Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1870-12-15

KIND OF revenue reform. 1t has not been
| defined by any of its advocates to nv
knowledge, and seems to be accepted
as something which is to supply every
mans wants without any cost or effort Oh
his part.
True revenue reform cannot be made in
day, but must be the work of national
| legislation and of time. AS soon as the
revenue can be dispensed with, all duty
should be removed from coffee, tea, and
other articles of universal use not produced
by ourselves. The necessities of the coun-
try compel US to collect revenue from our
/ imports, An army of assessors and collec-
tors is not q pleasant sight to the citizen.
but that of a tariff for revenue is necessary.
Such tariff, SO far as it acts in encour-
agement of home prouducts, affords exper-
iment to labor at living wages in contrast
to the pauper, labor of the old world, and
also in the development of home resour-
ces It % 9la htE HliC1u
Under the act Of Congress of the 18th
day of july, 1870, the army has gradually
been reduced SO that on the 1st of .Janua-
ry, 1871, the number of commissioned
officers and men wi / not exceed the num-
Der contemplated by law. The report Of
the Secretary of War shows very satisfac-
tory reduction inthe expense of the army
for the last fiscal year. The expenses Of
the navy for the whole of the last year
from December, 1869, to date of the last
report, are less than SIS 100000, or about
100000 less than 18th they were the pre-
q.
The accompanying report Of the POST
master General shows most satisfactory
working of that department With the
recommendation contained therein, partic-
ularly the legislating to reform in the
franking privilege, and the adoption Of
correspondence cards, self.sustaining pos
tai system may be speedily looked for.
and at no distant day further reduction
of the rate of postage be attained. ,
| respectfully call your attention to one
abuse of long Standing which would like
to see remedied by this Congress Itis
reform in the civil service Of the country.
would advise to 90 beyond the mere
fixing of the tenure of office of clerks and
employees who do not require the advice
and consent of the Senate. There is no
duty which so much embarresses the Exc
cutive and heads Of departments as that
of appointment, nor is there any such ard
uous and thankless labor imposed on Sena-
tors and Representatives as that of finding
places for constituents. The present sys-
TEN does not secure the best men and not
aften fit men for rpublic place. The eleva-
ton and publication of the civil service Of
the Government will be hailed with appro-
val by the whole people of the United
States. ~s,r,-r ---v ~s- rr1u
During the last fiscal year s,095.411
300 acres Of Of public land were disposed.
OF this grant, 3G 1888, 900 were taken un-
der homestead law, and 2l5,351,5Sl
sold for cash. The remainder was located
in military warrant, college or Indian scrip,
or applied in satisfaction of grants to re-
lieve railroads or for other public uses.-
The entries under the homestead laws du-
ring the past year, covered 96l ,545 acres
more than those during the preceding
year. f.
The remarkable growth and prosperity
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 reach of all.
There has been conveyed, up to the close
of the last fiscal year, by patent or other
equivalent evidences of titles to States
and corporations, 2,7S3, ,257,I3O, acres
for railways, canals and wagon roads
1t is estimated that an additional guam
tity of 174,735,523 acres is still due
for like uses. 5a The policy for thus
aiding the States in building works Of
internal Improvement was inaugprated
more than forty years since, on the grants
to Indiana and Illinois on opening canals to
the waters Of the Wabash with
those of lake Erie, and the waters of IL
inois with those of Lake Michigan.---
Fourteen States and sundry corporations
nave received similar subsidies in connec-
ion with railroads completed or in process
IF constructions AS thereserved scctionsare
rated at the double minimum, the sale of
hem and the enhanced price has, in many
instances unidentified the treasury for the
granted lands. The construction of some
IF these tloroughfares has undoubtedly
riven a vigorous impetus to the develop
nent of our resources ard the settlement
If the more distant portions Of the country.
It may however, be insisted tha much of
,ur legislation in this regard has been char
icterized by indiscriminat and profuse lib
,rafity. The United States should not
can their credit in aid of any enterprise
undertaken BY States or corporations unless
he projected worksare Of an acknowledged
Material importadce. am strongly in
lined to the opinion that it is .inexpedient
md unnecessary to bestow subsidies of
ither description. but should Congress
ctermine otherwise | earnestly recon-
mend that the rights of settlers and of the
'ublic be more efectually secured by ap-
irorriiate legislation. rm92 a1or f22
During the year ending September 20.
$40, there we're filed in the Patent Office
9.41l applications for patents 1874
ayeatS aud 100 applications for the ex-
ensionIo nIof patents. 1852 patents. includ-
ng the reissues and designs, were issued
OF were extended and $50 allowed, but
ot issued, by reason Of the non-payment
f the final fees
The work Of the Census Bureau has
cen theoretically prosecuted. The pre-
minary report. containing much informa-
ion of special value and interest, will be
eady for delivery during the present ses-
ion. The remaining volumes will be COM
leted with all the dispatch consistent
nth perfect accuracy in arranging and
lassifying returns. We shall thus at no
istant day be furnished with an authentic
ecord of our condition and resources 1t
ill, / doubt not, attest the growing pros
Gritty Of the country. although duringithe
ecade which has just closed. ut was seyere-
y taxed by the great war waged to main-