The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-12-12

same purpose the preceding year. Although,
this statement OF expenditures would Indicate
moderate reduction In amount compared
with the preceding year, Il ~ believed that tho
changes In pension laws at the last session OF
congress viii absorb that amount the present
| year.
AZ the cloee Of the last fiscal year there we're
on the pension rolls 90 800 invalid military
pensioners aud 112 0SS widows, orphans and
dependent relatives OF deceased soiiiers'
making a total OF that claes OF 2ll,b2.
Eighteen thousand two hundred and twonty-
six survivors OF the war Of 1919 and 5,0b3
widows Of soldiers OF that war were pensioned
under the act OF congress OF Feb. IA, 1871,
making a total OF that class OF 2S.8l9 One
Thousand four hundred and thirty invalid navy
pensioners and Ito widows and orphans and
dependent relatives OF deceased officers, Huil-
Ors and marines make the navy pensioners
| 3200 and the grand total of pensioners Of All
classes 23S, All, showing net increase during
the last fiscal year Of 6, 2iS. During the last
year the names OF l6,405 pensioners were
added TO the rolls aud 1928 names were
dropped therefom for various canses.
The Hystem adopted for the detection OF
] frauds against the government In the matter
| Of pensions has been productive Of aatisfAo-
| tory rec ults. Legislation IN Leedod TO provide
II possible against the prepe,ration OF such
/ frauds in future.
EDUCATIONAL.
The evidently increasing interest In tho
cause Of education is n most encouraging foa-
ture in the general progress and pro pority OF
the country, and the bureau OF education is
earnest in its efforts 10 give proper direction
to new appliances aud the increased facilities
which are being offered TO aid the education OF
the country.
QuMQUENNIAI-
The ninth census has been completed and
the report thereof published and distributed
and the working force Of the bureau dis
banded
nm - "a A.. f....s.- ...,-f..... "a.
recommendation Tor a cennlr 20 b. taken In
1875, 10 which subject the at ontion of con-
gress is invited. The origin suggestion IN
that behalf has met with the general approval
of the country, and even II il bo not deemed
advisable at present TO provide FOR regular
quinquennial census, a census taken In 1873,
the report OF which could be completed and
published before the one hundredth anniver-
sAry OF our independence would be especially
interesting and valuable a. showing the pro
greuH OF the country during tho hrHt century
of our national existence.
II is believed however that a regular census
every i've years would be OF substantial bcno-
ht to the country, inasmuch ~ our grosth
hitherto has been 30 rapid that tho results OF
the decennial census are necessarily unro ia
BILE a. basis OF estimates for the lat O. years
of decennial period.
THE DIsrRICr-MuRE JOBS.
Under the very efficient management of tho
governor and the board Of public works OF
this district, the city Of Washington IL rapidly
the nation may well be proud. From being an
almost unsightly place three years ago, disa-
greeable TO pass through I'm summer In conso-
quence Of the dust arising from unpaved
streets and almost impassable in the wintor
from the mud, Il IN now one OF the most
sightlyci les m the country, and can boast OF
being the best paved. The work has boon
done systematically. the plans, grades, loca-
tion Of sewers, water and gas mains being do
termined upon before the work com
thus securing permanency when COM
pleted. / question whether 40 much has ever
been accomplished before in any American
city for the same expenditures. The govern
ment having large reservations In the city aud
the nation at large having an interest n their
capital, recommend liberal polcv towards
the District of Columbia, and that the govern
ment should bear it, just share Of the eK
pelse Of these improvements Every citizen
visiting the capital feels in its growing boauty
that he, too, il part owner in the Investments
made here.
A NATIONAL UNIVERSITY.
/ would suggest TO congress the proprioty
of promoting the establshment In this die
.rict OF an institution Of learning, or univer-
sity Of the highest class. There is no place
better suited for such an institution than tho
national capital There is no other place I'm
which every citizen is directly interested.
In three successive messages 20 congress i
nave called attention TO the subject Of civil
service reform. Action has been taken look
ng TO the appointment Of a board 10 devise
Dointments aud promotion. but there never
las been any action making these rules bind
ng, or even entitled 10 Observance whore por-
IONS desire the appointment Of a friend or tho
removal OF an official who may bo Disagree
,ble 10 them. To have any rules effective we
must have the acqmesceuce OF congress ~
veil the executive. l recommend, thoro-
ore the subject TO your a tention, and sug-
rest that d special committee Of congress
night confer with the board during the pres
mt term for the purpose Of deyising such
ules as will be maintained, and will secure
he services OF honest ami capable officials,
md which will also protect them IN a degree
" Independence while in Office. Proper rules
will protect congress as vol as tho executive
rom much needless persecution, aud will
'rove Of great value TO the public at large.
COLORADO
1 would recommend, for your favorable con-
the passage Of an abetting ACT for
he admission OF Colorado as state la the
Union. II possesses all tho elements Of
'rosnerous state. agricultural and mineral.
md believe has population 20 Justify such
N admission.
FORCING NATURE
In that connection / would also recommend
he encouragement Of q canal for the purpose
Il irrigating from the eastern slope Of tho
socky Mountains TO the Missouri. A. a rule
am opposed 10 the donation of public lands
or internal improvements owned aud con-
rolled by private corporations, but In this
Instance / would make an exception. Be
ween the Missouri river aud tho Rocky
there Ia q belt OF public land from
90 to 500 miles in width, probably valueless
or occupation for the want Of sufficient rain
D secure the growth Of any products. Al
rigating canal would mako productive a belt
= wide as the supply Of water could bo
lade to spread over across this entire country,
nd would secure Gordon OF settlomonts,
the present population OF the
fountain and mining regions with that OF tho
lder states. All the land reclaimed would be-
lear gain. II alternate sections we're ro-
aimed by tine government, / would suggest
nat the reclaimed sections be thrown open 20
ntry under the homestead laws or sold 10
sttlers for a very low price.
GENERAL AMNESTY.
/ renew my previous recommendation to
Ingress for general amnesty. The number
lgaged in the late rebellion laboring under
sabilities il very small but enough 10 keep
p a constant irritation. No possible danger
m accrue to the govern entby the restoring
lem to eligibility TO hold office.
THE ENFRANCHfsED SLAVE.
suggest for your confederation the enact
ent OF law TO better secure tho civil rights
hich freedom should secure, but has not
secured 10 the eufranchised lave.
u. 3. GRANT,
Executive Mansion, Washington, d. O. De-
mber /, 1873.