Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-12-09

by the General Government for the encourage
ment of education. <
The report of the Secretary Of the Interior,
submitted with this, will give you all the in
formation collected and prepared for publica-
ton in regard to the census taken during the
year 1870, the operations of the Bureau of
Educstion for the year, the Patent Office, the
Pension Office, the Land Office, and the In
dian Bureau. The report OF the Commis-
sioner of Agriculture gives the operations of
bis Department for the year. As agriculture
is the groundwork of our prosperity, too
much impo lance cannot be attached to the
labors of this Department Its in the hands
of an able head, with able assistants, all zeal
ously devoted to introducing into the agricul-
tural productions of the nation all useful pro
ducts adaIt ted TO any of the various eli
mates and soils of our vast territory, and to
giving all useful information as to the method
of cultivation Of the plants, cereals and other
products adapted to particular localities
Quietly, but surely the Agricultural Bureau is
working great national good, and. if literally
supported, the more widely its influence will
be upon the products OF foreign countries.
The subject OF compensation to the heads
of Bureaus aud officials holding positions of
responsibility and requiring ability and charac-
ter to fill properly, is one to which your atten-
ton is invited. But few Of the officials re-
ceive compensation equal to the reasonable
support of family, while their duties are
suoh nc 4, iuvalvo ,,ilI,o,s of ,ntarast
Ia private life services demand compensa-
ton equal TO the service rendered. A wise
economy would dictate the same rule in the
Government service.
| have not given the estimates for the sup
port Of the Government for the ensuing year,
nor the comparative statement between the
expenditures for the year just passed, and the
one just preceding, because all these figures
are contained in the accompanying reports, or
in those presented directly to Congress-
These estimates have my approval.
More than six. years having elapsed since
the last hostile gun was fred between the
armies then arrayed against each other, one
for the perpetuaton, the other for the de-
struetion of the Union, it may well be con,
sidered whether it is not now time that the
disabilities imposed by the Fourteenth
Amendment should be removed
That amendment does net exclude the
ballot, but only imposes the disability t, hold
Office upon certain classes. When the purity
sot the ballot is secure, majorities are sure to
elect officers rejecting the views of the ma
jority.
I do not see the advantage or proprety Of
excluding men from office merely because
they were, before the rebellion, OF standing
and character sufficient to be elected t, posi-
tions requiring them to take oaths to support
the Constitution, and admitting to eligibility
these entertaining precisely the same views,
but of less standing in their communities 1t
may be said that the former violated an oath,
while the latter did not The latter did not
have it in their power to do.so. If they had
t,ken this oath, it cannot be doubted they
would have broken it as did the former class.
If there are any great criminals distinguished
above all others for the part they took in op-
position to the Government, they might, in
the judgment of Congress, be excluded from
such amnesty.
This subject is submitted for your careful
consideration.
The condition of the Southern Sites
is, unhappily, not such as all true patriotic
CIT zens would like to see. Social o>traclSm
Tor opion's sake, personal violence or threats,
towards persons entertaining political views
opposed to those entertained by the majority
of the old citizens prevents emigration and
the fow Of much needed capital into the
States lately in rebellion. II will be happy
condition of the country when the old ctl-
liens Of these States will take an interest in
public affairs, promulgate ideas honestly
entertained both for men representing their
views, and tolerate the same freedom OF ex-
precision and ballot to those entertaining di.>
ierent political convictions.
Under the provisions Of the act of Congress
ernmeut was organized in the District OF
Columbia; its results have thus far fully
realized the expectations of its advocates
Under the direction Of the territorial officers
a system Of improvements has been inaugura>
ted, by means of which Washington is rapidly
becoming city worthy Of the nations capital.
The citizens OF the District having invouuti.
riy taxed themselves to large amount for
the purpose of contributing to the adornmcnt
Of the seat OF Government, | recommend
liberal appropriations OF the part Of Congress,
in order that the Government may bear ITS
just share of the expense Of carrying out
judicious system of Improvements
BY the great fire 10. Chicago the most i'm
portant of the Government buildings in that
city were consumed. Those burned had al
ready become inadequate to the wants OF the
Government in that growing city, and looking
to the near future, were t,taliy inadequate
recommend, therefore, that an appropriation
be made Immediately to purchase the remain
der of the square on which the burned bull
dings stood, provided it can be purchased at
a fair valuation, or provided the Legislature
Of Illinois will pass law authorizing its con-
domination for Government purposes, and also
an appropriation of as much money as can
properly be expended towards the erection Of
hew buildings.
During this fiscal year the number Of emf
grants ignorant Of our laws, habits, &c, com
ing into our country annually, has become SO
IL