Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-10-24

official advice of the strong desire on
the part Of the French governm ent that
the United States should participate in
the enterprise, and space has hitherto
been and is still reserved in the exhibi-
ton building for the use of exhibitors
from the United States, to the exclusion
of other parties who have been appli-
cants therefor.
In order that our industries may be
properly represented at the exhibition
an appropriation will be needed for the
payment Of salaries and expenses Of
commissioners, for transportation Of
goods, and for other purposes in con
nection with the object in view, and as
May next is the time fixed for the
opening Of the exhibition, if our citizens
are to share the advantages of this in
ternational competition for the trade of
other nations, the necessity Of immedi-
ate action is apparent. To enable the
United States to cooperate in the
international exhibition which was
held at Vienna in 1873,
congress then passed II joint
resolution making an appropriation of
100000, and authorizing the president
to appoint certain number of practi-
cal artisans and scientific men, who
should attend the exhibition, and report
their proceedings and observations to
him. Provision was also made for the
appointment Of number of honorary
commissioners.
| have felt that prompt action by
congress, in accepting the invitation Of
the government of France, is of so
much interest to the people of this
country, and so suitable to the cordial
relations existing between the govern
ments of the two countries, that the
subject might properly be presented for
attention at your present session.
The government Of Sweden and Nor
way has addressed an official invitation
to this government, to take part in the
international prison congress, to be
held at Stockholm, next year The
problem which the congress proposes to
study" how to diminish crime lis
one in which all civilized nations have an
interest in common. The congress at
Stockholm seems likely to prove the
most important convention ever held
for the study Of this grave question.
Uuder authority of a JOINT resolution
of congress, approved February 1G,
1870, II commissioner was appointed
by my predecessor to represent the
United States ON that occasion. The con-
gress, having been at the earnest desire
of the Swedish government, postponed
to 1873, his commission was renewed
by me.
An appropriation of IS, 900 was made
in the sundry civil service bill of Octo-
Der, 1873, to meet the expenses OF the
commissioners. | recommend the re-
appropriation Of that sum for the same
purpose the former appropriation hay
ing been covered into the treasury AND
being no longer available for the pur-
pose without further action by congress.
The subject is brought to your attention
at this time in view of the circumstances
which render ii highly desirable that
the commissioner should proceed to the
discharge Of his important dutieS lmme-
diately
As the several acts of congress
providing for delayed reports from the
different Departments require their
submission at the beginning of the reg
ular annual session. defer until that
time any further reference to subjects
of public interest.
Signed Il. b. HAYES.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Oct. 1G, 1877