Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-12-11

dates of pensions. The whole number of
| soldiers enlisted in the war of the rebellion
was 2688,5 523. The total number of claims for
invalid pensions is 1765O0 being but six per
cent, OF the whole number of enlisted men.
; nne Total number of claims on hand at the be-
o; odH;Ll5S OF the year was 81 500: the number re-
1,oso % Iae1ng the year 26, ,574 the number dis
The nnn,ber Ion lo making net gain of 264
o. IL ioot oo, oI cialms now on file is 70, ,085.
Oh the 3oth of June 1872 there were on the
~ rolIS the names OF 9,545 invalid military pen
sloners, and 113,518 widows. orphans and de-
peIIuelII IeiaGl7es, making total of 208 923
ARMY pensioners. At the same time there
were on the rolls the names of 1 44o navy nen
sioners, and $50 widows orphans. and de-
pendent relatives, making the whole number
OF naval pensioners 3,179. There have been
received since the passage OF the act to pro-
| vide tensions for the survivors of the war of
| 1912, 36,551 applications prior to June 30th,
| 1872. OF these there were allowed during the
| last fiscal year 90 1876 claims; 4,S45 were re-
jected during the year, leaving 1850 claims
pending. The number OF pensions of all
classes granted dnring the last fiscal year was
| 80, S38. During that period there dropped
from the rolls, for various causes, 914 names,
| leaving grand total of 232, ,229 pensions on
the rolls on the 30th of June, 1872. tits
thought that the claims for pensions on ac-
count of the war of 1912 will all be disposed
] II "
that So 048 600 will be required for the pension
service during the next fiscal year.
THE CENSUS.
The ninth census is almost completed. It's
completion is a subject of congratulatiOn, in
asmueh as the use to be made of the statis-
tics contained depends very greatly on the
promptitude of publication. The Secretary of
the Interior recommends that census be
taken in 1875. which recommendation should
receive the ready attention of Congress. The
interval at present established by the federal
census is 80 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 obviate the constitutional pro-
vision regarding the decimal census, if a CEN
sus taken in 1875 should be dlveSted of all po-
litical character, and no appointments of
Congressional representation be made under it
such census coming as 1T would, In the last year
OF the first century of our national existence,
would furnish a noble monument Of the pro-
gress of the United States during that CEN
tury.
EDUCATION.
The rapidly increasing interest III education
is most encouraging feature in the current
history of the country, and it is no doubt true
that this is due in great measure to the
efforts of the bureau of education. That Office
Is continually receiving evidences which
dDuDudnlIN prove It's eI1c1GncN 1rOill the NdG-
lous institutions of learning and educators of
all kinds throughout the country.
The report of the Commissioners contains
vast amonnt Of educational details OF great in
terest. The bill, nov pending before Cen
gress, providing fol- the appropriation OF part
OF the proceeds of the sales of public lands
Tor educational purposes, to aid the states in
the general education of their rising genera
tlons, Is measure of such great importance
to our real progress, and is SO unanimously
approved by the leading friends of education,
that commend it to the favorable attention
of Congress.
TERRITORIAL AFFAIRS
Affairs in the territories are generally satis-
factory. The energy and business capacities
of the pioneers who are settling up the vast
domains not yet incorporated into states are
keeping peace. in internal improvement 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 the citizen may be disturbed by real
or imaginary danger of Indian hostilities, it
has seemed to be the policy of the legislature
of Utah to evade all responsibility to the gov
ernment of the United States, and even to
hold position in hostility to it.
recommend a careful revision of the pres
ent laws of the territory by Congress, and the
enactment of such law as the one propos d
in Congress at its last session, for instance, or
something similar to it, as will secure peace,
the equality of all citizens before the law, and
the ultimate extinguishment of polygamy.
Since tbs establishment of territorial gov
ernment for the District of Columbia, the i'm
provement of the condition of the city of
Washington and surroundings, and the in
creased prosperity OF the citizens, is observ-
able to the most casual visitor The nation
being a large owner of property In that city.
should bear with the citizens of the District
its just share of the expenses of these
improvements. I recommend, therefore, III
appropriation to reimburse the citizens for
the work done by them along ard in front of
the public grounds during the past year, and
liberal appropriations, in order that the inn
provement and establishment OF the public
buildings and grounds may keep pace with the
made by The territoritorial au-
thorltles.
AGRICULTURE.
The report of the Commissioner of Agri-
culture gives a very full and interesting ac-
count Of the several divisions of the Depart
ment-the horticultural, agricultural, statis-
teal chronological and chemical, and the
benefits conferred by each upon the agrcul-
tural interests of the country. The whole re-
port is a complete history in total of the
workings of that Department in all of it's
branches, showing the manner in which the
farmer, merchant, and miner is informed,
and the extent to which he is aided
in his pursuit. TIE Commissioner makes one
recommendation that measures be taken by
Congress to protect and induce the planting
of forests and suggests that no part of the
public lands should be disposed of without the
condition that oue-tenth OF 1t be reserved in
timber when it exists, and where it does not
exist inducements be offered for planting it.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
In accordance with the terms of an act of
Congress approved March Sd, 1871, providing
for the celebration of the Tooth anniversary of
American Independence, a commission has
been organized consisting of two members
from each of the states and territories. The
Commission has held two sessions and made
satisfactory progress In organization and ID
initia tory steps necessary for carrying out the
provisions OF the act and for executing
the provisions also of the act cf June 1st, 1872,
creating a Centennial Board of Finance. A
preliminary report of progress has been re-
ceyed from the President OF the Commission
and is herewith transmitted. It will be the
duty of the Commission at your coming session
to transmit report of the progress made and
to Law before you the details relating to the
exhibition OF arts, products and manufactures
which by the term of the act is to be held I'M
der the auspices of the government OF the
United States in the city of Philadelphia In the
year 1876. This celebration will be looked for
ward to by American citizens with great IN
terest, as marking century OF greater prog
ress and prosperity than is recorded IN the
history Of any other nation and subserylng
fuIther good purpose III bringing together on
our soil the people Of all the commercial ma
tions of the earth in manner calculated to
secure international good feeling.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Ae earnest desire has been felt to correct
abuses which havs grown up in the civil ser
vice of the country through the defective
method of making appointments to o1nces
which have been regarded too much as re-
ward of political services. Under authority
| of Congress rules have been established to
regulate the terms of Office and the mode of
appointment. 1t cannot be expected that any
system Of rules can be entirely effective and
prove perfect remedy for the existing evils
! till they have been thoroughly testedb actual
practice and amended according to the re-
auirements of the 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
ouire the direct action of Congress
to render the enforcement of the
system binding upon my successors,
and [ hope that the experience of the past
n, TO