Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-12-05

were disposed of out Of the public
lands l3,03O,6O6 acres, being an
amount greater by hl65,63l acres
than was disposed Of the preceding
year. Of the amount disposed Of
1,626,206 acres were sold for cash;
214,040 were located with military
land warrants; S,793,612 acres were
taken for homestcads; 653,44s acres
were located with agricultural COL
lege scrip; 6,0s3,536 acres wee
certified by railroads; 1856 acres
granted to wagon roads; 23s,54s
acres were made over to States as
swamp lands; 13s,gsT acres were
certified for agricultural colleges,
common schools, universities and
seminaries; 190,775 acres were
made over to States for internal i'm
proyement; and 1920 acres were
located with Indian script. The
cash receipts during the same time
were 8, notwithstanding $l9O,415.-
SO in excess OF the receipts for the
previous year. During the year,
3o,5ss,1 1872 acres Of public land was
suryeycd-an increase in the
amount surveyed over the previous
year of $l,037, 1913 acres. Added
to the area previoususly surveyed,
the aggregate is 6l6,554,s95 acres
which have been surveydd-leaving
| 121, O44,3 of the public lands still
unsurveycd.
The increased and steadily in.
creasing facilities for reaching our
unoccupied public domain, and for
the transportation of its surplus
products, enlarges the available
field for desirable homestead loca-
ton, thus stimulating settlement,
and extending Dear by year in grad
ually increasing ratio the area Of oc-
cupatiou and Of cultivation.
The expressed desire of the rep
rcsentatives of a large colony of cit
liens of Russia to emigrate to this
country, as is understood with the
consent of their government, if GER
tain concessions can be made to en-
able them to settle in compact
colony, is Of great interest as going
to show the light in which our in
stltutlons are regarded by an indus.
trious, intelligent and wealthy PEG.
pie, DESTROYS of enjoying civil and
religious liberty, and the acquisi-
ton of so great an emigration of
citizens Of superior class would
without doubt result in substantial
benefit to our country. l invite
your attention to the suggestions of
the Secretary of the Interior in this
behalf.
PENSIONS.
There Was paid during the last fiscal
year for pensions, including the expenses
of disbursement, $29,1S5, 2S9.G2-being
an amount less by 1854 ,0509S than was
expended for the same purpose last year.
Although this statement of expenditures
would indicate a material reduction of
the amount compared with preceding
years, it is believed that the changes
made in the pension laws at the last ses-
sion of Congress will absorb that amount
the current year.
At the close of the last fiscal year there
were on the pension rolls 99,S04 invalid
military pensioners and 1884, sS widows,
orphans and dependant relatives Of de.
ceased soldiers, making the total of that
class 1882. There are 1926 survi-
vors Of tue war of 1919, and 5,O03 wild
ows of soldiers of that war, pensioned
under the act of Congress of February
14th, 1S7l-making total of that class
of $3.50. There are ,430 invalid naval
pensioners, 1,770 widows and orphans,
and dependent relatives Of deceased off.
GERS, sailors and marines of the navy pen.
sioncrs-total, 1890. Making grand to.
tai Of pensioners of all classes, 23S, All,
and showing an increase during the last
fiscal year of gals. The names Of 1,645
pensioners were added to the rolls, and
1928 names were dropped 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 provide if possible against the
preparation Of such frauds in future.
|
The evidently increasing interest in the
cause of education is most encouraging
feature in the general progress of the
country. The Bureau of Education is
earnest in its efforts to give proper direc::
lion to the new appliances and the in
creased facilities which are being offered
to aid the educators of the country in
their great work
THE NINTH CENSUS.
The ninth census has been completed,
and the report thereof published and dis.
tributed, and the working force of the
bureau disbanded. The Secretary IT the
Interior rencws his recommendation for
II census to be taken in 1875 to which
the attention Of Congress is directed The
original suggestion in that behalf has
has met the general approval Of the
country, and even If it be not deemed ad-
yisable ut present to provide for the reg
ular quintennial ccnsus-a census taken
in 1875, the report of which could be
completed and published before the Tooth
anniversary of our Independence, and
would be especially interesting and valu-
able as showing theprogress of our coun-
try during the first century Of our nation.
al existence. 1t is believed, however,
that regular census every five years
would be Of substantial benefit to the
country, inas,nuch AS our growth hither-
to has been so RAPID that the results of
Decennial census are necessarily unrelia.
BILE as basis of estimates for the later
years of each decennial period.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Under the very efficient management
of the Governor and Board of Public
Works of this District, the city of Wash
ington is rapidly assuming the appear
ancc Of II capital of which the nation
may we'll be proud From being most
unsightly place three years ago, disa,
greeable even to pass through in sum-
mer in consequence of the dust arising
from the unpaved streets, and almos.
impossible in winter from the mud, tits
now one of the most slightly cities in the
country, and can boast Of being the best
paved. The work has been done sys-
tcmatically-thc plans. grades. loca,
tions of the sewers, mains, &c, being
determined before the work was com.
menced, thus securing pcrmenancy when
completed. doubt whether SO much
has ever been accomplished before i'm