The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-12-21

of the first century of our national existence.
would furnish q noble monument Of the pro-
gress of the United States during that cen
fury.
EDUCATION.
The rapidly increasing interest in education
is a most encouraging feature in the current
history of the country, and ii is no doubt true
that this is due i'll a great measure to the
efforts of the bureau of education, That office
is continually receiving evidences which
abundantly prove its efficiency from the var
ious institutions of learning and educators of
all kinds throughout the country.
The report of the Commissioners contains a
vast amount 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 i'll
the general education OF their rising genera
tons, is a measure of such great Importance
to our real progress, and Is 50 unanimously
approved by the leading friends of education,
That [ commend 1t to the favorable attention
of Congress.
TERRITORIAL AFFAIRS.
Affairs i'll the territories are generally salts.
factory. The energy and business capacities
of the pioneers who are settling up the vast
domains not vet 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
afflirs unsatisfactory. Except so far as the
quiet of the citizen may be disturbed by real
or imaginary danger Of Indian hostilites, it
has seemed TO be the policy of the legislature
Of Utah to ovade all responsibility to the gov
eminent of the United States, and even to
hold position i'll hostility to it.
| recommend 4 careful revision OF the pres
ent laws of the territory by Congress, and the
enactment of such law as the ole proposed
in Congress at its last session. for instance, or
something similar TO il, as viii secure peace,
the equality of all citizens before the law, and
the ultimate extin9uishment Of polygamy.
Since this establishment of q territorial gov
eminent for the District of Columbia, the I'M
proveme MT of the condition of the city OF
Washington and surroundings, and the in
creased prosperity Of the citizens is obSCrv-
able to the most casual visitor The nation
being large owner of property III that city.
should bear with the citizens of the District
its just share Of the expenses of these
improvements. | recommend, therefore, IN
appropriation to reimburse the citizens for
the work done by them along and III front of
the public grounds during the past year, and
liberal appropriations, In order that the i'm
provemeut and establishment OF the public
buildings and grounds may keep pace with the
improvements made by the territoritoriai au-
thorlties.
AGRICULTURE.
The report Of the Commissioner of Agri-
culture gives a very fun and interesting ac-
count of the several divisions of the Depart
ment-the horticultural, agricultural, statls-
teal, chronological and chemical, and the
benefits conferred by each upon the agricul-
tural interests of the country. The whole re-
port is complete history in total of the
workings Of that Department In all OF its
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 Que tenth of 1t be res, rived i'll
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 10Gth 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 i'll organization and in
lnItlatOTy steps necessary Tor carrying out the
provisions of the act aud for executing
the provisions also of the act cf June LIST 1872,
creating Centennial Board of Finance. A
preliminary report of progress has been re-
ceived from the President of the Commission
and is herewith transmitted. 1t Will be the
duty of the Commission at your coming session
to transmit a report of the progress made and
| to lay 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
| tercSt, as marking century OF greater prog
rcss and prosperity than is recorded in the
! history of any other nation and subscribing a
| further good purpose III bringing together on
| oar soil the people of all the commercial ma
| tons 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 offices
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 a perfect remedy for the existing evils
till they have been thoroughly tested by actual
practice and amended according to the re-
quiremonts OF the service.
During my term of office il shall be my best
endcavor to so apply the rules as to secure
the greatest possible reform in the Civil Ser
vice of the government. Bat 1t will re-
quire the direct action of Congress
to render the enforcement of the
system binding upon my successors.
and | hope that the experience of the past
year, together with appropriate legislation by
Congress, may reach Il satisfactory solution or
this question, and secure to the public service
for time practical method of obtaining
faithful and efficient officers and employees.
T. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, December 2, 1872.