Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-12-11
nistriet nf Columbia.

District OF columbia
Congress is empowered by the constitution with
authority of exclusive legislation over the Dis.
trct of Columbia, in which the seat OF government
of the nation Is located The interests of the Dis
trict havingno direct representation in Congress
are entitled TO special consideration and care at
the hands of the general government Inc cap.
ltol OF the United States belongs TO the nation and
TITS natural that the American people should take
pride In the seat of their national government anu
desire II to be an ornament TO the country.
Much has been. done 10 render II healthiul, con
venient and attractive, but much remains 10 be
done, which les permanent inhabitants are not
able, and ought not TO bo expected TO do. To lm-
pose upon them large proportion OF the cost re-
quired for public improvements, which in great
measure are planned and executed for convenience
/ Of the government, and OF the many thousand Wis
it0rs from all parts OF the country who temporarily
reside at the capital Of the nation Is IN evident in
justice.
Special attention is asked by the commissioners
OF the District IN their report, which is herewith
transmitted, 10 the importance ola permanent adj
justment tv Congress OF the financial relations be.
tween the United States and the District, involving
| the regular annual contribution Of the United
states of ia just proportion of the expenses OF the
District government OF the outlay for all needed
public Improvements and such measures OF relief
! from the burden Of taxation now resting on the
people OF the District as ia lie wisdom OF Cong
/ ress may be deemed Just.
| The report of the commissioners show the affairs
Of the district are in condition Us satisfactory rs
could be expected in view OF the heavy debt resting
upon IT, and it, very limited means for delraying
necessary expenses.
The debt OF the district is rs follows Old funded
debt - S7g,6gl 81: SG5 bonds guaranteed by Unit.
ed states sl3, 2J0. Total bonded debt s22 l2l
gi.g6, 20 which should be added certain outstand.
ing claims as explained in the report of the com
mssOncrs. sl,ls2. 2Oi.j2, making the total debt OF
| the district S23,3l0 lf64s.
| The commissioners also ask attention to the i'm.
! pOrtance of the improvement of the Potomac river
and r5caiming of the marshes bordering the city
OF Washington, and their views upon this subject
are concurred in by the members OF the Board OF
Health, whose report Is also herewith transmitted.
Both the commercial and sanitatial interest OF the
district will be greatly promoted, ! doubt not by
Your attention is invited to the suggestion of the
Commissioners Of the Board OF Health for the or
ganization OF Board of Charities, 10 have super
vision and control OF the disbursement Of all
moneys for charitable purposes from the District
Treasury. | desire also O. ask your especial attcn
ton 10 the need Of adding 10 the efficiency OF The
public schools Of the District by'supplcmena aid
from the national Treasury This is especially
lust, since 50 large number of those attending
the schools are children Of employees Of the gov
eminent.
, earnestly commend 81 Your care the interest
Of the people of the District who are intimately
associated with the government establishment, &,
whose enterprise the good or,ler and attractive
ness OF the capitol are largely due. And | asa
r your attention To the request OF The cOmm, sOner
FOR legislation in behalf of those intru~cd 90 the
care. The appropriations asked for the care OF th
reservations belonging 10 the government within
- the city by the Commi, sioncr OF Public Building
and Grounds are also commended 10 your E'or1
The Washington Monument.
The report OF the joint commission created D.!
the net approved, August %, 1879, entitled an uc
providing for the completion OF the Washington
70 monument, is also herewith transmitted with gc
, complaining documents. Tie board OF cngiuec
officers detailed 10 examine The monument iu com
phance with the second section OF the act, have r.
s ported that the foundations insuhcieni. 10 al
thorty exists for making the expenditures niece
I sary 10 secure IT, ability.
therefore recommend that the commission h
.ftf I t.rFf off fa
i prupTatcd los the act gs may De- necessary Tor u
purpose. The present unfinished condition OF tn
monument begun so long ago Is q rcproach 10 th
! nation. II cannot be doubted that the patriots
9 sensc OF the country will warmly respond 10 sucI
4 prompt provision as may Bee made for its compile
ton az IN early day, ana urge upon Congress th
Z propriey and necessity Of immediate Legislation
national Education.
The wisdom OF legislation upon the part OF Con
grcss in aid Of the states for The education %
The whole people in those branches a
r. study which are taught 90 tie common school, a
IS the country is no lpngcra question. The iutcli
e gent judgment of the country goes sll iurthci' rc
T. gariWg u a- both con -tiiut1nal and cNpcdent io
r. the general government q extent Co technical an
q higher education such All a- IS deemed ee-enta
. 20 the general welfare and u our due prominence
d among The enlightened and cultivated nations %
. the world.
The ultimate acttemcnt rall questions OF the fu
turc. whether oi administration uf finance, cor %
tJsc nationality OF sentiment, depends upon tl
: virtue and Intelligence OF the people. II l- vain q
hope Tor thu su.rt.-- of free government Wlihuu
the means OF cnsurng the Intelligence Of tho'
who ary tie source ul power. No less tnah one
seventh ui the entire voting population ui on
q country are set unable 10 read and WrIie. IL B.
encouraging % observe in connection with th
growth of irIicrual feeling lu those states 10 VIII
slavery formerly existed evidences OF iucrras!u'
interest In universal educ iton, aHd shall be glI
10 give approval l. appropriate measures Wluti
may Dee enacted hy Congress for the supplements
ing with national aid ihe local system oieducat"i
% iu those states AMI having already invited you
e attention tp the need. OF the District of toluW
= b.a with respect to it5 public school system
here att that believe b. desirable, NOT So mu'
j. with reference Co the local wants oi The district
5 but % the great anu lasting benefit 81 TIE euiir
{ country, that This system should be crowned win
4 university in all respects 90 keeping with TIA
National Capital and thereby realize the rhcri>Ac'
% hopes OF Washington on thi- subject. ! ais" ear
ue-tly commend the request ui Oh" regent. of tu'
20 Smithsonian Institute tiAt au adequate lpprupTid
ton bee made Tor the establishment and conduct %
a. . National Museum under their supervision.
BE- The subject OF providing TOR the preservation
e ana growth oil the library ut Congress i- also %
national importance ne the depository OF all copy
q right publications auG records. THIS library Ia
Z outgroWn the provisions Tor ~ ac''mmodaiions
and the erection on such site rs The Judgment %
3 Comgrcs, NAV approve, oil a fre-plooi building Il
g preserve the treasure and enlarge tie useiulner
Of the valuable collection is recommended.
u recommend also such legislation as Will rcude
suitable and Client for tine purpose OF preseNdull
30 far a. rs consistent with the public service @
the cabinets ormuseum ol the inventor of surg rs
p oi education aui OF agriculture and other cOIlrc
tons, the property cf the national government.
/ The capital OF tie nation should hc semClAln.
s. more than % political centre. We should avail our
- selves COZ all the opportunities placed &C our com
mand 10 promote the general intelligence ol Ia
10 people, and most favorable o. The success and pen
q RBHtnEs.
q