The Hickman courier., 1877-12-14
u. XIII. NO. 45.


Information are included Of real interest
20 ali who geek by the experience OF
ethers TO improve their methods OF
cultivation.
The efforts OF the department TO increase
the production Of important articles Of
consumptlou will, il is hoped, improve
tie demaud for labor and advance the
Desipess Of the country, and eventually
resuis IN Saving some Of the many millions
that are annually paid 10 foreign nations
ior sugar and other rfoduc:s which
habitual usF has made necessary Ia our
domestic every day life.
The board on behalf OF the United |
States executive departments at the in
exposition of 1876 has con- !
board was transmitted to congress at the !
Isst session. As these papers are under
slpod 10 cantsiu interesting and valuable
Igfopaatiou, and the9 constitute the
'ik re a. eIsapating rom The goyerll-
rrsasrscr the subiect of the exhibition,
to the matter, and re-
commad that the report be published
for generJ informatlCl.
Congressis empowered by tic consti-
rtiOn with>the authority of exclusive
legislation ''ver the District OF Columbia,
in which the S&t cf government OF the
nation is located. The interests of the
district haging no direct representative
in congresNre entitled to special consld-
erstion and care at the hands of the
general government. The capital OF the
Tnited States belongs to the nation. 1t
IS natural that the American
people should take pride in the
Feat o. their national government
and desire it 10 he Rn ornament 10 the
country. Much has been done to render
it beautiful. convenient and attractive,
but much remains - be done, which It's
permanent inhabitants ays not able
and ought not to be expected to
do. TO impose on them a large
proportion of cost required for public
improvements, which are in a great
measure planned and executed for the
Of the government and OF
the many thousands Of visitors from all
Darts Of the country who temporarily
reside in the capital Of the nation, is an
evident injustice. Special attention as
asked bv the commissioners OF the dis
trict in their report, which is herewith
transmitted, 10 the Importance Of a
permanent adjustment by congress OF
the financial relation between the United
States and the district, involving the
regular snnual contribution by the
United States cf its gust proportion OF
the expenses Of the district government,
and of the outlay for all needed public
'~ruroyemcnts and such measures Of re-
lief froni tae burden Of taxation now
resting ON the people ri the district as IN
the wisdom Of congress may '7e deemed
lust. The report Of the commissioners
show that the affairs of the district are IN
7s satisfactory condition as could
he expected, in view of the heavy
debt resting upon it, and its very
limited means for necessary expenses.
The debt Of the district IS as follows
Old funded debt, SS,37G, ,G9l 9G 800
bonds guaranteed by the United States,
SI3.743. $50; total bonded debt, S22,-
122g4l 90; to which should be added
,e-tain outstanding claims explained
in the -cr0Tt of the commits
sioners. SlIS2.iO3 81, making the
toial debt of the district SO 80 as 48,
The commissioners also ask attention 70
the importance Of the improvement OF
the Potomac river and the condition OF
the marshes bordering on the city OF
Their views are concurred
in y the members of the board of health,
whose report is also herewith transmitted.
Both The commercial and sanitsTY inter-
ssts of the district will be greatly pro-
noted. j doubt not, by this improvement.
Your attention Is invited TO the sug
gestion Of the commissioners and
y the board OF health for
tba orranization OF q board Of charities,
10 have supervision and control OF the
disbursement of all moneys for charlta-
BE purposes from the district treasurer.
| desire also 10 ask your especial atten-
ton to the nesd Of adding to the
efficiency of the public schools OF the
district by a supplemental aid from the
national treasury. This Is especially Just
since so large q number of those attend
ing the schools are the children OF
employees of the government. | earnestly
commend to your care the inter
ests Of the district who are
so intimately associated win
the government established by the state,
and TO whose enterprise the good order
and attrsctiveness of the capital are
mainly due, and ask your attention to
fhe request Of the commissioners for
in behalf of the interests in
trusted TO their care. The appropriations
esked for the care of the reservations
belonging 70 the government within the
citv. by the commissioners OF pubhc
buildings and grounds, are commended 10
vour favorable consideration. The report
~ the ioint commission created by an
act approved August 2. 1876.
An act providing for the completion
oftbe Washington monument Is here
with transmitted, with accompanying
docnments. The board OF engineer
oficars detailed TO examine the monu-
,nert. in compliance with the second
yectian OF the act, have reported that
he foundation is insufficient. No
authority exists for making the expendl-
nre necessary TO secure its stability. !
tbcrefore recommend that the commission
he authorized to expend such portion OF
the sum appropriated by the act as may
he necessary for the purpose. 1he
nresent unfinished condition of the
monument, begun 50 long ago, Is a
disgrace to the nation. 1t cannot be
doubted that the patriotic sense
IF the country will mainly
respond to such, that prompt
provision may be made for It's compile
ion at an early day, and urge upon con-
,ress the propriety and necessity OF I'M
mediate legislation for this purpose.
Wisdom of'liglation upon the Fart of
congress in aid OF the states for
-he education of the whole peo-
pie in those branches of study
which are tonight in the common
schools of the country and not longer
4 question. The intelligent judgment
IF the country goes still IurtheT, regard
ing it as al,o both constitutional and
expedient for the general government to
extend 20 the technical and higher
education such aid as is deemed essential
TO the general welfare and to our due
performance among the enlightened and
nations OF the world.
The ultimate settlement OF all
questions of the future, whether
OF administration or finance, of true
of sentiment depends upon
virtue and intelligence Of the people 1t is
vain TO save the expression of free gov
eminent with means insuring the intel
ligence of those who are the source OF
power. No less +5an' one seventh of the
entire voting population of our country
are yet unable to read and write. 1t is
encouraging to observe in connection
with the gTewth of fraternal feeling in
those states in which slavery formerly
existed the evidences of increasing inter
est in univt rsal education, and ] shall be
glad 10 give my approval to any appro-
pirate measures which may be enacted
by congress for the purpose OF supple
fnpnfipo with national aid tho local avs