West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-12-14

aud responsibilities as citizens, and desire
/ To repeat the suggestion contained in my for.
mer message In behalf OF the enactment o
appropriate measures hy 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 he 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, M to demand tho
prompt aud careful attention Of Congress 10
save IL from injury in its present crowded
and insufficient quarters. As this library Is
national in its character, aud must, from
the nature of the ease, increase even more
rapidly I'm the future than in the past, IL
can not bc doubted that the people will
sanction any wise expenditure 10 preserve Il
and To enlarge it's usefulness.
The appeal OF the Regents Of the Smith
soniau Institution for the means TO orgarixc,
exhibit and make available Tor the public
benefit the articles now stored away belong.
ing to the National Museum, I heartily
recommend 20 your favorable confederation.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Matters.
The attention OF Congress is again
invited TO the condition OF the
rivCr-front OF the CITY Of Washington It
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 he reclaimed. In
their present condition these fats obstruot
the drainage of the city, and are n danger.
ous source Of malnral poison. The re-
clamRtion will improve the navigation OF
the river, by restricting and consequently
deepening it's channel; aud is also of Inn.
pottance, when considered in connection
with the extension OF the public grounds
and the enlargement Of the park, west and
south OF the Washington Monument. Tho
report Of the board of survey, heretofore
ordered by act OF Congress, on the improve
ment of the harbor Of Washington and
Georgetown, IL respectfully commended to
consideration.
The report Of the Commissioners OF the
District OF Columbia presents 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 expenditures
by the people Of the District greatly ex.
oeed those OF the General Government
The exhibit is made In connection with
estimates for the requisite repair OF the de.
fective pavements and sewers of the city,
which rs work of immediate necessity,
and, in the same connection, n plan ia pTe.
sented for the permanent funding of the
outstanding securities of the District.
The benevolent, retormatory, and penal
institutions OF the District are all entitled
TO the favorable attention of Congress- Tho
Reform School needs additional building
and teachers. Appropriations which win
place all these institutions in condition TO
become models OF usefulness aud benef.
cence, will be regarded by the country as
liberality wisely bestowed.
The Commissioners, with evident justice,
requestattention TO the discrimination made
by Congress against this District in the
donation Of land for the support OF the pub.
lie schools, and ask that the same liberty
that has been shown To the inhabitants Of
the various States and Territories OF the
United States, may be extended TO the Dis
trict OF Columbia.
The Commissioners also invite attention
to the damage inflicted upon public and
private interests by the present location OF
the depOts and switching tracks OF the
several railroads entering the city, and ask
Tor legislation looking To their removal
The recommendations and suggestions con.
tanned in the report will, trust receive
the careful confederation of Congress.
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 con.
hdent opinion as to it's successful operations
but the practical results already attained
are so satisfactory that the friends of the
new government may we'll urge upon Con-
gress the wisdom Of is continuance, with
out essential modification, until by actual
experience it's advantages and defects may
be more fully ascerinined r. B. HAYES
EXECUTIVE MANSION De""mher 2, 1873.