River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-12-06


are not able and ought not to be ex-
Peeted TO do. To impose upon them large
proportion OF the cost required for public
Improvements which are in great measure
planned and executed for the convenience OF
the government, and ofthe many thousands of
visitors from all parts Of the country who
temporarily reside in the capital of the
ton. is an evident injustice. Special attention
is asked by the commissioners Of the District
in their report, which is herewith transmit
ted, 70 the importance OF a permanent adjust
ment by congress OF the financial relations be-
tween the United States and the District, in.
yolying irregular annual contribution by the
United States of IFS just proportion af the ex-
penses of tie District government of the out
lag for all Needed public Improvements, and
such measures 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 commits
sioners shows the affairs of the District are in
condition as satisfactory as could be expected
in view ofthe heavy debt resting upon il, and
lis very limited means for necessary expenses.
The debt of the district is as fellows: funded
dehtSS,3s9, f9l SO; S53 bonds guaranteed blythe
United States, SIS, 143 go: total bonded debt
81, 1926 Sc; TO which should be added Ger
tain outstanding claims, as explained in the
report OF the commissioners, of 81, lS2. 204 81
making the total debt of the district 50 SSl S46.
-. The commissioners also ask attention 10
the importance OF the improvement Of the
Potomac river and the city of Washington.
and their views upon this subject are concur.
red in by the members Of the board of health,
whose report Is also herewith transmitted.
Both the commercial and sanitary interests
VIII be greatly promoted doubt not, by this
improvement. Your attention Is invited to
the suggestion Of the commissioners
and board OF health for the
organization Of a board Of charities
to have supervision and control Of the dis
bursement of all moneys for charitable pur-
poses from the district treasury. / desire al
so 10 ask your special attention TO the need
of adding TO The efficiency OF the public
schools Of the district by supplemental aid
from the national treasury This Is especial
ly just since SO large number of those at
tending schools are children OF employees of
the government. / earnestly recommend 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
attractiyeness of the capital are largely due,
and ask your attention 20 the request Of the
commissioners for legislation in behalf Of the
interests entrusted TO their care The apEro-
priations asked for the care of reservations
belonging 10 the government within their
jurisdiction by the. commissioners Of public
buildings and grounds, are also commended
70 your favorable consideration.
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
The report of the Joint commission created
by the act approved August 2d, 1916, sn act
providing for the completion OF the
Washington monument. is also herewith trans
mItted with accompanying documents. The
board Of engineers, officers detailed TO exam
Inc the monument in compliance with the see
ond section Ct the act have reported that The
foundation Is insufficient. No authority exists
for making the expenditure necessary
TO secure its stability. ] therefore
recommend that the commission be
authorized 10 expend such portion
OF the sum appropriated by the act as may be-
come necessary for the purpose. The pres
ent unfinished condition OF the monument
begnn SO long ago Is repTOaeh to the nation
IL cannot be doubted that the patriotic sense
Of the country will quickly respond 10 such
prompt provision as may be made for lis com.
pletion Of an early day, and urge upon con-
gress the propriety and necessity Of lmmedi-
ate legislation for this purpose
EDUCATIONAL
The wisdom Of legislation on the part OF
congress In aid of the States for the education
of the whole people, in those branches Of study
which are taught IN the common schools or
the country, Is no longer a question. The
intelligent Judgment Of the country
goes stin further regarding Il
also both constitutional and expedient
for the general government TO extend To-
technical and higher education such aid SIS is
deemed essential to the general welfare and
and cultured nations Of the world. The ultl
mate settlement Of all questions OF the future,
whether Of administration Of nance or oftrue
nationality of sentiment, depends upon the
virtue and intelligence OF the people. Ii Is
vain to hope for the success OF free
government without the means OF In
surfing the intelligence of those who
are the source Of power. No less
than one-seventh of the entire voting pOpu.
lation Of our country are yet unable TO read
and write. II Is encouraging 10 observe in
connection with the growth OF fraternal feel
ing In those States in which slavery formerly
existed, evidences of increasing interest In m
iyersal education, and shall be glad to give
my approval to any appropriate measures
which NAV be enacted by congress for the
purpose of experimenting the national with
the local systems Of education In these States
and in all the States.
Having already called your attention 10 the
needs OF the District of Columbia with respect
to its public school system, i here add that /
believe IL desirable, not SO much with refer
ence TO the local wants Of the District, but the
great and lasting benefit Of the entire country,
that this system should be crowned with q
university in all respects in keeping with the
national capital and thereby realize the cher
ished hopes of Washington on this subject.
also earnestly commend the request Of the
regents Of the Smithsonian Institute that an
adequate appropriation be made for the estab-
ment and conducting Of national museum
under their supervision. The request for
providing for the preservation and
growth Of the library Of congress is also
one of national importance. As the depos
itory Of copyright publications and
reC oTds this library has outgrown the provisions
for its accommodation and the erection ~
such a site as the judgment OF congress may
approve Of, a fire proof library building to- pre-
serve the treasures and enlarge the useful
mesa Of this valuable collection is recommend
ed. / recommend also such legisia-
ton as will render available and eff
rient for the purpose OF instruction so far as
with the public service, the cabinets
Dr. museums OF Invention, Of surgery, OF
education and Of agriculture, and other col
ections, the property Of the national govern
ment. The capital Of the nation should
be something more than mere polit-
cal centre We should avail ourselves
II all the opportunities which Providence has
placed at our command TO advance the general
intelligence Of the people and increase the
conditions most favorable 10 the success and
0erpetuity Of our institutions.
(signed) r. B. HAYES.
Washington, D. C., Dec 8, 1877