The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1874-12-10
NUMBER so.

herewith attached, gives much interesting statis-
teal information. which abstain from giving an
abstract of, but refer YOU to the report itself.
PENSIONS OF THE WAR OF 1872.
The act of Congress providing the oath
which pensioners must subscribe before drawing
their pensions cuts OF from this bounty few
survivors of the OF 1872 residing in the
Southern States. l recommend the restoration
of this bounty 10 all such. The number
of persons whose names would be restored tn
the list of pensioners is not large. They are all
old persons who could have taken no part in
the rebellion, and the services for which they
were awarded pensions were in defense of the
whole country
THE CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION.
The report OF the Commissioner OF Agriculture,
herewith attached, contains suggestions of much
interest to the general public and refers TO the
approaching Centennial and the part his
department is ready to take in il | feel that
the nation at large is Interested in hav-
ing this Exposition a success, and com
mend to Congress such action will secure a
greater general interest in il. Already many
foreign nations have signifed their intention to
be represented at it, IL may be expected that
every civilized nation will be represented.
TINE CIVIL SERVICE.
The rules adopted to improve the civil service
of the Government have been adhered TO AS
closely as has been practicable with the oppo-
sition with which they meet. The effect of 1t
has been beneficial on the whole and has
tended to the elevation of the service; but 1t is
TO maintain them without the di
rect and positive support Of Congress. Gener
ally, the support which this reform receives IL
FROM those who give u &heir support only to find
fault when the rules are apparently departed
from. Removals from Office without preferrng
charges against parties removed are frequently
cited a. departures from the rules adopted, and
the retention of those against " HON charges are
made by irresponsible persons and without good
grounds is also often condemned as vio-
lation of them. Under these circumstances,
therefore, announce that if Congress adjourns
without positive legislation on the subject OF
. civil service reform. l will regard-such
ton rs disapproval of the system, and will
abandon it. Except so far as to require examina-
tions for certain appointees to determine their
ftness, competitive examinations will be aban-
doned.
The gentlemen who have given their services
without compensation as members of the Board
To devise rules and regulations for the govern
ment of the countrys civil service have shown
much zeal and earnestness in their work, and to
them. us well as to myself, ii will be a source OF
modification If II liz to be thrown away. But |
repeat that it is impossible to carry this system
10 a successful issue without general approval
and assistance, and positive law to support il.
THE EMPLOYMENT or LABOR
l have stated that the elements of prosper
ty to the nations capitalization. skilled and un-
skilled, and products of the soil-still remain
with us. To direct the employment of these
,an be given to all labor Offering
tself prosperity necessarily follows
have expressed the opinion, and repeat it
here. that the first requisite to the accomplish
nent of this end is the substitution OF II sound
currency in place of one of fluctuatng value.
might be fostered, 10 the great profit of both
abor and capital. How to induce capital to en-
)loy labor Is the question
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION.
The subject OF cheap transportation has occu-
pied the attention of Congress. New light ON
his question WILL without doubt be given by the
committee appointed by the Last Congress to in
festigate and report upon this subject.
THE OCEAN CARRYING TRADE.
A revival of ship-buiding, and particularly of
ron steamship building. is of vast Importance
% our national prosperity. The United States is
low paving over ST lnD,, 0J per annum for ireights
md passage on foreign ships to be carried abroad
md expended in employment and support of
,iher people, beyond fair percentage OF what
should 20 TO foreign vessels. estimating on the
onnage and travel of each respectively 1t il
% be regretted that this disparity in the carry
ng trade exists, and to correct II l would be
willing to see great departure from the usual
Course OF the Government in supporting what
might usually be termed private enter
Prise. | would not suggest rs rem
,dy direct subsidy to the American
lines. but would suggest the direct
,ffer of ample compensation for carrying the
mails between the Atlantic seaboard cities and
he Continent on Amcrican-owned and Ameri
AN built steamers, and would extend this
berality to vessels carrying the mails to the
south American States and To Central America
and Mexico. and would pursue the same policy
rom our Pacific seaports TO foreign scaports ON
built for this service should come up to stand
ard fixed by legislation in tonnage, spcet and all
other qualities. looking to the possibility of the
government requiring them at some time for war
purposes: the right also of taking possession Of
hem in such emergency should be guarded.
| offer these suggestions. believing them
worthy of consideration, in all seriousness Affect
ing all sections and all interests alike. Ii anything
better can be done to direct the country into
course of general prosperity. no one will be more
ready than to second the plan.
DISTRICT COLUMBIA.
Forwarded herewith will be found the report
Df the Commissioners appointed under an act of
Congress, approved June ~, 1874, to wind up the
affairs Of the District Government. 1t Will be
seen from the report that the total debt OF the
District OF Columbia, less securities on hand
and available. is: The bonded debt issued prior
20 July 1, 1874. Ss,sS3ai0 43; 365 bonds. by ACT of
Congress June ~. 1874 S2,0Ss,l6 ii; certificates
,f the Board of Audit, SAT- ,55s45; total. Si5,-
AZ, ,66761; less special Improvement assess
nents chargeable to private property in
excess of any demand against such assess
nent, 81. 14,U34H; less Chesapeake
ngton Il Alexandria Railroad bonds,
1900; in the hands of the Commissioners OF
he Sinking Fund. si.7 8. 81. 81 leaving the
actual debt less said assets. $13,9461 "A. In adj
iition to this there claims preferred againt-
he Government of the District amounting in
he aggregate. reported bv the Board of Audit,
o 3i47 iS of which the greater part will
probably be rejected. This sum can with no
more propriety be included in the debt of the
District Government than can the thousands of
.laims against the General Government be in
,luded as portion of the national debt; but the
aggregate sum thus stated includes something
more than the funded debt chargeablc exclusive
v to the District of Columbia.
The act Of Congress of June 20. 1874 contem-
plates an apportionment between the
United States Government and the District
IF Columbia in respect to the payment OF the
principal and interest OF the 3:63 bonds there
ore in computing with precision the bonded
iebt of the District. the aggregate sums above
stated. as respects the 3.h5 bonds now issued the
certificates of the Board OF AUDIT
and the unadjusted claims pending before thar
Board. should be reduced to the extent OF the
amount to be apportioned to the United States
Government in the manner indicated in the act
II Congress of June -, 1874. especially invite
,our attention to the recommendation of the
Of the Sinking Fund relative 10
.he ambiguity of the act of June % 1874, the in
tcrest on the District bonds. and the consollda-
lion OF the indebtedness OF the District.
| feel much indebted to the gentlemen who
to leave their private affairs and come
from distance to attend to the business of this
District ana for the able and satisfactory manner
in which it has been conducted. am sure their
services will be equally appreciated by the entire
country.
1t will be seen from the accompanying full re-
port of the Board of Health that the sanitary
condition of the District is very satisfactory In
nv opinion the District of Columbia should be
regarded a. the grounds of the National Capital,
in which the entire people are Interested. !
priations to the District, but to draw the atten-
ion of Congress, in framing law for the gov
ernment Of the District, to the magniti.
cent scale on which the city was planned
by the founders of the Government; the manner
in which. for ornamental purposes, the streets
and avenues were laid ont, and what was the pro
portion of the property actually possessed by the
General Government. think the proportion OF
the expenses of the Government and improve
ments to be borne by the General Government
and the cities of Washington and Georgetown
and the country should be carefully and equitably
defined.
THE MOUTH OF THE AIssrssIrPr.
In accordance with Sec. 3 of the act ap-
proved June q. 1874. l appointed a board To
make survey of the mouth of the Mississippi
River. with view to determine the best
method of obtaining and maintaining a
depth of water sufficient for the pur-
poses of commerce, etc. and IN accord
ance with an act entitled An act to provide for
the appointment Of Commission Of Engineers
te Investigate and report plan for the excava-
tion OF the aluvia basin of the Mississippi River
subject to inundation., Iappointeda Commission
of Engineers Neither board has yet completed
its labors. When their reports are received they
will he forwarded to Congress without delay
fS;oned, U. s. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dec. Z, 1874.