The Portland daily press., 1872-12-03

made up under such a census Coming az Ii
would in the last year of the first century OF
our national existence, it would furnish a noble
monument of the progress of the United States
during that century.
EDUCATION.
The rapidly increasing interest in education
is a most encouraging feature in the current
history of our country. 1t is no doubt true that
this is in great measure due to the efforts OF
the bureau of education. That Office is continu-
ally receiving evidences which abundantly
prove its efficiency from the various institutions
of learning Tad education of all kinds through
out the country The report of the Commits
sloner contains vast amount of educational
details of great interest.
The bill now pending before Congress provid-
lug for appropriation of the net proceeds of the
sales of public lands for educational purposes,
to aid States in the general education of the
rising generation, is measure of such great
importance to our real progress end is so unani-
mously approved by the leading friends of edu-
cation, that commend it to the favorable atten-
ton of Congress. t
TERRITORIAL AFFAIRS-MORMONIsM
Affairs in the territories are generally salts
factory. The energy and business capacity of
the pioneers who are settling upon the vast do
mains, not yet incorporated into States, are
Keeping pace in internal improvements and
civil government with the older communities.
In but one of them-Utah-is the condition of
affairs unsatisfactory, except so far as the quiet
of society may be disturbed by real or imag-
mary dangers of Indian hostilities
1t has seemed to be the policy of the Legisla-
ture of Utah to evade all responsibility to the
Government of the United States, and even to
hold position in hostility to it.
Il recommend a careful revision of the pras-
ent laws of the territory by Congress, and the
enactment Of such law as the one proposed
something similar to it, as will secure peace,
the equality of all citizens before the law and
the ultimate extinguishment Of polygamy.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Since the establishment of a territorial gov
eminent for the District of Columbia the inn
provement of the condition of the city of Wash
lngton and its surroundings, and the increased
prosperity of the citizens is observable to the
most casual visitor. The nation being big
owner OF property in the city, should bear with
the citizens of the District its just share of the
expense of those Improvements. recommend,
therefore, 40 appropriation to reimburse the
citizens for the work done by them along and
in front of the public grounds during the past
year, and liberal appropriations in order that
the improvement and establishment of the
public buildings and grounds may keep pace
withthe improvements made by the territorial
AGRICULTURE.
The report of the Commissioner of Agricul-
ture gives very full and interesting account of
the several divisions of that Department. The
horticultural, agricultural and statistical. ento-
biological and chemical; and the benefits con
ferred by each upon the agricultural interests
OF the country. The whole report is a complete
history in detail of the workings of the Depart
ment in all its branches, showing the manner
in which the farmer, merchant and mi ner is in
formed and the extent to which he is aided in
his pursuits AE
The Commissioner makes one recommended
ton that measures be taken by Congress to
protect and induce the planting of forests and
suggests that no part of the public lands should
be disposed of without the condition that
one-tenth of it be reserved in timber where
it exists; and where it does not exist induce
ments shall be offered to secure it by planting
it.
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
In accordance with the terms of the act of
Congress approved March Sd, 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 organization and in the
initiatory steps necessary for carrying out the
provisions of the act, and executing also the
provisions of the act of June 1, 1871 creating a
centennial board of finance. A preliminary
report of their progress has been received from
the president of the commission, and is here
with transmitted. 1t will be the duty of the
commission at your coming session to transmit
full report of the progress made, and to lay
before you the details relating to the exhibition
manufactures, which, by the terms offered, is
to be held under the auspices of the Govern
mept of the United States in the city Of Phila-
delphia, in the year 1876.
This celebration will be looked forward to by
American citizens with great interest as mark
ing century of 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, people Of all the
commercial nations of the earth, in a manner
calculated to secure international good feelings.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
An earnest desire has been felt to correct the
abuses which have grown up in the civil SER
vice OF the country through the defective meth
fore federal offices have been regarded toe
much as the reward of political service. Un-
der the authority of Congress, rules have been
established to regulate the tenure of office and
the mode of appointments 1t cannot be ex'
! pected that any system of rules can be entirely
effective and prove perfect remedy for the ex-
isting evils until they have been thoroughly
tested by actual practice and amended accord
ing to tide requirements of the service.
During my term of Office it shall be my best
endeayor to SO apply the rules rs 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 l
hope that the experience of the past year, to-
gether with appropriate legislation by Con-
gress may reach satisfactory solution of this
question and secure to the public service for all
| time, practical method Of obtaining faithful
and efficient officers and employees.
(signed) U. S. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, Dec. I'd, 1872.