The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-12-05

prosperity.
The words of Washington are as appli-
| cable to-day as when, IN his eighth annual
message, he said: at is not to be doubted
| that with reference either to individual or
national welfare, agriculture is of primary
importance. In proportion as nations ad-
vance in population and other circumstan-
ces of maturity, this truth becomes more
| apparent, and renders the cultivation of the
| soil more and more an object of public
| patronage. Institutions for promoting it
| grow up, supported by the public purse
and to what object can it be dedicated with
greater propriety? Among the means which
have been employed to this emit, none have
been attended with greater success than the
establishment of boards composed of
proper characters, charged with collecting
aud diffusing information, and enabled, by
premiums and small pecuniary aids, to en-
courage and assist the spirit of discovery
and improvement, this species of establish
ment contributing doubly to the increase of
Improvement by stimulating to enterprise
and experiment. and by drawing to a COM
mon center the results everywhere of indi-
vidual skill and observation, and spreading
them thence over the whole nation. Ex-
perience accordingly hath shown that they
are very cheap instruments of immense
national benefit"
The great preponderauce of the agricul-
tural over any other interest in the Unit d
claimed for it by Washington. About one
half of the population of the United
States is engaged in agriculture. The value
of the agricultural products of the United
States for the year 1873 is estimated at three
thousand millions of dollars. The exports
OF agricultural products for the year 1877,
as appears from the report OF the Bureau of
Statistics, was five hundred and twenty
four millions of dollars. The great extent
Of our country, with its diversity of soil
and climate, enables us to produce within
our own borders, and by our own labor,
not only the necessaries but most of the
luxuries that are consumed in civilized
countries. Yet, Notwithstanding our ad-
yantages of soil, climate and intercommuEi-
cation, it appears from the statistical state
nents in the report of the Commissioner of
Agriculture, that we import annually from
foreign lands many millions of dollars
worth of agricultural productsfwhi could
be raised in our own country.
Numerous questions arise in the practice
of advanced agriculture which can only be |
answered by experiments, often costly, and
sometimes fruitless, which are beyond the
means of private individuals, and are just
and proper charge on the whole nation for
the benefit of the nation. 1t is good policy, |
especially in times of depression and un-
certainty in other business pursuits, with |
vast area of uncultivated, and hence |
unproductive territory wisely opened to |
homestead settlement, TO encourage, by |
every proper and legitimate means, the |
occupation and tillage of the soil. The |
efforts of the Department of Agriculture to |
stimulate old and introduce new agricul- |
tural industries, to improve the quality and
increase the quantity of our products, to |
determine the value of old or establish the
Importance of new methods of culture, are
worthy of your careful and favorable con-
sideration, and assistance by such appro-
nf
facilities as may seem to be demanded by
the present favorable conditions for the
growth and rapid Development of this i'm
portant interest.
The abuse OF animals, in transit, is widely
attracting public attention. A National
Convention of societies specially interested
in the subject has recently met at Balti-
mDre, and the facts developed, both in re-
gard to cruelty to animals and the effect of
such cruelties upon the public health, would
seem to demand the careful consideration of
Congress, and enactments of more
efficient laws for the prevention of those
abuses.
EDUCATION.
The report of the Commissioner of the
Bureau of Education shows very gratifying
progress throughout the country, in all the
interests committed to the care of this im-
portant Office. The report is especially en-
couraging with respect to- the extension of
the advantages of the common schoo! system,
in sections of the country where the general
enjoyment of the privilege of free schools is
not yet attained.
To education more than any other agency
we are to look, as the resource for the ad-
vancement of the people, in the requisite
knowledge and appreciation OF their rights
and responsibilities as citizens, and desire
to repeat the suggestion contained In my for
mer message in behalf of the enactment of
appropriate measures by Congress for the
purpose of supplementing, with National
aid the local systems of education in the
several States.
Adequate accommodations for the great
library, which is overgrowing the capacity
| of the rooms now occupied at the Capitol,
| should be provided without delay. This
| invaluable collection of books, manuscripts
and illustrative art has grown to such rro-
| portions, in connection with the copyright
system of the country, as to demand the
| prompt and careful attention of Congress to
save it from injury in its present crowded
and insufficient quarters. As this library is
national in its character, and must, from
| the nature of the case, increase even more
rapidly in the future than in the past, it
can not be doubted that the people will
sanction any wise expenditure to preserve 1t
and to enlarge its usefulness.
The appeal of the Regents of the Smith
sonian Institution for the means to organize,
exhibit and make available for the public
| benefit the articles now stored away belong
| ing to the National Museum, / heartily
recommend to your favorable consideration.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MATTERS.
The attention of Congress is again
invited to the condition of the
| riyer-front of the city of Washington. 1t
is a matter of vital Importance to the health
| of the residents of the National Capital,
| both temporary and permanent, that the
low lands in front of the city, now subject
to tidal overflow, should be reclaimed. In
their present condition these flats obstruct
the drainage of the city, and are danger
Gus source of malarial poison. The re-
clamation will improve the navigation of
the river, by restricting and consequently
deepening its channel; and is also of i'm
portance, when considered in connection
with the extension of the public grounds
and the enlargement of the park, west and
south of the Washington Monument. The
report of the board of survey, heretofore
ordered by act of Congress, on the improve.
ment of the harbor of Washington and
Georgetown, is respectfully commended tC
consideration.
The report of the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia presents a detailed
statement of the officers of the District.
: The relative expenditures by the United
States and the District for local purposes
is contrasted. showing that the expenditure
by the people Of the District greatly ex
E ceed those of the General Government.
1 The exhibit is made in connection with
estimates for the requisite repair of the de
e fective pavements and sewers of the city
which is work of immediate necessity
e and, in the same connection, a plan is pre-
!. sented for the permanent funding of tn
L outstanding securities of the District.
s The benevolent, retormatory, and pena
s institutions of the District are all entitle
C to the favorable attention of Congress. 1h
r Reform School needs additional buildin
1t and teachers. Appropriations which wi
l. place all these institutions in a condition I
e become models of usefulness and benef
r, cence, will be regarded by the country a
II liberality wisely bestowed.
O. The Commissioners, with evident iustic,
IS request attention to the discrimination mad
L. by Congress against this District in tn