, ,SS6,
exceeding those of the previous year,
$2,S40,140.
During the last fiscal year, %, 106 names
were added to the pension rolls, and ,S76
dropped therefrom, leaving at its close,
1S7,963. The amount paid to pensioners,
including the compensation of disbursing
agents, was, $28, 8,422, 1884, an increase OF
$441, 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
hostilities result in a great degree from
the repeated amendments of the act OF the
14th of July, 1862, which extended its
provisions to cases not falling within It's
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
$3OOO0OO0.
i During the year ending September 3Oth,
1859, the Patent Office issued 1892
patents, and its receipts were $3.50, ,SS9, 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 in
reference to the census, and to report
plan, desist from saying more.
l recommend to your favorable consld-
Grafton the claims of the Agricultural
Bureau for liberal appropriation. In a
country so diversified in climate and soil
as ours, and with population so largely
dependent upon agriculture, the benefits
that can be conferred by properly foster
ing this bureau are incalculable.
desire respectfully to call the atten-
ton of Congress to the inadequate sala-
ries of a number of the most important
officers of the government. In this message
/ will not enumerate them, but will speci-
fy 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
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, I promise rigid.
adherence to the laws and their strict en-
torcement.
(Signed) q. S. GRANT.