, 1877-10-20

cress in connection with the esti-
mates for the appropriation for the
support of the army for the current
fiscal year, estimates for such other
deficiencies in the different branches
of the public service as require i'm
rediate action, and cannos without
inconvenience be postponed until'the
regular session.
THE PARIS EXHIBITION.
take this opportunity to invite your
attention to the proprie.y OF adopting
at your present session the necessary
legislation to ensble the people OF the
United States to participate in the ad'
vantages Of the international exhibl>
tion Of the agricultural industry aud
the fine arts which Is to be held at Paris
in 1878, and in which this government
has been invited by the government of
France to take part. This invitation
WAS communicated 10 this government
in May, 1876. by the minister Of France
1T this capital. and q copy thereof was
submitted to the proper committees of
congress nj its last session, but no nc
ton Was taken upon the subject. The
department OF state has received many
letters from various parts Of the conn-
try expressing u desire to participate in
the exhlbluon, and numerous appilca-
tions Of similar nature have Also been
made at the United States legation vt
Paris The department Of state has
also received official advice o. the yer,
strong desire on the part Of the French
government that the United States
should participate in this enterprise.
and space ha. hitherto been resol we'd in
the exhibition building for the use Of
exhibitors from the United States. TO
the exclusion of other parties who have
been Il plicants herefor. In order that
our industries may be properly repre-
senied AT the exhibition an appropria>
| zion vii, be needed for the payment Of
salaries and expenses ot commissioners; !;
for the transportation Ut goods and sor
@. .her purposes III connection with the
object lii view, aud AS May uext year is
the time fixed Tor opening the exhlbl
tion, if our citizens are to haze the adj
van:ages of this international cOmpetl
ton for the iade of other nations the
necessity for immediate action Is appa-
rent. To enable the United St.tes to
cooperate iu the international! exh,hi
:ion whlch was held at Vienna. in 1878,
f1sov, nusSo1 I,i,,t n mn
making an appropriation Of $500 900
and authorizing the president to ap-
point a certain number Of practical mr
It's ans and scientific men who should
attend the exhibition and report their
proceedings and obs, rvations to hin.
Provision was also made for the ap
pointment of a number of honorary
commissioners. l have felt that prompt
action by congress III accepting the in>
vstatlon OF the government of France IL
OF so much interest to the people of
this county and SO suitable TO the cor
dial relations bet tween the governments
uf the two countries that the subject
might properly be presented for atten-
lion at your present session.
THE PRISON CONGRESS-.
The government of sweden and Nor
way has addressed All OFT cial invitation
to this government to take part IN the
international prison congress to be held
next year. The problem which the con-
gress proposes to study. no to dlmin>
ish crime. is one in which all civilized
nations have an interest in common,
ard the congress of Stockholm seens
likely to prove the most important con-
vention ever held Cor the study Of this
grave question. Under authority of ii
joint resolution OF congress. approved
February 10th, 1875, commission was
appointed by my predecessor to repre>
seut the United States on that occasion
aud the prison congress having bssn. at
the earnest desire of the Swedish gov
eminent. postponed to 1878. his conn
mission was renewed by me. An ap>
preparation of $1,000 was made in the
sundry civil service act of 1875 to meet
the expenses of the commissioners. l
recommend the reappropristion of tha;
sum for the same purpose. the former
appropriation having been converted
isto the treasury and no longer availa-
BILE for the purpose without further ac>
ton by congress. The subject is
brought to your attention at this time
in view of the circumstances which rem
der it highly desirable that the commis-
sioner should proceed to the discharge
of his important duties Immediately.
As the several acts of congress pro.
viding for detailed reports from the diff
ferent departments of the government
require their submission at the begins
mug Of the regular annual session. l
defer until that time any further refer-
ence to subjects of public inherent.
Signed r. b. HAYES.
WAsHIKGToN, D. c.. Oct. Is, 1877.