Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-12-04

VERMONT
rejected during Tho, year, leaving / $40 cbims
pendng at that date. The number of pensions Of
oil classes granted during the ast fiscal year was
30 ,S3- during that period there dronncd from
the rolls Tor various causes Oh names, leaving
grand total oi 232 goo pensioners ON the roll On
,he Both OF june, 1879. II is thought that the
claims iur pensions on account Of the war Of
1872 will all he disposed Of the LIST Of May, 1873
II is estimated that $50 $50 600 will be required
Tor the pension service during the next fiscal year
TnE cENsNs
Tie ninth census is about completed It,
early completion is n subject of congratulntion
inasmueh rs the use to be- made Of the statistics
therein contained depends very greatly on the
nromptitudc Of publication The Secretary of
the Interior recommends that q census be taken
in 1875, which recommendation should receive
the early attention Of Congress. The interval at
present established between the Federal ccnsuses
is long TINT the information obtained ut the dec
imal periods as to the material condition, wants
and resources of the nation, is Of little practical
value after the expiration Of the first half Of that
period II would probably obyiato the constitu.
tionhl provision regarding The decennal census
II a census taken in 1873 should be Invested Of
all political character and no rcappOrtionment ofl
congressional representation be made up Such
q census, coming, MS it would, in the last year of
We hrst century Of our national existence. would
furnish a noble monument Of the progress Of the
United states during that century.
BUREAU or EDUCATION.
The rapidly Increasing interest in education is
most encouraging feature In the current history
Of the country, and il IS no doubt true that this
Is in great measure due u the efforts of the
Bureau Of Education That Office is continually
receiving pViIpuepa ,xitHI ubuuIapflu 20
efficiency from the various institutions Of learn
ing and education Of all kind, throughout the
country. The report Of the Commissioner CON
tains u vast amount Of educational details OF
great interest. Tho bill now pending before
Congress, providing for the appropriation Of the
net proceeds of the sales Of public lands for edu
catiunal purposes to aid the States in the general
education Of the rising generation, is measure
OF such great importance 10 our real progress
and is 20 unanimously approved by the leading ,
friends Of education, that | commend it to the
favorable attention of Congress. Affairs in the
Territories are generally satisfactory. The en-
orgy and business capacity OF the pioneers who .
are settling up the vast domain not vet incJrp0-
rated into States are keeping pace in internal I
Improvements and civil government with the 5
older communities. IN
uTAu DISCUSSED. Z
In but one OF them. Utah, j. The condition of ,
Affairs unsitslnctOry except far a. the uuict oil
the society may be disturbed By real or imagin-
any dangers Of Indian hostlities 1t has seemed
% he the policy Of the Legislature Of Utah 20 I
eyade all responsibility to the Government Of the
United States, and even to hold position in hos q
tility 20 it. | recommend careful revision Of o
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 10 il, rs will secure peace,
the equality OF all citizens before the law. and
the ultimate extinguishment OF poiygamy. &
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ID
Since the establishment Of territorial gov. I
eminent for the District Of Columbia the i'm ;
proyement Of the condition Of the city of Wash
ingtOn and the surroundings, and the increased
prosperity OF the citizens is observable 10 the z
most casual visitor. The nation being large /
owner Of property in the city should bear with
the citizens Of the District just share Of the ex
pense Of these Improvements | recommend,
therefore, appropriation TO reimburse the citi
zens for the work done by them along and in {
front Of public grounds during the past YEAR and
liberal appropriations in order that the improve !
ment and establishment Of the public buildings
and grounds may keep pace with the improve
ments made by the Territorial authorities :
AGRICULTURE.
The report Of the Commissioner Of agriculture
gives a very lull and interesting account Of the
several divisions Of that Department, the horticu
tural, agricultural and statistical, chronological
and chemical and the benefits conferred by cnch
upon the agricultural interests of the country
The whole report is u complete history, in details
Of the workings of the Department ia all its
branches. showing the manner in which the farm
er, merchant and miner is informed and the ex-
tent 10 which he is aided IN his pursuits The
Commissioner makes one recommendation, that
measures be taken hy Congress TO protect and in
duce the planting of forests, and also suggests
that no part OF the public lands should he dis
posed of without the condition that one-tenth Of
il be reserved in timber where it exists, and where
it does not exist inducements should be offered for
planting il.
CENTENNIAL or AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.
In accordance with the terms Of the act oil
Congress, approved March 3. 1871, providing
for the celebration Of the Tooth Anniversary Of
American Independence, a commission has been
organized consisting Of two members from
each OF the States and Territories This com
mission has held two sessions, and has made
satisfactory progress in the organization and
the initatury steps necessary for carrying
out the provisions Ut the act. and for executing
also the provisions of the act of June L.
1871, creating Centennial Board of Finance. 4
preliminary report Of the progress has been re-
ccived from the President Of the Commission.
and is herewith transmitted. 1t will be the duty
Of the Commission at Your coming session 10
transmit full report OF the progress made and
% lay before You the details relating 10 the eXhi-
hition of American and foreign arts, product,
and manufactures, which By the terms offered Is
to be held under the auspices Of the Government
Of the United States, in the city Of Philadelphia,
in the year 1876. This celebration will be looked
forward 70 by American citizens with great inte-
rest, marking a century OF greater progress
and prosperity than is recorded in the history Of
any other nation, and serving a further good
purpose in bringing together on our soil people
of all the commercial nations of the earth in a
manner calculated to secure international good
feeling
CIVIL SERVICE Reform.
An earnest desire has been felt to correct the .
abuses which have grown up in the civil service !
Of the country through the defective method Of |
making appointments to office. Heretofore fed |
eral offices have been regarded too much rs the /
reward of political service. Under the authority /
of Congress, rules have been established 10 re-
guate the tenure Of office and the mode Of APP .
pOintments
1t cannot be expected that any system Of rules !
can be entirely effective and prove perfect re-
medy for the existing evil, until they have been
thoroughly tested by actual practice and amended
according To the requirements Of the service.
During my term Of office it shall be my best |
endeavOr 10 50 apply the rules 10 secure the /
greatest possible reform in the civil service Of the
Government, but it will require the direct action /
Of Congress 10 render the enforcement Of the Sys
TEN binding upon my successors, and hope that |
the experience Of the past year, together with APP
proprmte legislation by Congress, may reach u
satisfactory solution Of this question, and secure
to the public service, for all time, practical
method Of obtaining faithful and efficient officers
''''' ~ }Signed) Us. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, December ., 1872
MoRRIsvi1LE. L. n. Porter, Of this vii |
| lsge, made a trip to the top of Mansfield Noun
/ tain Nov 18th, in company with two other gen
temen, and obtained some excellent Photographic