Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-12-10
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Since the establishment of District of
Columbia, the Improvement 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 large owner Of property in the city,
should bear with the citizens of the district
its just share Of the expense of these i'm
prOyements | recommend therefore, an APP
preparation to reimburse the citizens for work
done by them along and in front of the pub
lie grounds during the past year, and liberal
appropriations in order that the Improvement
and establishment Of public buildings and
grounds may keep pace with the improve
ments made by the Territorial authorities
The report of the Commissioner of Agri
culture gives very full and interesting ac-
count of the several divisions of that
department. The horticultural and agricultu
raj statistics, the chronological and chemical
researches and discoveries, can but confer
great and lasting benefit upon the agricutu-
raj interests Of the country. The whole
report is a complete history of the workings
Of that department in all its branches
The Commissioner recommends that meas
ures be taken BY Congress to protect and
incur the planting of forests, and suggests
that no part of the public lands should be
dioposed of without the condition that one
tenth of it be reserved in timber, where il
exists and where il does not exist that IN
ducements should be offered for planting it.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
In accordance with the terms of the act Of
Congress, approved March Sd, 1871, provid-
ing for the hundreth anniversary Of American
Independence, commission has been organ
lied which has held two sessions, and has
10, s..
ton, and in the initiatory steps necessary to
carrying out the provisions Of this act, and
for executing the provisions also of the act of
june lst, 1871, creating a centennial Board
of Finance, 4 preliminary report Of their
progress has been received from the president
Of the commission, and is herewith submitted
Ii will be the duty of the commission, at vour
coming session. to transmit a report Of their
progress, and Law before you the details reat.
ing TO the exhibition of American and foreign
art products and manufactures--wheh, by
the terms of the act, is to be held under the
auspices Of the government of the United
States, in Philadelphia in the wear 1876
This celebration viii be looked forward to
by all American ciuzens with great interest,
as marking century of greater progress and
prosperity than is recorded in the history of
any other nation 1t will serve further good
people os all the commercial nations Of the
earth in a matter calculated to secure inter
national good feeling.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
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.
such official positions have been established
TO regulate the terms of Office and the mode
of appointment 1t can not be expected that
any system or rule can be entirely effective
and prove a remedy for evils so serious, until
they have been thoroughly tested By actual
practice and amended according to the rules
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
il will require the direct action Of Congress to
render the enforcement of the system bind
ing upon my successors, and / hope that the
experience Of thepas year, together with ap-
propriate legislation by Congress, may aid in
the accomplishment of satisfactory solution
of this question, and secure to the public
service for all time a practical method Of OBJ
tanning faithful and efficient officers and en-
ployes.
(Sgned,l L. 5. GRANT.