Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-12-13

cannot do. Such law should be passed with
out Unavoidable delay. would also call at
tention to the statements made BY the Score
tsry of the Interior concerning the disposition
hat might be made OF the desert lands west of
III, tooth meridian. These lands are prac tic.
aIlv nnsalable under the exisfisig laws, and
the $, digestion is worthy Of consideration
that : vstem Of fcasehoid tenure would make
Them qurce Of profit to the United States
while at the same time legalizing the business of
rattIe raising. which is al present carried on
nnon them. Th,e report ofthe
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. M
contains the gratifying announcement of the
extraordinary success which has rewarded
the agricultural industry OF the country Tor
the past year, with the prices which are Cd
tanned tor the products of the soil and especial
w for the surplus which our people have to
EXPORT. we may confidently turn to this as
the most important of all our resources for the
revival Of the depressed industries of the
country. The report shows our agricultural
progress during the year, and contains state
mert of the work done by this department for
the advancement Of the agricultural indus
tries. upon which the prosperity Of our people
so largely depends. Matters of Information
are included of great interest to all who seek
by the experience of Others to improve their
own methods of cultivation. The efforts of
the department to increase the production of
important articles of consumption win, it is
hoped improve the demand for labor and ad-
vance the business OF the country, and event
aally result in saving some Of the millions that
| are now annually paid to foreign nations for
sugar and other staple products which habitual
use has made necessary in our domestic every
day life. EXPOSITION or 1876.
The board, on behalf OF the United States
Executive Departments at. the International
Exposition OF 1876 has concluded its labors.
The final report Of the board was transmitted
To Congress at the last session. As these pa
pers contain interesting and valuable iniorma-
don, aud will constitute the only report ena-
hating from the Government on the subject OF
the Exhibition, Invite attention TO the matter,
and recommend that the report be published
for general information. DISTRICT OF caLuMBTA!
Congress is empowered by she oostitnton
With authority of exclusive legislation over the
District Of Columbia, in which the seat OF gov
ernment of the nation is located The interests
of the District having no direct representa-
ton in Congress are entitled to especial con
sderati0R and care at the hands OF the general
Government. The capitol of the United States
belongs to the nation and il is natural that the
American people should take pride in the seat
Of the national Government, and desire tito be
an ornament to the country. Much has been
done to render it healthfal, convenient and at
tractiye, but much remains to be done which
its permanent inhabitants are not able and
ought not to be expected to do. To impose
upon them large proportion OF the cost re-
quired for public improvements which are in a
great measure planned and executed for the
convenience of the Government and the many
thousands of visitors from all parts of the
country who temporarily reside in the capitol
Of the nation, is an evident injustice. Special
attention is asked by the commissioners of the
District in their report, which is herewith
transmitted, to the Importance OF permanent
rea6justment by Congress of the federal rela-
tons between the United States and the Dis.
trict of Columbia in solving the regular an
nual contribution by the United States of its
just proportion Of the expenses of the District
Government and of the outlay for all needed
public Improvements, and such measures of re-
lief from the burden of taxation now resting
upon the people of the District, a. in the wis
dom of Congress may be deemed just. The re-
port OF the Commissioners show that the at.
fairs of the District are in condition as sat
isfactory as could be expected in view of the
heavy debt resting upon it and its very limited
means for necessary expenses. The debt OF
the District is as follows: Funded debt SIS, S79-
69l. 90 bonds guaranteed by the United
States, $l3,743, 250; total bonded debt $22,
i22, 941 90; to which should be added certain
funding claims as explained in the report of
the Commissioners 81, S0240,57, making the
total debt Of the District $2S, 1910. l46.48. The
Commissioners also ask attention to the i'm
portance of the improvement of the Potomac
river and the reclamation of the marshes Dor
dering the city of washington, ond their
views on this subiecl are concurred by the
members of the Board of Health whose report
is also herewith transmitted, Both the con-
mereial and sanitary interests of the District
will be greatly promoted, doubt not, by this
improvement Your attention is invited to the
suggestion Of the Commissioners and the
Board of Health for the organization of
Board of Charities, to have disposition and
control of the disbursement of all moneys for
charitable purposes from the District Treas
ury. desire also to ask your especial atten
ton 10 the need OF adding TO the efficiency of
the public schools of the District by supple
mental aid 'front.' National treasury. This
is especially Just since so large number Of
those attending schools are children of en-
pioyes of the Government. / earnestly com
mend to your care the interests of the people
Of the District, who are so ultimately sssociat
ed with the Government establishment, and TO
whose enterprise the good order and attract
ask your attention TO The request of the Com
missioners for legislation ih behalf of the in.
terests intrusted 10 their care. The appropri-
atoms asked for the care of the reservations
belonging to the Government within the city
by the Commissioners of Public Buildings and
Grounds are also recommended TO your con
sideration.
The report of the joint commission created
by the act approved August 2, 1876, an act
Ia. ~ XTm.t
Ton monument, is also herewith transmitted
with accompanying documents. The Board
of Engineer officers detailed to examine the
monument in compliance with the second sec.
ton OF the act, have reported that the founda-
ton is insufficient. No authority exists for
making the expenditure necessary to secure
its stability. therefore rec ommend that the
commission be authorized TO expend such
portion of the sum appropriated by the act as
may be necessary for the purpose. The pres
ent unfinished condition of the monument be
gun so long ago is repToach to the nation. II
cannot be doubted that the patriotic portion Of
the country will mainly respond to such
prompt provision as may be made for its com
petion at an early day; and IIitge upon Con
gress the proprie:y and necessity of immediate
legislation for thi. purpose.
EDUCATIONAL LEGISLATION.
The wisdom Of legislation on the part Of
Congress in aid of the States for the educa
ton Of the whole PEOPLE In those branches OF
studies which are taught in the common
schools Of the country, is no longer question.
The intelligent judgment Of the country goes
still further regarding it, as also both constitu.
tioi.al and expedient for the general govern.
ment to extend to technical and higher ednca-
ton such aid as is deemed essential to the
general welfare, and 10 onr due prominence
among the enlightened and cultured nations Of
the world. .e
The ultimate settlement Of all questions Of
the future, whether Of administration or finance
or of true nationality of sentiment, depends
upon the virtue and intelligence of the people.
1t is vain 10 hope for the success of free gov
ernment without the means of insuring the
intelligence of those who are the source of
power. No less than one seventh of the en-
tire voting population of our country are yet
unable TO read and write.
II is encouraging to observe in connection
with the gro Nth of fraternal feeling in those
States in which slavery formerly existed, evi
dences of increasing interest in universal edu
cation, and shall be glad to give my approval
to any appropriate measures which may be
enacted by Congress for the purpose of sup
plementing with national aid the local systems
Of education in these States, and in all the
Ga n 4 49,