Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-12-10
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- 49, 49,
"a Publication =
4, ae sfetsiy % the interior recommends
{ ncensuS be tkken in. 4 1875, which res d.
4 hmen dalton sho1ld receive the early atten-
ton OF Congress. The interval at present
( established bewtweenith the Federal census is so
long that the information obtained at the de-
fcenniai periods as to the material condition.
wants and resources of the nation, is of little
practicalI value after the expiration of the first
I half that period.
/ Itwould probably obviate the constitutional
prov ision regarding the decennial census. if a
scensus taken in 1875 should he Invested of all
political: character, and no reapportionment of
congressional represent ation be made under it.
Such census, coming as it would in the last
year OF the first century of our national exist.
ence, would furnish noble monument of the
progress of the United States during that
century.
EDUCATION.
The rapidly-increasing interest in educa-
ton is most encouraging feature in the cur
rent history OF the cou utry, 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 vari-
GUS institutions of learning and education of
all kinds throughout the country.
The report of the commissioner contains
vast amount of educational details of great in.
terest.
The bill now pending before Congress pro-
vlding for the appropriation of the net pro-
ceeds of the sales of public lands for educa>
tional purposes, to aid the States in the gen.
erai education of the rising generation, is
matter of such great Importance to our real
progress and is SO unanimously approved BY
the leading friends of education that I com>
mend it to the favorable attention of Congress.
TERRITORIES.
Affairs in territories are generally satisfac-
tory. The energy and business capacity of
the pioneers who are setting on the vast do>
mains, not yet incorporated into States, are
keeping pace in internal Improvements and
civil government with the older communities.
In but one of them, Utah, is the condition of
affairs unsatisfactory, except so far as the
quiet OF the citizen may he disturbed by real
or imaginary danger of Indian Inequalities.
1t has seemed to be the policy of the legisla-
ture OF Utah to evade all responsibility to the
government of the United States and even to
hold position in hostility to it.
l recommend q careful revision of The
present laws of the Territory by Congress, and
the enactment of such law, (the one pro-
posed in Congress at its last session for in>
stance, or something similar to it,) as will
secure peace, the equality of all citizens be-
fore the law, and the ultimate extinguishment
OF polygamy. Since the establishment of
territorial government for the District of Co.
lumbia the improvement of the condition of
the city of Washington and surroundings. and
the increased prosperity of the citizens is OBJ
seryable to the most casual visitor. The ma
ton being large owner of property in this
city should bear with the citizens of the Dis
trict its just share of the expense of these i'm.
provements.
l recommend. therefore, an appropriation
to reimburse the citizens for the work done
by them along and in front of public grounds
during the past year, and liberal appropria-
hons in order that the improvement and en-
Enlistment of the public buildings and
grounds may keep pace with the Improvements
made by territorial authorities.
AGRICULTURE
The report of the Commissioner of Agri-
culture gives very full and interesting &C.
count OF the several divisions of that depart
ment-the horticultural, agricultural, statisti>
cal, chronological and chemical, and the benz
efits conferred by each upon the agricultural
interests of the country. The whole report
is a complete history in detail of the workings
of that department in all its branches, shows
ing the manner in which the farmer. mer.
chant and miner is Informed aud 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, aud suggests
that no part of the public land should be dis
posed of without the condition that one>tepth
OF it 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 Con-
gress approved March s. 1871 provid ing Tor the cee
bration of the one hundredth nnversary of Amer
lcan Independence, a comm isson has been orga-
nized consulting of two members from each of the
States and Territories This commission has held
Two sessions, and has ade atsfactory progress in
organization and in the initiatory steps necessary
1or carrying out the provisions Of the and for
also the provisions of the of June ST.
io.2' creating Centen q al Board of Finance
preliminary report of progress has been re-
ceived from the president of the commi.sion and i.
herewith transmitted.
1t will be tho duty OF tho commission at the com.
ing session to transmt a full report Of proeress
made. and to lay before tho istine to
the exhibition of American and foreien ART. nro
ducts and manufactures, which BY the terms Of the
act Ia to he held under the suspces Of the GOVERN
in the year 1876
The celebration win be- looked forward tn hv
American citizens with great interest a. marking
eennry OF greater progrs % and prosperity than
recorded in the history of any other nation, and as
n Ho,rr L-s.