Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1873-12-11

would be especially interesting and valuable
as showing the progress of the country during
the lrst century of our national existence. 1t
Is believed. however, that regular census
every five years would be of substantial benefit
to the country, inasmuch as our growth hith-
erto has been so rapid that the results of the
decernial census are necessarily unreliable as
basis of estimates for the later years of the
decennial period.
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 board to
devise rules governing the methods of making
appointments and promotions but there new
er has been any action on these rules, or any
rules pending. or even entitled to observance.
Where persons desire the appointment of q
MEND, or the removal OF an official who may
be disagreeable, TO have any change effected.
they must have the acquiesceDce of Congress
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 devlslng
such rules a. shall be maintained, and which
will secure the services of honest and capable
officials, and which viii also protect them in a
degree of independence while in Office. Prop
er rules will protect Congress, as well as the
Executive, from much needless precaution.
and viii prove of great value to the public at
large.
would recommend FOR your favorable con-
slderation the passage of an act for the adj
mittance of Colorado State into the Union.
1t possesses all the elements of prosperous
State. agricultural and mineral, and, / believe,
has a population to justify admission. In
that connection, would also recommend the
encouragement OF canal for the purpose of
eating from the eastern slope of the Rocky
mountains TO the Missouri river. As rule /
am opposed to the donation of the pub
l. 80. II
owned and controlled by private corpora
tons, but in this instance L would make an
exception. Between the Missouri river and the
mountains there Is an area belt of public
land from 800 to 500 miles In width. perfectly
vaiueless for the occupation of man. for want
of sufficient rain to secure the growth of any
products An lrrigating canal would make
productive a belt as wide the supply of
water could be made to spread over, across
the entire country. and would secure a Gordon
of settlements connecting the present popu-
latlOn of the mountain and mining regions
with that of the older States. All the land re-
claimed would be clear again If alternate
sections were reclaimed by the Government, /
would suggest that the retained sections be
thrown open 10 entry under the Homestead
law, and sold 10 actual settlers at very low
prices.
l renew my previous Recommendation to
Congress for a general amnesty. The num-
Der engaged in the late rebellion who are la
boring under disadvantages is very small, but
enough TO keep up constant irritation. No
possible danger can ensue to the Govern
ment by restoring them to eligibility to hold
office.
suggest for your consideration the enact
nent Of law to better secure the civil rights
which freedom should secure, but has not eff
fectuaIly secured. 10 the enfranchised slave.
(Signed) U. s. GRANT.
ExEcUTIvF MANSION. December 1, 1873.