The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-12-07

dian service, 90 that every dollar spproprisssd By
Congrsss shall rebound 70 the b:nsht q
the In dsO.. int t;s S to b. Ssn'assS.
port. with an improved service and every possible
held out to the Indiana TO better
scale Of civilization may hope to do, ct the same
time, good work for them and for ourselves.
The Timber Thieves.
Invite the attention OF Congress TO the import
ance of the statements and suggestions by the 6ec
Rotary of Interior concerning the depredatons
committed upon the timber-lands Of the United
States, and the necessity for the preservation Of
the forests. Il II believed that the measures taken
in pursuance Of the existing law TO arrest these
deprsdstions win be entirely successful, II Con-
gress by appropriation for that purpose, renders
their continued enforcement possible.
The experience Of other nations teaches M that
country cannot Se -, s NV Win I'M
CONSCIOUSNESS unless the wastsful and improvident
manner In which the forests Of the United States
are destroyed be enectually checked. earnestly
recommend that the measures suggested by the Sec
rotary of the Interior for the suppression OF depreda
lions the public timber lands Of the United States
for the preservation Of the forests be embodied In
Law, and that, considering the urgent necessity OF
enabling the people q certain States and Tern
. legal manner, which ct present they cannot do,
such . law be psssed without unavoidable delay.
Desert Lands.
would also cali the attention of Congress to the
statements made by the Secretary Of the Interior
concerning the disposition that might be made OF
the desert lands, not irrigated, west of the one
hundredth QOOth) meridian. These lands sre prao-
tcsly unstable under existing laws, and the sug-
gesron 10 worthy Of consideration, that systsan OF
leasehold tenure would make them source Of proht
TO the United States while ut the time legal
izing the business OF catte-raising, which II Ut
present carried on upon them. HD
Agriculture.
The report of the Commissioner of Agricut ure
contains the gratifying announcement Of the ex-
trsordnary success which has rewarded the agricu-
tural industry Of the country for the past year.
With the fair prices which obtain for the products OF
the SOIL especially for the surplus which people
have TO export, we may confidently turn 10 this ~
the most important Of al resources for Ia,
vival of the depressed industries Of the country
The report shows our agricultural progress during
the year, and contains statement Of the work
done by this department for the advancement Of
the agricultural industry upon which the
prosperity OF our people so largely depends. Mat
tiers of information included, Of great interest
to all who seek, by the experience OF others, 10 i'm
prove their own methods OF cultivation. The eff
forts OF the department to increase the production
Of important articles Of consumption will, 1t Is
hoped, improve the demand for labor and advance
the business OF the country, and eventually result
In saving some Of the many millions that now
annually paid to foreign nations for sugar aud 9TH
| err staple products, which habitual e has iuads
| necessary in our domestic everyday life.
Centennial Board.
| The board, on behalf Of the United states execu-
tive departments at the international Exposition Of
1876, has concluded its labors. The ina report OF
the board transmitted to Congress NJ the last
session. Az these papers understood TO contain
interesting and valuable information, and will
ment the subject Of the exhi bition invite At
tention TO the matter, and recommend that the re-
| port be published for general information.
District OF Columbia. 1>E
Congress 10 empowered by the constitution with
the authority OF exclusive legislation over the Dir
trict Of Columbia, in which the seat OF the Govern
ment OF the nation is located The interests OF the
District having no direct approximation in Con-
gress, entitled to especial consideration and
| care at the hands of the General Government
| The capital OF the United States belongs to the
nation, and 1t Ia natural that the American
people should take pride in the seat OF
be an ornament TO the country. Much has been
done to render 1t heathful, convenient and attract
| i've, but much remains to be done, which it's per-
mAnent inhabitants not able and ought not to be
| expected to do. To impose upon them large pro-
portion of the cost required for public improve
ments which are IN great measure planned and
| executed for the convenience OF the Government
and Of the many thousands Of visitors from all parts
of the country who temporarily reside in the capital
| Of the nation, is evident injustice.
Your attention il invited to the suggestion OF the
| Commissioners and Of the Board of Health for the
organization Of Board Of Charities To have super
| vision and control of the disbursement of all mon
eys for charitable purposes from the District treas
ury.
schools of the District by supplemental aid FROM the
national treasury. This Ia especially just since so
large number Of those attending schools are chill
dren Of employees OF the Government.
| earnestly commend TO your care the interest OF
the people Of the District who intimately
| ISOLATED with the Government establishment add to
| whose enterprise the good order and at
Effectiveness Of the Capital largely due,
and I ask your attention to the request
| Of the Commissioners for legislation in behalf Of
the interests intrusted to their care. The approp-
rstions asked for the Of reservations belonging
| to the Government within the city by the Commits
| sioner Of Public Buildings and Grounds, also
| commended to your favorable consideration.
Tho Washington Mo.ument.
Tho report Of the joint commission created by
the act approved August 2, 1876. an act providing
for the completion Of the Washington monument,
is also herewith transmitted, with accompanying
documents. The board of engineer officers de-
tailed 70 examine the monument in compliance
with the second section Of the act, have reported
that the foundation 10 insuficient. No authority
secure its stability. therefore recon-
mend that the commission be authorized TO expend
such portion Of the sum appropriated by the act
diminished condition OF the monument begun so
long ago, is reproach TO the nation. II be
doubted that the patriotic sense OF the country will
mainly respond to such prompt provision may
be made for its completion at an early day, and I
urge upon Congress the propriety and necessity of
Immediate legislation for this purpose.
Public Education.
The wisdom Of legislation upon the part of Con-
gress In aid Of the States for the education of the
whole people in those branches ~ study which are
taught in he common schools OF the country, is no
longer question. The intelligent Judgment of the
country goes still further, regarding 1t as aso both
| constitutional and expedient for the General
Government to extend to technical and
higher. education 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
administration or finance, Of true nationality of
| sentiment, depends upon tire virtue and intelli-
gence OF the people. II il vain to hope for the
success OF 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 orr country are We,
unable to read and write. II is encourag ng TO OH
serve, in connection with the growth OF fraternal
feeling in those States in which slavery formerly
existed, evidences of increasing interest In univer-
sal education, and shah be glad to give my zp-
proval to any appropriate measures which NAV be
enacted by Congress for the purpose OF eupple-
mentinR, with national aid, the loca systems OF ed
ucation in these States and in all the States and,
having already invited your attention TO the needs
Of the District Of Columbia with respect TO it- pub
lic-school system, here add that believe IL dcsira-
BILE, not much with reference to the local wants
Of the District, but the great aud lasting benefit OF
! the entire country that this system should
be crowned with university in
all respects in keeping with tho
National Capital, and thereby realize the cherished
hopes OF Washington on this subject