American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-12-14
it to the favorable attention OF

eommend it to the favorable attention OF
| Congress.
| AffirS in the Territories are generally
| isia tory. The energy and business
| capacity of the pioneers who are settling
u the vast domains not yet Incorporated
INTO States, are keeping pace in Internal
| .lnprnyementS and civil government with
the old,r communities. In but one Of
them. Utah. j. the condition of fairs un-
| sIri-ti, tory. except 30 far as me qiiiet OF
tll- citizen may be disturbed by real or
Imaginary danger of Irdian hostihties.
/; has seemed to be the policy of the leg
| stature of Utah to cvade all Responsible
| ny to the government Of the united
| States. and even to hold position in hos
tili-v 10 it. / recommend careful re-
| vision of the present laws OF the Ierrl-
tory by Congress. and the enactment oil
such law as the one proposed in Con-
gress at its last session of instance, or
something similar to it. as will secure
peace. the equality of all citizens before
| the law. and the ultimate cXtinguishment
OF Dolygamy.
Since inc establishment of territorial
government for the District of Columbia
the Improvement of the condition of the
CITY of Washington and surroundings
and the increase prosperity OF the citI-
Zens is observable to the most casual vlsi-
tor. The nation, being large owner OF
property in this CITY, should bear with
the citizens of the district it, just share
NJ The expense Of these improvements
recommend. therefore. an appproprla-
tion 10 reimburse the citizens for the work
done bv them along and in front OF pub
lie grounds during the last year, and seve-
r;:l appropriations. in order that the i'm
provament and embellishments OF the pub
lie buildings and 2 Ounds may keep pace
.-ith the improvements of the Territorial
authorities.
The Commissioner of Agriculture gives
a very full and interesting account OF the
several divisions of thar department The
Horticultural. Agricultural Statistical
chronological and Chemical. and the bene-
fit conferred by each upon the Agricultural
interest of the country. The whole report
is complete history of the total working
of that department in all its branches,
showing the manner in which the farmer-
merchant and miner is informed. and the
extent to which he l. aided in his pur-
suits The Commissioner makes Que
recommendation that measures he taken
bv Congress to protect and induce the
planting of forests. and suggests that no
part of the public lands should he dis
posed of without the condition that one
tenth of it be reserved in timber. where IL
exists and where it does not exist. induce
msrlts should be offered by planting It.
The Cenren' ial celebration. IL i'll accord
ance W tn the terms OF the act of Congress-,
approved March the 81. 1871, providing
for the celebration IF the one-hUndredth
Anniversary of American independence.
4 commission has been Organized, co.,
sf=tinS ot two members from each of the
States and Territories. The commission
has had two sessions and made satisisctC-
RI. progres. in the initiatory steps
necessary for carrying ont the provisions
of the act and for executing the provi-
sionS Of June Isl. 1871, creating CEN
tennial board OF fnafsce. -
4 preliminary report of progress mas
b. n rs. eived from the President OF the
Commission. and is here with transmitted.
It Will f;e the duty of the Commission at
YOUR coming session TO transmit a report
OF Tie progress made, and to lay before
YOU the setssil> relating to the exhibition
OF American ard foreign arts, pro ucts
and manufactures. which. by the
terms OF the acr- IS TO De
Government of the Uni ed States. in
the city of Philadelphia. in the year 1916,
'FhiS celebration will be looked fOrwarh to-
bv American citizens with great Interest,"
marking century of greater progress
and prosperity than is recorded in the his
torv OF any other nation. and proving a fur
Their good purpose in bringing toy ther on
one soil. people OF all the commercial ma
tons OF the Garth in a manner calculated to
secure international good feeling.
An earnest desire has been felt to cor
rect abuses which have grown up in the
civil service OF the country through the
defective method of making appointments
to office. which have been regarded too
much IL the reward of political services
nsler authority OF Congress rules have
been est ib:isied to regulate the
terms of Office and the mode of appoint
rAents. II cannot be expected that any
system or rule can he entirely effective
and prove a perfect remedy for the exist
Ing evils until they have been thoroughly
tested by actual practice and amended ac-
cortling to the requirements o. the SER
vice. During my term of office it shall
bs my best ens;eavor to so apply the rules
.is is secure the greatest possible reforns
in The. civil service OF the Government,
but L will require the dire, action of Con-
gress to render the enforcement OF the
system binding upon my successors. and
I hope that the experience of the past
wear. together with appropriate legisla-
ton by Congress may reach a satisfactory
solution of this question, and secure to
the public service for all time a practical
method of obtaining faithful and efficient
employees.
[Signedl U. 5. GRANT.