Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-12-12
commended to your favorable consid-

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Grafton.
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT
The report of the Joint commission
created by the act approved August 9
1876, can act providing for the com
pletion Of the Washington monumen y
is also herewith transmitted with ac-
companying documents. The board OF
engineer officers detailed to examine
the monument, in compliance with the
second section of the act, have reported
that the foundation is insufficient. No
authority exists for making the expend-
lture necessary to secure its stability.
l therefore recommend that the com
mission be authorized to expend such
portion of the sum appropriated by the
act as may be necessary for the pur-
pose. The present unfinished condi-
ton of the monument begun so long
ago, is reproach to the nation. 1t is
not to be doubted that the patriotic
sense ofthe country will mainly respond
to such prompt provision as may be
made for its completion at an early
day. and urge upon congress the pro-
priety and necessity of immediate legis-
lation for this purpose.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The wisdom of legislation upon the
part of congress in aid of the states for
the education of the whole peo-
pie in those branches of study
which are taught in the common schools
Of the country, is no longer question.
The intelligent judgment of the country
goes still further regarding it as also
both constitutional and exDedient for
the general government to extend to
technical and higher education such
aid as is deemed essential to the general
welfare and to our due prominence
among the enlightened and cultured
nations of the world. The ultimate
sentiment of all questions of the future,
whether of the administration or of
finance or of the true nation
atty of sentiment, depends upon
the virtue and intelligence of the peo-
pie. It Is vain to hope for the success
of free government, without the
means of insuring the intelligence of
those who are the source of power. No
less than one-seventh of the entire
voting population of our country are
yet unable to read and write. 1t is en-
couraging to observe, in connection
with the growth of fraternal feeling in
those states in which slavery formerly
existed, evidences of increasing interest
in universal education; and | shall be
glad to give my approval to any appro-
pirate measures which may be
enacted by congress for the purpose of
supplementing, with national aid, the
local systems of education in those
states, and in all states; and having al
ready invited your attention to the
needs Of the District of Columbia, with
respect to its public school system, I
here add that believe it desirable not
so much with reference to the local
wants of the district, but the great and
lasting benefit,,of the entire country, that
this system should be crowned with
university, in all respects in keeping
with the national capital, and thereby
realize the cherished hopes of Wash
ington on this subject.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE.
also earnestly commend the re-
quest of the regents of the Smithson-
ian Institute that an adequate appro-
priation be made for the establishment
and conduct of national museum I'M
der their supervision.
THE CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY.
The necessity of providing for the
preservation and growth Of the library
of congress is also one of national i'm
portance; as the depository of
copyright publications and records,
this library has outgrown the
provisions for its accommodation,
and the selection of such
a site as the judgment Of congress may
approve Of; fire proof library building
to preserve the treasures; and the en-
largement of the usefulness of this valu-
able collection, is recommended.
recommend also such legislation as
will render available and efficient for
the purpose of instruction, so far as corr
sistent with the public service, the cab
inets or museums of invention, of sur
gerry, of education and Of agriculture
and other collections, the property of
the national government
THE CAPITAL OF THE NATION
should be something more than mere
political centre. We should avail our
selves of all the opportunities which
Providence has placed at our command
to add to the general intelligence of the
people, and increase the conditions
most favorable to the success and per-
petuity of our institutions.
Signed R. B. HAYES.
Washington, Dec. 8, 1877.