Mower County transcript., 1869-12-16


s967,53s. The increased revenue
in 1868 by 1896. 1856, and the in
was 81, 527, $40 less than the increased ex-
penditures in 1867, showing, by conpsri-
son, this gratifying feature of improve
ment, that while the increase of expendi-
lures over the increase of receipts in 1868
was So. 439, 536, the increase Of receipts
over the increase of expenditures in 1868,
was 81, 1854, 81.
Your attention is respectfully called to
made by the Postmaster
General, for authority to change the rate of
to the main trunk railroad
lines for their services in carrying the
mails; for having post route maps executed,
for recognizing and increasing the eficien-
cy of the special agency service, for increase
of the mail service on the Pacific and for
establishing mail service under the flag
of the Union on the Atlantic, and most es-
pecially Do I call your attention to his re-
commendation for total abolition of the
franking privilege. This is an abuse from
which no one receives commensurate ad
vantage. It reduces the receipts for postal
service from twenty five to thirty per cent.
and largely increases the service to be per-
formed. The method by which postage
should be paid upon public matter is set
forth fully in tho report OF the Postmaster
General.
The report Of the Secretary of the Inte-
rior shows that the quantity of public
lands disposed of during the year ending
goth of June, 1869, was Z, ,666, 152 acres, ex-
ceeding that Of the previous year by l..
ono, 400 acres. OF this amount 2:899, ,544
acres were sold for cash, and 2,737, 365
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 $4,472,8 ,885, exceeding those OF the
previous year S2, $40, ,140.
During the last fiscal year %, 1O6 names
were added to the pension rolls, and 4,676
dropped therefrom, leaving at its close
187,063. The amount paid to pensioners,
including the compensation to disbursing
agents, was s28, 422,8S4, an increase
Of SAL, 1872 on that of the previous year.
The munifcence Of Congress has been con-
spicuously manifested in its legislation for
recent struggle to maintain that unity Of
The additions to the pension rolls Of each
succeeding year since the conclusion Of
hostilities result in q great degree from the
repeated amendments of tho act of
the 18th of July. 1862, 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
1owancs bestowed since thatss date 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
imposed by this branch of the service. 1t
Qeoessitates for the next fiscal year,
in addition to the am ount just chargeable to
tho naval pension fund. An appropriation
of thirty million dollars.
During the year ending the 3Oth of Sep
tember, 1869, the Patent Office issued Is,
762 patents, and its receipts were S683, 289,
being $213, 926 more than the expenditures.
Iwould respectfully call your attention
to the recommendation of the Secretary OF
the Interior for uniting the duties of super.
vising the education of tho 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 committee to
take into consideration such measures as
might be deemed proper in reference to
the coming census, and to report plan,
desist from saying more.
recommend to your favorable consider
alton the claims of the Agricultural
Bureau for liberal appropriation in a
country 30 diversified in climate and soil as
ours, and with population so largely de-
pendent upon agriculture, the benefits that
can be conferred by properly fostering this
bureau, are incalculable.
Idesire, respectfully, to call the attention
of Congress to the inadequate salaries Of q
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 its own men,
bers, and the duty which it owes to another
department of the government deserves,
and will undoubtedly receive, its; due con-
sideration. i, -.
There are many subjects not alluded to in
this message which might with propriety
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-
forcement. U. s. GRANT.