, 1877-12-15
nI,IE,rr nE CNLTNEIN.

CaEnreSS Is empowered by the constitution
with the authority of exclusive legislation
over the District OF Columbia lii which the
seat of government Of the nation Is located.
The interests of the district having 10 direct
Representation IN congress are entitled to es-
pecal consideration and care AZ the hand Of
the general government. The capitol Of the
United States belongs 70 the nation, and it is
natural that the American people shorld take
bride m the seat of their national government,
and desire ii to bc III ornament to the coun-
try. Mach has been done to render Il health
fui cunV >uent and attractive, but much
remains to hc done which Its permanent i'll
hahitants are not able and ought not to he
expected to do. 10 impose upnn them a large
proportion Of the cost required for public I'M
provcments, which are III 4 great measure
planned AMI execGtci for the convenience of
the government. and not the many thousands
of visitors from all parts OF the country who
temporarily reside in the capitol OF the natiol
is an evident injustice Special attention is
asked lay the commissioners Of the district III
their report, which is herewith transmitted,
to the mvortance of permanent al iustment
by congress of the financial relations between
tie United States and the district involving
the regular annual contribution BY the Inited
! States of It's InST proportion nt the expenses
| oI the district government and 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 Is IN
| the wisdom of congress nlay he deemed Just.
! The report OF the commissioners show the
affairs al the district are III a condition is
| satisfactory as could be expected III view OF
/ the heavy debt resting upon 1t and It's very
! limited means !or necessary expenses. The
| debt Of the district is As follows Guaranteed
| by the United States, Sl3, 143, 80; total
bonded debt, $:22 l22, 99l 30; to which
| shouli be added certain outstanding claims
rs explained III the report of the commission
ers, 81, iS2,21I 53: making the total debt of
the district, S2f,%l0.4G IS. The conImis-
| SuncrS also asa attention tn the importance
of the Improvement of the Potomac river and
| the reclamation OF the marshes bordering the
city OF Washington, AMI their views upon this
subject are concurred in by the members of
| the board of health, whose report is also here
! with transmitted The CONNER cial and san
| ItIry interests OF the district viii be greatly
pr 2otcd doubt not by this Improvement.
| Nour ,;t"nticn Is invited 20 this suggestion
os the CO .-nlisSioners and of the board of
| health for the anization OF board OF char
ites to have supervision and control of the
disbursement of ali money for these purposes
from the district treasury. desire also to
draw your especial attention 10 the efficiency
of the public schools of the district by sup
Elemental AID from the national treasury
This is especially just since so large 4 num-
| Der Of those attending schools are children If
employees of the government. | earnestly
commend to your care the interests OF the
people OF the district who are so intimately
associated with the government establish
mentS, and to whose enterprise the good or
der and attractivcnesS OF the capitol are
largely due and ask Your attention 10 the
request OF the commissioners for legislation
III behalf OF the interests mtrusted to their
care. The appropriations asked for the care
of reservations belonging to the government
withinthe city by the commissioner of public
buildings and grounds are also commended
To Vuur favorable consideration