The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1872-12-13

0 Il
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 June s. 1872. has added an estimated amount
of $3.50, 900 per annum to the rolls without in
creasing the number of pensioners We can
not, therefore, look for any substantial de-
crease in the expenditures of this department
for some time to come, or so long as Congress
continues to so change the dates of pensions.
The whole number of soldiers enlisted IL the
war of the rebellion was 2 6SS, 553- The total
number of claims for pensions Is 176, 600, 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 81, 500.
The number received during tho year was 26,
| 574. The number disposed of was IS, 14S-
making net gain of 1864 The number OF
claims now on file Is 70 0S5. On the 30th of
June, 1872, there was on the rolls the names
of 94, 4O5 pensioners, 113, ,5lS widows, orphans
and dependent relatives, making an aggregate
of pos, 923 army pensioners At the same time
there was ON the rolls the name of ], 449 navy
pensioners and /, $50 widows, orphans and de-
pendent relatives, making tho whole numberOf
navy pensions 3.179. There have been re-
ceIyed, since the passage of the act to provide
pensions for the soldiers of the war of 1912,
36.55l applications prior to June so. 1872. OF
these there were allowed, during the last fiscal
year. 2.O16 claims .SA5 were rejected during
the year, leaving II, $50 claims pending at that
date The number of pensions of all classes
granted during the last fiscal year was 80, $50.
During that period there was dropped from
the rolls, for various causes, 9,1O4 names,
leaving grand total of 232. .g29 pensioners on
the rolls on the Seth of June 1872. 1t is
thought that the claims for pensions. on ac-
count of the war of 1912. viii all be disposed
of by the LIST of May, 1878. Il is estimated
that $50, ,4SO. .000 viii be required for the pen
sion service for the next fiscal year. p
THE CENSUS.
The ninth census Is about completed. It's
completion Is a subject of congratulatiOn, in
asmuch as the use to be made Of the statistics
therein contained depends very greatly ON the
prOmptitnde of its publication. The Secretary
OF the Interior recommends that a census be
taken in 1875, which recommendation should
receive the ready attention of Congress. The
interval at present established between the
Federal census is so long that the information
obtained at the decimal periods as to the ma
terial condition, wants and resources of the
nation is of little practical value after the eX-
piratiOn of the first half of that period. 1t
would probably obyiate the constitutional pro-
vision regarding the decimal census, if
census taken in 1875 should be divested of all
political character, and no reappointment of
Congressional 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 noble monument Of
the progress of the United States during that
century.
EDUCATION.
The rapidly increasing interest in education
is most encouraging feature in the current
history of the country, and 1t Is no doubt true
that this Is due IN 3 great measure to the ef-
forts of the Bureau of Education. That office
is continually receiving evidence, which album
dantly 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 appropriation of part of the proceeds Of
the sales of public lands for educational puT-
poses to aid the State in the general education
of their rising generation, is a measure of such
great Importance to our real progress and Is
unanimously approved by the leading
friends of education, that / commend it to the
favorable attention of Congress.
THE TERRITORIES.
Affairs IL the territories are generally salts
factory. The energy and business capacity of
the pioneers who are settling up the vast do
minion not vet 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 Tar as the
quiet of the citizen may be disturbed by real
imaginary danger Of Indian hostlitIes. 1t
has seemed to be the policy Of the Legislature
of the State of Utah to eyade ali responsible
ity to the Government of the United States
and even to hold position in hostility to it.
recommend a revision of the present laws Of
the territory 10y Congress and the enactment OF
such law as the one proposed in Congress at
its last session, for instance, something
similar to 1t a. viii secure peace, the equality
Of all citizens before the law and the ultimate
eXtinguishment of poligamy. Since the estab-
hshment of n territorial government for the
district of Columbia, the improved condition
of the city Of Washington and surroundings,
and the increased prosperity of the citizens Is
observable to the most casual visitor. The
nation being large owner of property IN this
city should bear with the citizens of the dis
trlCt its Just share of the expense OF these In
prOyemouts. 1 recommend, therefore, an ap-
preparation to reimburse the citizens for the
work done by them along and in front Of the
public grounds during the past year, and hber-
al appropriations in order that the improve
meBt and establishment Of the public build
mgs and grounds may keep pace with the i'm
pTovemeuts made by the territorial authori-
ties.
AGRICULTURE.
The report of the Commissioner Of Agri-
culture gives a very full and interesting
count of the several divisions of that depart
ment the horticultural. agricultural, statisti-
cal, chronological and chemical, and the
benefits conferred by each upon the agricul-
tural interests Of the country. The whole
report is a complete history In toto of the
workings of that department il all it's branches.
showing the manner and extent 20 which nc In
aided IN his pursuits. The Commissioner
makes a recommendation that measures be
taken by Congress to protect the planting Of
forests, and suggests that part of the pub
lie lands should be disposed Of without the
condition that Oue-teuth Of It be reserved IN
timber, where it exists, and where it does not
exist inducements should be offered by plant
ing it.
THE CESTESSIAI. cELEBEATIoS.
In accordance with the act of Congress, ap-
proved March 3. 1871, providing for the cele-
bration Of the one hundredth anniversary Of
American Independence a committee has been
organized consisting Of two members from each
of the States and territories. The committee
has held two sessions, and have made satistac-
tory progress IN the organization and III the
initiatOry steps necessary for carrying out the
provisions Of the act, and for executing the
provisions, also, of the act of june !, ISL
creating a centennial board Of finance. a pre-
Iiuinarv report Of progress has been received
from the President of the committee and Is
herewith transmitted
It will be the duty Of the committee at your
csjruiua, session to transmit report Of the pro
a-re.s made. and to lay before YOU the details
relating to the exhibition Of American and for
eigu arts, products and manufactures. which.
by the terms Of the act. is to be held under the
auspices Of the Government of the United
States, ia the city Of Philadelphia. in the year
1876. This celebration viii be looked forward
to by American citizens marking century OF
greater progress and prosperity than n re-
corded in the history of amy other nation, and
gethcr, on our soil, people Of all the CONNER
cial nations OF the earth, matter calculated to
secure the international good feeling.
CT,IL sEHyIcE REFORM
An earnest desire has been felt to correct
abuses which have grown up i'm the civil service
Of the country through the defective method Of
making appointments to Office. The offices
political services. Under the authority Of Con-
gress, rules have been established to regulate
the terms Of Office and the mode 0i appoint
nelts. It cannot be expected that any system
OF rule can be entirely effective aud prove a
perfect remedy for the existing evils. until the-
have been thoroughly tested by actual practice,
and amended according TO the requirements of
the service During my term Of office It shall
secure the greatest possible reform in the civil
service Of the Government. but IL VIII require