Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-12-23
length, and recommend to you bis sugges-

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length, and recommend to you his sugges-
gestions.
| PUBLIC LANDS.
renew my recommendation that the public
lands shall be regarded As q heritage to our
children, TO be disposed Of ouiy ~ req itssd for
oc' upation and to actual settlers. Those act
ually granted have beer in great part disposed
of in such way rs to secure access to the
balance by the hardy settler who may wish to
avail himself Of them. Bat cautioui should be
exercised even in attaining so desirable anFob-
jcct as educational interest. By the gsaat Of
the proceeds Of the sale Of the public lands to
settlers, do not wish to be understood 40 rec.
ommehding in the least degree curtailment
of what is being done by the General Govern
ment for the encouragement of education.
The report of the Secretary Of the Interior,
submitted with this, will give you information
collected and prepared for publication in re-
gard to the census taken during the year 1870,
the operations of the Bureau Of Education for
the year, the patent Office, the pension Office,
the land Office and the Indian Bureau.
| AGRIcULrURAL-BuREAu OFFICIALS.
The report Of the Commissioner of Agricul-
ture gives the operations of this department
for the year. As agriculture 10 the ground
work of our prosperity, too much Importance
cannot be attached to the labors Of this depart
ment, in the hands of an able head and
and able assistants, all zealously devoted
to introducing into the agricultural produce
tions Of the nation all useful products adapted
| to the various climates and soils of our vast
| territory, and to give all useful information as
| to the method of cultivation of the plants and
cereals and other products adapted to the par
ticular localities. The Agricultural Bureau
is working a great national good, and if liber-
ally supported the more widely its influence
will be extended and the less dependent We
shall be upon the products Of foreign coun.
tries.
The subject Of compensation to the heads Of
bureaus and officials holding positions of re-
sponsbi'ity, and requiring ability and charac-
ter to fill them properly, is one to which your
attention is invited. But few Of the officials
receive compensation equal to the respecta-
bic support Of a family, while their duties are
hsnc as to involve millions of interest. In
private life such services would receive COM
psnsation equal to tie services rendered. A
wise policy would dictate the same rule in the
Government service.
I have not given the the estimate for the
support of the Government for the ensuing
year, because all those figures are contained
in the accompanying reports, or in those pre-
sented directly to Congress. Their estimates
have my approval.
GENERAL AMNESTY.
More than six years having elapsed since
the last hostile gun was ired between the
armies then arrayed against each other
one for the perpetuatioD, the other for tho
destruction of the Union, it may we'll be
considered whether it is now time the dis
abilities imposed by the fourteenth amend
ment should be removed. That amend
ment does not exclude the ballot, but only
requires the disability to hold Office of cer-
tain classes. When the purity Of the bal.
lot box is secure. BY majority sure to
elect officers rejecting the views Of The
majority, do not see the advantage or
propriety Of excluding men from Office
merely because they we're before the rebel.
lion Of standing and character sufficient
to be elected to positions requiring them
to support the Constitution aud admitting
the eligibility Of those entertaining pro.
ciscly the same views, but Of less standing
in their communities. 1t may be said the
former violated an oath, while the latter
did not have it in their power TO Go 50.
II they had taken this oath it can not be
doubted that they would have broken it
as did the former class. If there are any
great criminals distinguished above all 9TH
ers for the part they took in opposition to
the Government, they might in the judg-
ment, of Congress, be excluded from such
amnesty. This subject is submitted to
your careful consideration.
THE SOUTHERN STATES.
The condition Of the Southern States is,
uuhappily, not such as all true, patriotic
citizens would like to sec. Social ostra-
cism for opinions sake, personal violence
or threats toward persons entertaining po-
litical views opposed to those entertained
BY the majority of the citizens, prevent
immigration aud the flow Of much needed
capital into the States lately in rebellion.
1t will be happy condition Of the country
when the old citizens Of these States will
take an interest in public affairs, tolerate
an idea honestly entertained, vote for men
representing their views, and permit the
same freedom Of expression and ballot in
those entertaining different political con-
victions.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Under the provisions Of the act Of Con-
gress approved February 2lst, 1871, q Ter
ritorial Government was organised in the
District of Columbia. Its results have
thus far fully realized the expectations Of
its advocates. Under the direction Of the
territorial officers system Of improve.
mcnts has been iuaugurated by means o.
which Washington is rapidly becoming
city worthy of the nations Capital Tho
citizens Of the district having voluntarily
taxed themselves to enlarge the amopot for
the purpose Of contributing to the advance
meut of tho seat of Governments. / recon-
mend liberal appropriations on tho part of
Congress, 10 order that the Goysrumess
may bear its just share Of the expense It
carrying out various systems Of improve
ments.
r THE CHICAGO FiRE.
BY the great 6ro Of Chicago The nost
important Government bnildisgs 10 thaa
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