The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-03

mont, this species Of establishment contributing
doubly to the increase OF improvement bY
stimulating to enterprise and experiment. and
by drawing 70 a common contre the results
everywhere Of individual skill and observation.
and spreading them thence over the whole ma.
ton. Experience accordingly hath shown that
they & aro nnyo, very cheap instruments oil immense
The great proRonderanoe Of the aesSIcaIturSl
by Washington. About one-hali OF the popula-
ton q the United States f ENGAGED IN
DFGsuos Of the So vrnH SoG sses
year 1878 is. estimated at t3.00O.0OO.OQO.
The exports OF agricultural products for tho
bureau bur- 10 Of Statistics we're s524 CoOo The
groat extent Of our country with It's diversity
within our own borders and by our own labor.
not only the necessares but most OF the lukuries
that are consumed In civilized copn,Ties,j n c,ats &
and intercommunication, II appears IRON tue
statistical statements in the, report Of the Com
missioner Of Agriculture that we import an,
nually from foreign lands many millions of
dollars worth OF agricultural products when
Numerous questions arise In the practice OF
advanced agriculture which can only be an
swered by experlmepte. often costly and some;
private individuals. and are n Just and proper
charge on the whole nation for the benefit the
nation. II is good policy. especially in times OF
depression and uncertainty in other business
pursuits with u vast area OF uncultivatod and
hence unproductive territory. wisely opened 70
homestead settlement to encourage. by eyery
proper and legitimate means, the occupation
and tiage OF the soil. The efforts OF the De:
partmcnt OF Agriculture TO stimulate old and
Introduce new agricultural Industries. to i'm.
prove the quality and Increase tho quantity OF
our products, to determine tho value q oid Or
ture. are worthy OF your careful and favorable
consideration. and assistance by such appro-
ties as may seem to be demanded by the present
favorable conditions for the growth and rapid
development OF this important interest
The abuse Of animals in transit is widely at
tracing public attention. A national conven-
ton Of societies specially Interested in the sub
ject has recently met nj Baltimore. and the facts
developed, both in regard to cruelties 70 animals
and the effect of such cruelties upon the public
health, would seem TO demand the careful con;
siderution OF Congress, and the enactment OF
more efficient laws for the prevention oil these
abuses.
The report OF tho Commissioner Of the Bureau
OF Education shows worry gratifying progress
throughout tho country in all the interests
committed 10 the caro- OF this important office.
| The report is especially encouraging with re-
| spcct to the extension Of the advantages OF the
| common school system in sections Of the coun-
| try whore the general enjoyment OF the prvi-
legc Of free schools II not yet attained
To education more than to any other agency
wo are TO look, IA tho resource Tor tho advance
mcnt of tho people, In the requisite knowledge
and appreciation OF their rights and RESPONSE
| b.litcs ns citizens. and dcsirc TO repeat the
suggestion contained in my former message In
| behalf OF tho enactment Of appropriate measures
| by Congress for the purpose OF hupplcmenting,
| with national aid the local systems OF education
| In the several States
| Adequate accommodations for tho great
| library which Is overgrowing the capacity Of
| be- provided without further delay. This invalu-
able collection OF books. manuscripts. and Illus
| trativo art has grown to such proportions. in
| connection with the copyright system OF the
| country. rs to demand the prompt and careful
| attention Of Congress to snye i from injury in
| its present crowded and insufficient quarters
Az this library Is national In its character. and
must. from the nature oi the case increase over
cannot be doubted that the people will sanction
any wise expenditure to preserve II and TO en-
Tho appeal Of tho Regents Of the Smithsonian
Institution for the means to organize. exhibit
and make available ior the public henent lh'
tionaL Museum. heartily recommend TO YOU
| favorable consideration.
THR DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The attention Of Congress is again invited t.
the condition OF the river front Of the city o
Washington, II IL matter of vital importanc'
to the health Of the residents OF the nationa
the low lands in front of the city. now subject L
tidal overflow, should be reclaimed. In thei
present condition these flats ohetruct the drain
age OF the city. and are dangerous source o
mhluriRl poison. The reclamation will improve
the navigation OF the river by restricting. an,
Consequently dcoDcning. its channel. and Is als'
Of importance when considered in connection
with the extension of the public ground and th,
washlngton Monument. @ n The report % Of th
Board OF Survey heretofore ordered by act o
Congress on the Improvement Of the harbOr o
Washington and GEORGETOWN. 10 respectfully
commended To- consideration.
The report Of the Commissioners Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia presents "A detailed statemen
OF the aitnirs OF the District.
The relative expenditures by the United state
and the District for local purposes Is contrasted
showing that the expenditures by tho people o
| the District greatly exceed thoee OF the Genera
Government. Tho exhibit is made In connoc
ton with estimates for the requisite repair o
the defective pavements and sewers OF the city
which II work Of immediate necessity and
in the same connection. a plan is presented 70
the permanent funding OF tho outstanding So
| curitics OF the District.
The benevolent reformatory and penal in
atitutions of the District are all entitled to tn
favorable attention Of Congress-. The Reform
School needs additional buildings and teachers
Appropriations which will place all OF these in
stitutlons In condition TO become models o
usefulness and bcneiicence will be regarded b
the country as ltberaliy wisely bestowed.
The Commissioners. with evident justice, re
quest attention 10 the discrimination made b
Congress against the District in the donation O
land for the support OF the public schools an
ask that the snine libernlty that has been showl
To the inhabitants Of the various states and Ter
ritories of tho United States may be extendc,
tn the District Of Colu mbia.
The Commissioners also invite attention {
the damage inflicted upon public and privat
interests 10y the present location oI the depot
and switching tracks Of the several railroad
entering the city. and ask for legislation look
ine to thoir removal. Tho recommendation
and suggestions contained in the report will.
trust receive the careful consideration OF Con
grGss.
Sufficient time has. perhaps not elapsed sine
the reorganization OF the government OF til
District. under tho recent legislation Of Con
gress for the expression Of a confident opiniO
rs to liz successful operation; but the practici
results already attained are SO satisfactory tha
the friends OF the now government may We
urge upon Congress the wisdom OF its continu
ance. without essential modification. until. b
actual experience its advantages and defect
may be- more fully nscertnined. X. Is. HAYES.
Executive MANSION. Dec. 2. 1878.
JOHN SHERMdN'S REPORT