The New York herald., 1872-12-03

the rebellion was 2sss,52a The total number o,
claims for invalid pensioners Is I76, 900, being but
The total number OF claims on hand at the begin.
ming Of the year was q, $780, The number received
OF was 39.l7s. making a net gain OF I2.So4. TGe
number OF claims now on nle Is u. 0S5.
On the Soth OF June, iS12 there were the rolIs
1l3. 5lS widows. orphans and dependent reiatiyes'
making an aggregate OF 2oS,923 army pensioners:
at the same time there were on the rolls the names
oil l449 navy pensioners and l,730 widows. orphans
and dependent relatives, making the whole mum,
Der OF naval pensioners 3l79.
There have been received since the passage o.
the act to provide pensions for the survivors Of
ss % dDr 10 e
fiscal year 2o126 claims; 4,s45 were rejected
during the year. leaving 1880 claims pend.
Of Of ali Classes Sag granted during during the ' last Is.
Cal year was 1885; during that period thera
names, leaving grand total OF 232, 229 pensioners
on the rolls on the 30th OF June, 1872 1t is thought
that the claims Tor pensions on account Of the war
OF 1879 will all be disposed OF by the 1st oil May 1879
II is estimated that will be required f0I
the pension service during the next fiscal year
THE CENSUS.
The ninth census Is about completed It's carly
completion Is o subject OF c0ngratuati0n, inasmucb
tanned depends very greatly on the promptitude OF
pabcatiGn The Secretary Of the Interior recon-
Recommendation should receive the early az
tentlon OF Congress. The interval at present
established between the federal census is 40
long that the information obtained at the decen.
NAL periods as to the material condition. wants
and resources OF the nation is OF little practical
value after the expiration OF the first hall OF that
period. 1t would, probably, obviate the constitu,
tiona provision regarding the decennial census IL
notso taken IN dSaS should be diyested 81 all
gressonal representation be made under it. Such
census, coming as 1t would In the last year OF the
nrst century OF our national existence, would also
furnish noble monument OF the progress OF the
United States during that century
The rapidly increasing interest In education Is
most encouraging feature in the current history OF
In q great measure to the efforts OF the Bureau
or Education. That Office Is continually receiy-
Ing evidences, which abnndantly prove its efi.
education throughout the country. Tho report
of the Commissioner contains 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 their rising
generation, is measure OF such great Importance
to our real progress and Is 50 unanimously ap,
commend it to the favorable attention OF Congress-
AFFAIRS IN THE TERRITORIES.
ness capacity OF the pioneers who are settling up
the vast domains not yet Incorporated into States
civil government with the older communities. In
but one OF them-Utah-is the condition OF affairs
citizen may Be DISTURBED by real or rns imaginary
danger Of Indian hostilites 1t has seemed to be
the policy Of the Legislature OF Utah 70 evade all
responsibility to the government or the United
States, and even to hold position IN hostility TO
it. recommend q careful revision Of the present.
laws OF the Territory by Congress and the enact
ment of such a law as the one proposed In
Congress at its last session, for Instance, or
something similar to it, as viii secure peace.
the equality OF ali citizens before the law aud the
ultimate extinguishment OF poygamy. Since the
establishment OF territorial government for the
District OF Columbia the Improvement OF the con-
dition oil the city of Washington and surroundings
ana the increased prosDerty OF the citizens are OBJ
being large owner OF property in this city should
bear with the citizens OF the District just share
mend, therefore. an approprIation to reimburse the
citizens for the work done by them along and In
front OF public grounds during the past year, and
ment and establishment OF the public buildings
ana grounds may no keep pace with n,t inc improve
menus MADE ny the IerriG0rial nnG3 raa autnofites
The report OF the Commissioner OF Agriculture
@ a. ss
tural, agricultural, statistical, chronological and
chemcal-and the benefits conferred by each upon
whole report is complete history in detail OF the
workings OF that department In all its branches,
showing the manner In which the farmer, merchant
and miner are informed, and the extcnt to which
they are aided In their pursuits.
..a aHe uOmmisslOneI y, M makes k 0ne ~
induce the planting Of forests, and suggests that
no part OF the public lands should be disposed Of
without the condition that One-tenth OF it be re-
served in timber where it exists, and where it does
not exist inducements should be offered by plant
tngit.
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
In accordance with the terms Of the act OF Con
ceiebraion Of the hHndredth annivsrsory Of
American independence q commission has been
~ a. 81 two @ Sn
sion has held two sessions, and has made satisfac-
tory progress in the organization and in the inita
sions OF the act, and for executing also the
provisions OF the act OF June ]. 187l creating
Centennial Board Of Finance.
A preliminary report OF progress has been re.
ceived from the president OF the commission
and is herewith transmitted. 1t will be
the duty OF the commission at your coming session
to transmit ful report OF the progress made, and
to lay before you the details relating to the exhb
tion of American and foreign arts, products and
manufactures, which by the terms OF the act ia to
De held under the auspices OF the government OF
the United States in the city Of Phlladephia, IN the
year 1875. This celebration will be looked forward
to by American citizens with great interest, as
marking a century OF greater progress and pros
nation and proving further good purpose in
bringing together on our soil peoples OF all the
culated to secure international good feeling.
CIVIL SERVICE.
An earnest desire has been felt to correct abuses
which have grown up IN the civil service OF the
country through the defective method OF making
appointments to office. Heretofore federal offices
have been regarded too much as the reward OF p0-
itical services Under authority oil Congress rules
have been established to regulate the tenure OF
be expected that any system OF rules can be en-
tirely effective and prove perfect remedy for the
existing evils until they have been thoroughly
tested by actual practice and amended according
to the requirements OF the service.
During my term OF office 1t shall be my best en-
deavor to so apply the rules as to secure the great
est possible reform in the civil service of the gov.
ernnent, but it will require the direct action OF
Congress to render the enforcement OF the system
binding upon my successors, and hope that the
experience OF the past year, together with apprO-
pirate legislation by Congress, may reach salts
factory solution OF this question and secure to the
public service for all time practical method OF
obtaining faithful and efficient officers and en-
ployes. U. s. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dec. q 1872.
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES.