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

;,n the States in building works OF IN,
teTnal improvement was inaugurateo
80 than forty years since on the
nrsnts of Indiana and Illinois. Both
,hose States then opening canals 70
connect the waters OF the Wabash with
those of Lake Erie, and the waters oil
Illinois with those of Lake Michigan
II was followed with some modification
in the grant to Illinois OF alternate sec
lions Of public land within certain Inn
;ts of the Illinois Central railway. Four
,oen States and sundry corporations
have received similar subsidies in con-
nection with railways completed or IN
process of construction. AS the reserved
sections are rated as the double mini
NUNS, the sale OF these at the en-
HANGED price has thus in many instances
;ndemnifed the Treasury for the grant,
ed lands. The construction Of some OF
these thoroughfares has undoubtedly
given vigorous impetus to the develop
ment of our resources and the settle
ment of the more distant por-
tions OF the country. 1t may
however, be well insisted that much
of our legislation in TINS
regard has been characterized oy
indiscriminate and profuse li6eraAy.
The United States should not loan their
credit in aid Of any enterprise under
taken bv States or corporations unless
the projected works are of acknowl-
edged material Importance. am
strongly inclined to the opinion that II
is ipexpedient and unnecessary to be-
stow subsidies of either description, but
should Congress determine otherwise,
| earnestly recommend that the rights
of settlers and of the public be the
more effectually secured by appropriate
legislation.
THE CENSUS BUREAU.
During the year ending September
20, 1870, there were filed in the Patent
Office l9,4ll applications for patents,
1874 caveats and 100 applications for
the extension Of patents; 1857 pat
terms, including reissues and designs,
were issued, 10 extended, and 1850
allowed, but not issued, by reason OF the
non-payment of the final fees. The re-
GENTS of the office during the fiscal year
were sl36, 3O4.29 in excess Of its ex-
penditures.
THE PATENT OFFICE.
The work Of the Census Bureau has
been energetically prosecuted The
preliminary report, containing much IN
formation of special value and interest,
will be ready for delivery during the
present season. The remaining vol
umes will be completed with all the
dispatch consistent with perfect accura-
CIV in arranging and classifying the re-
turns. We shall thus at no distant day
be furnished with an authentic record
of our condition and resources. twill
| doubt not attest the growing pros
per,ty of the country although
During the decade which has just closed,
il was so severely tried by the great
war waged to maintain It's integrity and
to secure and perpetuate our tree lnstl-
tutions.
PENSIONS.
During the last fiscal year the
sum pad TO pensioners, including the
disbursement, was S2,71S,OSl,lll and
1853 bounty land warrants were issued.
At its close l9S,6S6 names were on the
pension rolls. The labors OF the pension
Office have been directed to avoid the
severe scrutiny of the evidence submit
ted IN favor of law claims and to the
discovery Of fictitious claims which
have been heretofore allowed. The
appropriation, for the employ
ment of special agents for
the investigation OF frauds has been
judciously used and the results obtained
have been of unquestionable benefit to
the service.
EDUCATION AND AGRICULTURE.
The subject of education and agricul-
ture are OF great interest 10 the success
ofour Republican institutions, our happ-
ness and grandeur as nation. In the
interests OF one, Bureau has been
established in the Interior Depart
ment, the Bureau of Educa-
cation; and in the interests of the
other a separate department, that OF
Agriculture. l believe great general
good is to follow from the operations OF
both these bureaus, if properly fostered
cannot commend to your careful con-
sideration too highly the reports of
the Commissioners of Education and Of
agriculture, nor urge too strongly such
liberal legislation to secure their eff
cheney.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, | would sum up the
policy of the Administration to be q
thorough enforcement Of every law {;
faithful collection of the tax provided
for; economy in the disbursement OF
the same; prompt payment Of every
debt OF the nation; 4 reduction Of
taxes as rapidly as the require
ments of the country will admit;
the reduction OF taxation and
tariff to be so arranged as TO afford the
greatest relief to the greatest number
honest and fair dealings with all
other people TO the end that war with
all it's blighting consequences may be
averted, but without surrendering any
right or obligation due us; a reform in
the treatment of the Indians and
in the whole civil service OF
this country; and frmness in securing
pure, untrammelled ballot, at which
every man entitled to cast vote may
do 80, just once at each election, without
the fear of molestation or prescription,
on account OF his political faith, nativity
or color.
[Signed, [. S. GRANT:
Erec,ltive Mansion, December 3, 1870.
athrelinn 3taister.