Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-06

policy, either of protection or
redress. Separated by the ocean from
the nations of the eastern continent, our
navy is our means of direct protection to our
citizens abroad, and for the enforc ,ment Of
our foreign policy. The accompanying re-
port Of the Postmaster General, shows a
most satisfactory working of that depart
ment. With the adoption of the recommen-
datons contained therein. particularly those
relating to the franking privilege, and the
adoption of the correspondence cards, self
sustaining postal system may speadiy be
looked for, and at no distant day, a further
reduction of the rate of postage may be at
tanned
| recommend the authorization by Con-
gress to the Postmaster General and At
torney General to issue all commissions to
officials appointed through their respective
departments. At present, those commissions
when the appointments are presidential, are
issued by the State Department. The laws
in all departments of the government, except
those of the Post Office and Justice, authorize
each to issue its own commissions.
Always tavoring practical reform. | re-
spectfully call your attention to one abuse of
long standing, which l would like to see
remedied by this Congress 1t is reform in
the civil service of lie country. l would
have it go beyond tie mere fixing of the
terms of clerks and employees, who do not
require the advice and consent of the Senate
to make their appointments complete. 1woud
have it govern, not the tenure but the man
ner of all appointments.
The re is no duty which so much embarrasses
the executive and heads of departments, as
that of appointments, nor Is there any such
arduous and thankless labor as that of find
ing places for constituents. The present
system does not secure the best men, and
of for
place. The elevation and publication of the
civil service of the government will be hailed
with approval by the whole people of the
| United States.
The reform in the management OF the
Indian Affairs, has received the special at
ten,Ion of the Administration, from the in
auguration to the present day. The expert
ment OF making missionary work with a
few agencies given to the denomina-
ton of friends, has been found to
work advantageously. All agencies and
superintendencies not SO disposed of
were given to officers of the army. The
act Of Congress reducing the army rend-
ers army officers ineligible for civil positions.
The Indian agencies being civil offices, l de-
termined to give all the agencies to such re-
ligious denominations as had heretofore es-
tablIshed missionaries among the Indians, and
perhaps to some other denominations who
would undertake the work on the same terms
as missionary works. The societies select
ed are allowed to name their own agents,
subject TO the approval of the Executive, and
are expected to watch over them and aid them
as missionaries to christanize and civilizc the
Indian and to train him in arts of peace. The
government watches over the official acts of
.hese agents. and requires of them as strict an
accountability rs if they were appointed in
any other manner. | entertain confident
hopes that the policy now pursued will in
few years bring all Indians upon reservations.
when they wi live in houses, have school
houses and churches, and will be pursuing
peaceful and self-sustaining avocatlons, and
where they may be visited by the law abiding
white man with the same impunity that he
now visits the civilized white settlements. |
call your special attention to the report of the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs for full infor-
nation on this subject.
During the last fiscal year s,095, Alb acres
of public land were disposed of. OF this
quantity 3,69S,9l0 5-l00 acres were taken
under the homestead law, and 2, $780, l5 ST.
! 100 acres were sold for cash. The remainder
was located with the military warrant college,
OF Indian scrip. or applied in satisfactory
grants to railroads or further public uses.
The entries under the homestead law during
the last fiscal year covered 96l ,545 acres
more than those during the preceding year.
The surveys have been vigorously prosecuted
to the full extent of the means applicable to
the purposes. The quantity of land in the
market will amply supply present demands.
The claim of the settler under the homestead
or the presumption laws is not, however, linn
tied to land subject to sale at private entry. An
unappropriated survey of the public land may
TO limited amount be acquired under former
laws, if the party entitled to enter under them
will comply with the requirements they pre-
scribe in r, gard to residence and cultivation
The actual settlers preference to the right of
purchase is even broader, and extends to
| lands which were unsurveyed at the time of
his settlement His right was formerly con-
fined within much narrower limits, and at one
period of our history was conferred only by
special status. They were enacted for the
time to legalize what was then regarded as an
unauthorized intrusion the national do
main. The opinion that the public lands
should be regarded chiefly as a source of rev.
enue, is no longer maintained. The rapid
settlement and successful cultivation of them
is now justly considered Of more Importance
to our well being than the fund which the sale
OF them would produce. The remarkable
growth and prosperity of our new states and
territories attest the wisdom of the legisla-
ton, which invites the tller of the soil to Sc
cure permanent home on terms within reach
of all
The pioneer who incurs the dangers and
privaton of frontier life, and thus aids in
laying the foundation of new commonwealth
renders a signal service to his country, and is
entitled to its special care and protection.
The laws secure that object and largely pro-
mote the general welfare. They should there
fore be cherished as a permanent feature of
our land system. Good faith requires us to
give full effect to the existing grants. The
time honoreu and benefcent practice of set
ting apart certain sections of public lands for
educational purposes in the new State, should
be continued. When ample provision shall
have been made tor these objects, submit as
a question worthy of serious consideration,
whether the residue of our national domain
should not be wholly disposed of under the
provisions of homestead and presumption laws.
In addition to the swamps and overfowed
lands granted to the States in which they are
situated, the lands taken under the agricul-
tural coll eye acts and for internal improvement
purposes under the act of Congress, 1871, and
the acts supplemental thereto. there has been
conveyed up TO the close of the last fiscal
wear, patent or other equivalent evidence of