The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-12-06
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

RESPECTFULLY Cdk NOuE attSutAou "
one abuse Of long standing. which j
would like to see remedied by this Con-
gress, it is a reform in the civil ser
vice of the country and / would have it
60 beyond the mere fixing Of the tenure
Of office, of clerks and employees who
do not require the advice and
consent Of the Senate to make their ap-
pointments complete. would have il
govern not the tenure but the manner
Of making all appointments. There is
no duty which so much embarrasses
the Executive and the heads of the De
partments as that Of appointment,
nor is there any such arderous and
thankless labor imposed on Senators
and Representatives, as that Of finding
places for constituents. The present
system does not secure the best men
and often not even fit men for public
place. The elevation aud publication
of the civil service OF the Government
will be hail with approval by the whole
people of the United States.
INDIAN AGENCIES.
Reform in the management Of lndian
affairs has received special attention OF
the Administration, from its Inaugural
ton to the present day. The expert
ment of making il missionary work
was tried with few agencies, given to
the denominations of friends and has
been found to work most advantageous
ly. All agencies and superintendencies
not 30 disposed of were given TO officers
Of the army
The act of Congress, reducing the
army, renders army officers ineligible
for civil positions. Indian agencies be-
ing civil officers, have determined to
give all the agencies to such religious
denominations as had heretofore estab-
hshed missions among the Indians and
perhaps TO some other denominations
who would undertake the same terms,
1. e. as a missionary work
The societies are allowed TO name
their own agents, subject TO the approx.
al of the Executive, and are expected
to watch over them, and aid them as
missionaries and christians, and civilize
the Indian, and instruct him in the arts
Of peace. The Government watches
over the official acts Of these agents,
and requires as strict an account
ability as il they were appointed in
any other manner. | entertain
the confident hope that the policy now
pursued will, in few years, bring all
Indians upon reservations where
they will live in houses, have school
houses and churches, will be pursuing
peaceful aud selfsustaining ayocations
and where they may be visited by the
law abiding white-men with the same
impunity that he now visits the civilized
white settlements. | call your special
attention to the report Of the Commits
sioner Of Indian Affairs for full informa
ton on this subject
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
During the last fiscal year sos, ,54l 300
acres OF public land were disposed Of
OF this quantity 1853, ,S9l ,005 acres we're
taken under the homestead law and
$3.50, ,5Sl acres sold for cash. The
remainder was located with Military
Warrant, College, or Indian scrip, or ap
piled in the satisfaction Of grants TO
railroads, or for other public uses
The entries under the homestead law
during the past year covered 96l ,545
acres more than those during the
preceding year. Surveys have been
vigorously prosecuted to the full extent
of the means applicable to the purpose.
The quantity Of land in the market will
amply supply the present demand. The
claim of the settled under the Home.
stead or Presumption laws is not, how.
ever, limited TO lands subject to sale at
private entry. Any unappropriated surt
veyed public land may, to limited
amount, be acquired under the former
laws if the party entitled to enter under
them will comply with the require
ments they prescribe in regard 10 the
residence and cultivation. The actual
settlers preference and right Of purchase
is even broader and extends TO lands
which were unsuryeyed at the time OF
bis settlement. His right was formerly
confined within the most narrow limits
and at one period Of our history was
conferred only by special statutes.
HOMESTEAD LAWS.
They were enacted from time
TO time TO legalize what was then
regarded as an unauthorized introduc-
tion upon the national domain. The
opinion that the public lands suould be
regarded chiefly as a source of revenue
is no longer maintained The rapid
settlement and successful cultivation OF
them, is now justly considered Of more
TO our well being then is
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 leg.
islation which invites the tiller Of the
soil TO secure a permanent home on
terms within the reach Of all The pio-
neer who incur the dangers and pro-
bations Of a frontier life, and thus aids
in laying the foundation Of new com
monwealths renders q signal ser.
vice 10 his country and 10 en-
titled TO its special favor and protection.
The laws secure that object and
largely promote the general welfare.
They should therefore be cherished az
a permanent feature Of eur land sys-
tenn. Good faith requires US TO give full
effect to existing grants. The time
conferred and benifcent policy Of set
ting apart certain sections OF the public
lands for educational purposes in the
new States should be continued. When
ample provision shall have been made
for these objects submit as question
worthy ofserious consideration whether
the residue ofour national domain should
not be wholly disposed Of under the
provisions, Of the homestead pre-emp'