Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-12-11

~ 1.es, pensioners were added 70 the rolls,
IONS csuees The system adopted for the
s.acfson Of frauds against the Government In the
asts, Of pensions, have been productive OF satis
factory results put legsianon L. neeoeo 70 pfovde
IN future. -
The evidently increasing interest in the cause OF
.dncst;ou is q most encouraging feature in the
sreral progress Of the cou try. and the Bureau Of
Edncsfion is in earnest In its efforts to give proper
Erection to the applicants and the increased "a
sII;t;es which are being offered to aid the educa-
snrs of the country in their great work
TIE CENSUS.
The ninth census has been completed, the report
thereof published and distributed and the working
the Interior renews his recommendation for Gen.
ms to be taken in 1875, to which subject the at
tsntion OF Congress is invited. The original sug-
cestiop in that behalf has met with the gem
s,sl approval OF the country, and, even IL
!. he not deemed advisable at present to pro-
ride for q regular quinquennial census, census
taken in 49, sGs rsppss OF sbs cSua com
X our paiunal Independence, would be especially
Interesting and valuable as showing the progress
~ the country during the first century Of our ma
s;onal exie ence. II is believed, however, that
re0ular GENIUS every five years would be Of SUBJ
stsufial benefit to the country, fnasmuch as our
growth hitherto has been rapid that the results
81 the decennial census are necessarily unreliable
decennial period
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Under the very efficient management Of the
Governor and the Board of Public Works Of this
District the city Of Washington is rapidly assum-
inc the appearance Of q capital OF which the ma
RON may well be proud. From being most un-
slightly place three years ago, disagreeabe to pass
through In summer IN consequence OF tne dust
HE in the winter from the mud, 1t is now one of
the most slightly cities in the country, and can
boaet OF being the best paved. The work has been
done systematically the plans Of grades location Of
sewers water and gas mains being determined upon
before the work was commenced, thus securing
permanency when completed. question whether
20 much has ever been accomplished before in any
American city for the came expenditure. The
government having large reservations in the city,
and the nation at large having an interest In their
Capital, recommend liberal policy toward the
District OF Columbia, and that the Government
ali ould bear its just share OF the expense of these
improvements Every citizen visiting the Capital
feels prde in it's growing beauty, and that he,
too, is part owner II tne investments e MADE mere.
noting the establishment in this District OF an
institution OF learning-a university OF the high
est CLASSIFY the donation OF lands. There Is no
place better suited for such an institution than
the national Capitol. There is no other place in
which every citizen lie so 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 author
he the appointment OF board to devise rules gov
erning the methods OF making appointments and
promotions; but there never has been any action
On these rules or any rules pending, or even ent-
tied to observance. Where persons desire the ap-
pointment Of friend, the removal Of an official
who may be disagreeable, to have any rules ef-
rress as well as Of the Executive. ! re-
commend, therefore, the subject to your
attention, and suggest that spec
Twill ROar1 durinu the nrpGppt spasiOD. for the
purpose OF devising such rules as shall be main
tanned, and which will secure the services OF
honest and capable officials. and which will also
protect them in degree OF Independence while In
office. Proper rules will protect Congress, as
we'll az the Executive. from much needless pre-
caution, and will prove OF great value to the pub
lie at large.
Iwsuld recommend for your favorable consider
aton the passage Of an act for the admittance OF
Colorado as State into the Union. 1t possesses
I'll the elements of prosperous State agricultural
and mineral, and. believe, has population to
Justify admission. In that connection, would
also recommend the announcement Of canal for
The purpose Of irrgatng from the eastern slope of
the Rocky Mountains to the Missouri River AS
rule am opposed to the donation OF the public
lands for Internal improvements owned and con-
lTollsd by private corporations, but In this in
stance would make an exception. Between the
Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains there Is
IN area belt OF public land from 300 to 500 miles In
width, perfectly valueless for the occupation OF
man, 10r want OF sumClcnL rain W beCurc the
growth of any products. An irrigatiDg canal
would make productive belt as wide a. the sup
ply Of water could be made to spread over. across
Ibis entire country, and would secure Gordon OF
settlements connecting the present popula-
don Of the mountain and mining regions with that
pf the older States. All the land reclaimed would
be clear gain II alternate sections were retained
by the Government, l would suggest that the re-
tanned sections be thrown open to entry under the
law, and sold to actual settlers for very
low prices.
AMNESTY.
Irenew my previous recommendation TO Con-
gress for q general amnesty. The number en-
gagged in the late rebellion who are laboring under
is very small, but enough to keep
up constant irritation. No possible danger can
ensue to the Government by restoring them to
eligibility TO hold Office.
THE rREEDMEN.
suggest for your consider alton the enactment
Of law to better secure the civil rights which
freedom should secure, but has not efectually Sc
cured to the enfranchised slave.
(Signed) u. s. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, December ], 1873.