Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-12-06

f.eAeS VI viz hilO pGlIl-
porariiy reside in the capital of the
natlon, Is an evident injustice. Special
attention Is asked by the commissioners
OF the district In their reports, 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 bv the
united States of Its just proportions of
the expenses of the district government.
of the outlay for all needed public inn
| proyements and such measures of re-
lief from the burden of taxation now
resting upon the people of the district as
III the wisdom of congress may be
deemed just. The report of the COM
mlssloners show that the affairs of the
district are In Il condition, as satisfac-
tory as could be expected in view of the
heavy debt resting upon it and its very
III limited means Tor the necessary expenses.
Ihe debt of the District is as follows:
funded debt, $S,379, 691 .95; $50 bonds
guaranteed by the United States. S13,-
1921. Total bonded debt, So, I22.-
gal. SO; to which should be added GER
tam outstanding claims as explained in
the report of the commissioners.
S1,lo2,2 04.52, making the total debt of
the District, $23,310, 146.4S. The COM
mlssloners also ask attention to the i'm
portance of the improvement of the
Potomac river, and the reclamation of
the marshes bordering the city of Wash
lngton, and their views upon this sub
ject are concurred in by the members
of the board of health, whose report is
also herewith transmitted. Both the
commercial and sanitary interests of the
District, will be greatly promoted,
doubt not, by this improvement.
Your attention is invited to the sug-
gestion of the commissioners, and ofth
board of health, for the organization
of a board of charities.
to have supervision and control of the
disbursement of all moneys for CHART
able purposes from the district treasury.
| desire also to ask your special atten-
ton to the need Of adding to the efficien-
cy of the public schools of the district
by supplemental aid from the national
treasury. This is especially just, since
SO large a number of those attending
schools are children of employees Of
the government. | earnestly COM
mend to your care the interests
of the people of the district who
are so intimately associated with
the government establishments,
and to whose enterprise the good order
and attractiveness of the capitol are
largely due; and ask your attention to
the request of the commissioners for
legislation in behalf of the interests in
intrusted to their care.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.
The appropriations asked for the care
of reservations belonging to the gov
eminent. by the commissioners of pub
lie buildings and grounds, are also
commended to your favorable consid-
Grafton.
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT
The report of the joint commission
created by the act approved August 2,
1876, can act providing for the COM
pletion of the Washington monument"
is also herewith transmitted with ac-
companying documents. The board of
engineer officers detailed to examine
the monument, in compliance with the
second section of the act, have reported
that the foundation is insufficient. No
authority exists for making the expend-
iture necessary to secure its stability.
L therefore recommend that the COM
mission be authorized to expend such
portion of the sum appropriated by the
act as may be necessary for the pur-
pose. The present unfinished condi-
ton of the monument begun so long
ago, is a reproach to the nation. 1t is
not to be doubted that the patriotic
sense of the country will mainly respond
to such prompt provision as may be
made for its completion at an early
day, and / urge upon congress the pro-
priety and necessity of immediate legis-
lation for this purpose.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The wisdom of legislation upon the
part of congress in aid of the states for
the education of the whole peo-
pie in those branches of study
which are taught in the common schools
of the country, is no longer a question.
The intelligent judgment of the country
goes still further regarding it as also
both constitutional and expedient for
the general government to extend to
technical and higher education such
aid as is deemed essential to the general
welfare and to our due prominence
among the enlightened and cultured
nations of the world. The ultimate
sentiment of all questions of the future,
whether of the administration or of
finance or of the true nation
atty of sentiment, depends upon
the virtue and intelligence of the peo-
pie. 1t Is vain to hope for the success
of a free government, without the |
means of insuring the intelligence of
those who are the source of power. No
less than one-seventh of the entire
voting population. of our country are
yet unable to read and write. 1t is en-
couraging to observe, in connection
with the growth of fraternal feeling in
those states in which slavery formerly
existed, evidences of increasing interest
in universal education; and I shall be
glad to give my approval to any appro-
pirate measures which may be
enacted by congress for the purpose of
with national aid, the
local systems of education in those
states, and in all states; and having al
ready invited your attention to the
needs of the District of Columbia, with
respect to its public school system, I
here add that believe it desirable not
80 much with reference to the local
wants of the district, but the great and
asting beneft.of the entire country, that
his system should be crowned with a
in all respects in keeping
With the national capital, and thereby
'ealize the cherished hopes of Wash
ngton on this subject.