rolls the names of 1,449 navy pensioners and
1,730 widows, orphans, and dependent relatives, making the whole number
of naval pensioners 3,179. There have been received since the passage of
the act to provide pensions for the survivors of the War of 1812 36,551
applications, prior to June 30, 1872. Of these there were allowed during
the last fiscal year 20,126 claims; 4,845 were rejected during the year,
leaving 11,580 claims pending at that date. The number of pensions of
all classes granted during the last fiscal year was 33,838. During that
period there were dropped from the rolls, for various causes, 9,104
names, leaving a grand total of 232,229 pensioners on the rolls on the
30th of June, 1872.

It is thought that the claims for pensions on account of the War of 1812
will all be disposed of by the 1st of May, 1873. It is estimated that
$30,480,000 will be required for the pension service during the next
fiscal year.

THE CENSUS.

The Ninth Census is about completed. Its early completion is a subject
of congratulation, inasmuch as the use to be made of the statistics
therein contained depends very greatly on the promptitude of
publication.

The Secretary of the Interior recommends that a census be taken in 1875,
which recommendation should receive the early attention of Congress. The
interval at present established between the Federal census is so long
that the information obtained at the decennial period as to the material
condition, wants, and resources of the nation is of little practical
value after the expiration of the first half of that period. It would
probably obviate the constitutional provision regarding the decennial
census if a census taken in 1875 should be divested of all political
character and no reapportionment of Congressional representation be made
under it. Such a census, coming, as it would, in the last year of the
first century of our national existence, would furnish a noble monument
of the progress of the United States during that century.

EDUCATION.

The rapidly increasing interest in education is a most encouraging
feature in the current history of the country, and it is no doubt true
that this is due in a great measure to the efforts of the Bureau of
Education. That office is continually receiving evidences, which
abundantly prove its efficiency, from the various institutions of
learning and educators of all kinds throughout the country.

The report of the Commissioner contains