National Republican., 1877-12-04

" adding TO the efficiency Of tho public
schools Of tho District, by supplemental aid
from the national Treasury. This is especially
lust, since so large q number OF those attend
Ing these schools are children Of employees Of
the Government,
Iearnestly commend 10 your care the interests
Of the people Of the District, who arc so inti-
mately associated with the Government estab-
lishments, and to whose enterprise the good
order and attractiveness of tho capital are
largely due; and ask your attention TO the re-
quest of tho Commissioners for legislation In
behalf Of tho interests intrusted to their care
The appropriations asked, for the care Of the
reservations belonging to tho Government
within the city, by the Commissioner Of Public
Buildings and Grounds are also commended TO
your favorable consideration.
The report or the joint commission created
by the act approved August 2, 1876, entitled
An act providing for the completion of the
Washington Monument" Is also herewith
transmitted, with accompanying documents
The Board Of Engineer officers detailed'to ex-
anime the monument, In compliance with the
second section Of the act, have reported that
the foundation is insufficient. No authority
exists for making the expenditure necessary
TO secure It's stability. therefore recommend
that the commission be authorized to expend
such portion Of the sum appropriated by the
act as may be necessary for the purpose.
The present unfinished condition Of the monu
mcnt, begun so long ago, is rcproach to the
nation. II cannot be doubted that the patriotic
sense Of the country will warmly respond TO
such prompt provision as may be made for It's
completion at an early day, and I urge upon
Congress the propriety and necessity Of imme-
diate legislation for this purpose.
The wisdom Of legislation upon the part Of
Congress In aid of the States, for the education
Of the whole people IN those branches Of study
I,taI. -
the country, Is no longer question.
The intelligent Judgment Of the country
goes still further, regarding IL as also both con-
stitutional and cIpedient for tho General Gov
srnment to oxtend to technical and higher ed
ucation such aid as is deemed essential to the
general welfare and to our due prominence
among the enlightened and cultured nations
Of the world. The ultimate settlement Of all
questions Of the future, whether Of adminis-
tration or finance or Of true nationality Of
sentiment, depends upon the virtue and intel
ligence Of the people. 1t is vain to hope for
the success Of n free government without the
means Of insuring the intelligence Of those
who are the source Of power. No less than
one-ssvcnth Of the entire voting population Of
eur country are yet unable to read and write.
II is encouraging to observe, In connection
with the growth Of fraternal feeling In those
States in which slavery formerly existed, evi.
dences Of increasing interest In universal edu-
cation, and l shall be glad to give my ap-
provsl to any. appropriate measures which
Of supplcmenting with national aid the local
systems Of education In those States and in
all the States; and having already invited
your attention TO the needs Of the District of
Columbia, with respect to its public school
ystem, here add that / believe 1t desirable,
not 50 much with reference to the local wants
Of the District, but TO the great and lasting
hofaHt nf fhA mt trxrt hat thtu otot,,
Bhould be crowned with university in all
respects In keeping with the national capital,
and thereby realize the cherished 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-
lishment and conduct Of q national museum
under their supervision. ..
The question of providing for the preserva-
tion and growth Of the Library of Congress Is
also one of national importance. As the depos-
itory Of all copyright publications and records,
this library has outgrown the provisions for It's
accommodation and the erection, on such site
as the Judgment of Congress may approve, ofa
fre-proof library building, to preserve the
treasures and enlarge the usefulness Of this val
uablo collection, Is recommended. recon-
mend also, such legislation as will render avail
able and efficient, for the purposes Of instruc-
tion, 80 far as is consistent with the public SER
vice, the cabinets or museums Of invention, OF
surgery, of education, and Of agriculture, and
other collections, the property Of the National
Government.
The capital of the nation should be some.
thing more than q mere political centre. We
should avail ourselves Of all the opportunities
which Providence has here placed at our com.
mand 10 promote the general intelligence Of
the people and increase the conditions most fa'
vorable to the success and perpetuity Of our in
stitutions
R. B. HAYES.
DECEMBER 3. 1877.