Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-12-13

dtl lllt uuSlHtSS Vi inc Oliltb properly WITH
out more room in which TO arrange files
and drawings that must be consulted hour
ly in the transaction of business. The whole
of the Patent Office building will soon be
needed, if it is not already, for the accom-
mediation Of the business Of the Patent
Office.
PENSIONS.
The amount paid for pensions in the last
fiscal year was $50, 100, $40, an amount larger
by SO, 7OS, ,434 than was paid during the pre-
ccdng year. or this amount S2,3l3, 400
were paid under the act of Congress of Feb.
II, 1871, to survivors of the war of 1872.
The annual increase of pensions by the
legislation of Congress has more than kept
pace with the natural yearly losses from
the rolls. The act of Congress of June S,
1872, has added an estimated amount of
2750.000 per annum to the rolls without in
creasing the number of pensioners. We
cannot therefore look for any substantial
decrease in the expenditures of this Depart
| ment for some time to come, or so long as
| Congress continues to so change the rates
| of pension. The whole number of soldiers
| enlisted in the war or the rebellion was D.
6SS, ,523 The total number of claims for
| invalid pensions is 10000 being but per
| cent Of the whole number of enlisted men.
| The total number of claims on hand at the
| beginning of the year was 9l,GS9. The
number received during the year was 26,-
574. The number disposed of was 80. .l7S,
making net gain OF 1904. The number
| of claims now on file is 790S5. On the 3Oth
of j une, 1872, there were on the rolls the
| names of 95, ,405 invalid military pensioners.
| 1l3,5lS widows, orphans, and dependent
relatives, making an aggregate of POS, 1923
army pensioners. At the same time there
were on the rolls the names of l,4i0 navy
! pensioners and | l,730 widows, orphans, and
| upDpn1put relatives max inc a wi
| number of naval pensioners 3,l79. There
have been received since the passage of the
act to provide pensions for the survivors of
the War of 1872, 3d,55l applications prior to
| June 30, 1872. OF these there were allowed
during the last fiscal year, 20, l2G claims !;
4,Slj were rejected during the year, leaving
1850 claims pending at that date. The
| number of pensioners of all classes granted
during the last fiscal year was 33, ,s3S. Dur
ing that period there dropped from the rolls,
for various causes. 9,l0I names, leaving a
grand total of Do, 30 pensioners on the
rolls the S0th Of June, 1872. 1t is thought
that the claims for pensions on account of
the War of lSl2 will all be disposed of the
lst of May, 1873. 1t is estimated that $780,
4S0, 900 will be required for the Pension
Service during the next fiscal year.
THE COMPLETION OF THE CENSUS.
The ninth census is about completed. Its
early completion is a subject of congratula-
ton, inasmuch rs the use to be made of the
statistics therein contained depends very
greatly on the promptitude of publication.
The Secretary of the Interior recommends
that census be taken in 1875, which rec
ommendation should receive the carly at
tention OF Congress. The interval ut pres
ent established between the Federal census
is so long that the information obtained at
the decimal periods as to the material condi-
ton, wants, and resources of tho nation is
of little practical value after the expiration
of the first half of that period 1t would
probably obviate the constitutional provi-
sion regarding the decimal census, if a
census taken in 1875 should be divested of
all political character, and no reapportion-
ment of Congress representation be made
under 1t. such census, coming as it would
in the last year of the first century of our
national existence, would furnish a noble
monument of the progress of the United
States during that century.
THE BUREAU OF EDUCATION.
The rapidly increasing interest in educa-
ton is a most encouraging feature of the
current history OF the country, and it is nc
doubt true that this is due, in great meas
ure, to the efforts of the Bureau of Educa-
ton. That Office is continually receiving
evidences which abundantly prove its ef-
ticiency from the various institutions OF
learning and education throughout the
country The report of the Commissioner
contains a vast amount Of educational de.
tails OF great interest. The bill now pend.
ing before Congress, providing for the ap-
preparation of the net proceeds of the sales
of public lands for educational purposes
TO aid the States in the general education
of their rising generation, Is n measure o
such great importance to our real progress
and is so unanimously approved by the
| landing friends Df alnpatinn thut I
mend 1t TO the favorable attention of Con
, | gress.
, LEGISLATION REQUIRED CONCERNING UTAH
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DISTRICT OF
CoLUMBIA.
Affairs in the Territories are generally
satisfactory. The energy aud business ca
paclty of the pioneers, who are settling VI
/, the vast domains not yet incorporated into
States, are keeping pace in internal improve
monts and civil government with the Older
p communities. In but one of them, Utah,
is the condition of affairs unsatisfactory
; except so far as the quiet of the citizens
| may he disturbed by real or imaginary
danger of Indian hostilities. 1t has SEEM
! cd to be the policy of the Legislature o.
. Utah to eVade an responsibility to the
Government of the United States, and even
to hold n position in hostility to II. | rec
, ommend careful revision of the present
laws of the Territory by Congress, and the
enactment of such law AS the one propos-
ed IN Congress at the last session, for in
: stance, or something similar to II as will
, secure peace, the equality of all citizens be.
> fore the law, aud the ultimate extingush
! ment of polygamy. Since the establish
| ment OF a Territorial Government of the
, District of Columbia, the improvement o
the condition of the City of Washington
and surroundings and the increased pros