The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09

upon INC ndtlOnHi domain. Inc Opln-
ion that the public lands should be re-
garded chiefly as source of revenue Is
no longer maintained. The rapid set
tlement and successful cultivation of
them are now justly considered of more
importance TO our well being than il
the fnnd which the sale of them would
produce. The remarkable growth and
prosperity of our new States and Terri
tories at the West--the wisdom of the
legislation which invites the tiller of
the soil to secure permanent home on
terms within the reach of all, the pio-
neer who incurs the dangers and priva-
tions of frontier life, and thus aids in
laying the foundation of new COM
monwealth, renders signal service to
his country and is entitled to its special
favor and protection. These laws se-
cure that object and largely promote
the general welfare. They should,
therefore, be cherished, as permanent
feature of our land system. Good faith
requires us to give full effect to existing
grants. The time honored and benefi.
cent policy of setting apart certain sec
tions of public lands for educational
purposes in the new States should be
continued. When ample provisions
shall have been made for these objects
submit as question worthy of seri-
GUS consideration whether the residue
OF our national domain should not be
wholly disposed of under the provisions
OF the homestead and pre-emption
laws.
In addition to the swamp and over
Il WED lands gra itsi u the States In
which they are situated, the lands taken
aud the agricultural college acts for
tn,ernai Improvement pu poses, under
the tct of 5epteinopr, 1871, and the acts
qi "A. al l..1
c'svry,,'i. up to the close of the last
fi,c.-. e.-,r, ~ pateut or other equiva-
lelt esllsnca Il ti'le, To States aud cor
pJrt..D y y S36 2j7 SO ,cres for railways,
cana's ,'i1 wagon roads. 1t is estima
ted 's ~U iitiona quantity of IVA,
735 5l6 80 90 Hll du uuder grants
Hr ~ , 'he States
"a 81 llterhal improve.
m-s HaA&urta'd more tiiau forty
yiar ilta 4 ~ grants iu Indie IA and
liliyti> ~ 500 tnf's. states in opening
c,.ilal, Vpt lf't tp3 Water vi the Wa
bosa bose . Lake Ell, aud the
waIsf na Illinois with those Of Lake
s1 .1uaNsl Win me III difica-
Figur al .ls gan. - Ilinpis Oi alternate
Eeellon. oi .iupiG ltud within certain
limits 81 the lliluOlS Central railway.
Fourteen states anJ sundry corpora
tions have secured similar subsidies in
connection with raj ways completed or
in process of construction, as tue reserv-
ed sections are rated at the double min
imun. The sales of them at the en-
CHANGED price has thus in many instan-
ces indemnitied the Treasury for the
granted bonds.
The construction of some of these
thoroughiares has undoubtedly given a
vigorous impulse to the development of
our resources and the settlement of the
more distant portions of the country.
1t may, however, be well insisted that
much of our legislation in this regard
has been characterized by indiscrimi.
nate and profuse liberality. The United
States should not loan their credit in
aid of any enterprise undertaken by
States or corporations, nor grant lands
in any instance, unless the projected
work is of acknowledged national
importance.
1 am strongly inclined to the opinion
that it is inexpedient and unnecessary
to bestow subsidies of either descrip-
ton, but should Congress determine
otherwise earnestly recommend that
the rights of settlers and of the public
be more effectually secured and protect
ed by appropriate legislation.
During the year ending September
80, 1870, there were filed in the Patent
Office l9,4ll applications for patents. g.
374 caveats and 100 applications for the
extension of patents. 1862 patents,
including reissues and designs, were is
sued, ITO extended and 1859 allowed,
but not issued by reason of the nonpay-
ment of the final fees. The receipts OF
the Office during the fiscal year were
e136, ,404. 20 in excess of its expenditures.
The WORK of the Census Bureau has
been energeticaliy prosecuted. The
preliminary report containing much in
formation of special value and inter
est will De ready for delivery during
the present session. The remaining vol
ume5 Will be completed with all the dis
patch consistent with perfect accuracy
In arranging and Classifying the returns.
We shall mus al no distant day be fur
nisheu With an au.neutic record of our
coDui.ion aud resources. 1t will doubt
mot, test the growing prosperity of
the S'.uniry.
A'er.dsn ddfiIg the decade which
hao1nsi u Is'i, II Was severely tried by
the lis.st war wsseu 10 maintain its in
te6ri $, Htiu 10 secure ana perpetuate
our i'se in>,ituuuns, during the last
hseA 'sif A- st-u paid 10 pensioners,
lhti';t --at- 81 -hu I'm mt, was
- !-o.c it. ua los 1Fulty Ia al
49, l9s, ,6S6
i% -Iiu tOfi.
-a.ss l.e u-t.a OH utv,
Lea ga.'.y u
tpa i,l-e slusAllt.a - !avG. Of 4 ev
siaiils aHa W no ulr very NJ ticuuou
eitlfl u+tl l4Fe nvi II heIet, fore al
CIV Ey HFilItiOu for ii!e EN-
pi Hn ~ f-t1aI tstll, [ r i.i. inVus
Ia Iaa-s it- ue u a l. o4lSiS
tsaQ a44 su5 flaull, ODtaiurd have
be~o VI uHquesuonaD.e Oeneht to tn,
5efvice.
he suhjecls of education and asricul
ture aIe o. great Interest 10 the success
Oh our republican institutions, happi
mess and grandeur as a nation. In tn
interest of Que bureau has been estab
lished iii the Interior Department--th
Bureau of Education. In the interes
OF the other Is a separate depart ment-
that OF agriculture. l believe grea
general good is TO flow from the opers
tions OF both these bureaus if properl
fostered.
i cannot commend to your Garrett
consideration too highly the reports {
the commissioners of education an
agriculture nor urge too strongly sue
liberal legislation as TO secure the
efficiency.
In conclusion L would sum up tn
policy of the administration to be
thorough enforcement OF every law,
faithful collection of every tax prov
ded for, economy in the disbursement
OF the same, prompt payment of ever
debt OF the nation, reduction OF take
as rapidly as the requirements of I'll
country will admit, reductions of tax
tion and tariff to be so arranged as [
afford relief TO the gratest number, hol
est and fair dealings with all other pc,
pic, to the end that war, with all
blighting consequences, may be avoi
ed, but without surrendering any rigl
or obligation due to us. A reform
our treatment of the Indians, and
the whole civil service of the countr
and, finally. In securing a pure, III