The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-12-04

dence, wouldibe especially interesting and valua
BILE as showing the progress Of the country du
4 ring the first century of our national existence
4 It is believed, however, that regular census
every five years would be of substantial benefit
to the country, inasmuch as our growth hitherto
has been so rapid that the results of the decen-
NAL census are necessarily unreliable as q basis
OF estimates for the latter years Of the decennial
period. -
! DISTRICT +oF COLUMBIA.
| Under the very efficient management of the
Governor and the Board of Public Works Of this
District the city of Washington is rapidly as
Stunning the appearance of a capital Of which the
nation may well be proud. From being a most
unsightly place three years ago. disagreeable to
pass through in summer in consequence of the
dust arising from unpaved streets, and almost
impossible in winter foomthe mud, it is now ono
of the most slightly cities in the country and can
boast Of being the best paved, The work has
been done Systematically, the plans, grades, loca
ton of sewers, water and gas mains being de-
termlned upon before the work was commenced,
thus securing permanency when completed.
question whether so much has ever been accom-
plished before in any American city for the same
expenditures The government having large
reservations in the city, and the nation at large
having an interest in their capital, I recommend
liberal policy towards the District of Columbia,
and that the government should bear its just
share'o of the expense Of these improvements
Every citizen visiting the capital feels pride in
its growing beauty, and that he too"is part own
er in the Investments made here. l would sug-
gest to Congress the propriety of promoting the
establishment in this District of an institution of
learning university of the highest class by the
donation of lands There is no place better suit
ed for such an institution than the national cap
ital. There is no other place in which every cit
izen is 80 directly interested.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
In three successive messages to Congress have
called attention to the subject of civil service re-
form. Action has been taken SO far as to auth
orize the appointment of board to devise rules
governing methods of making appointments and
promotions, but there never has been any action
making these rules, any rule, binding or eveu
entitled to observance where persons desire the
appointment of friend or the removal of an
official who may be disagreeabIe to them. To
have any rules effective they must have their &C
qulescence of Congress as well as of the Execu-
tive / commend, therefore, the subject to your
attention and suggest that special committee of
Congress might confer with the civil service
board during the present session for the purpose
OF devlsing such rules as can be maintained, and
which Will secure the services Of honest and ca
pable officials and which will also protect them in
adegree of independence while in Office
Proper rules will protect Congress as well as
the Executive from much needless persecution,
and will prove Of great value to the public at
large. I
would recommend for your favorable consid-
Grafton the passage of an enabling act for the
abundance OF Colorado as a State in the Union.
1t possesses all the elements Of prosperous
State, agricultural and mineral and believe has
population now to justify such admission. In
connection with this would also recommend the
encouragement of canal for purposes of irriga- |
ron ho olo aoff ho
talns to the Missouri river. AS rule am OPP
posed to a further donation of public lands for
internal Improvements owned and controlled by |
private corporations but in this instance would
make an exception. VgEE
y Between the Missouri river and the Rocky |
Mountains there is an arid belt of public land,
from three hundred to five hundred miles in |
width. perfect valueless for the occupation OF |
man for want of sufficient rain to secure the |
growth Of any products An irrigating canal |
would make productive belt as wide as the sup
ply OF water could be 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 be
clear gain. If alternate sections retained by
the government would suggest that the retain
ed sections be thrown open to entry under the
homestead laws, or sold to actual settlers at a
very low price. 4t-- A
l renew my previous recommendation to
Congress for general amnesty. The number en-
gagged in the late rebellion yet laboring under
disabilities is very small, but enough to keep up
constant irritation, No possible danger can
accrue to the government by restoring them to
eligibility to hold Office,
l suggest for your consideration the enactment
of a law to better seeore the civil rights which
freedom should secure, but has not efectually
secured to the enfranchised slave
U. S. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, December l, 1878