Year: 1873

would be especially interesting and valuable
as showing the progress of the country during
the hrst century of our national existence. It
1s believed, however, that a 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
decennial 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
rs 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
friend, or the removal of an official who may
be dlsagreeable, to have any change effected.
they must have the acquiesceDce of Congress
as well as of the Executive. 1 recommend,
therefore, the subject to your attention, and
suggest that a special committee of Congress
might confer with the Civil Board during the
present session, for the purpose of devislng
such rules as shall be maintained, and which
Will secure the services of honest and capable
officials, and which will also protect them in
degree of independence while in Office. Prop
er rules will protect Congress, as well as the
Executive, from much needless precantion,
and will prove of great value to the public at
large.


I would recommend for your favorable con-
sideration the passage of an act for the ad-
mittance of Colorado as a State into the Union.
lJ possesses all the elements OF q prosperous
State, agricultural and mineral, and, 1 believe,
has population to justify admission. Iu
that connection, would also recommend the
encouragement of a canal for the purpose of
irrigating from the eastern slope of the Rocky
mount tains to the Missouri river. AS a rule
am opposed to the donation of the pub
lie lands for internal improvements
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 belt of public
land from 300 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 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
claimed would be clear again. If alternate
sections were reclaimed by the Government, 1
would suggest that the retained sections be
thrown open to entry under the Homestead
law, and sold to actual settlers at very low
prices.


1 renew my previous Recommendation to
Congress for a general amnesty. The num-
Der engaged in the late rebellion who are Ia
boring under disadvantages is very small, but
enough to keep up constant irritation. No
ment by restoring them to eligibility to hold
Office.


I suggest for your consideration the enact
ment of law to better secure the civil rights
which freedom should secure, but has not eff
fectually secured, to the enfranchised slave.


(Signed) U. s. GRANT.


ExEcUTIvR MANSION, December 1, 1873.