Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-12-04


commissioners shows the affairs of the district are
in condition As satisfactory a could he expected,
IN view of the heavy debt resting upon 1t aud it /,
| very limited means for necessary expenses. The
| debt of the district is follows Old funded
| debt $500 SOL 90; 365 bonds guaranteed by the
| United States. Sl3,7i3 $50; total bonded debt
SD l22 94l 90; to wnicn should be al led cert ain
| outstanding claims as explained in the report of
the commissioners 81 lS2, 20i.j2; making the to.
| tai debt of the district S23 $40, li6.IS.
The comm ssioners also ask attention to the i'm
poftance OF the improvement OF the POtlm river
ana the retaining of the Marshes bordering the
| Ciy OF Washington, and their views upon this
| sulJ ct are concurred in by the members of the
ooatu OF healih, whose port Is also herewith
transmitted. Both tie com. aercial An | Santana
interests of the district will he greatly promotci
desire also TO ask your especial attention to the
need of adding to the eff .iency of the public
schools .: tue district, by supplemental and from
| the national treasury. Tins is especially inst
since so large number of those attending the
schools are chll lien of employees of the goy-
ernment. earnestly commend to your care the
interests Of tue people OF the district, who are 80
intimatel. associated with the government estah-
| llshment, to whose enterprise the good order
and attraclveness of the Capital are largely due
and | ask your attention to the request of tue
commissioners for legislation in behalf of the IN
tefest entrusted to their The app opria ion
asked for the care oi reservations belonging to the
government within the city bv the commission
ers OF public buildings aud grounds. are al-o
| commended 10 your favorable cousidera ION.
Having already invited your attention to the
| needs OF the District of Columbia with RESPECT To
It's public school system here add thai | believe
| II desirable, not much with reference to the
local wants of the District, but to the great and
lasting beneht OF the entire country that this sys-
TEN should be crowned with a university ia "a j
| respects IN keeping with the National Capital aud
thereby resll e the cherished hopes OF Washing
ton this subject.
The WASHINGTON MONUMENT
The report of the joint commission created
by the act approved August ,, 1876 entitled IAN
| act providing for the completl II of the Washing
ton Monument, Is also herewith Transmitted
with accompanying documents. The board of
engineers, officers detailed to examine the monu-
ment in compliance with the 81 section OF the act.
reported that the foundation i, INSULT Gent No au
thoiily exists ior making the Expenditures neces-
salv 10 ensure It's stability. | therefore recon-
mend that the commission he authorized to ex-
pend such portion of the sum appropriated by the
ACT as NAV he necessary for the purpose. The
present unfinished condition of the monument
began 30 long ago, Is reprCach 10 The nation. 1t
cannot be doubted that the patriotic sense of the
country vii warmly respond to such prompt pro
vision AS may he made Tor its completion at an
early day, aud urge upon Congress the propric-
ty and necessity OF immediate .es islatiou ior I'M,
purpose.
EDUCATION OF THE Masses
The wisdom of legislation upon the psrt of
Congress in aid of the States for education of the
Whole people in those branches of study which
are Taught in the common schools .. the county.
Is no longer a question.
The intelligent judgment Of the country zoe
still further, regarding it both constitutional
and expedlen for the general government to extepd
technical and higher education sucn AID as Is
deemed essential 10 the general welfare, and to
our due prominence among the enlightened and
| al nj tha ypfI
tlement of all questions of the future whether of
administration or finance true nationality OF
sentiment depends upon the virtue aud int llgence
OF the people 1t is vain to hope for the success
of free government without the means of in,ut-
ing the intelligence OF those who are the source of
favor. No less than one seventh of the entire
voting population of our country are vet unable
| TO read and write. 1t is encouraging to observe,
IN connection with the growth OF fraternal feel
ing in those states in which slavery formerl, exist
ed evidences OF increased interest IN universal edu-
| cation; and shall be glad to give my approval TO
any appropriate measures which may be enacted
| by congress Tor the purpose OF supple
mentng with national aid the local sys-
tens OF education in those states; and
also earnestly recommend the request of the
regents OF the Smithsonian Institute that an sde-
quate Appropriation be made tor the establishment,
and conduct Of national museum under theii
| supervision.
CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY, &c.
The matter of providing for the preservation
| and growth of the library of Congress is also o.
national Importance. A. the depository OF all copy.
| right publications aud re cords this library ba.
out grown the provisions IN ide for It's acco.niuo.
| dations, and the erection on such site As the
judgment of Congress may approve of fire
proof building, to preserve the treasury aud en-.
large the usefulness of the valuable collection j.
| recommended. | recommend also sucu leyi,la.
ton as wi render as suitable and efficient for the