The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1869-12-09

were entered under the homestead /
laws. The remainder was granted
to aid in the construction OF work
for internal improvement, or approx.
ed to the States % swamp land, and
located with warrants aud scrip.
The cash receipts from aIl sources
were s4,472,8s6, exceeding those OF
the preceding year $2,s4O,l4o,
During the lsst fiscal year, %, 1876
names were added to the pension
rolls, and 4,87S dropped therefrom,
leaving ut its close 187, 1868. The
amount paid to pensioners, including
thee, mpentation ofdisbursing agents,
was $29, 422, 1884, an increase OF SAL
1872 on that of the previous year
The munificence OF Congress has been
conspicuouly manifested in it's legisla.
ton for the soldiers and sailors who
suffered in the recent struggle to
maintain that unity of rights which
makes us ore people.
The addition to the pension rolls
Of each successive year since the con-
clusion Of hostilities, result In great
degree from the repeated amendments
of the Act of the 18th Of July, 1862.
which extended it's provisions to
cases not falling within it's original
scope. Tho large outlay which is
thus occasioned, furth or increased to
the more liberal advance bestowed
since that dato upon those who in
the time Of duty were wholly or per-
nianently disabled. 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 beces.
states for the next fiscal year, in ad.
dition to the amount just char geable
to the Naval Pension Fund, an appro-
priation of $4,000, 900.
Daring the year ending the Both
Of September, 1869, the Patent Office
issued 1892 patents and its receipts
we're $685., $50, being $211,926 more
than the expenditures.
l would respectfully call your at
tentiOn to the recommendation Of the
Secretary of the interior for uniting
the duties of supervising the educa-
ton of freedmen, with the other du-
ties devolving upon the Commission
or 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 heretofore
l would suggest early action upon
any plan that may be agreed upon,
as Congress, at the last session, ap
pointed committee to take into con-
sideration such measures as might be
deemed proper in reference to the
census, and to report plan. l de-
sist from saying moro.
l recommend to your favorable
consideration the claims of the Agri-
cultural Bureau, for liberal appropri
atoms. In country so diversified
in climate and soil as ours, and with
q population so largely dependent up.
on agriculture, the benefits that can
be conferred by the people by foster
lag this bureau are incalcuIable.
l desire, respectfully, to call the at
tention OF Congress to the inadequate
salaries OF some Of the most impor-
tant officers OF the Government. In
this message I will not enumcrate
them, out will specify only the Jus.
ticcs of the Supreme Court. No
change has been mad in their sula-
ries for fifteen years Within that
time the labors Of the Court have
largely increased. and the expenses
of living have at least doubled. Dur
ing the samo time, Congress has
twice found it necessary to increase
largely the compensation Of its ow.,
members, and the duty which it owes
to another department Of the Govern
mont deserves, and will undoubtedly
receive, It's due consideration.
There are many subjects which
might with proprlety be introduced.
but 1 abstain, believing your patriot
ism and craftsmanship will suggest
the topics and legislation most con-
ducive to the interests of the whole
people. On my part I promise rig
i'd adherence to the laws and their
strict enforcement.
US. GRANT.