The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-12-07

| our children, to be disposed at only as re-
quired for occupation and to actual set
| tiers. Those already granted have been,
in great part, disposed of in such way
as to secure access to the balance by the
| hardy settler who may wish to avail him.
! self Of them. But caution should be ex-
erciscd even in attaining SO desirable an
object.
Educational interests may we'll be serv-
| ed by the grant Of the proceeds of sale Of
public lands to settlers. do not wish
to be understood as recommending, in
the least degree. curtailment of what is
being done by the general government
| for the encouragement of education.
The report Of the Secretary Of the In
| terror, submitted with this, will give you
all the information collected and prenar-
flor publication in regard to the census
taking during the year 1870 The oper-
ations Of the bureau Of education for the
year, the Patent office, the Pension Office,
the Land off .e and the Indian bureau.
The report of the Commissioner Of Ag-
riculture gives the operations of his de-
partment for the year. As agriculture
is the groundwork of our prosperity, too
| much importance cannot be attached to
! the labors of this department 1t is in
the hands of an able head, with able assis-
tanees-all zealously devoted to intro
ducng into the agricultural productions
of the nation all useful products adapted
to any Of the various climates and soils
Of our vast territory, and to giving all
| useful information as to the method of
cultivating the plants, serials and other
| products adapted to particular localities.
| Quietly, but surely, the agricultural bu-
reau is working great national good,
and if literally supported, the more wide.
| ~ its influence will be extended and the
less dependent we shall be upon the pro-
ducts Of foreign counties.
The subject of compression to the
heads Of bureaus and officials holding Pc
sitions of responsibility, and requiring
ability and character to FIJI properly, is
one to which your attention is invoked.
But few of the officials receive com pen
sation equal to the respectable support
Of family while their duties are such as
to involve millions Of interest. In pri-
vate life, services demand compensation
| equal to the services rendered, and wise
economy would dictate tle same rule in
the government service. Ihave not CIV
en- the estimates for the support of gov
eminent for the ensuing year, nor the
comparative statement between the ex-
penditures for the year just passed and
the one just preceding, because all these
figures are contained in the accompany
ing reports, or in those presented, direct
lySto Congress: These estimates have my
approval.
Moro than six years having elapsed
since the last hostile gun was fred be-
tween the armies then arrayed against
each other, one for the perpetuatlon, the
other for the destruction of the Union,
it may be considered whether it is not
i now time thatthe disabilities imposed by
the fourteenth amendment should be re-
moved That amendment dres not ex-
clude the ballot, but only imposes the
disability to hold Offices upon certain
classes. Y hen the purity of the ballot
is secure, majorities are sure to elect Of
fcers rejecting the views Of the MAORI
ty. [ do not see the advantage or pro-
priety Of excluding men from Office mere
ly because they we're, before the rebel
lion of standing and character sufficient to
be elected to positions requiring them to
take oaths to support the Constitution,
and admitting to eligibility those enter
tanning precisely the same views, but of
/ less standing in their communities.
It may be said that the former violat-
ed an oath while the latter did not. The
latter did not have it in their power to
do so. If they had taken this sgath it
can't be doubted they would have bro
ken it as did the former class. If there
are any great criminals distinguished
above all others for the part they took in
opposition to the government, they might,
in the judgment of Congress, be exclud-
ed from such an amnesty. This subject
is submitted for your careful considera-
ton. The condition Of t'ie Southern
States is unhappily not such as all true
patriotic citizens would like to see. So
clal ostracism, for opinions sake, person
al violence or threats towards persons
entertaining political views opposed TO
those entertained by the majority Of the
old citizens, prevents emigration and the
flow Of much-needed capital into the
States lately in rebel!ieh. 1t will be hap
by condition Of the country when the old
citizens Of the States will take an interest
in public affairs, promulgate ideas honest
ly entertained, vote for men representing
their views, and tolerate the same free
dom Of expression and ballot in those en-
tertaining different political convictions.
Under the provisions Of the act of Con
gress, approved February lst, 1871, a
territorial government was organized in
the District of Columbia. It's results
have thus far fully realized the expects
lions Of its advocates. Under the direc-
ton of the territorial officers, system
of improvements have been inaugurated
by means of which Washington is rapid
ly becoming city worthy Of the nations
capital. The citizens Of the District have
voluntarily taxed themselves to large
amount for the purpose of contributing
to the adornment Of the seat of govern
ment. [ recommend liberal appropria-
tions on the part of Congress in order that
the Government may bear its just share
OF the expense of carrying out judi
cious system cf Improvements.
By the great fire In Chicago the most
important of the Government p~11lulngs
in that city were consumed. Those burn
ed have already become inadequate to