The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1870-12-15

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been vigorously the full extent of the
means applicable to the purpose. The quantity of
land in the market will amply supply the present
demand. The claim of the settlers under the home
stead or -emption laws is not however limited to
lands subject to sale at private entry Any unappro
p .A.eS surveyed public land may limited aniout
be acquired under the former laws if the party enti
tied to entsr under them will comply with the re-
quirements they prescribe in regard TO residence and
cultivation.
The actual settlers preference to right of purchase
is even broader, and extends to lands which
surveyed ut the time of hs settlement. His right
formerly confined with much narrower limits
and at period of history, conferred only
by special statutes They enacted from time to
time to legaIize what was then regarded unau-
thor zed intrusion upon the public domain The
opinion .Lat the public lands should be regarded
chiefly AS source of revenue is no longer maintain
ed The rapid settlement and cultivation of them is
now justly considered of more importance to our
wellbeing than is the fund which the sale of them
would produce. The remarkable growth and pros
perty of our new States and Territories attest the
wisdom of the legislation which invites the tiller of
the soil to secure permanent home on terms within
the reach of all. The pioneer who incurs the dan
gers and prvations of frontier le and thus aids in
wing the foundation of the commonwealth,
renders signal service this country. and Is entitled
to its special favor ard protection. The laws secure
that object and largely promote the general welfare
They should, therefore, be cherished permanent
feature of our land system Good faith requires US
to give full effect to existing grants.
The -honored and benifcenI policy CT setting
apart certain sections of public land for educational
purposes in the new States should be continued.
When ample provision shall have beec made for
these Objects submit, question: worthy OF ser
consideration, whether the residue of nation
al domain should not be wholly disposed of under
the provisions of the homestead and presumption laws
INTERNAL IapRovEME~Ts.
In addition to the swamp and overlooked lands
granted to the States in which they situated the
lands taken under the Agricultural College acts for
internal improvement purposes, under the act OF
September 1871, and the acts supplemental thereto,
there had been conveyed up to the close of the IFS
cal year, by patent other equivalent evidence OF
title, to States and corporations, q $50 257 1900
acres for railways, canals and wagon-roads; and it
is estimat ed that additional quantity of ia, 523
acres is still due under grants for like uses.
The policy of thus aiding the States in building
| works of internal Improvement was inaugurated
than forty years since in the grants to Indiana
and Illinois aid those States i'll opening canals to
connect the waters of the Wabash with those of Lake
Michigan. 1t was followed, with some notifications,
in the grant to Illinois of alternate sections of public
land within certain limits. to aid in the construction
of the Illinois Central Railway. Fourteen States and
sundry corporations have received similar subsidies
in connection with railways completed in process
of construction. AS the reserved sections rated
at donble the minimum the sale of them at the en-
HANGED price has thus in many instances Unidentified
the Treasury for the granted lands. The conStruc-
tion of some of these horoughfares has undoubte y
given vigorous impetus to the development of our
and the settlement cf the distant por-
tons of the country. 1t may however, be well insist
ed that much of our legislation in this regard has
been characterized by ndiscrlminae and prouse lib
| eralty. The United States should loan their
credit in aid of enterprise undertaken by States
or corporations, nor grant lands in any instace
less the projected work is of acknowledged national
| impoT lance. am strongly inclined to the opinion
that it is inexpeient and unnecessary to bestow SUBJ
sides Of either description; but should Congress de-
| termine otherwise, i earnestly recommend that the
rights ofsettlers and ofthe public be effectualy
secured and protected by appropriate legislation
THF PANENT OFFICE
! During the year ending September 80, 1870 there
were filed in the Patent Office l94l1 applications for
patents 3,374 and applications for the
and designes, issued ITO extended and OS9 al
lowed, but not issued by of the non-payment
of the final fees. The receipts of the Office during
the fiscal year were 20 in excess of its
penditures.
| The work of the Census Bureau has been energet
icalIy prosecuted The preliminary report containing
much Information of special value and interest will
be ready for delivery during the present session. The
remaining volumes will be completed with all the
dispatch consistent with perfect accuracy in arrang
ing and classifying the returns. We shall thus nc
distant day be furnished with authentic record OF
our condition and resources. 1t will doubt not, at
test the growing prosperity of the country although
during the decade which has just closed it SO
severely tried by the great waged to maintain its
integrity and to secure and perpetute free instu
| tons.
PENSIONS.
| During the fiscal year the sum paid to pensioners
including the cost of disbursement $2I ST.
II and 1853 bounty land warrants issued. At
its close 19s6s6 names were on the pension rolls
The Iabors OF the Pension Office have been directed
to the severe scrutiny of the evidence submitted in
favor of new claims and to the discovery of fictitious
claims which have been heretofore allowed. The APP
preparation for the employment of special agents for
the investigation OF frauds has ben judciously used
and the results of it have been of unquestionable
benefit to the service.
| EDUCATION AND AGRICULTURE
| The subject of e lucation and agriculture OF
G. eat interest to the of republican insti
| buttons, and orr happiness and grandure a nation
In the interests of bureau has been established
| in the Interior Depart1nent-the Bureau Of Educa
ton and in the interests of the other separate de-
| partment-that of Agriculture. / believe great
| general good is to flow from the operations of both
! these bureaus. if properly foster.d.
| cannot commend to your careful consideration
| too highly the reports cf the Commissioners of Ed
| ucation and of Agriculture nor urge too strongly
| SUMMING UP.
| In conclusion, would sum mp the policy of the
| Administration to be thorough endorsements of ev
| cry law; faithful collection of every tax provided
for, and economy in tbs disbursement of the same
| prompt payment of the debt of the nation re
duction of taxes rapidly the requirements OF
| the country will admit, reduction &C taxation ant
tariff to be arranged as to afford thu greatest relic
to the greatest number; honest and fair dealing witt
all people, to the end that with all its blightins
consequences may be avoided, but without surrender
ing ally right obligation dine to us; reform in thu
treatment af the Indians and the whole civil servic
of the country and finally il securing a pure, I'm
! trameed ballot, where every entitled to cast
| vote may do so just at each election withou
fear of molestation prescription account Of hi,
| political faith, nativity, or color.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dec. s, 1870.