Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1877-12-08


work for them and for Ourselves.
invite the attention OF congress to
the importance of the statements and
suggestions made by the secretary of the
interior concerning the depredations COM
mitted upon the timber lands of the
United States and the necessity
for the preservation of forests. It
is believed that the measure taken
in pursuance of the existing law
to arrest these depredations will
be entirely successful if congress, by an
appropriation for that purpose, renders
their continued enforcement possible.
The experience of other nations teaches
us that country cannot be stripped Of
its forests with impunity. We shall ex.
pose ourselves to hegravest consequences
unless the wasteful and improvident
manner in which the forests in the United
States are destroyed be efectually
checked. / earnestly recommend that
the measures suggested by the secretary
of the interior for the suppression Of
depredatiOns on the public timber lands
of the United States, for the selling of
timber from the public lands, and for the
preservation ofiOrests be embodied in the
law and that considering the urgent neces
sity of enabling the people of certain
states and territories to purchase timber
from the public lands in legal manner,
which at present they cannot do, such
la v be passed without unavoidable delay.
| would also call the attention of congress
to the statements made by the secretary
of the interior concerning the disposition
that might be made of the desert lands
by irrigation west of the Tooth meridian.
These lands are practically unstable
under existing laws and the suggestion
is worthy of cOnsiderative action; that
system of leasehold tenure would make
them source of profit to the United
States, while at the same time legalizing
the business of cattle raising, which is at
present carried on upon them.
The report of the commissioner Of ag-
riculture contains the gratifying an
nouncement of the extraordinary success
which has rewarded the agricultural in
dustry of the country for the past year.
With fair prices which they obtain TOR
the products of the soil, especially for the
surplus which our people have to export,
we may confidently turn to cultivation.
This il the NEST important Of all our
resources for the revival Of the depressed
industries of the country. The report
shows our agricultural progress during
the year, and contains statement of the
work done by these departments for the
advancement Of our agricultural indus
try, upon which the prosperity of our
people so largely depends. Matters OF
information are included of real interest
to all who seek by the experience OF
others to improve their methods OF
cultivation.
The efforts of the department to increase
the production of important articles oi
consumption will, it is hoped, improve
the demand for labor and advance the
business of the country, and eventually
result in saving some Of the msuy millions
that are annually paid to foreign nations
for sugar and other products which
habitual use has made necessary in oul
domestic every day life.
The board on behalf of the United
States executive departments at the in
ternatiOnal exposition of 1876 has con
cluded its labors, The final report of the
board was transmitted TO congress at tht
last session, As these papers are under
stood to contain interesting and valuable
information, and they constitute tn,
only report emanating from the govern
ment on the subject Of the exhibition,
invite attention to the matter, and re
commend that the report be published
for general information.
Congress is empowered by the consti
, tuition with the authority of exclusiv
legislation over the District Of Columbia
: in which the seat of government of tn
, nation is located. The interests of th
district having no direct Representative
; in congress are entitled to special consid
Grafton and care at the hands of tn
| general government. The capital of tn
, United States belongs to the nation. !
, is natural that the American
= people should take pride in th
, seat of their national government
, and desire it 10 be an ornament TO tn
} country, Much has been done to rende
s it beautiful convenient and attractive
e but much remains to be done, which il
= permanent inhabitants are not abl
S and ought not to be expected t
n do. 10 impose on them a larg
e. proportion of cost required for publi
' improvements, which are in grea
D measure planned and executed for tn
Y convenience of the government and 9
Y the many thousands of visitors from q
S parts of the country who temporaril
d reside in the capital of the nation, is a
d evident injustice. Special attention :
; asked by the commissioners of the di
:. trict in their report, which is herewit
u transmitted, to the importance of
r permanent adjustment by congress
n the financial relation between the Unite
l. States and the district, involving til
l. regular annual contribution by th
n United States of its just proportion
It the expenses of the district government
d and of the outlay for all needed publ
1t improvements and such measures of r
|. lief from the burden of taxation no
!, resting on the people Of the district as
|, the wisdom of congress may be deemt
1f Just. The report of the commissions
g show that the affairs of the district are
y as satisfactory a condition as cou
N be expected, in view of the heaV
e. debt resting upon it, and its We
8 limited means for necessary expense
ll The debt of the district is as follow
st Old funded debt, 1886, ,69l Sc; 3
lg bonds guaranteed by the United STATE
" $lS,74S, $50; total bonded debt, 81
ID 122,941 96; to which should be add
il certain outstanding claims explain
is in the report of the comm
he sioners, $l,lS2, ,1e9 81, making /
MS total debt of the district $23,310, ,l46
n. The commissioners also ask attention
TO the importance of the improvement
e. the Potomac river and the condition
de the marshes bordering on the city
'a- Washington. Their views are concurr
It's in by the members of the board of heal
ey whose report is also herewith Transmits
be Both the commercial and sanitary int
ols ests Of the district will be greatly P
il. NOTED, doubt not, by this improveme
hy Your attention is invited to the 81
DOT gestion of the commissioners a
ed of tbe board of health
nd the organization Of board of charlti
YES to have supervision and control of
not disbursement OF all moneys for char
ne. BILE purposes from the district treasul
en- | desire also TO ask your especial att
f a ton to the need of adding to
of efficiency of the public schools Of
ge- district by supplemental aid from