The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-12-08
THE MESSAGE.
Z, ,sndnded from First Paqe.l

T. NCtuutu JFOHt TFot Iuyt.l
sneea ara a. other qualities, looking TO the
possibiiitv of TIE government requiring them
at the same time To- war purposes. Inc rignt
in taking possess ON Md be anarded rN ! give
these suggestions, belle wing lheH Woftny 9i
consideration. in all seriousness anectlng an
SECTIONS and all interests alike IL anything
better can be done to direct the country into a
course of general Prosperity. no one viii De
warded here is the plan and report OF the com
missi0ners appointed under an act OF Congress,
approved June 2O.lS74, 10 wind up the analrs OF
THE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
1t will be seen from the report that the total
debt OF the District OF Columbia, less as
sets on hand and available, is a bonded debt
issued prior to July.l, 1874, of Ss,sS3.90 43; 365
bonds by act of Congress June 20, 1874, ST.
OSS,l6S 73; certificates OF the board OF
audit, sz7ye5 81; total, sl,5S7. 1907 81.
able 10 private property in excess OF any
demands against such assessment, Sl,ol,4Oo,4od;
and Washington and Alexandria bonds 5000
in the hands of the commissioner OF me
actual debt less SAID fund, slS,s94,6lS q. In
addition to these on the claims preferred
against the board of the district
% amo Soard Of audit lite of sf5,77s,ais Of which the
greater part will probably be rejected. rms
in the debt of the district government than the
thousands of claims against the general govern
mfi oIal De deb bnciuq But the p aggregate sum
thus stated includes something more
than the funded debt chargeable exclusively TO
November "a, 1873, contemplates an apportton-
ment between the United States government
and the District of Columbia, in respect 10 the
payment of the principal ahd interest of the
3,65 bonds. Therefore, in comparing with pre-
the aggregate sums above stated, as respects the
3,65 bonds now issued, the outstanding
adjusted claims pending before that board
should be reduced TO the extent OF the amount
to be apportioned to the United states govern
ment, in the matter indicated In the act or
Congress OF June 10th, 1874. l especially invite
your attention to the recommendations OF the
fPe ambieuify Of the act Of June 10Th, 1874,
the interest on the district bonds and the con-
solidation OF the indebtedness To the district.
I feel much indebted to the gentlemen who con-
scented to leave their private affairs TO attend TO
THE BUSINESS OF THE DISTRICT,
and for the able and satisfactory manner in
which it has been conducted. 1 am sure their
services will be equally appreciated by the entire
country. 1t will be seen from the accompanying
full report of the board Of health that the sani-
tary condition of the district is very ~Satisfac-
tory. In my opinion the District of Columbia
s SsG9n6a, De cen, fega in %bi as tine 1ne egg rGTn Deop d. are are
interested. / do not allude 10 this TO
urge general appropriations 70 the dis;
trict, but 20 draw the attention OF
Congress in framing a law or the government
OF the district to the magnificent scale on which
the city was planned by the FOUNDERS OF Ihe
government, the manner in which, for orna-
mental purposes, the reservatories, in avenues
was laid out, and the proportion of the property
actually possessed by the general government.
1 think the proportion OF the expenses oil
the government and improvements to be borne
by the general government. The cities of Wash
ingion and Georgetown and the country should
be carefully and equitable defined. In accord;
ance with section 3, act approved June %, 1871, /
appointed a board to make a survey OF the
mouth of the Mississippi river with
of obtaining and maintaining a depth of water
sufficient for the purposes of commerce, etc
In accordance with an act entitled an act to
provide for the appointment of a commission OF
engineers TO investigate and report a permanent
plan for the elevation OF the allu-
vial basin of the Mississippi river
subject 10 inundation ~Iappolnted a commission
of engineers. Another board has not yet com.
pleted its lsbors. When itsreports are received
they viii be forwarded to Congress without de
lay.
iSignedI U. S. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dec. 7, 1874.