Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1873-12-05

reaching our unoccupied public domain,
and for the transportation of surplus pro-
ducts enlarges the available field for desirable
homestead locations. thus stimulating settlement
and extending year by year, in gradually in
creasing ratio, the area OF occupation and culti-
vation.
large colony of citizens of Russia to emigrate TO
this country, as is understood, with the
consent of their Government, if
to enable them to settle in compact colony, is of
great interest going to show the light in which
our institutions are regarded by an industrious, in
telligent and wealthy people desirous of enjoying
civil and religious liberty and the acquisition of
so large an immigration of citizens, of superior
class, would, without doubt, be of such substan-
tentlon TO the suggestion Of the Secretary of the
Interior in this behalf.
PENSIONS.
There was paid during the last fiscal year for
pensions, including the expenses of disbursement
S9 962 being an amount less by 1884 050. 50
than was expended for the same purpose the
preceding year. Although this statement of
expenditures would indicate material re-
ducuon IN the amount compared with the
preceding year, it is believed that the changes in
the pension laws made at the last session of
Congress VIII absorb that amount the current
year. At the close of the last fiscal year there
were on the pension rolls 99S04 invalid military
pensioners, and 112, ,0Ss widows, orphans and de-
pendent widows of deceased soldiers, making
total of that class of 21 S9 266 survivors of the
war of 1912. and 5,053 widows or soldiers of that
war pensioned under the act of Congress of Feb
ruary IA, lSu, making a total of that
class of 23,319; 1,430 invalid navy pension
ers and no widows and orphans and dependent
relatives of deceased officers sailors and marines
OF the navy pensioners, of 200; total of pension
ers of all classes, 23S, showing net increase
during the last fiscal year of 6,218 The names of
16ao pensioners were added to the rolls, and TO-
223 names We're dropped therefrom for various
causes. The system adopted for the detection of
frauds against the Government in the matter of
pensions has been productive of satisfactory re-
suits, but legislation is needed to provide, if
possible, against the perpeuating of such frauds
in future. 0#
EDUCATION.
Inc evidently increasing interest in the cause OF
education is most encouraging feature in the
general progress Of the country, and the Bureau
of Education is in earnest in its efforts to give
increased facilities which being offered to
aid the educators of the country in their great
work
The ninth census has been completed, the re-
port Thereon published and distributed and the
working force of the bureau disbanded. The
tion for census to be taken in 1875, to which
subject the attention of Congress is in
tbat Xted nebaf The original ts suggestion in
approval of the country and, even
If 1t be not deemed advisable present to provide
for regular quinquennial census census taken
and published before the Tooth anniversary of our
national independence, would be especially inter-
estlng and valuable as showing the progress of
the country during the first century of our ma
tional existence. 1t is believed, however, that
regular census every five years would be of
substantial benefit TO the country, inasmuch as our
growth hitherto has been rapid that the results
of the decennal census are necessarily unreliable
as basis of estimates for the later years of the de-
cennial period.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
pff m
the Governor and the Board of Public
Works of this district, the city of Wash
mgton is rapidly assuming the appearance of a
capital of which the nation may we'll be proud.
From being most unsightly place three years ago,
dlsagreeahle TO pass through in summer in con-
sequence of the dust arising from unpaved streets,
mud, it is now one of The most slightly cities in
the country, and can boast of being the
best paved The work has been done sys-
tematlcally, the plans of grades, location OF sew
ers, water and gas mains being determined upon
before the work was commenced, thus securing
permanency when completed | question whether
so much has ever been accomplished before in any
American city for the same 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 Dis
trct of Columbia, ana that the Government should
bear its just share of the expense of these improve
ments. Every citizen visiting the Capital feels a
pride in its growing beauty, and that he, too, is
part owner in the investments made here Iwould
suggest to Congress the propriety OF promoting
the establishment in this District of institution
of learning university of the highest class, by
suited for such an institution than the national
capital. There is no other place in which every |
citizen is 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
governing the methods of making appointments |
and promotions; but there never has been any
action ON these rules, or any rules pend
ing or even entitled to observance. Where |
persons desire the appointment Of a
friend, or the removal of an official who may be |
to have any rules effective, they |
OF the Executive. l 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 Will be maintained, and which Will |
secure the services of honest and ca |
IN degree Cf independence while in office. Proper |
rules win protect Congress, as well as the Execu-
tive, from much needless precaution, and will |
prove of great valae to the public at large.
COLORADO
would recommend for our favorable consider |
alton the passage of act for the admttance of |
Colorado as, State into the Union 1t possesses
all the elements Of prosperous State agricultural
and mineral, and. / believe, has population to |
Justify admission. In that atconnection, would also
the encouragement of canal for the
Rocky Mountains to the Missouri River. AS
rule am opposed to the donation of the public
lands for internal improvements owned and con-
rolled 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 pubic land from 800 to 500 miles in width,
perfectly 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
his entire country, and would secure Gordon
Of settlements connecting the present popula-
ion of the mountain and mining regions
With that of the older States. All the land re-
claimed would he clear gain. If alternate sections
we're retained by the Government would sng-
ge-t that the retained sections be thrown open to
entry under the Homestead law, and sold to actual
settlers for very low prices.
AMNESTY
renew my previous recommendation TO Con-
yress for general amnesty. The number engaged
a the late rebellion who are laboring under dlsad
Tantages is very email. but enough to keep up
constant irrita ion. Nopossible danger can ensue
o the Government by restoring them to eligibility
o hold Office.
THE FREEDMEN.
1 suggest for your consideration the enactment
If law to better secure the civil rights which
reedom should secure, but has not effectually Sc
ured, TO the enfranchised slave.
(Signed) u. s. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dec. /, 1873