The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-12-12

During the past year the names OF 49,
405 pensioners were added to the rolls,
and 1928 names were dropped there
from for various causes. The system
adopted for the detection of frauds
against the Government in the matter
of pensions has been productive of sat
~isfactory results; but legislation is
needed to provide, if possible, against
the perpetratiOn of such frauds in fu-
ture.'
..r,.. go. EDUCATION.
The evidently increasing interest in
the cause of education is a most encour-
aging feature in the general progress
and prosperity of the country, and the
Bureau of Education is earnest in it's
efforts to give proper direction to the
e appliances and the increased facil-
tiles which are being offered to aid the
educators OF the country in their great
work.
CENSUS.
The ninth census has. been completed
and the report thereof published and
distributed, and the working force of
the bureau disbanded. The Secretary
Of the Interior renews his TecOmmen-
datiOn fora CenSuS to be taken in 1875,
to which subject the attention Of Con-
gress is invited. The original sugges-
ton in that behalf has met with the
| general approval of the country, and
even if it be not deemed advisable at
| present to provide for a regular quin-
quennlal census, a census taken in 1875,
to which could be completed and pub
lished before the one hundredth ami
versay of our national independence,
would be especially interesting and val
liable, as showing the progress of the
country during the first century of our
national existence. 1t is believed, how
ever, that a regular census every five
years would be of substantial benefit to
the country, inasmuch as our growth
hitherto has been SO rapid that the re-
suits Of the deCennial census are ne
cessarily unreliable as a basis Of esti-
mates for the latter years of a deCennial
period. ..... . '.:A
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-GREAT IN
PROVEMENTS IN WASHINGTON.
Under the very efficient management of
the Governor and Board Of Public
Works OF the District, the City Of Wash
ingtOn is rapidly assuming the appear
ance of a capital of which the nation
may well be proud.
From being a most unsightly place
three years ago, disagreeable to pass
through in summer in consequence 6
the dust arising from unpayed streets,
and almost impossible in the winter
from the mud, it is now one of most
slightly cities in the country, and can
boast of being the best paved.
The work has been done systematical-
ly, the plans, grades, location of sewers,
water and gas mains, being determined
upon before the work was commenced,
thus securing permanency when com
nIpt1h nunStiOn UrhnfhoV SO n1Inb hos
ever been accomplished before in any
American city for the same expendi-
lures.
The Government having large lesser
~VatlOns in the city, and the nation at
large having an interest in their CAPT
tai, | recommend a liberal policy towards
the District Of Columbia, and that the
Government should bear its just share
of the expense of these improvements.
Every citizen visiting the capital feels a
pride in its growing beauty, and that
he, too, is part Owner in the invest
ments made here. I would suggest to
Congress the prOpCiety of promoting
the establishment in this District OF an
institution of learning or university, of
the highest class, by the donation of
lands. There is no place better sited
for such an institution than the nation
al capital. There is no other place in
which every citizen is so directly inter
ested.
CIVIL CERVICE REFORM.
In three successive messages to Con-
gress | have called attention to the
subject of civil service reform. Action
has been taken so far as to authorize
the appointment of a board to devise
rules governing methods of making ap-
pOintments and promotions, but there
never has been any action makingthese
rules or any rules binding, or even en-
titled to observance, where persons de-
sire the appointment of q friend or the
removal Of all official who may be dis.
agreeable to Them To have any rules
effective, they must have the acquies,
cenee OF Congress as well as Of the Exc,
cutive. ~ ,tf
IeOmmend, therefore, the subject tC
2 your attention, and suggest that a spe.
clal committee OF Congress might con,
fer with the Civil Service Board during
r the present session for the purpose, OF
/ deVising such rules as can be main.
J tanned, and which will secure the ser,
vices of honest and capable officials, ana
which will also protect them in a de
7 gree of independence while in Office
Proper, rules will protect Congress, al
> well as the Executive, from much need
less persecution, and will prove Of grea
| value to the Republic at large -. Vii.
RECOMMENDING COLORADO AS A STATE
= INTHE UNION, AND ACANAIF FOR IRRI
: eating FROM THE EASTERN SLOPE Oh
THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS TO THE MIS-
: SQUIRT RIVER. f'aaagtl s5djnnG - pa
: I recommend for your favorable con
! sideratlon the passage of an enablin:
l act for the admittance of Colorado as
State in the Union. It possesses all tn
elements of a prosperous State, agricuI
.tuIal and mineral, and | believe has ;;
J population now to justify such admis
5 sion. l"' - y" t"tt.'.. 20
! In connection with this I would ais
i recommend the encouragement of a ca
nal for purposes of irrigation from TIL
! ! eastern slope of the Rocky Mountain
. TO the Missouri River. AS a rule, | an
opposed to further donation Of publ
J lands, for internal improvements .oWne,
: and controlled. by private corporations
!, but in this instance / would makean ex
y ception. Between the Missouri Rive
and the Rocky Mountains there is a
e arid belt Of public land, fronlthree hun
3 fdred to five hundred miles in. Width
perfectly yalueless for the Occuupatio1.
of man, for want of sufficient rain to sc
cure the growth of any product. A
irrigating canal could make productiv
a belt as wide as the supply of waite
n could be made to spread even acros
a this entire country, and connecting til
s present population or the mountain an
mining regions with that Of the olde
States. All the. land reclaimed woul
$ be clear gain. II alternate sections b
: retained by the Government, I woul
n suggest that the retained sections b