The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-12-13
THECOLUMBIAN AND DEMOCRAT BLOOMSBURY, COLUMBIA co


pensioners. We cannot, ,thereforelook for
any substantial decrease In the expendi-
lures Of this Department for some time
to come, or 80 long as Congress oontln'
ues to so change the rates OF pensions:
The whole number Of soldiers enlisted
In the war of the rebellion was z, 6SS,
523. The total number of claims ior
invalid pensions Is 176,0 900, being but o
per cent, of the whole number OF enlis.
ted men. The total number OF claims
on bsni at the beginning OF the year
was 9i, $50. The number received dur.
ing the year was 1854. The number
disposed Of was 1910, making u net
gain of IL, 6O4. The number now on
file Is 79,OS5. On the Both Of June. 1872
there were on the rolls the names of 05.
405 invalid military pensioners,an ll3,
5lS widows, orphans, and dependent
relatives, making an aggregate OF z0S,
923 army pensioners at the same time
there were on the rolls the names Of
LAO navy pensioners and lao
widows, orphans, and dependent
relatives, making the whole number OF
naval pensioners 3,179. There have
been received since the passage OF the
act to provide pensions for the survivors
of the war of 1912. 65.551 applications
prior to June 80. 1872; Of these there
were allowed during the last fiscal year
20. .l26 claims, and 4,845 were rejected
during the year, leaving $50 claims
pending at that date the number OF
pensions of all classes granted during
the last fiscal year was 33 1888. During
that period there dropped from the
rolls, for various causes, 9,104 names,
leaving q grand total of 232, ,229 pen.
siOners on the rolls on the 81 OF June,
1872. 1t Is thought that the claims for
pensions on account of the war of 1917
will all be disposed of by the 1st of
May, 1873. It Is estimated that $50,
4S0, 900 will be required for the pension
service during the next fiscal year.
THE CENSUS.
The ninth census is about completed.
Its early completion is subject of con-
graduation, inasmuch as the use to be
made Of the statistics therein contained
depends very greatly on the prompti.
tude Of publication. The Secretary of
the interior recommends that census
tiOn should receive the early attention
of Congress. The interval at present
established between the Federal census
is so long that the Information obtained
at the decennial periods as to the ma.
terial wants and resources of the nation
is of little practicable value after the
of the first half of that pc.
riod. 1t would probably obviate the
constitutional provision regarding the
decennial census If census taken in
1876 should be divested Of all political
and no reapportionment Of
Congressional representation be made
under 1t. Such census, coming as 1t
would in the last year of the first cen.
tury of our national existence, would
furnish a noble monument OF the pro.
gress of the United States during that
century.
EDUCATION.
The rapidly increasing interest in
education is q most encouraging feature
in the current history Of the country,
and it is no doubt true that this is due
in q great measure to the efforts of the
Bureau of Education. That Office is
receiving evidences which
prove its efficiency from
the various institutions Of learning and
educators of all kinds throughout the
The report of the Commis5-
ioner contains q vast amount of educa.
tional details of great interest. The
bill now pending before Congress pro.
vidipg for the appropriation of the net
proceeds of the sales Of public lands for
purposes to aid the States
In the general education of their rising
generations, Is measure Of such great
to our real progress, and is
80 approved by the leading
friends of education, that l commend
It to the favorable attention of Congress.
AFFAIRS IN THE TERRITORIES
are generally satisfactory. The energy
and business capacity of the pioneers,
who are settling up the vast domains
not yet incorporated into States, are
keeping pace In internal improvements
and civil government with the older
In but one OF these, Utah,
s the condition Of affairs unsatisfactory,
may be disturbed by real or imaginary
'eemed to be the policy of the Legisla.
;ure of Utah to evade all responsibility
% the Government OF the United States. |
md even to hold position in hostility |
20 it. recommend careful revision |
II the present laws Of the Territory by
Congress, and the enactment of such a |
aw as the one proposed in Congress |
It the last session, for instance, or sOme-
hing similar to 1t, as will secure peace,
he equality of all citizens before the
aw, and the ultimate extinguishment
If polygamy.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Since the establishment of Territor.
al Government for the District of Col.
lmbia the improvement of the condi-
ion of the City Of Washington and sur.
ouudings, and the increased prosperity
II the citizens, is observable to the most
asual visitor. The nation, being a
arge owner of property In this city,
hould bear with the citizens of the
District a just share Of the expense of
hese improvements. / recommend,
herefore,a appropriation to reimburse
he citizens for the work done by them
Turing the past year, and liberal appro-
,riations in order that the Improvement
md embellishmont of the public build.
ngs and grounds may keep pace with
he improvements made by the territor-
al authorities.
AGRICULTURE.
The report of the Commissioner of
Agriculture gives very full and inter-
sting account of the several divisions
Il that Department-the horticultural,
Agricultural, Statistical, Entom illogical
md Chemical-and the benefits con.
erred by each upon the agricultural
interests of the country. The whole
eport is complete history in detail of |
he workings Of the Department in all
ts branches, showing the manner In |
which the farmer, merchant, and miner |
s informed, and the extent to which
10 is aided In his pursuits. The Com
missioner makes one recommendation |
that measures be taken by Congress
% protect and induce the planting of
orests, and suggests that no part Of the
public lands should be disposed of
without the condition that one. tenth of
{ be reserved in timber where it exists
and where 1t does not exist inducements
should be offered for planting it.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
In accordance with the terms of the
act of Congress approved March 3, 1871
for the celebration of the one.
1undredth anniversary Of American
independence, commission has been
s-A. l.