The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-12-12

copyright system Of the country, as to
demand the prompt and careful atten
tlon of congress to save it from injury
i'll its present crowded and insufficient
quarters. AS this library is national
in it's character and must, from the
nature of the case, increase even moro
rapidly in the future than in the past,
it cannot be doubted that the people
will sanction any wise expenditure to
preserve it and TO enlarge its useful
ness. ~. or --37.ilR
The appeal of the Regents Of tho
Smithsonian Institution for the means
to organize, exhibit and make availa-
BILE for the public benefit the articles
now stored away belonging to the MAJ
tional Museum, heartily recommend
to your favorable consideration. :, 20.
The attention of congress is again
invited to the condition of the river
front of the city of Washington. n It is
a matter of vital importance to the
health of the residents Oft the National
Capital. both temporary and perma
nent, that the lands in front Of the city
now subject to tidal overflow, should
be reclaimed. In their present cQndIz
tiOn, these flats obstruct the drainage
of the. city, and are. a dangerous aOurce1
of nlalarial poison. The reehpqatim
will improve the navigation fttle riv-
deepening its channel; and is also Of
Importance, when considered in con-
nectiOn with the extension of the pub
lie ground and the enlargement of the
park, west and south of the Washing
ton Monument. The report of the
Board of Survey, heretofore ordefsd
by act of congress. on the improve
ment of the harbor of Washington and
Georgetown, is respectfully commend
pd tn noI6
The report of the Commissioners of
| the District of Columbia presents q de-
tailed statement of the affairs ofsthe
| District. ~
/ The relative expenditures by the
United States and the District for local
purposes is contrasted, showing thai
the expenditures by the people of the
District greatly exceed those of the
general government. The exhibit is
the requisite repair of the defective
pavements and sewers of the city,
which is work of Immediate necessi-
ty, and, in the same connection, a plan
| is presented for the permanent funding
| of the outstanding securities of the
| District. sos 54aE9 2: isiAsa 81
| The benevolent, reformatory, and,
! penal institutions of the District are
all entitled to the favorable attention
vi COLSiSSo 4AC ISctOIius soCuOO1 uGtnS,
additional buildings and teachers.
| Appropriations which will place all of.
| these institutions in a condition to be-
come models of usefulness and benifi-
cence will be regarded by the country
as libeIallty wisely bestowed. ~ lFlsw
| The Commissioners, with evident
Justice, request attention to the dis
crImina'i"u made by congress against
the DIstiIcLsIn The uOnaIlOn of land fOr
the support OF the public, schools and
Ask that the same libefaliuy that has
been shown TO the Inhabitants of the
varlsus states and territories of the
| United States may be extended to the
| District of Columbia. ~ 2.s-ffrfil ils
The Commissioners also invite at
tention to the damage inflicted upon
the public aud private interests by the
present location of the depots and
switching tracks of the several rail-
roads entering the city, and ask for
| legislation looking to their removal
The recommendations and suggestions
contained in the report will, [ trust,
receive the careful consideration OF
congress. -l 40,
Sufficient time has, perhaps, not
elapsed since the reorganization of the
government of the District, under the
recent legislation of congress, for the
expression of confident opinion as to
its successful operation but the pruc-
ticaI results already attained are SO sat
isfactOry that the friends of thehnew
government may well urge upon. con-
gress the wisdom of its continuance,
without modification, until, by actual
experience, its advantages and defects
may be more fully ascertained.H.ti 5d
X. B. HAYES.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dec. 2, 1873.