Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-12-12
THE MESSAGE.
Continued from, third poge.

ing the business of cattle raising, which
is at present carried on upon them.
THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER or
AGRICULTURE
contains the gratifying announcement
of the extraordinary success which has
rewarded the agricultural industry of
the country for the past year, with the
fair prices which obtain. Pc the pro-
ducts of the soil, especially for the sur
plus which our people have to export,
we NAV confidently turn. This is the
most important of all our resources for
the rev ival of the depressed industries
of the country The report shows our
agricultural progress during the year,
and contains a statement Of the work
done by this department for the adj
vancement Of agricultural industry,
upon which the prosperity Of our peo-
Pile so largely depends. Matters of in
formation are included Of great interest
to all who seek, by the experience of
others, to improve their methods Of
cultivation. AS the efforts Of the de-
partment increase, the production of
important articles Of consumption will,
it is hoped, improve the demand for Ia
Dor and advance the business of the
country, and eventually result in saving
some Of the many millions that are
now annually paid to the foreign ma
tions for sugar and other staple pro-
ducts, which habitual use has made
necessary i'll our every day life.
TIE CENTENNIAL
The board, on behalf of TIE United
States executive departments, Of the
international exposition Of 1876, mas
concluded its labors. The final report
Of the board was transmitted to con
gress, ut the last session As these pa
pers are understood to contain interest
ing and valuable intOr nation, and will
constitute the only report cmanatine
from the government on the subject of
the exhibition, | will invite attention to
the matter and recommend that the re-
port be published for general informa-
ton.
THE DISTRICT or COLUMBIA.
Congress is empowered by the con
stitution with the authority of exclu-
sive legislation over the District of Co
lumbia, in which the seat Of govern
ment of the nation IS located. The in
terests of the district having no direct
representation in congress, are entitled
TO especial consideration and care ut
the hands of the general government.
The: capitol of the United States belongs
to the nation and it is natural that the
American people who take an interest
in the seat of their national govern
ment desire it to be an ornament to the
country. Much has been done to rem
der IT hcalthful, convenient, and attrac |
tive, but much remains to be done
which It's permanent inhabitants are
not able and ought not to bc expect !
ed to do. To impose upon them a tax
for public Improvements which are, in |
II great measure, planned and executed |
for the commerce of the government
and of the many thousands Of visitors |
from all parts of the country who tenn |
porarily reside in the capital of the |
nation, is an evident injustice, Special
attention is asked by the commissioners |
of the district in their reports, which is !
herewith transmitted, to the importance !
ot n permanent adjustment by congress |
of the financial relations between the !
United States and the District involving
the regular annual contribution by the |
United States of its Just proportions OF |
the expenses of the district government;
of the outlay for all needed public inn !
provcmentS and such measures of re-
lief from the burden of taxation now
resting upon the people of the district rs
IN the wisdom of congress may be
deemed just. The report OF the com
mlssioners show that the affairs of the
district are i'll condition, rs Satisfac-
tory rs could be expected in view Of the
heavy debt resting upon it and its very
indictments forthcneccssary expenses
The debt of the District is as follows
funded debt, SS,37o691 ,95; 800 bonds
guaranteed 10y the United States. $l3,-
1920. Total bonded debt, So, l22,-
94l96; to which should be added GER
tam outstanding claims Is explained in
the report of the commissioners,
81, Is, 2OI52, making the total debt of
the District, S23,3l0, l46. is, The com
missloncrs also ask attention to the inn
portancc of the Improvement of the
i'tNillbN llN'l, tll'i lAit i'CitIldlltll I'll
the marshes bordering the city of Wash
ington, and their views upon this sub,
'ect are concurrcd in by the members
of the board of health, whose report is
also herewith transmitted. Both the
commercial and sanitary interests of the
District, will be greatly promoted, |
doubt not, by this Improvement
Your attention is invited to the sug-
gestion of the commissioners, and ofthe
board of health, for the organization
of board of charities,