The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1877-12-15
they cannot do, such law to be passed
without unavoidable delay.
DESERT LANDS

they cannot do, such law to be passed
without unavoidable delay.
DESERT LANDS.
| would also call the attention of congress.
to the statement made by the secretary OF
the interior concerning the disposition that
might be made of the desert lands moi
irrigabie, west of the one hundredth merid-
lan.. These lands are practically unstable
under existing laws, and the sugges-
tloa is worthy of consideration,
that system of leases of tenure would
make them source of profit to the United
States, while at the same time legalizing the
business of cattle raising which is atpresent
carried ON upon them.
Inc report OF the commissioner of agri-
culture contains the gratifying announce
ment OF the extraordinary success which
has rewarded the agricultural industry of
the country for the past year. With the
falr prices which obtain for the products
OF the soil, especially for the
export, we may confidently turn to
this as the most important of all our re-
sources for the revival of the depressed in
dustrles of the country. The report shows
our agricultural progress during the year
and contains statement of the work done
by this department for the advancement of
| agricultural industry, upon which the pros
perlty OF our people so largely depends.
Matters OF information are included of great
interest to all who seek by the experience of
others to Improve their own methods of
cultivation. The efforts of the department
to increase the production of important ar
tlcles OF consumption will, it is hoped inn
prove the demand for labor and advance the
business of the country, and eventually re-
suit Ia saving some of the many millions
that are now annually paid to foreign ma
En~
which habtual use has made necessary in
our everyday life.
THE CENTENNIAL BOARD.
The board on behalf of the United States
executive departments at the international
exposition of 1876, has concluded its labors. |
The final report of the board was trans |
m1tted to congress by the last session.
AS these napers are understood |
to contain interesting and valuable informa-
ton and will constitute the only report
emanatlng from the government on the SUBJ |
lect of the exhibition, will invite attention
to the matter and recommend that the re-
port be published fer general information.
Congress is empowered by the constitu-
ton with the authority of exclusive legisla- |
ton over the
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
In when the seat of government of the ma |
ton is located. The interests of the district |
having no direct representation in congress, |
are entitled to especial consideration and |
care at the hands of the general government. |
The capital of the United States belongs
to the nation, and it is natural that |
the American people should take pride
in the seat of the national government, and |
desire 1t to be an ornament to the country |
Much has been done to render it healthful |
convenient and attractive, but much re- |
mains to be done, which its permanent
inhabitants are not able and ought not to be |
expected to do. To impose upon them large
proportion of the cost requested for public |
improvements, who have in great mea- |
sure planned and executed for the conve- |
nience of the government and of the many
thousands OF visitors from all parts of the |
country who temporarily reside in the cap
ltol of the nation, is an evident Injustice |
Special attention is asked by the commits
sloners of the district in their report which |
is herewith transmitted, to the importance |
OF permanent adjustment by congress of
the financial relations between the United |
States and the district, involving the regular
annual contribution by the United States of |
its just proportion of the expenses of the |
district government of the outlay for |
all needed public improvements, and
such measure of relief from the |
burden of taxation now resting on
the people OF the district as in
the wisdom of congress may be deemed
just The report of the commissioners sb ow
that the affairs of the district are in a condi-
ton as satisfactory as could be expected In
view of the heavy debt resting upon it, and |
its very limited means for necessary expen- |
ses.
The debt of the district is as follows:
Funded debt $8.379, 69196 355 bonds guar |
anteed by the. United States, S13,743,250; to-
tai bonded debt, $50, 122, 941.96; to which |
should be added certain outstanding claims
sioners, $1,1S5, 204.52, making the total |
debt of the district, Sc, $40, 1858. |
Tho commissioners also ask attention to the |
Importance of the improvement of the |
Potomac river, and the reclamation of the |
r'arshes bordering the city of Washington,
and their views upon this subject are con |
Cured in by the members of the board of |
health, whose report is also herewith trans
mltted. Both the commercial and sanitary
interest of the district will be greatly pro-
noted, doubt not, by this Improvement
Your attention is invited to the sug-
gestion OF the commissioners, and of /
the board of health, for the or
ganization of board of charities
to have supervision and control of the dis
bursement of all moneys for charitable pur-
poses from the district treasury. | desire |
also 10 ask your especial attention to the |
need of adding to the efficiency of the pub
lie schools of the district by supplemental |
aid from the national treasury. This is |
especially just since so large a number of |
those attending the schools are
children of employees of the gov
eminent. l earnestly commend to your
care the interest of the people of the |
district who are so intimately associated |
with the government establishments, and to
whose enterprise the good order and attrac-
tiveness of the capital are largely due, and |
| ask your attention to the request of the
commissioners for legislation in behalf of
the interests intrusted to their care.
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
The appropriations asked for the care of
reservations belonging to the government