Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-12-03


rebellion was $685. 2S, the total number of
claims for invalid pension is 10000, being but
per cent of the whole number OF enlisted
men.
The total number of claims on hand al the
beginning of the year was 81 $50; the number
received during the year was &c, 574; the number
diSnoSed of was 391 1885, making net gain OF
u ,604. The number of claims now on file is
1905. On the S0th of June, 1872, there were
on the rolls the names of 95,405 invalid mill
tary pensioners, ,51S widows, orphans and
dependent relatives, making an aggregate of
20S, 1928 army pensioners. At the same time there
were on the rolls the names of 1449 navy pen
sioners, and 1880 widows, orphans and DEEPEN
dent relatives, making the whole number OF
naval pensioners 3179. There have been re-
ceved since the passage OF the act to provide
pensions for the survivors of the war OF 1877,
SO ,551 applications prior to June 30, 1872. Ot
these there were allowed during the last hscal
year, 20,126 claims, 1915 were rejected during
the year, leaving / $50 claims pending at that
date. The number OF pensions Of all classes
granted during the last official year was 3S,oSO.
During that period there dropped from the rolls
for various causes 9104 names, leaving grand
total of 49,, 226 pensioners on the rolls on the
Both OF June, 1872. tits Thought that the CLAIMS
for pensions on account of the war OF 1872 Will
all be disposed of the first day of May, 1873.
1t is estimated that S30,4S0,000 will be required
for the pension service during the next official
year.
The ninth census is about completed; its early
completion is n subject of congratuaton, mas
much as the use to be made Of the statistics
therein contained depends very greatly on the
promptltude OF publication. The secretary OF
the interior recommends that census be taken
in 1873, which recommendation should receive
the-early attention Of congress. The interval at
present established between the federal censuSes
is so long that the information obtained at the
decimal periods as to the material condition,
wants and resources of the nation is of little
practical value after the expiration of the first
halfof thatperiod. 1t would probably obviate the
constitutional provisions regarding a decimal
census, if the census taken in 1873 should be
Invested Of all political character, and no reap
pOintment of congressional representation be
made under it, Such a census, coming as it
would in the last year of the first century OF our
national existence, would furnish a noble mon
ument OF the progress of the United States dur
ing that century.
The rapidly increasing interest in education
IS most encouraging feature in the current
history of the country, and it is no doubt true
that this is due in great measure to efforts of the
bureau of education. That office is continually
receiving evidences which abundantly prove its
efficiency from the various institutions of learn
ing and educators. of all kinds throughout the
country The report Of the commissioner con-
tainS a vast amount of educational details of
greatinterest. The bill now pending before con-
greSS providing for the appropriation of the net
proceeds of the sales of public lands for educa-
t0nal purposes, to aid the states in the educa-
ton OF their rising generation, is a measure of
such great importance to our real progress, and
IS so unanimously approved by the leading
friends of education, that / commend it to the
favorable attention of congress
Affairs in the territories are generally salts.
factory. The energy and business capacity of
the pioneers, who are settling up the vast do
mains not yet incorporated into states, are keep
ing pace, in internal Improvements and civil
TnF OnNprn NTH lo pI,I
but one of them, Utah, is the condition of affairs
unsatisfactory, except so far as the quiet of the
citizen may be disturbed by real or imaginary
danger of Indian hostlities. 1t has seemed to
be the policy of the legislature of Utah TO
evade all responsibility to the government of
the United States, and even to hold a position in
hostility to it. | recommend a careful revision
OF the present laws of the territory by congress,
and the enactment of such a law as the one pro-
posed in congress at its last session, for instance,
or something similar to it, such as will secure
peace, the equality of all citizens before the
law, aud the ultimate extinguishment of polyg-
amy.
Since the establishment of a territorial gov
eminent for the district of Columbia, the i'm
provement of the condition of the city of Wash
ington and surroundings, and the increa sed
prosperity of the citizens is observable TO the
most casual visitor. The nation, being a large
owner of property in this CITY, should bear with
the citizens OF the district, Just share of the
expense of these Improvements. | recommend,
therefore, an appropriation to reimburse the
citizens for the work done by them, among and
in front Of public grounds during the past year
and liberal appropriations, in order that the
Improvement and establishment of the public
buildings aud grounds may keep pace with the
Improvements made by the territorial authOri-
ties
The report of the commissioner of agriculture
gives very full aud interesting account of the
several divisions of that 6pDa rtmpOt The hOr-
hcultural, agricultural, statistical, entomology
cal and chemical, and the benefits conferred by
each upon the agricultural interes is of the
country.
The whole report is a complete history, in
DETAIL OF the workings Of the department, in all
its branches, showing the manner in which the
farmer, merchant and minor Is informed, and the
extent to which he is aided in his pursuits.
The commissioner makes one recommended
ton; that measures be taken by congress to
protect and induce the planting of forests, and
1t suggests that no part of the public lands
should be disposed of, without the condition
that one tenth of it he reserved in timber, where
it exists, and where it does not exist induce
ments should he offered by planting II.
In accordance with the terms of the act of
CONGRESS approved March g. 1871, providing for
the celebration of the one hundredth anniversa-
~ of American independence, commission
has been organized, consisting of two members
from each OF the states and territories This
commission has held two sessions, and has made
satisfactory progress in the organization and in
the initiatory steps necessary for carrying out
the provisions of the act, and for executing also
the provisions oftbe act of June 1 1871, creating
centennial board Of finance. A preliminary
report of progress has been received from the
president Of the commission, and is herewith
transmitted. 1t will be the duty of the commits
sion at Your coming session to transmit full
report Of the progress made, and to lay before
you the details relating to the exhibition of
American and foreign art products and manu-
features, which, by the terms of the act is to be
held under the auspices of the government of
the United States, in the city of Philadelphia, in
the year 1876. The celebration will be looked
forward TO by American citizens with great in
terest, as marking century oil greater progress
and prosperity than is recorded in the history
Of any other nation, and proving further good
purpose in bringing together on our soil peoples
OF all the commercial nations Of the earth, in
manner calculated to secure international good
| feelings.
An earnest desire has been felt to correct
abuses which have grown up in the civil service
OF the country through the defective method of
| making appointments to office. Heretofore
federal offices have been regarded too much as
| the reward Of political service. Under authori-
| ty of congress, rules have been established to
| regulate the tenure of Office and the mode of
| appointments. 1t cannot be expected that any
system offues can be entirely effective and prove
perfect remedy for the existing evil until they
have been thoroughly tested by actual practice
amended according to the requirements of the
| service. During my term of office it shall be my
best endeavor to so apply the rules as to secure
| the greatest possible reform in the civil service
Of the government, but it will require the direct
action of congress to render the enforcement of
| the system binding upon my successors, and |
hope that the experience of the past year. togeth-
erwith appropriate legislation by congress, may
| reach a satisfactory solution of this question
and secure to the public service for all time
practical method of obtaining faithful and
efficient officers and employees.
U S. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dec. ?, 1872.