Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1872-12-06
Continued from First Pare.


of a Territorial government for the Dis
the condition of the city of Washington
and surroundings, and the increased pros
perity of the citizens is observable to the
most casual visitor. The nation, being a
large owner of property in the city, should
bear with the citizens of the district its just
share of the expense of these improve
ments. recommend, therefore, an appro-
priation to reimburse the citizens for the
work done by them along and in front Oh Inc e
public grounds during the past year, ana
liberal appropriations in order that the I'M
proyement and establishment OF the paDiic
buildings and grounds may Keep pace VIII,
the improvements made Dy tne IerrlCofl@i
The report of the Commissioner of Agri-
cuItnre gives a very full and interesting &C
count of the several divisions OF tAaC de-
nsrtment-the horticultural, agricultural,
.statistical chronological and chemical, and
the benefits conferred by each upon the ag-
ricu1turaI interests of the country. The
whole report is q complete history in total
of the workings of thatdepartment 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
pursuits. The Commissioner makes one
recommendation that measures be taken by
Congress to protect and induce the planting
of forests, and suggest that no part of the
public lands should be disposed of without
the condition that one tenth of it be reserv-
ed in timber when it exists, and where it
does not exist an inducement should be
offered by planting it.
In accordance with the terms of the act of
z Congress approved March 4, 1871, providing
for the celebration of the one hundredth an
niversary of American independence, Com
mission has been organized consisting of
two members from each of the States and
Territories. The Commission has held two
sessions and has made satisfactory progress
in the organization and in the initiatory
steps necessary for carrying out the pro-
visions of the act, and fer executing the pro-
visions also of the act of June 1, 1871, Great
. ing Centennial Board of Finance. pre-
liminary report OF progress has been re-
ceived from the President of the Commits.
sion, and is herewith transmitted. 1t will
be the duty of the Commission, at your
coming session, to transmit report of the
progress made and to lay before you the
details relating to the exhibition of Amer
lean and foreign arts, products, and man
ufactures which, by the terms of the act, is
ment of the United States in the city of
Philadelphia in the year 1876. This celebra-
ton will be looked forward to by American
citizens with great interest, as making a
century of greater progress and prosperity
than is recorded in the history of any other
nhLlOu1 anu 9OOu PUIpO5c
in bringing together on our soil
people of all the commercial nations
of the earth in q manner calculated
to secure international good feeling.
An earnest desire has been felt to correct
abuses which have grown up in the civil SER
vice of the country through the defective
method of making appointments to office,
which have been regarded too much as the
reward of political services. Under author
ity OF Congress rules have been established
to regulate the terms of Office and mode
of appointments. 1t cannot be expected
that any system or rule can be entirely
effective and prove perfect remedy
for the existing evils till they
have been thoroughly tested by
actual practice, and amended according to
the requirements 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 service of the
Government, but it will require the direct
action of Congress to render the enforce
ment of the system binding upon my success
sors, and hope that the experience of the
past year, together with appropriate legisla-
tion by Congress, may reach satisfactory
solution of this question, and secure to the
public service for all time practical method
of obtaining faithful and efficient officers
and employees. U. s. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, December 2, 1872