Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-12-24

Jag so,k. Of internal improvement vss iass-
rura,.d more ihas forty years since, IN the
grants to Indiana and Illinois to aid ihoss
state, in opening canals to connect the waters
Of the wabash With those Of Lake Erie. and
tho waters Il iliiaois with those OF Lake Mich
ican il was followed With some modihcatsou,
in the grant to Illinois OF alternate sections of
public land within certain limits Of the Illinois
Central Railroad.
Fourteen States and sundry corporations have
received similar subsidies in connection with
railroads completed, or in process Of consiruc-
ton As the reserved sections are rated At the
double minimum, the sale of them ut the en-
HANGED price has thus, in many instances, in
Identified the Treasury for the granted lands.
The construction of some Of these thorough.
fares has undoubtedly given vigorous impetus
to the development Of our resources and the
settlement of the more distant portions Of the
country.
1t may, however, be understood that much
of our legislation in this regard has been char
actcrized by indiscriminate and profuse liber-
atty. The United States should not loan their
credit in aid of any enterprise undertaken by
States or Corporation nor grant lands in any
instance, unless the projected work is of ac-
knowcdged national importance. am strong
~ inclined to the opinion that it is inexpedient
and unnecessary to bestow subsidies of either
description but should Congress determine
otherwise, l earnestly recommend that the
rights Of settlers and of the public be more ef-
fectdaly secured and protected by appropriate
legislation.
THE PATENT OFFICE.
During the year ending September 30, 1870,
there were filed in the Patent Office 10 All APP
plications for patents, 1914 caveats, and 1866
applications for the extension Of patents. 49,
622 patents, including issues and designs, were
issued; ITO extended, and ,Os9 allowed, but
not issued by reason Of the non-payment Of the
final fees. The receipts of the Office during
the fiscal year were $l36, 1904 10 in excess Of
its expenditures.
THE CENSUS.
The work of the Census Bureau has been en-
ergetically prosecuted. The preliminary vol
umes, containing much information of special
value and interest, will be ready for delivery
during the present session the remaining
volumes WILDE completed with all the despatch
consistent with perfect accuracy in arranging
and classifying the returns. We shall thus,
at no distant day, be furnished with an au-
thentic record of our condition and resources.
It will, / doubt not, attest the growing pros
perity of the country, although, during the
decade which has just closed, twas so severe
ly tried by the great war waged to maintain its
integrity, and to secure and perpetuate our
free institutions.
During the last fiscal year, the sum paid to
pensioners, including the costs of disburse-
ment, was $27 ,7S0,sll II, and 1853 bounty
land warrants were issued. At this close
1913, 1855 names were on the pension rolls. The
labors of the Pension Office have been directed
to the severe scrutiny of the evidence submit
ted in favor Of new claims to the discovery
Of fictitious claims, which have been hereto
fore allowed. The appropriation for the en-
ployment Of special agents for the investiga-
ton of frauds, has been judiciously used, and
the results Of it have been of unquestionablc
benefit to the service.
AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION.
The subjects Of Education and Agriculture
are of great interest to the success Of our Re-
publican Institutions, and our happiness and
grandeur as nation. In the int rests of one,
| q bureau has been established in the Interior
Department-the Bureau of Education-and
in the interest Of the other a separate depart
ment, that Of Agriculture. / believe great
good is to flow from the operations Of both
| these bureaus. if properly fostered. I cannot
commend to your careful consideration too
highly the reports of the Commissioners of
Education and Of Agriculture, nor urge too
strongly such liberal legislation as to secure
their efficiency.
| In conclusion. would sum up the policy OF
the Administration to be a thorough enforce
ment Of every law. a faithful collection of taxes
provided for, economy in the disbursement OF
the same, prompt payment Of the debt Of the
Nation, q reduction of taxes as rapidly as the
requirments Of the country will admit, reduc-
ton oftaxation and tariff to be so arranged
as to afford the greatest good to the greatest
number, honest and fair dealings with all other
people, to the end that war, with all its blight
ing consequences, may be avoided, but without
surrendering any right or obligation due to us
a reform in the treatment of the Indians, and
in the whole civil service of the country, and,
snally, in securing sure, untrammeled ballot,
when every man entitled to cast vote may do
30 just once, at each election, without fear Of
molestation or prescription on account Of his
political faith, nativity or color.
U. 8. GRANT. 1
Executive Mansion, Washington, D. c.,
December 5th, 1870.
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