The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-12-20

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 al
most impossible In the winter from the
mud, it is now one. of the most signify
cities in the country, and can boast OF being
the best paved. The work has been done
Systematically, the plans, grades, Location
of sewers. water and gas mains being de-
termined upon before the work was COM
menced, thus securing permanency when
completed. | question whether so much
has ever been accomplished before IN any
American city for the same expenditures.
The Government having large reserya-
ton in the city, and the nation at large
having an interest in the capital, recon-
menda liberal policy toward the District OF
Columbia. and that the Government should
bear its Just share of the expense OF these
improvements. Every citizen visiting the
capital feels a pride in its growing beauty
and that he too is part ownerin the invest
ments made here. / would suggest to
Congress the propriety of promoting the
| establishment in this District of an institute
! ton of learning, or university of the high
est class, by the donation of lands. There
/ is no place better suited for such an lnstl-
tuition than the national capital, there is no
other place in which every citizen Is so dl-
rectly interested.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
In three successive messages TO Congress
[ have called attention to the subject OF
| civil service reform. Action has been taken
so far as to authorize the appointment OF
a board to devise rules governing the
methods Of making appointments and pro-
motions. but there never has been any ac-
. pl1la nl.a
or even entitled to observance. When
persons desire the appointment OF a friend,
or the removal of an official who may be
disagreeable, to have any rules effective,
| thew must have the acqalesence OF Con-
gress as well as of the executive.
| recommend, therefore, the subject to
your attention, and suggest that special
committee of Congress might confer with
the Civil Board during the present session
for the purpose of devising such rules as
may be maintained and which shall secure
the services of honest and capable officials
and which will also protect them in de
gree of independence while in Office.
Proper rules will protect Congress as
well as the Executive from much
needless precaution, and will prove OF
great value to the public at large.
COLORADO.
/ would recommend for your favorable
consideration the passage OF an act for the
admittance of Colorado as a State in the
Union. It possesses all the elements of a
prosperous State, agricultural and min
eral, and believe has position to justify
lsuch an admission. In that connection.
would also recommend the encourage
ment of canal for the purpose of irrigat-
ing from the Eastern slope of the Rocky
Mountains to the Missouri River.
III am opposed to the donation
of public lands for internal inn
provements owned and controlled by
private corporations, but in this instance
would make an exception. Between the
Missouri river and the Rocky Mountains
there is an area belt of public land from 300
to 500 miles in width, perfectly valueless
for the occupation of man for want Of suf-
/ ficient rain to secure the growth of any
products. An irrigating canal would make
/ productive belt as wide as the supply OF
water could be made to spread over and
across this entire country, and would Sc
cure a 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 the alternate sections were retained by
the Government, / would suggest that
the retained sections be thrown open to
eHIry uIlter bIle uOIDeStCdu law, VI Solu W
actual settlers for very low prices.
i GENERAL AMNESTY.
| Irenew my previous recommendations
to Congress for a general amnesty. The
number engaged in the late rebellion la
boring under disadvantages is very small
but enough to keep up constant irrita-
ton. No possible danger can ensue to the
government by restoring them to eligibil-
tV to hold office.
I suggest for your consideration the
enactment of law to better secure the
civil rights which freedom should secure,
but has not effectually secured to the Ell
franchised slave.
i (Signed) Q. S. GRANT.
A BEAUTIFUL WoMAN.-The perceptive
faculty of women is usually keener than
the same chronological organ in men,
| Woman knows that beauty rather than
genius is worshiped by the sterner sex.
A man may talk with his lips of the latter