The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-12-13

meud i; TO the favorable attention OF Congress.
The report Of the Commissioner OF Agrl-
0nlture gives 4 very full and In seresting ac-
count Of the several divisions OF that depart
neut-the horticultural. agricultural, sta
tistical, chronological, aud chemica'-and the
benefits conferred by each upon the agricul-
tural interests Of the country. The whole
sport is . complete history in total OF the
working Of that department in all its branches,
shewing the manner in which the farmer,
merchant and miner is informed, and the
extent to which he is aided in his pursuits.
Tho Commissioner makes one recommended
ton. that measures be taken by Congress to
and suggests that no part Of the public lands
should be disposed of without the condition
Mat one-tenth Of ii should be reserved in
hm6er where it exists, and where it does
not exist inducement should be offered by
planting it.
In accordance with the terms Of the act OF
Congress approved March 3, 1871, providing
Tor the celebration Of the one hundredth an
niversary OF American independence, sCom-
mission has been organized, consisting Of the
two members from each of the STATES and
Territories. The Commission has held two
sonions, and has made satisfactory pro-
Rress in the organization and in TIE
initiatory steps necessary for the car.
rying cut the provisions of the act, and for
exceeding the provisions also Of the act Of
June l, 1871, creating q continual Board OF
Finance. A preliminary report Of progress
has been received from the President
Of the Commission, and is herewith trans
nitted.
II will be tine duty Of the Commission at
your coming session to transmit a report OF
the progress made, and to lay before you the
details relating to the exhibition of Amer
eau and foreign arts, products, and manu-
lectures which, by the terms Of the act, is 70
be held under the auspices Of the Govern
ment of the United States. in the city OF
Philadelphia. in the year 1876. This cele-
bration will be looked forward to by Ameri-
. citizens with great interest, as making
. century o. greater progress and prosperity
than is recorded in the history Of any other
nation, and proving a further good purpose
in bringing together on our soil the people
Of all the commercial nations Of the earth,
in a calculated to secure interra-
toual good feeling.
An earnest desire has been felt to correct
abuses which have grown up in the civil
service of the country, through the detective
method of making appointments to office,
which have been regarded too much as the
reward of political services. Under the au-
tnority of Congress rules have been estab-
lished to regulate the terms Of office and the
mode Of appointment. 1t cannot be expected
that any system Of rule can be entirely ef-
fective and prove a perfect remedy for the
existing evils till they have been thoroughly
tested by actual practice and amended ac-
eording to the requirements Of he service.
During my term of Office it shall be my best
endeavor to so apply the rules as to secure
the greatest possible reform in the civil SER
vice of the Govern ment. But it will require
the direct action of Congress to rende the en-
forcement OF the system binding upon my
successors, and I hopc that the experience
Of the pas. year, together with appropriate
legislation by Congress, may reach a ~satisfac-
tory solution of this question, and secure to
public service for all time a practical
method of obtaining faithful and efficient
officers and employees.
U. s. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, Dec. 2, 1872.