The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-12-07


alemeut OF ii few reservations of Indians to
them, and to throw the burden of selection Of
agents upon the Society itself The result has
proven most satisfactory. 1t will be found
more fully set forth in the report of the Com
missioner of Indians.
For the superintendent of Indians not on
the reservations officers of the army were Sc
lected. The reasons for this are numerous
Where Indian agents are sent there or near
there troops must be sent, and also the agents
and the commander of the troops are indie
pendent of each other, and are subject to the
orders from the different departments of the
Government The army officer holds a posi-
ton for life; the agent one at the will of the
President. The former is personally interest.
ed in living in harmony with the Indians and
in the establishment of a permanent peace. to
the end that some portion of his life NAV be
spent within the limits of civilized society.
The latter has no such personal interest.
Another reason is an economical one, and still
another the hold which the Government has
upon life officer to secure faithful discharge
of duties in carrying out a given policy. The
building OF railroads and the access thereby
given to all the agricultural and mineral re-
gions of the country is rapidly bringing civil
lied settlements into contact with all the
tribes OF Indians. No matter what ought to
be the relations between such settlements and
the aDorlglnes, the fact is they do not harmo-
nize well, and one or the other has to give way
in the end. A system which looks to the ex-
termination of race is too horrible for a ma
ton to adopt without entailing upon itself the
wrath of all christendom and engendering in
the citizen disregard for human life and the
rights OF others dangerous to society," 1 see no
substitute for such system, except in placing
all the Indians on large reservations as rapidly
as can be done, and giving them absolute pro-
lection there. As soon as they are fitted for it
they should be induced to take their lands in
sections aid to set up territorial government
for their own protection. For full details on
this subject, l call your special attention to
the reports of the Secretary of the Interior
and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT..
The report of the Secretary of War shows
the expenditures of the war department for the
year ending the Both June, 1869. to be $50, 644,-
O42, of which 1928 8S2, $40 was disbursed i'm the
payment of debts contracted during the war
and is not chargable to current army expenses.
His estimate of 1874, 531 ,031 for the expenses of
the army for the next fiscal year is as low as it
is believed can be relied on. The estimates of
bureau officers have been carefully scrutinized
and reduced whenever it has been deem prac-
ticable. If, however, the condition of the
country should be such by the beginning of
the next fiscal year as to admit of a greater
concentration of troops, the appropriations
atoms estimated tor river and harbor improve
ments and for Notifications are submitted sep
arately. Whatever amount Congress NAV
deem proper to appropriate for these purposes
will be expended The recommendation ofthe
General OF the army that appropriations be
made for the forts at Boston, Portland. New
York, Philadelphia, New Orleans and San
francisco If for no other, is coneurred in 1
also ask your special attention to the recon-
mendation of the General commanding the
military division of the Pacific for the sale of
the Seal Islands of st. Paul and st. George,
Alaska Territory, and suggest that it either be
complied with or that legislation be had for the
protection of the seal fisheries, from which a
revenue should be derived. The report of the
Secretary of War contains a synopsis of the
report OF the heads of the bureaus of command
ers OF military divisions and Of the districts of
Virginia, Mississippi, Texas and the report of
the General of the army in full. The recon-
mendations therein contained have been well
considered and are submitted for your action.
l, however, call special attention to the recon-
mendatiOn of the chief OF ordnance for the sale
of arsenals and lands no longer of use to the
government; also to the Recommendation of
the Secretary of War that the act of the Sd of
March, 1869, prohibiting promotion and ap-
pointments in the staff corps of the army be re-
pealed. The extent OF country garrisoned and
the number of military forts to be occupied is
the same with reduced army as with a large
one The number of staff officers required is
more dependant upon the latter than the for
mer condition.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT..
The report of the Secretary of the Navy ac-
companying this shows the condition of the
navy when this administration came into Of
fee and the changes made since. Strenuous
efforts have been made to place as many ves-
sells IN commission or render them fit for SER
vice, if required, as possible, and to substitute
the sail for steam while cruising, thus materi-
ally reducing the expense of the navy and add
ing greatly to its efficiency. Looking to our
future, recommend liberal though not an
extravaganza policy towards this branch of the
public service.
THE POST OFFICE.
The report of the Postmaster General fur
nlSheS clear and comprehensive exhibit of
the operations OF the postal service and of the
financial condition of the Post Office Depart
year ending the Both of June, 1869, amounted
to Wy. ia 80, and the expenditures to $685.
69o ,l3l, showing an excess of expenditures
over receipts of Sd, 353, $40. The excess of ex-
penditures over receipts for the previous year
amounted to $6,437,992. The increase of the
revenues for 1869 over those of 1868 were S21.-
OOl ,9O9, and the increase of expenditures was
$967 ,53o. The increased revenue of 1869 ex-
ceeded the increased revenue of 1868 by $685.
$50, and the increased expenditures in 1869 was
$2,oza 40 less than the increased expenditures
In 1868, showing by comparison this gratifying
feature OF improvement, that while the in
crease OF expenditures over the increase of re-
cepts in 1868 was 80, 439 535, the increase OF re-
ceipts over expenditures in 1869 was 81 O84, 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.
Tor having post route maps executed, for Or
ganizing and increasing the efficiency of the
special agency on the Pacific and for establish
ms; mail service under the flag of the Union
ON the Atlantic; and most especially do 1 call
your attention to his recommendation for the
total abolition of the ranking privilege. This
Is an abuse from which no one receives a COM
fns advantage. 1t reduces the receipts
ior postal service from tSventy.fiye to thirty
per cent, and largely increases the services 10
be performed. The method by which posta ee
should be paid upon public matter is set forth
fully in the report of the Postmaster Gener al.
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
The report of the Secretary of the Interior
SHOWS that the quantity of public lands dis
posed OF during the year ending the goth of
June, 1869, was z, $3.50, 152 acres, exceeding that
OF the preceding year by 1,01O,4O acres OF
TINS amount 1899, 544 acres were sold for cash
ana 2,7o7 800 acres entered under the home-
stead laws The remainder was granted to aid
In the construction of the works of the inter
naI improvement apportioned to the States as
swamp lands, and located with warrants and
scrip. The cash receipts from all sources were
~, ,e86, exceeding those of the preceding
year $z,S4O,l4O. During the last fiscal wear
IS, i96 names were added to the pension roll,
1S7 oa cropped therefrom, leaving at its close
1ol, So5. The amount paid to pensioners. in
Guiding the compensation of disbursing agents.
was $28,42,884, an increase of SAIL .902 on
mat OF the previous year. The munifi ;ence of
congress has been conspicuously manifested
IN Its legislation for the soldiers and sailors
who suffered in the recent struggle to main
tain that unity of government which makes MS
one people. The additions to the pension roll
OF eacn successive year since the conclusion of
hostlllties result in great degree from the re-
Pealed amendments OF the act of the 18th of
July, Iooz, which extended its provisions to
cases not falling within its original scope. The
large outlay which is thus Occasioned is furth.
er increased by the more liberal allowance be-
slowed since that date upon those who in the
line OF duty were wholly or permanently dis
aDlea: IuDiic opinion has given an emphatic
will be conceded that no part of our nublic
burden is more cheerfu:ly borne than that
which Is imposed by this branch of the service
IL necesstates for the next fiscal year in addi.
tion 10 Inc arrangement Justly chargeable to
eae non ano pension fund, an appropriation of
THE PATENT OFFICE.
During the year ending the 3Oth of Septem-
Der, 1863, the Patent Office issued 1864 pa.
tents, and its receipts were 1868 $3.50, being |
s2l3,926 more than the expenditures.
EDUCATION OF FREEDMEN.
would respectfully call your attention to |
me recommendation of the Secretary of the |
Interior for uniting the duties of supsryisino |
he education of freedmen with the other du..
lies devolving upon the Commissioner of Edu-
,ation. VI '""
THE CENSUS.
If it is the desire of Congress to make the |
ensus which must be taken during the year |
o|o more complete and perfect than hereto |
ore, L would suggest the early action upon any |
,lan that may be agreed upon, as Congress at |
he last session annoi ;.+ao 49,