The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-12-21

to prove that 1t can be done anu still
leave enough revenue to meet current
expenses. The preservation of the
public credit is Of the highest. impor-
tance, and next comes q solemn duty
to provide national currency Of fixed
and unvarying value, as compared
with gold, and as soon as practicable,
having due regard for the debtor class
and the vicissitudes of trade, conver-
tible into gold at par.
PUBLIC LANDS, PATENTS AND PEN
sIONs.
During the last fiscal year the pub
lie lands disposed of amounted to H.
9O4,975 acres, an increase over last
year of 1 ,O99, ,27O acres. The cash re-
ceipts of the land office from all sour
ces amounted to $3,218, 100. Twenty
two million sixteen thousand six hun
dred and eight acres have been sur
veyed, leaving |, ,257 ,633, ,628 acres of
puplic land still unsurveyed.
During the year ending September
30, 1872, there was issued from the
patent Office 1896 patents, 233 ex-
tensions, and 19, ,578 applications we're
received for patents, and 300 caveats
filed. The fees received were $780,
O95, ,486; expenditures $92, 1855 800.
Since 1896, 100000 applications for
patents have been filed, and $4,000
patents issued. The amount paid for
pensions during the last fiscal year
was $50, I60, $40, more by $3,7O8, 1874
than last year. The whole number
of enlisted soldiers during the rebel
lion was 1858, ,523. The total num-
Der of claims for invalid pensions is
10000, being but six per cent. of the
whole number. The number of per-
sons on the rolls June 30, 1872, was
32l 900. 1t is estimated that 500, $780,
600 will be required for pensions the
next fiscal year.
CENSUS ABOUT COMPLETE.
The ninth census is about. COM
pleted, subject of congratulation,
inasmuch as its early completion is of
importance for the use to be made of
the statistics. The recommendation
of the Secretary of the Interior for a
census in 1875 is approved.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
An earnest desire has been felt to
correct the abuses which have grown
upon the civil service of the country,
through the defective methods of
making appointments to Office. Here
tofore federal Offices have been re-
garded too much as the reward for
political service. Under authority of
Congress, rules have been established
to regulate the terms of office and the
mode of appointment. 1t can not be
expected that any system of rules can
be entirely effective and prove a per-
feet remedy for the extinguishing of
evils until they have been tried by
actual practice, and amended accord
ing to the requirements of the ser
vice. During my term of office it
shall be my earnest endeavor to SO
apply the rules as to secure the great
est possible reform in the civil service
of the government, and it will require
the direct action of Congress to rem
der the enforcement Of the system
binding upon my successors and |
hope that the experience OF the past
year, together with appropriate legis-
lation by Congress may reach q salts
factory solution Of this question and
secure to the public service for
all time practical method Of obtain
ing faithful and efficient officers and
employees.
(Signed.) U. S. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, December 2, 1872