The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-12-17

The method by which postage should be
paid upon public matter, is set forth full
ly in the report Of the Postmaster Gen
eral.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
The report Of the Secretary of the Interior
shows that the quantity Of public lands dis,
posed of during the year ending June both,
1869, was ,666, l52 acres, exceeding that of
the preceding year by 1,0l0, 400 acres. OF
this amount 2,S90,5 acres were sold for
cash, and 2,73T, 165 acres secured by tho
homestead laws the remainder was granted
to aid the construction OF works of internal
improvements, approved to the States rs
swamps, and land warrants and scrip. The
cash receipts from all sources were $4, ,472,
9S6, exceeding those of the proceeding year
s., $40, lao.
PENSIONS.
During the last fiscal year %, 1916 names
were added to the pension rolls, and 1896
dropped therefrom, leaving ut theclose 1871, J.
963. The amount paid to the pensioners.
including the compensation of disbursing
agents, was sos, 42S, ,6S4, an increase Of
$44l, l52 on that of the previous year. The
munifcence of Congress has becn conspicu'
ously manifested in its legislation for the
struggle to maintain that unity of Govern
ment which makes US one people. The ad-
ditions to the pension rolls of each success.
siye year since the conclusion of hostilities
results in great degree from the repeated
amendments of the act of the l4th Of July,
1867, which extended its provisions TO cases
not falling in with the original scope. The
large outlay which is thus occasioned is fur
ther increased by the moro liberal allow.
ance bestowed since that date upon those
whom the line of duty were permanently
or wholly disabled. Public opinion has Civ.
| en- an emphatic sanction to these measures
of Congress, and it will be conceded that no
part of our public burden is more cheerfnlly
borne than that which is imposed by this
branch of the service. Il neeessitates foI
the next fiscal year in addition to the
amountiustly chargable to the Naval Pen
sion Fund of an appropriation OF S2O, ,00O,'
900 during the year ending Septem Der SOthi
1869.
THE PATENT OFFICE.
The Patent Office issued 1892 patents,
and the receipts were S636, ,3S9, being S2l3,
036 more than the expenditures. / would
respectfully call your attention TO the recon
mendation of the Secretary Of the interior
for uniting the duties Of supervision Of the
education Of the freedmen with the other du
ties upon the Commissioner of Education
! if it is the desire of Congress to make the
census, which must be taken during the
year 1879, more complete and perfect than
heretofore. would suggest early action
upon any plan that may be agreed upon, as
Congress at the last session appointed q
committee to take into consideration such
measures as might be deemed proper in re
/ ference to the census, and 70 report plan
| desist from saying more.
/ commend 10 your favorable cdnsidera
ton the claims of the Agricultural Bureau
| for liberal appropriation. In a country 81
diversified in climate and soil as ours and
with population so largely dependent upor
agriculture, the benefits to be conferred by
properly fostering this Bureau arc meal
culable.
desire respectfully to call the attention
of Congress to the inadequate salaries of .
number Of the most important officers Of th'
Government. In this message / will no
enumerate, but will specify only the jus
| tices of the Supreme Court. No change ha'
been made in their salaries in IHi years
/ Within that time the labors of the Cogr
/ have largely increased, and the expenses o
/ living have at least doubled. During th'
i same time Congress has twice found il nee
/ essary TO increase largely the compensation
/ Of its own members, and duty ii owes Il
another department of the Government de
serves to and undoubtedly will receive il
/ due consideration.
| There are many subjects not al luded 4
| in this message, which might with prOpri
ETY. be introduced, but abstain, believing
your patriotism and craftsmanship will sug
gest the topics for legislation most condu
Give TO the interests uf the whole people.
On my part l promise rigid Advocacy o.
the laws and their strict enforcement.
u. S. GRANT.
Washington, d. c., Dec. 6, 1869.