Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-07


many millions that are now annually paid TO |
foreign nations for sugar and other staple |
products which habitual use has made neces- |
sary in our domestic everyday life.
THE cENTrNN1AL EXHIBITION.
The board on behalf of the United States
executive departments at the international
exhibition of 1876 has concluded its labors.
The final report of the board was transmitted
TO Congress by the President near the close
of the last session As these papers are UNI
derstood TO contain interesting and valuable
information and will constitute the only re-
port emanating from the Government on the
subject Of the exhibition, ] invite attention 20
the matter and recommend that the report be
published for general information.
DISTINCT OF COLUMBIA.
Congress is empowered by the Constitution
with the authority of exclusive legislation
over the District Of Columbia, in which the
scat Of government of the nation is located.
The interests of the District having no direct
representation in Congress, are entitled TO es-
pccal consideration and care at the hands of
the general government. The capital Of the
United States belongs to the nation, and it is
natural that the American people should take
pride in the seat Of their national govern
mcnt and desire IL TO be an ornament TO their
country. Much has been done TO render it
healthful. convenient and attractive but much
remains to be done which its permanent in
habitants are not able and ought not TO be
expected TO do. To impose upon them
large proportion of the cost required for pub
lie improvements. which are in a great meas
ure planned and executed for the convenience
Of the Government, and of the many thous-
ands of visitors from all parts of the country
who temporarily reside at the capital of the
nation, is nm evident injustice Special at
tention is asked by the commissioners of the
District in their report, which is herewith
transmitted, to the importance of perma-
nent adjustment by Congress Of the financial
relations between the United States and the
District involving the regular annual contri-
button of the United States Of its Just pro-
portion of the expenses Of the District gov
eminent, and Of the outlay for all needed
! public improvements. and such measure of
! relief from the burden of taxation now rest
| ing on the people Of the District AS in the
| wisdom Of Congress may be deemed Just.
! The report of the commissioners shows that
| the affairs of the District are in "A condition
as satisfactory rs could he expected in view
of the heavy debt resting upon it and its very
| limited means for necessary expenses. The
! debt Of the District is AS follows Old fund
ed debt Ss.372, G9l sc; 3Gj bonds guaran-
teed by the United States, SIS, 743. $50 total
| bonded debt. So. l22. gl19G: to which should
be added certain outstanding claims, as ex-
| planned in the report Of the commissioner
| SI.ls2. 2Ol.j2. making the total debt CT the
District 1910. 14G.4s.
The Commissioners also ask attention to
the importance of the improvement of the
Potomac river and the retaining of the
marshes bordering the city of Washington,
and their views upon this subject are concur
red in by the members Of the board of health.
1 ,tIp pv4 i. oil h.N.vtttb tro,, Cd
Both the commercial and sanitary interests of
the District will be greatly promoted. doubt
not, by this improvement.
Your attention is invited to the suggestions
| of the commissioners Of the board of health
for the organization Of board of charities TO
| have supervision and control of the disburse-
ment Of all moneys for charitable purposes
from the District treasury / desire also TO
ask your especial attention to the need of
adding TO the efficiency Of the public schools
| of the District by supplemental aid from the
national treasury. This is especially just,
since so large u number of those attending
the schools are children of the employees of
the Government.
earnestly commend TO your care the in
terests Of the people Of the District who are
so intimately associated with the Government
establishment. and to whose enterprise the
good order and attractiveness of the capital
are largely que anu ask your attention 10
the request of the commissioners for legisla-
ton III behalf of the interests entrusted to
their care. The appropriations asked for the
care Of the reservations belonging TO the Gov
ernmont within the city 10y the Commissioner
OF Public Buildings and Grounds are also
commended to your favorable consideration.
The report Of the joint commission created
10y the act approved August =, 1876, entitled
An act providing for the completion Of the
Washington monument is also herewith
transmitted, with accompanying documents.
The board of engineers officers detailed to
examine the monument in compliance with
the second section of the act have reported
that the foundation is insufficient No au.
thority exists for making the expenditures
necessary to secure its stability. ! therefore
recommend that the commissiOSl be author.
lied to eXpend such portion of the sum ap
propriatcd 10y the act as may be necessary fol-
the purpose. The present unfinished condi
ton of the monument, begun SO long ago, il
a reproach to the nation II cannot be doubt
cd that the patriotic sense of the country viii
warmly respond to such prompt provision rs
may be made for its completion at an early
day, and | urge upon Congress the propriety
and necessity of immediate legislation for this
purpose
THE PUBLIC EDUCATION