The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-04

marshes bordering the city Of Washington,
and their views upon this subject are con-
Cured In by the members OF the Board Of
Health. whose report Is also herewith trans
mitted. Both the commercial and sanitary
interests OF the District will be greatly pro-
NOTED, / doubt not, by this Improvement.
Your attention Is invited to tho sugges-
ton OF the Commissioners and Of the Board
OF Health for the organization Of Board OF
Charities, to have supervision and control OF
the disbursement Of all moneys for charita-
BILE purposes from the District treasury. l
desire also to ask your especial attention to
the need OF adding to the efficiency OF the
public schools OF the District by supple
mental aid from the national treasury. This
Is especially just, since so large number OF
those attending these schools are children OF
employees OF the Government. earnestly
commend to your care the interests OF the
people OF the District, who are 80 intimately
associated with the Government establish
ments, and to whose enterprise the good
order and attractiyeness Of the capital are
largely due; and ask your attention to the
request OF the COMMISSIONS rs for legislation
in behalf Of the interests intrusted 10 their
care. The appropriations asked for the
care OF the reservations belonging tothe
Government within the city by the Commits
| sioncr OF Public Buildings and Grounds
are also commended to your favorable con-
sderation. .s...,. ...... r....
The report of the Joint Commission
created by the act approved August .,
1876, entitled IAN act providing for the
completion OF the Washington Monument"
is also herewith transmitted. with accom-
panying documents. The board or engi-
nccr officers detailed to examine the monu-
ment. in compliance with the second section
OF the act, have reported that the founda-
ton is insufficient. No authority exists for
making the expenditure necessary TO secure
its stability. / therefore recommend that
the Commission be authorized to expend
such portion OF the sum appropriated by
the act rs may be necessary for the purpose.
The present unfinished condition OF the
monument. begun so long ago, is a re-
proach to the nation. 1t cannot be doubted
that the patriotic sense of the country will
warmly respond to such prompt provision
as may he made for its completion at IN
early day, and / urge upon Congress the
propriety and necessity OF immediate logis-
lation for this purpose.
The wisdom OF legislation upon the part
of Congress in aid OF the States for the ed
ucation Of the whole people in those
branches Of study which are taught in the
common schools Of. the country is no long
or question. The intelligent Judgment Of
the country goes still further, regarding it
also both constitutional and cXpedient for
the General Government to extend to tech
nical and higher education such aid as is
deemed essential to the general welfare and
to our due prominence among the enlight-
opaI nnd a,lturad DotjnpS OF tho world
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 to hope for the
success CT a free government without the
means of insuring the intelligence OF those
who are the source Of power. No less than
one seventh OF the entire voting population
OF our country are yet unable to read and
write.
1t is encouraging to observe, in connec-
ton with the growth OF fratcrnal feeling in
those States in which slavery formerly eN-
listed, evidences OF increasing interest in
universal education, and ! shall be glad to
give M approval TO any appropriate mea-
sures which may be enacted by Congress
for the purpose Of supplementing with ma
tiona aid the local systems OF education in
those States and in ali the States; and hay
ing already invited your attention to the
needs OF the District Of Columbia with re-
spect to its public-school system, here add
that believe it desirable, not so much with
rcfcrence,to the local wants OF the District,
but to the great and lasting benefit Of the
entire country, that this system should be
crowned with a university in all respects in
keeping with the national capital; and
NV nhoricho1 homo n
Washington on this subject.
also earnestly commend the request OF
the Regents of the Smithsonian Institute
that al adequate appropriation be made for
the establishment and conduct OF national
museum under their supervision.
The question Of providing for the pre-
seryation and growth of the Library Of
Congress is also one OF national importance.
AS the depository OF all copyright pubiica-
tons and records, this Library has out
grown the provisions for its accommodate
tions; and the erection, on such site as the
Judgment of Congress may approve, OF Il
tire-proof library-buildng, to preserve the
treasures and enlarge the usefulness OF this
valuable collection, is recommended. |
re commend also such legislation as will
render available and efficient for the pur-
poses OF instruction, so far as IS consistent
with the public service, the cabinets or
museums of invention, OF surgery, OF edu-
cation. and OF agriculture. and other collec-
tons, the property OF the National Govern
ment.
The capital OF the nation should be some
thing more than mere political centre. we
should avail ourselves OF all the opportuni-
ties which Providence has here placed at
our command to promote the general intel
ligence OF the people and increase the con.
ditionS most favorable TO the success and
perpetuty OF our institutions.
DECEMBER 3, 1877. K. 3. HAYES.