River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-12-05

with respect TO the extension Of tbs advantages
Of The common sonool system ia sections of the
country where the general enjoyment of the
privileges of free schools is not yet allowed
To education, more than to any other agency,
we are TO look as the resource for the advance
ment of the people in the requisite knowledge
and appreciation of their rights and RESPONSE
bilitles citizens, and L desire to repeat the
suggestion contained in my former message in
behalf of the enactment of appropriate meas
nres by Congress for the purpose of supple
menting with national aid the local systems of
education in the several States.
LIBRARY ACCOMMODATIONS.
Adequate accommodations for the great
library, which is outgrowing the capacity Of
the rooms now occupied at the capitol. should
be provided without further delay. This val
liable collection of books, manuscripts and IL
Illustrative art has grown to such proportions, 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 cannot be doubted that the people will
sanction any wise expenditure TO preserve it and
enlarge ITS usefulness
NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The appeal of the regents of the Smithsonian
Institution for means TO organize an exhibit
and make available for the public benefit the
articles now stored away belonging 90 the Ma
| tional museum, | heartily recommend TO your
favorable consideration.
THE HEALTH OF CAPoroIIANs.
The attention of Congress is again invited to
the condition of the river front of the city Of
| Washington. 1t is matter Of vital import.
ance to the health of the residents Of the ma
| ional capital, both temporary and permanent
| that the lowlands in front Of the city
now subject to tidal overflow, should
/ be reclaimed. In their present eondi-
ton these flats obstruct the drainage of the
city and are a dangerous source of malarial
poison. The reclamation will improve the
navigation Of the river by restricting and conse-
quently deepening its channel, and is also OF
4 Importance when considered III connection
with the extension of the public ground and
/ the enlargement of the park west and south OF
1 the Washington monument.
WASHINGTON HARBoR.
/ The report of the board of survey heretofore
ordered by act of Congress on the Improvement
of the harbor of Washington and Georgetown,
is respectfully commended to consideration.
DISTRICT MATTERS.
| The report of the canvass of the District OF
| Columbia, presents a detailed statement Of The
| affairs of the District. The relative expendi-
lures of the United States and the District fol
local purposes, is contrasted, showing that tbs
expenditures by the people of the District
greatly exceed those of the general government
The exhibit is made in connection with esti-
mates for the requisite repair of the defective
pavements and sewers of the city, which is a
| work of immediate necessity, and in the same
connection plan is presented for the perma-
- Ii
the District. The benevolent reformatory and
penal institutions of the District are entitled
TO the favorable attention of Congress. The
reform school needs additional buildings and
teachers. Appropriations watch will place all
of these institutions in condition to become
models of usefulness and benefcence, viii be
regarded by the country as lIberality wisely
! bestowed.
The commissioners with evident justice re-
quest attention to the discrimination made by
Congress against the District in the donation
of land for the support Of the public schools
and ask that the same iberality that has been
shown to the various States and Territories OF
| the United States, ray be extended to the Dis
trict of Columbia The commissioners alsC
invite attention to the damage inflicted upon
! public and private interests by the present To-
cation of the depots and switching tracks OF
| the several railroads 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.
Sufficient time has perhaps not yet elapsed
since the reorganization of the government OF
| the District under the recent legislation Of
| Congress for the expression of a confident
opinion as to its successful operation, but the
practical results already attained are so salts
| factory that the friends of the new government
may well urge upon Congress tie wisdom OF
| its continuance without essential modification,
/ nd
defects may be more fully ascertaineG.
r. b. HAYES.
ExEcC7IyE MANSION, Washington, ID. G., Dee
! 2, 1878.