The New York herald., 1873-12-03

for reaching our unoccupicd public domain and for
transportation ol surplus products enlarge tho
available field for desirable homestead Iocationa
thus stimulating settlement ana ex tending wear by
cupaton and cultivation Inc sgpresssd da desire =,
OF the representatives OF large colony
Of citizens OF Russia urto,ston 70 s%israts to
consent OF their government. II certain concessions
can be made 10 enable them to settle in q compact
colony, Is OF great interest," as going TO show tho
light in which our institutions are regarded by an
Industrious and wealthy people, desirou5 oil enjoy
ing civil and religious liberty; ana the acquisition
of so large an Immigration OF citizens OF superior
class would. without doubt, be substantial bene-
III TO the country. l invite attention TO the sug-
gestion OF the Secretary OF the Interior in this
behalf
PENSIONS AND PENSIONERS.
There was paid during the last fiscal year for
pensions, including the expenses Of disbursement,
sss is.. sso, being an amount less by $oS4.Oos
ceding year. Although this statement OF expendi-
lures would Indicate material reduction In
believed that the CHANGES in tue pension laws at
the last session OF Congress VIII absorb that amount
year there were the pension rolls 90 sU4 invalid
military pensioners and 1l2,0Ss widows orphans
and dependent widows OF deceased soldiers, max
ting total Of that class OF 2llS Ss2 aud Is 266
widows OF soldiers. OF that war. pensioned
ID, 1871, making total OF that class
of 253l9--l,i30 invalid navy pensioners,
OF deceased officers. sailors ana marines OF the
navy, making u total OF navy pensioners OF $780,
anu grand total OF pensioners OF all classes OF
236,1ll showing net increase during the last
nsca year OF 6,lS2. During the last year the names
OF lG.4o5 pensioners were added to the roll and
lo,z25 names were dropped tnererom for various
causes. The system adopted for the detection OF
frauds against the government in the matter OF
pensions has been productive OF satisfactory re-
suits, but legislation is needed to provide II pos
slDle against the perpetration OF such frauds in
future.
The evidently increasing interest In the cause OF
education is a most encouraging feature in the
general progress and prosperity OF the country
and the Bureau OF Education Is earnest in ita
Efforts to give proper direction to the ew appli-
ances and the increased facilities which are being
offered TO aid the educators OF the country in their
great work.
The ninth census has been completed and the re-
port thereof published and distributed and the
working orce OF the bureau disbanded. The Sec
retary OF the Interior renews his recommends
ton ior census, to he taken in 1876 to which sub
ject the attention OF Congress is invited. The orig
inal suggestion in that behalf has mes with the
general approval or the country; anu, If 1t be
not deemed advisable at present to provide for
regular qulnqunnial census, census taken In
1875, the report OF which could be completed and
published before the one hundredth anniversary
OF our independence, would be especially inter-
esting ana valuable as showing the progress OF the
country during the first century or our national
existence. 1t is believed, however that reguiar
census every five years would be oil subs tantIaI
benefit 10 the country, inasmuch as growth
hitherto has been 80 rapid that the results OF the
decenniGl census are necessarily unreliable as u
basis OF estimates for the latter years Of decimal
period.
Under the very efficient management or the Gov
ernor and The Board of Public Works OF this Dis
trct, the city OF Washington is rapidly assuming
tho appearance OF capital OF which the nation
may wen be proud From being q most unsightly
place three re yeas age dsagrseabs to pass
dust arising from unpaved streets. and
almost impassable in the winter from the
country, and boast OF being one OF the best
paved. The work has been done Systematically;
the plans, grades, location OF sewers water and
gas mains being determined upon before the work
was commenced, thus securing permanency when
ever been accomplished before in any Ameri-
can city for the same expenditures. The govern
ment having large reservations In the city,
aud the nation at large having au interest
In their capital, RECOMMEND Il liberal policy tow-
ards the District oi Columbia, and that the gov
erninent should bear its just snare OF the expenses
OF these improvements. Every citizen visiting the
capital feels PRIDE in its growing beauty, and
made here. would suggest to Congress the pro-
priery OF promoting the establishment in this Dis
the highest class by the donations or lands. There
rs no place better suited for such an institution
than the national capital. There Is no other place
insw hicn every citizen Is SO directly Interested
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
In three successive messages to Congress have
called attention to the subject OF "civil ser
vice REFORM" Action has been taken so
far as, to authorize the appointment. or
making appointments and promotions, but there
never mas been any action making these rules or
any rules binding or even entitled to observance,
where persons desire the appointment OF o friend
or the removal OF an official who may be disagreea-
bic to them. TO have any rules effective they must
have the acquiescence OF Congress as well as OF
the Executive. recommend, therefore, the SUBJ
ject 70 your attention, and suggest that special
committee oil Congress might confer with the
Civil Service Board during the present session for
the purpose OF devslng sucn rules as can be main-
tanned and which Will secure the services or honest
and capable officials, and which VIII also protect
them IN degree 0I independence while In office.
Proper rules will protect Congress as well aS the
Executive from much needless persecution, and.
viii prove OF great value to the public at large.
ANOTHER STAR TO THE GALAXY.
would recommend Tor your favorable consider
ioE the adm,issnce 0, Colorado as
clements OF prosperous State, agricultural
ana mineral, and believe. has . population to
justify such admission. In connection with that
would also recommend the encouragement OF
CANAL,
lot purposes OF irrigation. from the eastern
River. AS rule am opposed TO further donation
oi public lands ior internal improvements owned
Instance would make an exception. Between the
Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains there Is
an arid belt OF public land from 800 to 500 miles in
width, perfectly useless for the occupation OF man.
for want OF sufficient rain TO secure the growth Of
any products. An irrigatng canal would make
productive belt AZ wide az the supply OF water
could he made to spread over across this entire
country. and would secure Gordon OF settlements
connecting the present population OF the mountain
and mining regions with that OF the older States,
All the land reclaimed would De clear gain. II all
alternate sections are retained by the government
| would suggest that the retained sections be
thrown open TO entry under tho Homestead laws
sold TO actual settlers for very low price.
GENERAL AMNESTY.
renew my previous recommendation to Con-
gross Tor general amnesty. The number engaged
In the late rebellion yet aboring under disabilities
" very small, but enough to keep up constant
irritation. No possible danger can accrue 10 the
government by restoring shen to eligibility TO hold
Office.
suggest for your consideration the enactment
OF law TO better secure The civil rights which iree
dom should secure but has not eiTectually secured
TO the cnfranchsed slave. u. ). GRANT.
ExEC0TIyg MANSION, Dec. !, 1879
PENNSyLVAAIAS NEW CONSTITUTION.
An stte n,pt to Prevent Its Su,,naission 20