Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-12-15

pecially do [ call your attention to his re-
commendation for total abolition of the
/ trank1ng privilege. This is an abuse from
which no one receives commensurate ad
vantage II reduces the receipts Tor postal
service from twenty-five to thirty per cent
and largely increases the service to be per-
| formed. Phe 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 Inte-
rlor shows that the quantity of public
lands disposed of during the year ending
3Oth OF June, 1869, was Z, 666, 152 acres, ex-
eeedlng that of the previous year by L.
OlO, 4O9 acres OF this amount 1889, 544
acres were sold for cash, and 2. 737. 1856
acres entered under the homestead laws
The remainder was granted to aid in the
construction of the work of internal i'm
provements, approved to the states as
stamp lands, and located warrants and
| scrip. The cash receipts from all sources
were 81, Az, 885, exceeding those of the
previous year So, $40, 14O.
During the last fiscal year %, 1O6 names
were added to the pension rolls and 4, S76
dropped therefrom, leaving at it's close
loG 953. The amount paid to pensioners,
including the compensation to disbursino
agents, was $28, 422, 8S4, an increase
OF S44l, 1872 on that of the previous year
The munlticence of Congress has been con-
spicuously manifested in it's legislation for
the soldiers and sailors who suffered in the
recent struggle to maintain that unity of
government which makes us one people.
The additions to the pension rolls of each
succeeding year since the conclusion of
hostilities result in great degree from the
repeated amendments of the act of
the 18th of July, 1852, which would
extend its provisions to cases not
falling within its original scope.
The large outlay which is thus oceasioned
is further increased by the more liberal al
Towance bestowed since thatssdate upon
those who in the line of duty, were wholly
or permanently disabled Public opinion
has given an emphatic sanction to these
measures of Congress, and it will be con-
ceded that no part of our public burden is
more cheerfully borne than that which is
mposedb by this branch of the service. Tt
necessitates for the next fiscal wear.
in addition to the amount Just chargeable to
the naval pension fund, an appropriation
OF thirty million dollars.
During the year ending the 30th of Sep
tember, 1869, the Patent Office issued 13.-
762 patents, and it's receipts were S6S3. 2S9
[ would respectfully call your attention
to the recommendation of the Secretary of
the Interior for uniting the duties of super
vising the education of the freedmen with
the other duties devolving upon the Com
missioner of Education. If it is the desire
OF Congress to make the census which
mustbe taken during the year 1870 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 a committee to
take into consideration such measures as
might be deemed proper in reference to
the coming census, and to report plan, I
deslst from saying more.
l recommend to your favorable consider
alton the claims of the Agricultural
Bureau for liberal appropriation in
country SO diversified in climate and soil as
ours, and with a population so largely de-
pendent upon agriculture, the benefits that
can be conferred by properly fostering this
bureau are incalculable.
I 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 I 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. 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 necessary to increase
largely the compensation OF it's own men,
bers, and the duty which it owes to another
department of the government deserves,
and viii undoubtedly receive it's due con-
sideration.
There are many subjects not alluded to in
this message which might with proprety
be introduced, but I abstain, believing
your patriotism and craftsmanship will
suggest the topics and legislation most
conducive to the interests of the whole
people. On my part, [ promise rigid
adherence to the laws and their strict en-
f0rcement. u S. GRANT,