Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-12-17

AHotaio 4tO uldtteF Wult uSut W Dt JIG
relations between such settlements and the
aborigines, the fact is that they do not har-
monte we'll, and one or the other has to give
way in the end. A system which looks to
the extinction of a race is too horrible for a
nation to adopt without entail!ng upon itself
the wrath of all Christendom, and engeGder-
ing in the citizen Il disregard for human life
and the rights of others dangerous to society.
[ see no substitute for such system except
in placing all the Indians on large reserva-
tions as rapidly as it con be done, and giving
them absolute protection there. As soon as
they arc fitted for it they should be induced
to take their lands in seycralty and to set up
territorial governments for their own protcc-
ton. For full details on this subject | call
your special attention to the reports of the
Secretary Of the Interior and the Commits
sioner of Indian Affairs.
TIE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., &c.
The recommendation Of the General of
+, the Army that appropriations be made for
the forts at Boston, Portland, New York,
Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Fran
cisco, is concurred in.
call special attention to the recommended
tons of the Chief Of Ordinance 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 prohibiting
promotions in the staff corps Of the army be
repealed The extent Of country to be gar
risoned and the number Of military posts to
be occupied is the same with a reduced army
as with large one. The number of staff
officers required is more dependent on the
latter than the former condition.
The report Of the Secretary Of the Navy
accompanying this shows the condition of
the navy, When this Administration came
into office, and by changes made since, siren
uous efforts have been made to place as many
vessels in commission, OR render them fit for
service when required, as possible, and to
substitute the sail for steam while cruising,
thus materially reducing the expense Of the
navy and adding greatly to its efficiency
Looking to our future, [ recommend a hber-
al though not extravagant policy towards
this branch of the public service.
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Postmaster General fur
nishes clear and comprehensive exhibit of
the operations of the postal service and OF
the financial condition of the PostoAice De-
partment The ordinary postal revenues for
the year ending June 80, 1869, amounted
to S16,444. $40, and the expenditures to
S23,69S,131. Your attention is respect
fully called to the recommendation made by
the Postmaster General for authority to
change the rate of compensation to the main
trunk-railway lines, for their services in car
rying the mails, for having post-route maps
executed, for recognizing and increasing
the efficiency Of the special agency service,
for the increase Of the mail service of the
Pacific, and for establishing mail service I'm.
der the flag of the Union in the Atlantic
and most especially do I call your attention
to his recommendation for the total abolition
Of the franking privilege. This is an abuse
advantage. Itreduces the receipts for posta
service from twenty-five to thirty per cent.
and largely increases the service to be per.
formed.
THE PATENT OFFICE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT,
During the year ending September 80,
1869, the Patent Office issued 1892 pat
ents, and its receipts were $3.50, 1889, being
1913 926 more than the expenditures.
respectfully call your attention to the
recommendation Of the Secretary Of the In
terror for uniting the duties Of supervising
the education of freedmen with the other du-
ties devolying upon the Commissioner of
Education.
If it is the desire of Congress to make the
census during the year 1870 more complete
and perfect, 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 re-
ference to the census, and to report plan,
desist from saying more.
l recommend to your favorable considera-
ton the claims of the Agricultural Bureau
for liberal appropriations In a country SO
diversified in climate and soil as ours, and
with population so largely dependent upon
agriculture, the benefits that can be confer
red by properly fostering this Bureau are
incalculable.
I desire respectfully to call the attention
of Congress to the inadequate salaries of a
number of the most important officers of the
Government. In this message I will moi
enumerate them, but will specify 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 increased, and the expeu-
ses of living have at least doubled. During
the same time Congress has twice found it
necessary to increase largely the compensa-
ton of its own members. and the duty it owes
to another department. Of the Government
deserves, and will doubtless receive, due
consideration.
CONCLUSION.
There are many subjects not alluded to in
this message which might with propriety be
introduced, but abstain, believing that
your patriotism and craftsmanship will sug-
gest the topics and the legislation most con-
duciye to the interests of the whole people,
On my part 7 promise rigid adherence to
the laws and their strict enforcement.
U. S. GRANT.
Washington, December 6, 1869.
lNcoMPREHENsIBLE.- are three things
i l. H..