Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-12-03
main and the pushing of settlements in more
remote districts of the country, and at the

IudlIl anu ttie pushing VI sStlciHSuts III DlOEC
remote districts of the country. and at the
same time improved the condition of the In
dans. The policy will be maintained with
out any change, excepting such as further ex-
perlence may show to be necessary to render
1t more efficient The subject of converting
the so called Indian territory South of Kan
Sas into home for the Indians and erecting
therein territorial form of government is
one of great Importance. As a complement
tothe existing Indian policy, the question OF
removal TO the territory has within the past
year been presented to many of the tribes
resident upon other and less desirable por-
tions of the public domain. and has generally
been received by them with favor. AS a prelim-
mary step to the organization of such terri
tory it will be necessary to confine the Indi-
ans now residing therein to farms of proper
size, which should be secured to them in fee,
the residue to be used for the settlement OF
other friendly Indians. Efforts will be made
in the immediate future to induce the remov-
al of as many peaceably disposed Indians only
to the Indian territory as can be settled prop.
erly without disturbing the harmony of those
already there. There is no other location
now available where people who are endeav.
oring TO acquire knowledge of pastoral and
agricultural pursuits can be as well accom-
modated as upon the unoccuped lands in the
Indian territory. A territorial government
should however protect the Indians from the
inroads of the whites for term of years, I'M
til they become sufficiently advanced in the
arts and civilization to guard their own
rights. From the disposal of lands held
by them for the same period during the
last fiscal year, there were disposed of out
of the public lands, ll,s64 ,975 acres, a guam
tity greater by 1892 acres than was dis
posed of the previous year. Of the amount,
1870, 500 acres were sold for cash, $3.50, AGO
acres located with military warrants, 4,G7l /,
1872 acres taken for homesteads, G93 .6l3 acres
located with college scrip, 3,554,Ss7 acres
granted to railroads, 4G5, 341 acres granted to
Wagon roads, ,255 acres given to states
as swamp lands, $3.50 acres located BY In
dian scrip.
The cash received from all sources in the
Land Office amounted to S3,2lS 100. Dur
ing the same period 22,0lG,G0S acres of the
public lands were surveyed which added to
the quantity before surveyed, amount to 5S3,
36i, $50 acres, leaving 1851, G33, CPS acres OF
the public lands still unsurveyed. The re-
ports from the subordinates of the Land Office
contain interesting information in regard to
their respective districts. They uniformly
mention the fruitfulness of the soil during the
past season, and the increased yield Of all
kinds OF produce; even in those States and
Territories where mining is the principal
business, agricultural products have exceeded
the local demand, and liberal shipments have
been made to distant points.
PATENTS DURING THE YEAR 1872.
There were issued from the Patent Office
% ,G26 patents, 233 extensions, and j56 GER
tfcates of registry OF trade marks. During
the same time 1857 applications for patents,
including reissues and designs, have been re-
ceive1, and 800 caveats filed. The fees re-
ceiyed during the same period amount to
SCI ,095, 4SG, and the total expenditures to
S62 355, 800, making the net receipts over the
expenditures S7,.40, 09G. Since 1868, 200,-
90 applications have been fled, and about
l3, 500 patents issued. The office is being
conducted under the same laws and general
organization as were adopted at the original
Inauguration, when only from 100 to 200 ap-
piicatons were made per annum. The COM
missioner shows that the office has outgrown
the original plan, and that new organization
has become necessary.
This subject was presented to Congress in
a special communication in February last with
my approval and the approval of the Secre-
tary of the Interior, and the suggestions con-
tanned in said communication We're embraced
in the bill that was reported TO the House
by the Committee on Patents at the last ses-
sion. The subject of the reorganiz alton of
the patent office as contemplated by the bill
referred to is one of such importance to the
industrial interests of the country, that
commend it to the attention Of Congress.
The commissioner also treats the subject OF
the separation of the patent office from the
Department of the Interior. This subject is
also embraced in the bill heretofore referred
to, the commissioners complaining of the want
of room for the model gallery, for the working
force, and necessary files of the office. 1t is
Impossible TO transact the business of the
office properly without more room in which to
arrange files and drawings which must be
consulted hourly in the transaction of bust
ness. The whole of the patent office build
ing, will soon be needed, il it is not already,
for the accommodation of the business of the
patent office.
PENSIONS.
The amount paid for pensions in the last
fiscal year was $50, 1879 $40, an amount larg-
er by SO, 1854 than was paid during the
preceding year. Of this amount 50, 1913, 400
were paid under the act of Congress of Feb
ruary 1871, to survivors of the war of 1912.
The annual increase of pensions by the legis-
laton OF Congress has more than kept pace
with the national yearly losses from the rolls.
The act of Congress, June 49, 1872, has add
ed an estimated amount of $3.50, 900 per an
mum to the rolls without increasing the PEN
sioners. We cannot therefore look for any
substantial decrease in the expenditures of
the department for some time to come, or SO
long as Congress continues to so change the
rates of pensions. The whole number of
soldiers enlisted in the war of the rebellion
was .,C8S, j23. The total number Of claims
for invalid pensions is l7G, 200, being but six
per cent. of the whole number of enlisted
men. The total number of claims on hand at
the beginning of the year was 81, $50. The
number received during the year was 2G,574,
the number disposed OF was lis, making net
gain of over 12,G0i.. The number of claims
now on file is 19,0S5. On the 30th of June,
1872, there were on the rolls the names of
914 900 invalid military pensioners, l3,5l8
widows, orphans and dependent relatives,
making an aggregate of 20S,923 army PEN
sioners. At the same time there was on the
rolls the names of 40 navy pensioners,
1880 widows, orphans and dependent rela-
tives, making the whole number of naval
pensioners 3,l79.
There has been received since the passage
of the act to provide institutions for the sur
vivors of the war of 1912, 36,55l applications