The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-12-13

tant of all resources for the revival of the de.
pressed Industries oil the country. The report
shows our agricultural progress during tie
year, anc Contains q statement of the work done
by this department for the advancement OF aK-
ricultural industry, upon which the prosperity
OF our people 80 largely depends. Matters OF
information are included Of great interest 70 all
who seek Oy the experience of others to improve
their own methods of cultivation. The efforts
vi the Department. to increase the production of
IMPORTANT articles of cons nmption will. it is
hoped improve the demand for labor and ad-
vance the business or the country. and eventu-
ally result in saving some Of the many millions
that are now annually paid to foreign nations
for sugar aud other staple products which iln-
bitual use has made necessary In our domestic
sevcryday life. 81 "a q
THE CENTENNIAL BOARD
The Board on BEHALF of the United States Ex-
ecutive Departments at the international Elk.
position of ls76. has concluded It's labors. The
iinal report OF the Board WIS transmitted to
Congress ut the last session. As these papers
are understood To contain Interesting and valu-
able Information, and con s,itute the only report
emanatins from the government on the subjec,
OF the exhibition. invite attention to the mat.
ter. and recommend that the report he publish
Ell for general information.
THE DISTRICT OrcOLUNBIA,
Congress Is empowered by the constitution.
with the authority OF exclusive legislation over
the District Of Columbia, in which the seat Of
government Of the nation is located, The int
rests oil the District, having no direct replesnt-
atiOn in Congress, are entitled 10 special con-
sileratiOn and care ut 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 ia the seat
Of their national government. and desire it to be
an ornament to the country. Much has been
done t. render it healthful. convenient ami ut.
tractive, but much remains to be done which its
permanent inha bitants are not able and ought
not to be expected to do. To impose OH them O
large proportion Of the cost required Tor Il e
public improvements which are in great meas
ure planned and executed for the convenici ce
OF the government, anu Of the many thousands
of the visitors from all parts OF the country who
temporarily reside in the capital of the nation,
is an eyide' t injustice. Special attention is
asked by the comm issiOners OF the district in
their report which is herewith transmitted, to
the importance of u permanent adjustment by
Congress of the financial relations between Il Q
United States and the district. involving the
regular annual contribution by the Unit. d
States ofthc just proportion Of the expenses Of
the district government and of the outlay for
all needed public improvements and such meas
ures ui relief from the bu, den OF taxat on l ow
reslin e the people Of the district in u e
wisdom OF Congress may be deemed just. The
report OF the commissioners shows the affairs Of
the district are in q condition Us sati factory as
could he expected in view of the heavy del t
resting upon it, and its very limited means for
the necessary expenses. The debt OF the Dis
trict is as follows :, Old funded debt, $s.379.-
60i 96; 3:G5 bonds guaranteed by tie United
States $i3, ,743 s5O total bonded debt, $22. .12e
94i .96; to which should be added certain out |
standing claims explained in the re pJrt Of the
81 .ls2. .2Oa Sc; making the total
debt of the district $as.2i0,143 45. The Com
missioners also ask attention to the improve
ment 0i the POtomoc river. and the reclamation
OF the marshes bordering the City of Washing
ton, and their views upon this sui ject are con-
Cured in by the members of the Board OF Health |
whose report is also herewith trnnsmitt 3D.
Both the commercial and military inter ests of |
the district will be greatly promoted, doubt
not, by this Improvement. Your attention il |
invited to the suggestion or the Commissioners !
and of ihe Board of Health for the organization |
or Board of Charities to have supervision and