Year: 1873

I menu Ill Cn6 matter or pensions mas DeeH productive of satisfactory results. but leg islation is needed to provide if possible against the perpetration of such frauds in the future.

 1 EDUCATION.

 The evidently increasing interest in the cause of education is a most encourag- ing feature in the general progress and prosperity of the country. and the bureau of education is earnest ill it's efforts to give support and direction to the new ap- plications and increased facilities which are being offered to aid the educators of the country in their great work.

 THE NINTH CENSUS.

 The ninth census has been completed and the report thereof published and dis tributed, and the working force of the bureau disbanded. The secretary of the in- terior renews his for cen- sus to be taken in 1875, to which subject the attention of congress is invited. The original suggestion in that behalf has met with the general approval of the country, and even if it be not deemed advisable at present to provide for regular quinquen- l nial census taken in 1875, the report of which could be completed and published before the one hundreth anniversary of our independence, would be especially in- teresting and valuable, as showing the progress of the country during the first century. of our national existence It is believed, however, that a regular census every five years would be of substantial benefit to the country, inasmuch as our growth hitherto has been so rapid that the results of the decennial census are necess- arily unreliable as basis of estimates for the later years of a decennial period. ! DISTRICT OF CoLUMBIA

 l Uuder the very efficient management of the governor and the board of public works of this district the city of Wash ington IS rapidly assuming the appearance l of capital of which the nation may we'll be proud. From being most disagree able unsightly place, three years ago. to pass through in summer i'll consequence of the dust arising from unpaved streets and almost impossible in the winter from the mud, it is now one of the most slightly cities in the country and can boast of be- ing the best paved. The work has been done systematically, the plans, grades, location of sewers, water and gas mains being determined upon before the work was commenced, thus securing permancy when completed. I question whether so much has even been accomplished before in any American city for the same expend- itures. 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 gov ernment should bear it's just share of the expenses of these improvements. Every citizen visiting the capital feels pride in it's growing beauty, and that he, too, is part owner in the investment made here.

 A NATIONAL UNIVERSITY RECOMMENDED I would suggest to congress the pro- priety of promoting the establishment, in this district, of an institution of learn ing, or university of the highest class, by the donation of lands. There is no place better suited for such an institution than the national capital. There is no other place in which every citizen is so directly l interested.

 CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

 l 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 appoint ment of board to devise rules governing the methods of making appointments and l promotions, but there never has been any action making these rules or any rules binding, or even entitled to observance, l where persons desire the appointment of a friend or the removal of an official who ! may be disagreeable to them. To have | any rules effective they must have the ac- l quiescence of congress as well as of the executive. l recommend, therefore, the subject to your. attention, and suggest that a special committee of congress might confer with the civil service board during the present session, for the pur- pose of devising such rules as can be maintained, and which will secure the services of honest and capable officials, and which will also protect them in a de- gree of independence while in office. Proper rules will protect congress as we'll as the executive from much needless per secution, and will prove of great value to the public at large,

 COLORADO.

 I will recommend for your favorable consideration the passage of an enabling act for the admittance of Colorado as state in the union, It possesses all the clements of prosperous state, agricul- tural and mineral, and believe has popu- lation to justify such admission. In con nection with that, II would also recommend the encouragement of canal for purposes of irrigation, from the eastern slope of the Rocky mountains to the Missouri Iriyer. As rule am opposed to further donations of public lands for inter1lal improvements, owned and controlled by private corporations; but in this in nstance I would make an exception. Between ttbe Missouri river and the Rocky noun tains there is an arid belt of public land from 300 to 500 miles in width, perfectly useless for the occupation of man, for want of a sufficient rain to secure the growth of any products. An irrigating canal would make productive belt as wide as the supply of water could be made to spread, across this entire country. and would secure cordon of settlements connecting the present population of the \ mountain and mining regions with that of 1 the older states. All the land reclaimed

 would be clear gain. If alternate sections

 are retained by the government, would suggest that the retained sections be thrown open to entry under the home stead laws, to actual settlers, for as.very low price. .@ r F sfs GENERAL AMNESTY.

 lIssI renew my previous recommendations al to congress for. general amnesty, The I number engaged in the late rebellion yet laboring under disabilities is .Yery small, but enough to keep up constant irrita- I ton. No possible danger can accrue to l the government by restoring them to eli gibility to hold office. lissfE

 gzsa CIVIL RIGHTS. H suggest for your consideration the en- 0ctmenk Qf a law 10 heffar sacrra tl,a 1,;,r;l