The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-12-09

country. I wo.ld have !. 50 beyond the mere
ployces, who do not require 'the advice and con-
sent Of the Senate TO makc their appointments
complete. would have Il govern not the
There i no duty which so much em6arTasses the
Executive and heads OF departments rs that OF
appointments, nor is there any such arduous and
thankless labor As that OF finding places for con.
stituents. The present system does not secure
the best men, and often not even nc men, for
public place. The elevation and publication OF
the civil service Of the government will he hailed
States.
THE RED NAN AND TIE MISSIONARIES.
The reform In the management Of Indian
Affairs has received the special attention OF the
administration nom the Inauguration 70 the pres-
WORK q IL was Tried with II fsW AGENCIES given 70
the denomination OF Friends, and has been found
70 work advantageously. All agencies and su.
perintendencies not 80 disposed OF were given to
The act Of Congress reducing zoe army, renders
army officers ineligible for civil positions. The
Indian agencies being civil Offices, determined
nations as had heretofore cstabshcd mIssiona-
ries among the Indians, and perhaps 10 somo
other denominations who would undertake the
The societies selected are allowed % name their
own agents, subject 20 the approval OF the Exec.
utiye, and are expected 10 watch over them and
aid them ~ missionaries, n christianiIe and civ.
Hire the Indian and TO train him In the arts Of
peace. f... .. ......
The government watches over the Official acts
OF these agents and requires Of them as strict nm
other manner. entertain the confident belief
that the policy now pursued win In few years
bring all Indians upon reservations where they
will live In houses, have school houses and
churches and will DO pursuing peaceful and self.
sustaining avOcations, and where they may be
visited by the Law, abiding white man with the
same impunlty that he now visits the civilized
call your special attention to the report OF the
Commissioned Of Indian Anairs, for full iuforma-
ton ON this subject .........
THE PUBLIc LANDS.
! During the last fiscal year s.oas, tl3 acres OF
public land were disposed or or this quantity
3,6ss, 80 5-l0o acres were taken underline Home
stead law, and SIS s.loO acres were sold for
cash. The remainder was located with the mill.
tary warrant college, or Indian scrip, or applied
In satisfactory grants TO railroads or for other
public uses. The entries under the Homestead
law during the last fiscal year covered s6l SIS
The surveys have been vigorously prosecuted TO
the full extent Of the means applicable 10 the
purposes. The quantity Of land In the market
will amply supply the present demand;
or the presumption laws, IL not. however, limited
TO land subject to sale Mt private entry. An I'm.
appropriated survey OF the public land may, TO q
laws, if the party entitled to enter under them
will comply with the requirements they pre-
scribed In regard 10 residence and cultivation.
franchise Is even broader and extends 70 lands
which were unsurveyed at the time OF his settle.
ment. His right Was formerly confined within
much narrower limits AMI a. one pssio s,s o, our
They were enacted for the time TO iegallze what
was then regarded rs an unauthorized Intrusion
on the national domain. The opinion that the pub.
revenue Is no longer maintained. The rapid set.
Element and successful cultivation OF them Is now
Justly considered OF more Importance 10 our well.
being than Is the funds which the sale OF them
The remarkable growth and prosperity OF our
new States land Territories attest the wisdom OF
the legislation which invites the tillcr OF the soil
10 secure q permanent home on terms within
reach OF all. The pioneer who incurs the dangers
and priyations OF frontier life, and thus aids In
laying the foundation OF new commonwealth
renders signal service to his country and Is
entitled TO It's special care and protection. The
laws secure that object and largely promote the
general welfare. They should, therefore, be
cherished ms . permanent feature OF our land
system. Good faith requires us TO give full effect
The time honorcd and benencent policy of set.
ting apart certain sections OF public land for edu.
cational purposes in the new states should lie
continued. When ample provision shall have
been made for the objects, submit rs question
worthy OF serious consideration, whether the resi-.
due OF our national domain should not be wholly
stead and presumption laws.
In addition To the swamp and OverfOwed lands
granted 10 the States In which they are situated,
the lands taken under the agricultural college acts
and for internal improvement purposes under
the act OF Sept, 1871, and the acts supplemental
thereto, there had been conveyed up TO the close
evidence OF title TO States and corporations 49,.
362 $40 3.lO0 acres for railways, canals and wag.
on roads. IL 10 estimated that IN additional
quantity Of lH,135 SIS acres Is still due under
mi a I'm a.
The policy of thus aiding the States In building
works Of internal Improvement was inaugurated
more than forty years since In the grants TO
Indiana and Illinois 10 aid those states In
opening q canal TO connect the waters Of the
Wabash with those OF Lake Erie, and the
waters Of Illinois, with those OF Lake Michigan.
It was followed with some notifications In the
grant 10 Illinois, OF alternate sections OF public
land within certain limits OF the Illinois Central
Railway. Fourteen states and sundry corpora.
tons have received similar subsidies In connec.
ton with the railways completed or in process OF
construction.
As the reserved sections are rated ut the double
minimum, the sale of them at the enhanced price
has thus, In many instances, indemnined the
Treasury for the granted land. The construction
OF some or these thOroughfares has undoubtedly
given vigorous impetus 70 the Developments OF
our resources and the settlement Of the more dis
tant portions OF our country. IL may, however
be we'll insisted that much Of our legislation, In
this regard, has been characterized by indiscTmi
nate and profuse liberality. The United States
should mol loan their credit In aid Of any enter
prise undertaken by States or Corporations, nor
grant lands IN any instance, unless the projected
work IL Of acknowledged Importance. 1 am
strongly inclined to the opinion that It is incxpe
dent and unnecessary 10 bestow subsidies OF
either description, but should Congress- determine
otherwise, earnestly recommend that the rights
Of settlers and Of the public DO more effectually
secured and protected by appropriate legislation.
PATIENTS.
During The year ending September 30th, 1870,
there were filed In the Patent Ofice l9,tIl sppli
cations Tor patents, 1874 caveats and lG0 applica-
including Reissues and designs. were Issued, iiOS
extended and 1919 allowed, hut not issued by
reason Of the nonpayment Of the final fees. The
receipts OF the ofhce during the hscal year were
els G3O, ed In excess OF Its expenditures.
TIE CENSUS.
The work OF the census bureau has been ener.
getically prosecuted. The preliminary reports
containing much information OF special value and
interest will be ready for delivery during the
completed with all the dispatch consistent with
perfect accuracy 10 arranging and classifying the
returns. We shall thus nj no distant day be f,ir-
nished with an authentic account OF our condition
growing prosperity OF the country, although
during the decade which has just closed u was
severely tried by the great war waged to maintain
Its integrity and to secure and Pcrpetuate our
free Institutions.
PENSIONS.
During the last fscal year the sum paid to pen.
eiOners, including the cost OF disbursements, WAS
t27, ~, and 1853 bounty land warrants were
issued. AT Its close lis.GS names we're on the
pension rolls. The labors OF tie pension ofice
have been directed 10 a severe scrutiny OF the
evidence submitted In favor Of law claimr, and To
the discovery OF fictitious claims which have
been heretofore allowed. The appropriation for
the employment OF special agents for estgation
OF frauds has been judiciously used, and the re.
suits obtained have been Of unquestionablc bene.
1T TO the service. OIL. --rHs
EDUCATION AND AGRICULTURE.
The subjects Of education and agriculture are
of great interest TO the success OF our republican
institutions and TO our happiness and grandeuras
q nation. In the interest Of one q bureau has
been established In the interior department, the
Bureau of Education, and In the interest OF tho
other q separate department, that Of Agriculture.
believe that great general good 10 10 now from
the operations OF both Of these bureaus, II proper.
iy fostercd. I cannot commend to your careful
consideration too highly the reports Of the Com.
missioncrs OF Education and Agriculture. nor
urge too strongly such liberal legislation rs TO
secure their efficiency. ''.' .'. .'
CONCLUSION
In conclusion would sum mp the policy OF the
administrator 10 be q thorough enforcement Of
every law; . faithful collection OF the revenue;
economy In the disbursement OF the same; q
syu,a af nv N uAIiOU N