The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-12-10

The interval at present established be-
tween the Federal census is so long that
theinformation obtained at the decennial
periods as to the material condition,
wants andresources OF the Nation, is of
little practical value, after the expiration
of the first half of that period 1t would
probably obviate the constitutional pro-
vision regarding the decennial census, il
census taken in 1876 should be divested
of all political character, aid no reappor.
tionment of Congressional representation
be made under it. Such census, comiug
as it would in the last year of the first cen
tury Of our national existence, would fur
nish a noble monument of the progress
Of the United States during that century.
The rapidly increasing interest in edu-
cation is a most encouraging feature in
history of the country, and il isno doubt
true that this is due in great measure to
the efforts of the Bureau of Education. -
That office is continually receiving evi-
dences which abundantly prove Its eff
cheney, from the various institutions OF
learning and education of all kinds
throughout the country. The report of
the Commissioner contains vast amount
of educational details of great interest
The bill now Feeding before Congress,
providing for the appropriation of part
of the 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
Importance TO our real progress. and is so
unanimously approved by the leading
friendsof education that commend it to
the favorable attention of Congress
THE TERRITORIES
The affairs in the Territories are gene
rally satisfactory. The energy and bust
ness capacity of the pioneers who are set
ting up the vast domains not yet incorpo-
rated into States, and keeping pace IN in
terrial improvements and civil govern
ment with the older communities In but
one of them Utah) is the condition of
affairs unsatisfactory, excepts so far as the
quiet Of the citizens may be disturbed by
real or imaginary danger or Indian hos
tilities 1t has seemed to be the policy of
the Legislature of Utah to evade. all re-
sponsihility to the Government of the
United States, and even to hold position
in hostility to it. Irecommend q careful
revision Of the present laws of the Terri
tory by Congress, and the enactment of
such a law as the one proposed in Con
gress att 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. - 49,
Since the establishment of q Territori-
al Government for the District of Culnm-
bia the improvement of the condition Of
the city of Washington and surround
ings, 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 District its jlst share
of the expense of these improvements.
Irecommend, therefore, an appropriation
to reimburse the citizens for the work
done by them along and in front of the
pablic grounds during the past year, and
liberal appropriations IN order that the
improvement and establishment of the
public buildings and grounds may keep
pace with the improvements made by the
Territorial authorities.
= - AGRICULTURE.
The report of the Commissioner of
Agriculture gives very full and interest
ing account of the several divisions of
that department, the horticultural, agri-
cultural, statistical, chronological, and
chemicals and the benefits conferred bHi
each upon the agricultural interests of
the country. The whole report is COM
plete history in total of the working of
that department in all its branches, show
ing the manner in which the farmer, mer-
chant and miner is informed, and the ex-
tent to which he is aided in his pursuits.
The Commissioner makes one recon-
mendation, that measures be taken by
Congress to protect and promote the
planting of forests, and suggests that no
part of thepublic lands should be dis
posed of without the condition that one
tenth of it be reserved in timber, where it
exists, and where it does not exist induce
ments should be offered for plantingit.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
In accordance with the terms of the
act Of Congress approved March 3,lS7l,
providing for the celebration of the one
hundredth anniversary of American In
dependence, acommission has been lOr-
ganized consisting of two members from
each of the States and Territories. The
commission has held two sessions and
hasmade satisfactory progress in the or
gauization and in the iniiiatory steps ne
cessary for carrying out the provisions Of
the act. and for executing the provisions
also of thesact of June |, 1871, creating I
d Centennial Board Of Finance A pre-
liminary reportof progress has been re-
ceived from the President of the Commits
sion, and is herewith transmitted. 1t viii
be the duty of the Commissioner, at your
coming session, to transmit report of
the progress made, and to lay before you
the details relating to the exhibition of
American arts, products and manufac-
lures. which, by the terms Of the act, is to
be held under the auspices of the Govern.
ment of the United States, in the city of
Philadelphia, in the year 1876. This cef-
ebration will be looked forward to by
American citizens with great interest, as
marking century of greater progress
and prosperity than is recorded in the
history of anyother nation, and proving
q further good purpose in bringing to-
gether on our soil people of all the COM
mercial nations of the earth in a matter
calculated to secure international good
feeling. fa'iv @
ss CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
An earnest desire has been felt to cor
rect abuses which have grown up in the
civil service OF. the country through the
defective method of making appoint
ments to Office. They have been regard
ed too much as the reward of political
services Under the authority of Con-