Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-12-10

I
benefit to the country. l invite attention to the
/ behalf arses - oHtfH a-n58
PENSIONS.
! There was paid during the last fiscal year
for pensions, including the expenses of disburse-r
ment, S29 ,2S9 81, being amount less by 1884,
/ O50.9S: than was expended for the same purpose
i the preceding year Although this statement OF
/ expenditures would indicate material reduction
/ IN amount compared with the proceeding year,
1t is believed that the changes in the pension
laws at the last session of Congress will absorb that
amount the current year. at the close of the last
fiscal year there the pension rolls 99S04 in
valid military pensioners, and 12,086 widows,
phans and dependent widows of deceased soldiers,
making total Of that class of oil 1922 IS 266 survi
of the of 1912 and C53 widows of soldiers
of that war pensoned under act CT Congress of
Feb. IA, 1871, making total of that class of % $780,
,430 invalid navy pensioners and ITO widows and
orphans and dependents, relatives of deceased
officers, sailors and marines of the navy pensioners
of 5000, and grand total of pensioners of all classes
OF 23S 21l; showing net increase during last fiscal
/ year of 6,218 The names of 645 pensioners were
added to the rClls and 10, 223 names were dropped
therefrom for various causes, The system adopted
for detection of frauds against the Government in
the matter of pensioners has been productive of
satisfactory results but legislation is needed to pro-
vide, if possible, against such frauds in future.
EDUCATION.
The evidently increasing interest in the cause of
progress Of the country, and the bureau of edu-
cation is earnest in its efforts to give proper di-
rcction to the new applicants and tbs
increased facilities which are being offered
to aid the education Of the country in their
great work. @
| The ninth census has been taken and the
report hereof published and distributed, and
the working force OF the bureau disbanded.
! The Secretary of the Interior renews his recon-
mendaton for a census to be taken in 1875, to
which subject the attention of Congress is invited.
The original suggestion in that behalf has met with
the general approval of the country, and even if 1t
be not deemed advisable at present to provide for
a regular ,quinquennial census, a census taken
completed and published before the
anniversary of our independency would be es.
pecially interesting and valuable as showing the
progress of the country during the first century of
| our national existence It is believed, however,
| that regular census every five years would be of
substantial benefit to the country, nasmuch as our
CROWN nlthertO has been rapid that the results
of the decennial census are necessarily unreliable
as basis for estimates for later years of decen-
NAL period.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
| Under the very efficient management of the Gov.
ernor and Board of Public Works of this district,
the city of Washington is rapidly assuming the an
pearance of capitol of which the nation may well
| be proud From being most unsipht]y Mace
three years ago. disagreeable to pass through in
summer in consequence of the dust arising from
unpaved streets, and almost impossible in winter
from mud, it is now one of the most slightly cities
in the country, and can boast of being the best
/ paved. The work his been done syst matically,
/ the plans, grades, location of sewers, water and
gas maines being determined npon before the
work was commenced, thus securing permanency
when completed. question whether so much has
ever been accomplished before in any American
city for the same expenditures. The Government
| having large reservation in the city, and the
nation at large having interest in their capitol,
recommend liberal policy toward 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 pride in It's
beauty and that he too Is part owner in the invest
/ do hnFn 70 Nov,
gress the propriety Of promoting the establish
ment in this District of institution of
learning, university of the highest class, by the
| donation of lands. There is place better su t.
ed for snch institution than the national capital
there is other place in which every citizen is
| directly interested. tt3
! CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
| In three successive messages to Congress have
called attention to the subject of Civil Serv ice Re-
FORM Action has been taken so far as to authoriz-
the appointment of board to devise rules govern
ing methods of making appointments and promo
tons; but there never has been any action these
rules, any rules pending, even en-
titled to observance, where persons desire the
appointment of a friend or removal of an official
who may be disagreeable. To have any rules
affect it, they must have the acquescence of Con-
gress as we'll as of the Executive. recommend,
therefore, the subject to your attention: and sug-
gest that special committee of Congress might
confer with the civil board during the present ses-
sion for the purpose OF devising such
rules as will be maintained and which will secure
the services of honest and capable officials, and
which will also protect them in degree of indie
pendence while in Office. Proper rules will protect
Congress well as the Executive from much need
less precautlon and will prove of great value to
the public at large
1 would recommend for your favorable considera-
ton the passage of act for the admitUance of
Colorado as state in the Union. 1t possesses all
the elements OF prosperous state, both in agri.
cultural and mineral resources; and believe has
a position to Justify such admission. In that
connection l would also recommend the
! nnn Nl1P 20 nf for fha
pose of irrigation from the Eastern
slope of the Rocky Mountains to the Missouri
River. As rule am opposed to the donation of
public lands for internal improvements owned and
controlled by private corporations but in this in
stance I would make exception. Between the
Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains there is
an area belt of public land from three hundred
! to 500 miles in width, perfectly valueess for
occupation of war, for want of sufficient rain
to secure growth of any products. An irrigating
canal would make productive belt as wide
as the supply of water could be made to spread over
across the entire country, and would secure gar
den OF settlements connecting the present popula-
ton of the mountainous and mining regions with
that of the older stetes AL land reclaimed would
be clear gain if alternative sections were reclaimed
I by the government. would suggest that the re-
tanned sections be thrown upon the entry under
the homestead law or sold 10 actual settlers for
5, very low prices.
GENERAL AMNESTY.
l renew my previous recommendation to Con.
gress for general amnesty. The number engaged
tages, is very small, but enough to keep up con-
slant irritation. No possible danger can ensue to
the Government by restoring them to eligibility
/ to hold Office. I suggest for your consideration
the enactment OF a law to the better secure civil
rights, which freedom should e, but has not
| egectually secured to the enfranchised slave.
(Signed) U. S, GRANT.
| EXECUTIVE MANSION, December, 1873,
I THE PROTOCOL RELATING TO THE vIRGINIUs.
The Protocol of the conference held at the De-
partment of State at Washington on the 29th
| of November, 1878, between Hamilton Fish, Sec
rotary of State, and Rear Admiral Don Jose Palo
de Barnabee, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentary, of Spain.
The undersigned having met for the pur-
pose of entering into defn1tive agree
virginius which went under the flag Of the United
States, and was, on the 31st day of October last
captured on the high seas by the Spanish man-of-
war Tornado have reached the following conclu-
| sions Spain her part stipulates to restore
forthwith the vessel referred to and the survivors
of her passengers and crew, and December 25th
next to salute the flag of the United States Ii
however, before that date Spain should prove to
the satisfaction of the government of the United
States, that the Viroinius not entitled to carry
the flag of the United States, and was carrying
it at the time of her capture
without right and improperly, the
salute will be spontaneously dispensed as in
such case not being necessarily srequirable,
but the United States will expect in such case
a disclaimer of intended indlgnity to its flag
tnI +Ior. +l,o4