Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-12-03
TContiaued from Fyrst Pnoe. !

valuable information and will constitu o
Tue only report emanating from the gov
eminent on the subject of the Exhibition,
invite attention 10 the matter. and recon-
mend That the report be published for gen.
eral Information.
Congress ~ empovered by the Constitu.
ton, with the authority Of exclusive leyis-
latiOD over the District OF Columbia, In
which the seat of government OF the nation
having no direct representation In Con-
gress, are entitled To especial consid Grafton
and care At the hands OF the general govern
ment. The capital of the United States be
longs TO the ration. and IL Is natural that
the America people should take pride IN
the seat OF their national government. a q
desire IL tn he a. ornament To the counfry.
Much has been done To render IL helithful,
convenient, and attractive, but much re-
mains to be Done, which its permanent in
habitants are not able aDG ought lot
10 be expected 10 do. To impose upon
them, a large proportion OF the cost
required for public improvements, which
Are In a great measure Planned and
Government, and Of the many Thousands of
visitors from AL parts OF the country, who
temporarily reside at the capital of the ma
ton, is an evident iIjustice. Special al
te1tiOn is asked By the COmmiss ioners Of
the District in their report, winch is here
with transmitted, 10 me importance of a
permanent adjustment by Congress of the
financial relations between the United
States and the District, involving the rs.u-
lar annual contribution by the Unltet
States OF Us just proportion OF the expenses
OF the District government, aud of the out
lay for all needed pubic improvements,
and such measure of relief from the burden
Of taxation now resting upon the people Of
the District, as In the wisdom OF Congress
may be deemed just.
The report of the COmmiss' OnerS shows
that the affairs of the District are in a condi-
fiOD as satisfactory a. could be expected, in
view of the heavy burden OF debt resting
upon 10, and its very limited means for ne.
cessary expenses.
The debt OF the Distrie, is as follows:
Old funded debt.......-.....-...- SS5I9,G1 90
SO bonds, guaranteed by the
United States......-...-....... B,'I3,259 90
Total bonded debt. So Il2giI 81
To which should be added GER
tain outstanding claims, aseX-
planned in the report OF the
Commissioners ................. l5lSi,-H %
Making thetotal debt of the Dis
tTlCt...---.--- ....-. ....-..--Lb.5lbll5 y
The Commits siODerS also ask attention TO
the Importance of the improvement of the
Potomac river and the reclamation of the
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 10 the suggests ion
OF the Commissioners and OF the Board o'
Health for the organization OF Board oi
Charities, 10 have supervision ami control
of the disbursement OF all moneys for charit-
able purposes from the District treasury. |
=
the need Of adding To the efficiency of the
public schools of the District, by supplement
tai aid from the national treasury. This l.
especially Just. since SO large a number OF
those attending these schools are ch, ldren Cf
employees OF the government. l earnestly
commend 10 your care the interests of the
people OF the District, who are so intimately
associated with the government est adj! sh-
ments, and TO whose enterprise the good or
der and atiractiveneSS of the capital are
largely due; and ask your attention TO the
request of the Commissioners for legislation
in behalf OF the interests iutrus'e1 10 their
care. The appropriations asked FOR the
care OF the reservations belonging to the gov
eminent within the city. by the COmmis-
stoDer OF Pablo Buildings and Grounds, are
also commended 10 your favorable con5id-
Grafton.
The report of the Joint Commission
created by the act approved August
for the completion OF the Washington
Monument" is also herewith trans
mitted with accOn1pan wing documents The
board of engineer officers detailed to exam
1ne the monument, in compliance with the
second section of the act, have TepOTtoi that
the fOuudatiOn il Insuffic ent. No authority
exists for making the expenditure necessary
10 secure its stability l therefore recon-
mend that the commission be authorized TO
expend such portion OF the sum apprDpri-
ated by the act as may be nee eSsary fOr the
purpose. The present unfinished condition
OF the monument, begun 80 long ago, is a re
proacn 10 the nation. IL cannot De dOubtei
that the patriotic sense of the country will
warmly respond to such prompt prOvisiO
rs may be made for its completion at al
early day, aud / urge upon Congress the
propriety and necessity OF imme late legis
1al1on for this purpose.
The wisdom of legislation upon the part o.
Congress in aid OF the States, for TIE educa
ton OF the whole people in those branches OF
study which are taught In the common
schools of the country, is no longer q les
tion- The Intelligent Judgment OF the coun-
Try goes still further, regarding IL also both
constitutional and eXpedient for the general
government TO extend 10 technical and higher
a AZ tG "A 81 mt al to.
the general welfare and TO our due promi
nence among the enlightened and cultured
nations OF the world. TIE ultimate settle
ment OF all questions OF the future. whsthsr
of administration or finance, or of true ma
tionality of sentiment, depends upon the viz
tne and intelligence OF the people. IL is
vain To hope for the success of free govern
ment without the means o. insuring the ia
felligence OF those who are the source OF
power. No less than one seventh of the ell
lire voting population OF our country are yet
unable to read and write.
1t is encouraging To observe, in connection
with the growth Of fraternal feeling in those
States In which slavery formerly existed,
evidences of increasing interest IN universal
education, and L shall be glad to give my
approval 10 any appropriate measures which
may be enacted by Congress for the purpose
of experimenting with national "A d.. 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 10 its pu bile school
system, here add that bel eve IL desirrole,
wants OF The District, bur to the grea. aad
lasting benefit OF the entire country, thai
This system should be crowned with a Unit
yersity in all respects in keeping with the
National Capital, and thereby realize the
cherished hopes OF Washington on this sub
ject.
i also earnestly commend the request OF
the Regents OF the SIN ithsonian Institute
that an adequate appropriation be made for
the establishment and conduct OF a national
museum under their supervision.
The question OF providing for the preser-
walton and growth OF the Library of Con-
gress Is also one of national importance.
As the depository OF all copyright puolica-
lions and records, this library has out
grown the provisions for its accommods-
lion; and the erection, on sucn site as the
judgment of Congress may approve, OF a
IRE proof library building, 10 preserve the
treasures and enlarge the usefulness OF this
valuable collection, IS recommended. 4
recommend also such legislation as will
render available and efficient, for the pur-
poses OF instruction, so far as is consistent
win the public service, the cabinets or
museums OF invention, of surgery, OF edu-
cation, and of agriculture, and other cOilec-