The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-12-08

They should therefore be cherished as permanent
feature OF our land system. Good faith requires us
to give full effect to the existing grants The time
honored and benefcent policy of setting apart GER
tain sections of public lands, for educational pur-
poses In the new States, should be continued
when ample provision shall have been made for
these objects, submit question worthy of seri-
Gus consideration. whether the residue of our ma
tonal domain should not be disposed of under the
provision of the homestead and preemption laws
lnaddltion the Land Subsidies, swamps and overflow
ed lands, granted to the States in which thew are
situated, the lands taken under the Agricultural
Colle@e acts, and for internal improvement pur-
poses under the act Of September 1871 and the acts
supplemental thereto, there had been conveyed up
to the close of the last fiscal year, by patents or
other equivalent evidences of title to States and
corporations, 27S, 3G2,5 SIC 3OO acres for railway,
canals and wagon roads 1t is estimated that an
additional quantity of LA 1876 33 acres is still due
under grants for like use.
fhe policy of thus aiding the States in building
WORKS OF internal improvements was naugurated
more IMAM ~ years since in the grants to Indiana
ana ILLINOIS to aid those States in opening canal
70 connect the waters of the Wabash with those of
Lake Erie and the waters of the Illinois with those
OF lake Michigan. 1t was followed with some
nodlhcatlons, IN the grant to Illinois of alternate
sections of public land within certain limits of tbe
Limos central hallway. Fourteen States and sun
'fy corporations have received similar subsidies in
connection with railways completed or in process
OF construction AS the reserved sections are rated
at double the minimum, the sale of these at the en-
ca thc treasury for the granted land. The con-
stfucllon OF some OF these thoroughfares has I'M
uounteuly given vigorous impetus to the develop
menu OF our resources and the settlement of the
more 'isttnt portions of the country 1t may
however. be We'll insisted that much of our egjsla
ton IN this regard has been characterized by ind;s-
erlmlnaie and profuse libcrality. The United
states should not loan its credit in aid Of any enter
prise undertaken by States or corporations nor
grant Lands in any instance, unless the projected
work is of acknowledged Importance. I'm strong
inclined TO the opinion that it is inconsistent and
ton. But should Congress determine Otherwise I
earnestly recommend that the rights of settlers and
OF thG public be more etlectually secured or pro-
tecteu by appropriate legislation.
THE CENSUS.
The work of the Census Bureau has been emerge
tcaly prosecuted. The preliminary reports con
tanning much information ot special value and in
terest, will be ready tor delivery during the pres
cnt session. The remaining volume will be COM
pleed with all the dispatch consistent with perfect
accuracy in arranging and classifying the returns
We shall thus at no distant day be furnished with
IN authentic account of our condition and resource
es. 1t VIII, doubt not, attest the growing pros
perity OF the country although during the decade
which has Just closed, it was severely tried to the
great war Waged to maintain its integrity and to Sc
cure and perpetuate our free institutions.
PENSIONS.
During the last fiscal year the sum paid to pen
sioncrs including the cost Of disbursements, was
issued. At its close 19S,GS6 names were on the
pension rolls. The iab0rs of the Pension Office
have been directed to scrutiny of the evil
dence submitted in favor of lawful claims and to
the discovery of fictitious claims which have been
heretofore allowed. The appropriation for the en-
poyment OF special agents for the investigation OF
frauds has been juoicously used and the results OBJ
tanned have been Of unqueStiOnabe benefit to the
service.
EDUCATION AND AGRICULTURE.
Mo MI; e NJ
great interest to the success of our Republican in
stitutions and to our happiness and grandeur as a
nation. IN the interest OF one, Il Bureau has been
established in the interior Department-the Blu
rcau of Educatiol-and i'll the interest of the other
4 separate Deparment-that Of Agriculture. | be-
evc that great general good is flow from the op-
eraons of both of these bureaus if properly foster
ed. | cannot co nmcnd to your careful considera-
ton too highly, the reports of the Commissioners
of Education an Agriculture, nor urge too strong
y such liberal legislation is to secure their cicien
cy.
THE POLICY OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
In conclusion, would sum up the policy of the
administration to be;
\ thorough enforcement of every law.
faithful collection Of the revenue.
Economy il the disbursement Of the same.
A prompt payment Of every debt of the nation.
4 reduction Of taxes as rapidly rs the require
ments Of the country will admit.
The reduction of the taxation to be 50 arranged
As to aforc the greatest relief to the greatest num-
Der
Honest an fair dealing with all other peoples, to
the end that war. with all its blighting consequent
ces. may be avoided; but without surrenlcring any
right or ollligAton due to rls.
A reform in the treatment of the Indians and in
the whole vii service OF the country.
AND final y, in securing pure, untrammeed
baIlot-boN. where every man who is entitled to
cast vote, may do so Just once at each election,
without fear of molestation prescription on ac-
count of h political faith, nativity, or color
(Signed) L. 5. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dee 9TH, 1870.