The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-12-03

civilized countries Yet uotwithstandine onr
advantages of soil, climate and inter-com mum.
catlon 1t appears from the statistical statements
| IN the report of the Commissioner of Agri.
culture that we import annually from foreign
lands many million of dollars worth of agricnI
tural products, which could be raised in our
own country.
Numerous questions arse in the psctice of
advanced agriculture which can onIv he
answer by experiments, costly and soma
| times fruitless, which are beyond the means of
private individuals, and just and proper
charge on the whole nation for the b.netit of
the nation. It is good policy especiaIIv in
tunes of depression and uncertainty of other
business pursuits with vast area of uncul-
tivated and hence unproductive territory wise
ly opened to homestead settlement tn an.
courage by every proper and legitimate means
the occupation and tillage of the soil. The
efforts OF the department of agriculture to
stimulate old and introduce new Agricultural
INDUSTRIES mo to Improve the quality and increase
the quantity OF our products, to determine the
value OF old OF establish the importance of new
methods of culture are worthy of your careful
and favorable consideration and assistance h.
such appropriations of money and enlarge
ment of facilities as NAV seen to be- demanded
py the present favorable conditio MS for the
growth and rapid development of this i'm.
portant interest
TrnnsportationEof Animals.
me abuse OF animals in transit IS widely at.
tracing public attention. A national convsn.
ton of societies specially Interested in the sn-
lect mas recently met in Baltimore and the
facts developed both in regard to cruelties to
animals and the effect of such crueit,es nnon
the public health would seem to demand The
Careful consideration of Congress and the enact /
ment OF more efficient laws for the prevention
OF these abuses.
The Bureaujof Education.
The report of the Commissioner Of the b.
reau OF Education shows very gratifying prog.
ress tnroughout tue country in all the interests
Eohnieteu 10 the care OIL this important office.
Inc report IS especially encouraging with re-
spect to the extension of the advantages of the
common sch00l system IN, sections of the conn
Try where the general enjoyment of the pr,vi.
ieges OF the free schools is not attained, To
educatlon more than to any other agency wa
are to Look as the resource for the adv apcement
OF the people in the requisite knowledge and
appreciation OF their rig hts and Responsibilities
as ciuzens, and desire to repeat the suegas-
tlons contained in my former. message in he
H Hal Vi tne enactment OF appropriate measures by
congress Tor the purpose of suoplsmentIng
t WIN naslonal AID the local systems of e1ucs-
zion In the several states.
The Congressional Library.
adequate Recommendations for the great
tua nns WHICH Is oyergrowng the Capacity of
sno roou low occupied at the Capitol sh0uId
De provided without further DELAY. TINS in
valuable collection of books, manuscriots and
art has grown to such proportions
~ connection WIN the copy wright system of
tne country as to demand the prompt and cars
inl attention OF Congress to save it from ininrn
IN It's present crowded and Insufficient oHar.
ters AS this library Is national IN its charac
Yer and must from the nature of the case in.
Ine past, 1t cannot be doubted that the people
WIN sanctlon any wise expenditure to presefve ,
IL ana to OF large it's USE faipess. !
The Smithsonian Institute.
Ine appeal of the regents of the Smith
'oAian inseltuslon Tor the means to organize,