Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-12-09

eiOh' 10 Va iiOti0 pIdCtiCdl value dfCer the |
expiration of the first half of that peri
cd. 1t would probably obviate the con-
stitutional provision regarding the deci-
NAL census if census be taken in 1875
should be Invested of all political charac-
ter, and no reapportionment of Congress
sional representation be made up. Such
a census, coming as it would in the last
year of the first century of our national
existence, would furnish a noble monu-
ment of the progress of the United States
during that century.
The rapidly increasing interest in ed
ucation is most encouraging feature in
the current history of the country, and
it is no doubt true that this is in great
measure due to the efforts of the Bureau
of Education. That office is continually
receiving evidences which abundantlY |
prove its efficiency, from the various in
stitutions of learning and education, of
all kinds throughout the country. The
report of the commissioner contains a
vast amount of educational details of
great interest. The bill now pending
before Congress providing for the appro-
priation of the net proceeds of the sales
of public lands for educational purposes,
to aid the states in the general education
of the rising generations, is measure
of such great Importance to our real prog
ress, and is so unanimously approved by
the leading friends of education that I
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 domain, not yet incorporated
into states, are keeping pace in internal
improvements and civil government with
the older communities. In but one of
them, Utah, is the condition of affairs
unsatisfactory; except so far as the quiet
of society may be disturbed by real or
imaginary dangers of Indian hostilities.
1t has seemed to be the policy of the
Legislature of Utah to evade all respon-
sibility to the government of the Unit
ed States, and even to hold a position in
hostility to it. l recommend a careful
revision of the present laws of that ter
ritory by Congress. and the enactment of
such law as the one proposed in Con-
gress at its last session for instance, or
something similar to it, which will Sc
cure peace, the equality of all citizens
before the law, and the ultimate extin.
guishment of polygamy.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The report of the commissioner of ag-
riculture gives very full and interesting
account of the several divisions of that
department, the horticultural, agricul-
tural and statistical, chronological and
chemical, and the benefits conferred by
each upon the agricultural interests of
the country The whole report is COM
plete history, in detail, of the workings
of the department in all its branches,
showing the manner in which the farmer,
merchant and miner is informed, and the
extent to which he is aided in his pur-
suits. The commissioner makes the rec
ommendation that measures be taken by
Congress to protect and induce the plant
ing of forests, and suggests that no part
of the public lands should be disposed of
without the condition that one-tenth of
it be reserved in timber where it exists,
and where it does not exist inducements
should be offered for planting it,
Since the establishment of a territori-
al government for the District of Column
bia. the improvement of the condition Of
the city of Washington and the surround
ings, and the increased prosperity of the
citizens is observable to the most casual
visitor The nation being a big owner
of property in the city, should bear with
the citizens of the District just share
of the expense of these improvements.
recommend, therefore, an appropriation
to reimburse the citizens for the worl
done by them along and in front of pub
lie grounds during the past year, anc
liberal appropriations in order that the
improvement and establishment of tn,
public buildings and grounds may keel
pace with the improvements made by the
territorial authorities.
NATIONAL CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
In accordance with the terms of tn,
act of Congress approved March Sd, 1871
providing for the celebration of tn,
Tooth anniversary Of American indie
pendence, commission has been organ
lied consisting of two members from eacl
; of the states and territories. This com
mission has held two sessions and ha
made satisfactory progress in the organ
ization, and the initiatory steps necessa
ry for carrying out the provisions of tn
, act, and for executing also the provis
ions of the act of June lst. 1871, Great
e ing a centennial board of finance. /
! preliminary report of the progress ha
: been received from the president of tn
commission, and is herewith transmitted
It will be the duty Of the commission
at your coming session, to transmit ful
" report of the progress made and to la
u before you the details relating to the ez
; hibition of American and foreign arts
products and manufactures, which by tn
+ terms offered is to be held under the aus
pieces of the government of the Unite
States, in the city of Philadelphia, in th
S year 1876. This celebration will h
9 looked forward to by American citizen
$ with great interest, as marking cent?
n ry of greater progress and prosperit
" than is recorded in the history of an
3 other nation, and proving further goo
IS purpose in bringing together on our so
s. peoples of all the commercial nations
! the earth in manner calculated to S
u cure international good feeling.
10 CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
!. An earnest desire has been felt to co
rect the abuses which have grown up
!. the civil service of the country throus
Il the defective method of making appoin
10 ments to Office. Heretofore. Federal G
r. fees have been regarded too much as Il
reward of nolitical service undar the q