Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-12-05

the war, and not few OF them are fabricated
and supported by false testimony. Projects are
on foot IL is believed to induce Congress to pro-
vide for new classes of claims and revive old
once through the repeal or modification OF STA
tute limitations by which they are now barred
presume these chemes II proposed, will be re-
.eved with little favor by Congress, and rec
commend that persons having claims aga inst the
United States, cognizable by any tribunal or de-
partment thereof, be required to present them
at an early day and that legislation be directed as
far as practicable to defeat unfounded and uD-
just demands upon government. would suggest
as means of preventing fraud, that witnesses
be called on to appear in person, to testify be-
fore their tribunals having claims before them
for adjudication Probably the largest saving to
the national treasure can DO secured by timely
legisati III on the subject, of any economical
measures that need DO proposed.
DEPARTMENT or JUSTICE.
You will be advised Of tho operations Of the
department Of justice by tho report of tho At
torney General, and invite your attention to the
amendments to existing laws suggested by him,
with view OF reducing tho expenses OF his de-
partment.
In the department of the interior the policy
inauyurated towards the Indians at the begin
ming OF the last administration has been steadi-
ly pushed, and believe with beneficial results.
1t will be continued with only such notifications
as time and exper,e nce may demonstrate as ne
cessary. With the encroachment of civilization
upon Indian reservations and hunting grounds,
disturbances have taken place between the Indi-
ans and whites during the past year, and ,oba-
bly, will continue to do 30 until each race appre-
GATES that the other has rights which must be
spected The policy has been to collect Indians
as rapidly as possible on reservations, and as far
as practicable within what is known as the Indi-
an territory, and to teach them acts of civiliza-
ton and sef-support When found q II their re-
servatons II endangeriug the peace and safety
OF the whites they nave been punished and will
continue to be for like offences. In the Indian
Terrific " SOutl Kansas and Wast Arkaugna s1f
ficent area and agricultural resources to support
all the Indians of the Rocky Mountains havo
been reserved. In time, no doubt all of them,
eXcepc a few who may select to make their home
among tho white people will be collected there
As preparatory step to this ronum alton, 1 am
satisfied that a territorial form of government,
should be 81 en- them which will secure the
treaty rights of original settlers, and protect
their homesteads from alienation for period of
20 years.
TIE PATENT OFFICE.
Operations at the patent Office are growing to
such magnitude, and the accumulation OF mate
rial becoming 80 great that the necessity for more
room IL becoming more Obvious day by day. |
respectfully invite your attention to the reports
OF the Secretary of the Interior and the Com
missioner OF Patents on this subject.
GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
The BUSINESS of the general land Office exhib-
its increase in all branches during the last ils
cal year Daring that time there were disposed
Of out of publ c lands, 5000 COG acres, Icing
an amount greater by l, ,G31 acres than was
di po sed of the preceding year. or the amount
disposed of ], GIG 266 acres we're sold for cash
214 $40 acres located with military land Warrants:
3,793,6 l2 acres taken for homesteads 65i 446
were located with agricultural college scrip;
093 536 acres certified by raroaes &c $40 acres
to wagon roads; 238, 54S appfo ed to States q.
swamp lands: l33. 651 acres we're certified for ag-
| ricnltura colleges, common schools, universities
and seminarits; 19O775 were approved to States
| for internal improvements H. 800 acres were
| located with Indian scTiD- the ia
| during the same time were 80, i09, Sis 80, being
$3.50, AIS 50 in excess of the receipts of the pre-
vious year. During the year 80, 48S, 1872 acres OF
| public land were surveyed, an increase over the
amount surveyed in the previous year of 1,037,-
| 1913 acres, which, added to the acres previously
surveyed, aggregates GIG, j5l. S9j acres. which
have been surveyed, leaving 1,2l8, 4l3 sos acres
| of public land unsurveyed. The increased and
steadily recurring facilities for reaching unoccu-
| pied public domain and for transported on of sur
| plus products enarges the desirable field for de
sirable homestead locations, thus stimulating
and gradually increasing the ratio of the acres OF
occupation and cultivation. 1t is the expressed
| desire OF the representatives of large colony
of citizens of Russia TO emigrate to tins country
| with, it is understood, the consent OF their gov
ernment if certain concessions can be made to
enable them to settle III a compact colony This
is OF great interest as going to show the light i'll
which our institutions are regarded by an in
| du=trious, intelligent and wealthy people, desi-
rous OF enjoying civil and religious liberty, and
the acquisition OF 30 large an immigration Of
citizens OF a superior class wouldYithout doubt
be a substantial benefit to the country. invite
attention to the suggestion OF the Secretary Of
| the Interior in this behalf.
PENSIONS.
There was paid during the last fiscal year for
pensions, including the expenses Of disburse-
| meuts, 500, 1875, 2s9, 3d. being amount less by
| 1854 $50 9S than was expended for the same pur-
pose during the preceding year; Although this
| statement of expenditures would indicate ma
terial reduction in amount, compared with
! the preceding year, it is believed that changes
| in the pension laws at the last session of Com
gress will reach and absorb that amount during
| the current year. At the close OF the last fiscal
year, there were on the pension lists 90, SOL in
valid military pensioners, and 1l2OSS widows,
| orphans, and dependent widows of deceased sol
diers, making total in that class of 2ll S92 !;
| Is 266 survivors of the war 1872 and o. 53 wld-
ows of soldiers that was succOred under an act
| of Congress OF February nth, 1871 making a to-
| tai in that class OF %, 3l9 430 invalid navy
pensioners and 40 WIDOWS aud orphans, and
dependent relatives of deceased officers, sailors
and marines of the navy, making the total OF
navy pensioners $500, aud the grand total OF
all classes OF 23S Al, showing net increase dur
ing the last fiscal year of g. lS2. During the last
year the names of l6 400 pensioners were added
aud TO- 22| names We're lroppei therefrom. for
various causes. The system adopted for the
| detection of frauds against the Government in
the matter OF pensions has been productive Of
satisfactory results, but legislation Is needed to
|
| frauds i'll future.
| BUREAU OF EDUCATION.
There is evidently all iucrea sing interest in
| the cause of Educauon, most encouraging fea-
| turo III the general progress OF the country, and
the Bureau oI Education is earnest III its efforts
to give proper direction to the new appliances,
| and Increased facilities which being offered
to aid educators of the country i'll their great
worf.
TIE NINTl 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 reuews his recon-
mendation for a census to be taken IN 1875 to
which SUBJ ect the attention OF Congress Is in
vlted. The original suggestion III that behalf
has met with the general approval of the country,
and even il 1t DO not deemed advisable at present
to provide for u regular quinquennial census
taken iii 1870 report OF which could be COM
piled AND published before the ono hundredth
anniversary OF our Independence it would be es-
peclally interesting aud valuable as showing
progress OF the Country during the irst century
of cur national existence. 1t Is believed how
ever, that regular census every five years,
would be IL substantial benefit to the country,
inasmuch as our growth hitherto has been 20
rapid That the results OF a decennial census are
necessarily unreliable as a basis of estimates for
a latter year OF the decennlal period.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Under the very efficient management of the
government and Board OF Pubic Works, this
District and the city OF Washington are rapidly
assuming the appearance OF capital of which
the nation may we'll be proud. From being a
most unsightly place three years ago-disagree-
able to pass through in summer in consequence
of tho dust arising from the unpayed 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 has been systematic plans, grades, lOcI-
ton, sewers, water and gas mains being deerm-
med upon, before tho work was commenced,
thus rec living permanence when completed. 1t