Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-04

claims, the suspension Of their labors, before de-
.efmlnlng the right Of claimants threatened for n
time U embatrass the interests not only Of the
g0Nernment, but also Of large number Of the
oiu.'hs oI iiut Springs, who were waiting for final
ACTON on their claims before beginning contern-
p.nteu improvements. In order to prevent serious
ulincuites which were apprehended and Mt the
s,riia..on OF many leading citizens Of Hot
Springs, and Others interested in the welfare Of
the town, the Secretary Of the Interior was an
th0rized to request the late commissioners 10 take
charge OF the records Of their proceedings and TO
perform such work rs could proporly he done nv
them under such circumstances TO facilitate no
future adjudication Of the claims at an early dav
ana 10 preserve the status of the claimants until
thelr rights should he finally determined The
late commissioners complied with that rennest
and report that the testimony. in all the eases
mas been written out examined briefed and so
arranged as to facilitate an early settlement when
authorized by law. 1t Is recommended that the
requisite authority be given ut ms early a day in
tne session ~ possible, and that fair compensa-
ton he allowed the late commissioners for the es-
pense incurred and the labor performed by them
since the 18th Of June last.
PRESERVATION or TIMBER LANDS.
invite the attention Of Congress to the recon-
i uhiutpns made by the Secretary Of the Interior
w'th regard to the preservation Of the timber on
the public lands Of the United States The pro-
nc ltion 81 the public property is one Of the first
u ~. oI Tue government. The Department Of
W. INFERIOR should therefore be enabled by sui
cleht appropriations, 10 enforce the laws In that
respect. Bnt this matter appears still more i'm
Pornnt as question Of public economy. The
RAPID destruction Of our forests is an evil fraught
with the grlvest consequences esneciallv in Tho
mountainous districts. where the rocky siones
once denuded Of their trees, will remain 40 for
ever There the injury, once done. cannot be re-
paHea' luly concur with the Secretary Of the
Interior in the opinion that for this reason leois
atlon touching the public timber in the mountain
Gus states and territories Of the West should lie
specially wen considered, and that existing laws,
~ wilch the destruction Of tile forests is not sufi-
Gently guarded against, should be speedily fnodi-
ned: general law concerning this important
SUBJECT appears TO me 10 he a matter OF urgent
pubic necessity.
AGRICULTURAL MATTERS
From the organization Of the government, the
Importance Of encouraging by ali possible means.
the increase OF our agricultural productions has
been acknowledged and urged upon the attention
oil Congress and the people as the surest and
readiest means Of increasing our substantial and
enduring prosperity. The words Of Washington
are as applicable to-day as when in his eigbtL
annual message he said " 1t is not to be doubted
that with reference either TO individual or national
welfare, agriculture is of primary Importance In
proportion as nations advance in population and
other circumstances of maturity, This truth be
comes more apparent, and renders the cultivation
OF the soil more and more an object of public
patronage Institutions for promoting il grow mn
supported by the public purse-and to what OBJ
Ject can 1t be dedicated with greater proprietvo
Among the means which have been employed In
TINS end none have been attended with greater
success than the establishment of boards com
posed OF proper oh aracters charged with collect
ing and dihusing information, and enabled Inv
premiums and small pecunary aids to encourage
ana assist the spirit Of discovery and improve
inent, TINS species of establishment contributing
uouoly To tlle increase OF Improvement by stimua-
ting TO enterprise and experiment and by draw
ing 10 common centre the results everywhere of
individual skill and observation, and spreading
mem thence over the whole nation. Experience
accordingly hath shown that they are very chean
Instruments OF immense national benefit -
The great preponderance Of the agricultural
over any other interest in the United States en-
,tles It to all the consideration claimed for it by
W ashlngtpn. About One-half of the ponulation
IF the United States Is engaged in n,ricnltnre
The value OF the agricultural products of the
nlted States for the year 1878 is estimated at
hree Thousand millions Of dollars. The exports
II agricultural products for the year 1871 as an
bears from the report Of the Bureau of Statisiies
we're five hundred and twenty-four millions OF
iollars. The great extent of our country with
Is diversity OF soil and climate, enables us to
produce within our own borders and bv otir own
AMOR, not only the ncccssaries but most of the
nXnres That are consumed in civilized countries
Yet notwithstanding our advantages of soil
Innate ana intercommunication. it appears from
ne statistical statements in the report of the
Commissioner of Agriculture that we impott an
iually from foreign lands many millions Of dol
hrs worth OF agricultural products which could
le raised in our own country
Numerous questions arise in the practice Of adj
'anced agriculture which can only be answered by
experiments, often costly and sometimes frnitless
which are beyond the means of private iudividu-
lis, and are n jnstand proper charge on the whole
iation for the benefit OF the nation. II il puod
'ollcy, especially in times of depression and nucer-
alnty in other business pursuits with a vast area
II uncultvated, and hence unproductive terri
DRY, wisely opened to homestead settlement tn
,ncourage by every proper and Legitimate means
ne occupation and tillHge OF the soil The efforts
u the department OF Agriculture to stimulate
'ld ana introduce new agricultural industries, to
improve the quality and increase the quantity of
'nr products, TO determine the value of old or es-
apilsh the Importance of new methods of culture
Ire worthy OF your careful and favorable consd-
ration and assistance by such appropriations of
money ana enlargement Of facilities a. may seem
. be demanded by the present favorable condi-
ions for the growth and rapid development Of
his important interest
ANIMALS IN TRANSIT
Inc abuse Of animals in transit is widely at
rictlng public attention. A national convention
societies specially interested in the subject has
ecently met ut Baltimore, and the facts devel-
ped, both in regard to crueties to animals and
ne erect oil such crueliies upon the public health
you'd seem to demand the careful consideration
congress ana the enactment Of more efficient
iWs Tor the prevention Of these abuses
nuREAu OF EDUCATION
me report Of the Commissioner of the Bureau
Education shows very graft wing progress
throughout the country in all the interests com
litted to the care of this important office The
rport Is especially encouraging with respect 10
ne extension OF the advantages of the common
ihool SYSTEM IN sections of the country where
ne general enjoyment Of the privilege of free
ihoos is not yet attained. To education more
nan 10 any other agency we are to look as the
source Tor the advancement Of the people in
re requisite knowledge and appreciation Of their
ghts and responsibilities rs citizens and desire
, repeat the suggestion contained in nv former
essage IN behalf of the enactment of appropriate
eastres by Congress for the purpose OF sipple-
entng, with national aid the local systems of
iucation in the several states.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Adequate accommodations for the great library
men is overgrowing the capacity of the rooms
ow occupied Mt the Capitol, should be provided
ithont further delay. This invaluable collection
books manuscripts, and illustrative ant. has
own to such proportions, in connection with the
pyright system of the country, as To demand
re prompt and careful attention of Congress TO
we II from injury in its present crowded and
sufficient quarters. As this library is national
It's character, and must, from the nature of the
Sc, increase even more rapidly in the future
an III the past, II cannot be doubted that the
ople VIII sanction any wise expenditure to pre-
rye II and To enlarge its usefulness
The appeal of the regents of the Smithsonian
stltutlon Tor the means 10 organize, exhibit and
AXE available for the public benefit the articles
w stored away belonging to the National
uSeum, heartily recommend to your favorable
nsideraton.
The attention of Congress Is again invited to
condition OF the river-front of the city of
ashlngton. Ii is "a matter of vital importance
tue health OF the residents of the National
plttl, both temporal and permanent, that the
lands IN front of the city, now subject to tidal
eriiow, should be reclaimed In their present
lditon these flats obstruct the drainage Of the
y, and are dangerous source of maaria
son. The reclamation will improve the navi.
Ilon OF the river by restricting and consequently
opening Its channel, and Is also of Importance
zen considered in connection with the extension
the public ground and the enlargement of the
TX west and south Of the Washington monn-
mt The report Of the board of survey, hereto
e ordered by act of Congress, on the improve
mt of the harbor of Washington and George
IN, Is respectfully commended 10 consideration
The report OF the Commissioners of the District
Columbia presents detailed statement of the
airs of the District. The relative expenditures
the United States and the District for local
poses is contrasted, showing that the eNpend-
res by the people of the District greatly ex-
d those OF the general government The ex-
1t Is made ia connection with estimates for the
uisite repair Of the defective pavements and
iers OF the city which is a work OF immediate
Srslty, and, III the same connection, "A plan is
scented for tie permanent funding of the out
ndng securities OF the District.
he benevolent, reformatory and penal institu-
Is OF the District are all entitled to the favor
G attention Of Congress. The Reform School
DIS additional buildings and teachers An
priations which will place all these institutions
4 condition to become models of usefulness
beneiicence, will be regarded by the country
iberllity wisely bestowed
he Commissioners with evident iustice re-
sted attention 10 the discrimination made nv