Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-08

naVlnX laleo, II VIII De necessary Tor congress TO
adopt some measures to relieve embarrassment |
growing out of the causes named. The Secretary |
OF the Interior suggests that the supplies ap-
for the sustenance of that people being
no longer obligatory under the treaty of 1862 but
SIMPLY gratuity, may be issued or Withheld at his |
orectlon The condition Of the Indian territory,
to which have referred in several of nv former
annual messages, remains practically unchanged. |
The Secretary of the Interior has taken measures
to obtain full report of the condition of that
territory and will make it the subject of special
report at an carly day. 1t may then be necessary
TO make some further recommendations in regard
to legislation Tor the COVER ument of that terri
tory.
The iArENr OFFICE.
The steady growth and increase of the business
Of the patent office, indicates in some measure the
progress Of the industrial activity of the country.
The receipts of the Office are in excess of its ex-
penditures, and the Office generally is in pros
porous and satisfactory condition.
GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
Tie report of the General Land Office shows
that over 459,60l acres less have been disposed of
during this than during last year More than
one-half of this decrease was in lands disposed of
under the homestead and agricultural laws. The
cause Of this decrease is supposed to be found in
the grasshopper scourge and the drouths, which
prevailed so extensively in some of the frontier
States and territories during that time to dis
courage other entries by actual settlers. The cash
receipts were less by 5000, 322 % than during the
preceding year. The entire surveyed area of the
public domain is $50 ,253 ,094 acres, of which g.,
OF ,53l acres were surveyed during the past year,
leaving ll5,449,l16 acres still unsurveyed. The
report OF the Commissioner presents many inter-
esting suggestions in regard to the management
and disposition Of the public domain, and modif-
cation OF existing laws the apparent importance
of which should insure for them the careful con-
sideration Of Congress.
PENSIONERS.
The number of pensioners still continues to de-
crease, the highest number having been reached
during the year ending January, 1873. During
the last year II 55l names were added to the rolls,
and L, 977 were dropped therefrom showing net
decrease Of APO; but while the number Of pen
sioners has decreased, the annual amount due on
pension rolls has increased S44133l3. This is
caused by the greatly increased average rate Of pen
sions, giving to each invalid person an increase in
the average rate OF Is per In the three years
during the year ending June 30th, 1885, there was
paid on account of pensions, including expense Of
disbursement, S29,6S3, ll6, being S9l0,632 less
than was paid the preceding year. The reduction
Of the amount Of expenditures was produced by
the decrease in the amount in arrears and due on
allowed claims and on pensions, the rate of which
was increased BY the legislation of the preceding
session OF Congress. At the close Of the last IFS
| cal year there were on the pension rolls 234 81
persons, of whom PIC, 1863 were army pensioners,
l054.S being invalids, and l04, $50 widows and
dependent relatives; 3, 400 were navy pensioners
of whom 1896 were invalds, and LISA widows
and dependent relatives; Il ,O3S were pensioners
of the war of 1912, 1886 Of whom were survivors
and 5,l63 were widows. 1t Is estimated that
$40 535 900 will be required for the payment Of
pensions for the next fiscal year. an amount $780,
900 less than the estimate for the present year.
SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATIONS.
The geological explorations have been prosecu-
ted with energy during the year, covering an area
OF about 40 900 square miles in the territories OF
Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, developing the
agricultural and mineral resources and furnishing
interesting scientific and typographical details OF
that region.
RELATIONS WITH THE INDIANS.
The method for the treatment of the Indians,
adopted at the beginning of my first term has been
steadily pursued and with satisfactory and enconr-
aging results. 1t has been productive OF evident
improvement in the condition of that race, and
will be continued with only such notifications as
further experience may indicate to be necessary.
The GREAT EXPOSITION.
The board heretofore appointed to take charge
of the articles and materal pertaining TO war; The
navy the treasury, the interior and post office de-
par.ments, and the department of agriculture. the
Smithsonian Institute and the commission OF food
fishes, to be contributed under the legislation OF
last session to the International exhibition, TO be
held at Philadelphia during the centennial year,
1876 has been digent in the discharge OF the
duties which have devolved upon it; and the pre-
partitions so far made with the means at command
piye assurance that the governmental contribution
will be made one of the marked characteristics of
the exhibition. The board has observed common
dable economy in the matter of the erection Of
buildings for the Governmental Exhibition, the
exrepse of which it is estimated will not exceed
the slm of 5000 This amount has been drawn und-
pr the law from appropriations of five of the princ-
nal denartments which leaves some of those depart
nen,s without Sufficient means 10 render their re-
snectivc practical exhibits complete and satisfac-
t6rv. The exhibition being an international one
and the Government being voluntary contribu-
tor il is nv opinion that its contributions should
he If character in ouaity and extent to keen the
dignity and credit of so distinguished contribu-
tor The advantages to the country of creditabls
display in international point OF view of the
hrst Importance, "niie al, inaltient
oy lhe uoreluihen' wouia NC nun W '"G
patfiolc leelhgs VI our Peopie 'IeeieeN %.
commend me estimates oi !iie ooaIu iot 'nc hec-
| essary adaltional appropIlauohs 10 IN, INC iaVoi-
able consuera'oh oi G ;,h,. , me pow
efs OF Eefope' a.nost wI'hou. eAeeP,.ou' many
OF the SCUM american states, anu even
the more distant Eastern powers nave
manifested their friendly sentiment towards inc
United states and the interest OF Inc worid IN our
progress, by taxing steps 10 JOIN with us IN ceie-
bratng the centennial oil the nation, ana strongly
recommend that more national importance oe
given to this exhibition, oy such lesisiaton ana
~ sucn APPROPRIATENESS u, WIN ms. ; ~,
usefnI works of ait and the commingling of the