The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1873-12-10

education Is earnest In Its efforts 10
: give a proper direction to the increased
facilities which are being goffered toad
: In the education Of the country. 4
iit CENSUS. M
The ninth censns has been eonplet-
ed, and the report thereof published
and distributed, and the working force
of the bureau disbdhded. The Secre-
tarH of the Interior gives his recon-
mendatioE for census to be taken IN
1875, to which subject the attention of
Congress isinyited. Theoriginal sng-
gestion in that behalf has met with the
general approval of the country, and
even ii it be not deemed advisable ut
present to provide for regular quill-
queiuIial census, a census taken In
1875, the report of which could be
completed and published before the
hundredth anniversary of Cur indie
pendence, would be especially interest
ing and valuable. as showing the pro-
gress Of the country during the first
century of our national existence. 1t
is believed, however, that a regular
census every five years would be OF
substantial benefit to the country, in
asmuch as our growth hitherto has
been so rapid that the results of a de-
cennial census are necessarily tlnrefi-
able as basis of estimates for the lat
ter years Of the decennial period.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Under the very efficient management
| of the Governor and Board OF Pablic
Works of this District the city OF
Washington Is rapidly assuming the
appearance of a Capital Of which the
nation may well be proud, From be-
ing d most unsightly place three years
ago, dlsagreeable to pass through In
summer in consequence Of the dust
arising from unpayed streets and al
most impossible in winter from the
mud, it Is now one of the most slightly
cities in the country and can boast of
being paved. The work has been done
Systematically, the grades, location Of
sewers and Of water and Of gas mains
being determined upon before the work
was commenced, thus securing thu per-
marenny when completed, lqllvstiOn
whether SO much has ever been accom-
plished hi ahy American city for the
same expenditure. The Government
having a large reservation in the city,
and the ration at large having an ill=
terest in their Capitol, recommend u
liberal policy toward the District Of
Columbia, and that the Government
should bear its just share OF the ex-
pense of these improvements. Every
citizen visiting the Capital feels pride
in its growing beauty, and that he,
too. is, part owner in the investments
made here. | would suggest to Con-
gress the propriety Of promoting the
establishment in this District ofan ill.,
stitqtion Of learning Or university Of
the highest class, by the donation Of
lands There Is no place better suited
for such an institution than the Ma
tional Capitol. There is no other
place in which onr citizens are directly
interested.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
III my successive messages to Con-
gress | have called attention to the sub
iect OF civil service reform. Action
has been taken SO far as to authorize
the appointment OF Board to devise
rules governing the methods OF max
ing appointments and promotions, but
there never has been any motion Oni
these rules. 10 have any rules effect
i've, they must llaye the acquiescence
Of Congress, as well as those Of the
Executive. | recommend, therefore,
the subject to your attention, and sug-
gest that special committee OF Con-
gress might confer with the Civil 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
degree OF confidence while III Office.
Proper rules will protect Congress as
we'll as the Executive from much
needless precautiOn, and win prove OF
great value to the pubic at large.
COLORADO AS A STATE.
recommend for your favorable con-
sideration the ptssage ofan act for the
admittance Of Colorado rs State IN
the Union. 1t possesses all the ele4
nents ofplosperity and, believe,
population to justify such admission.
CANAL FOR IRRIGATION.
IN this connection, | would als0
recommend the encouragement Of
canal fol purposes of irrigation from
the eastern slope of the Rocky MOun-
tains TO the Missouri river. AS rule,
| am opposed to donating the public
lands tor internal Improvements, Owll-
cd and Controlletl'by private corpora
tions, but in this Instance | would
make an exception. Between the
Missouri river and the Rocky Noun
taiDs there Is an arid belt Of public
land Of from three hundred to five