ry. The whole report is a complete history, in
detail, of the workings of that Department in all its branches, showing
the manner in which the farmer, merchant, and miner is informed, and
the extent to which he is aided in his pursuits.

The Commissioner makes one recommendation--that measures be taken by
Congress to protect and induce the planting of forests--and suggests
that no part of the public lands should be disposed of without the
condition that one-tenth of it should be reserved in timber where it
exists, and where it does not exist inducements should be offered for
planting it.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.

In accordance with the terms of the act of Congress approved March 3,
1871, providing for the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of
American independence, a commission has been organized, consisting of
two members from each of the States and Territories. This commission
has held two sessions, and has made satisfactory progress in the
organization and in the initiatory steps necessary for carrying out
the provisions of the act, and for executing also the provisions of
the act of June 1, 1872, creating a centennial board of finance.
A preliminary report of progress has been received from the president
of the commission, and is herewith transmitted. It will be the duty
of the commission at your coming session to transmit a full report of
the progress made, and to lay before you the details relating to the
exhibition of American and foreign arts, products, and manufactures,
which by the terms of the act is to be held under the auspices of the
Government of the United States in the city of Philadelphia in the
year 1876.

This celebration will be looked forward to by American citizens with
great interest, as marking a century of greater progress and prosperity
than is recorded in the history of any other nation, and as serving a
further good purpose in bringing together on our soil peoples of all
the commercial nations of the earth in a manner calculated to insure
international good feeling.

CIVIL SERVICE.

An earnest desire has been felt to correct abuses which have grown
up in the civil service of the country through the defective method
of making appointments to office. Heretofore Federal offices have been
regarded too much as the reward of political services. Under authority
of Congress rules have been established to regulate the tenure of office
and the mode of appointments. It can not be expe