The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-04

Total bonded debt So. l22 OIL 90
10 which should DO added certain outstanding
CLAIMS explained in the report OF the Commission
ers ST. 1871 04 81 making the total debt S23 3lO LAG As
me commissioners also ask attention TO The i'm
portance OF the Improvement OF the Potomac River
ana the reclamation OF tho marshes bordering the
CITY Washington and thor views on this subject
concurred IN by the members OF the Board OF
Heath. whose report rs also herewith transmitted.
Both tho commercial aud sanitary interests OF the
district will be greatly promoted, doubt NOT, by this
Your attention il invited TO the suggestion OF the
Commissioners and OF the Board Of Health
for the orSanization OF board Of charities
10 have supervision and of disbursement
all moneys Tor charitable purposes from the District
Treasury desire also 70 ask your especial attention
to tho need Of adding TO the efficiency OF tho pubic
schools oil the District by supplemental aid from the
public Treasury. This is especially just, since so
children OF employees Of the government | ear
nesily commend TO your care tho interests
Of the people OF the District who init
mateiy associated with the government establishment
whose enterprise the good order and attractive
ness OF the capital are largely due; ana ask your at
ienon to the request Of the Commissioners for legis
laon behalf OF the interests Entrusted 10 their care
The appropriations asked Tor the Of the
tions longing government within the city by
the Con- missioner of Public Buildings and Grounds
also commended to your favorable consideration
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT
The report OF thu Joint comm ss0n created by tho
act approved August 1876, entitled "An act provid
ing for the completion OF The Washineton MonumentD
IS also herewith transmitted with accompanying docu
ments The board OF gneer officers detailed 10
anime the monument, In compliance with the second
section OF the act reported that the foundation
is insufficient. No authority exists Tor making the
expenditure necessary to secure us stability
l therefore recommend that the commits
sion be authorized 10 expend such portion
OF the appropriated by the act as may be neccs-
sary for the purpose The present unfinished condi-
rcproach to the nation II cannot be doubted that the
patriotic oil the country Will warmly respond TO
such prompt provision as may be made LOT us compile
tiou at an early DAY, and urge upon Congress the
propriety and necessity OF Immediate legislation for
this purpose.
The wisdom of legislation on the part of Congress
in arc of the States for the education OF the whole
tue common schools OF the country is no longer a
question. The intelligent judgment ol the country
goes still lurher, regarding al also both constitu-
tona and expedient Tor the general government to
extend technical and higher education such aid
deemed essential to the general welfare and to our
cuilursd nations OF Tho world the ultimate
settlement OF all questions OF the future,
whether Of administration or finance or OF
true nationality oil sentiment. depends upon the
virtuo and Intelligence o; the people IL Ii vain to
hope Tor the success Of free government without
the OF insurng the intelligence Of those who
arc tho source OF power No less than one-seventh
OF the Young population OF country are yet
unable TO read anu write. IL is encouraging 10 OBJ
serve In connection with the growth ol fraterna feel
Ing those states IN which slavery formerly existed
evidences Of increasing interest IN universal educa-
ton, aud 1 shall be glad to give my approval
TO any appropriate measures which may be enacted
by Congress Tor the purpose OF suppcmenting with
national aid the local systems OF education In those
States and III all the States and having already
vted your attention to tho needs OF the District of
Columbia with respect to the public school system,
here add that believe 1t desirable not much with
reference to tho local wants OF the District but TO tho
great and lasting benefit OF the entire country, that
this system should be crowned with university In
a respects in keeplngw with the national capital and
thereby realize the cherished hopes OF Washington
this subject.
also earnestly commend the request OF tho Regents
OF the Smithsonian INSTITUTION that an adequate appro-
priation be made for the establishment and conduct
OF a national museum, under their supervision. The
ouect OF providing Tor the preservation ana growth
Of the library Of Congress IL also one Of national i'm
portunce As the depository OF all copyright pubca.
lions and records this library has outgrown tho pro-
for It's and the erection such
site as the judgment OF Congress may approve, OF q
1rcproof library building, 70 preserve the treasures
ana enlarge the usc uness OF this valuable collection
is recommended. tHMt te8sGaf#
recommend, also, such legislation as VIII render
available efficient for the purpose OF Instruction.
fur II is consistent with the pubic service, tho
cabinets museums oil invention, OF surgery, OF edu
cation and OF agriculture, ana other collections, tho
properly OF the national government
Tho capital OF the nation should be something moro
than a political centre.a We should avail our
selves ali The opportunities which Providence has
here placed at our command TO promote the general
intelligence of the people, and increase the
most favorable to the success anu perpetuity o our
Institutions. X. Il. HAYES.
DEoEMBER 3, 1877.