Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-12-03


question of public economy. The rapid destruc-
ton OF our forests is an evil fraught with the
gravest consequences, especial in the mou ntain
Gus districts. where the rocky slopes once denuded
oil Their trees, will remain so forever. There the
injury once done, cannot be repaired
fully concur with the Secretary of the Int
ria in the opinion that for this reason leoisla
ton touching the public timber in the mountain.
ous states and territories of the west, should be
especially well considered, and that existing law,
IN which the destruction of the forests is not suf
hcien,ly gua,ded against, should be speedily mod
flied. A general law concerning this important
subject appears TO me to be matter eff urgent ne.
COSTLY.
THE INTERESTS OF AGRICULTURE
From the organization of the Government the
mpor tarce of encouraging nv all possible means
the increase of our agricultural production has
been acknowledged and urged upon the attention
ofCongress and the people as the surest and read
leSt means OF increasing our substantial and en-
during prosperity
The words Of W Arlington are As applicable to-day
as when in his eighth annual message he said, at
is not to he doubted that with reference either to
individual or rational welfare. agriculture is Of
pr mary Importance. In proportion o. nations ad
vance IN population and other circumstances Of
maturity this truth becomes NOR. apparent and
renders the cultivation of the soil more and more
an object of public patronage. Insttu-
tons Tor promoting 1t grow mp supported by the
public purse, and to what can il be dedicated with
greater propriety Amorg the means which have
been employed to this end, none have been attend
ed with greater success than the establishment f
boards composed of proper characters, charged
with collecting aud ditinsng information, and
enabled by premiums and small pccuniarv aids,
TO encourage and assist the spirit of discovery
and improvement this species of establishment
contributing douhly to the increase of improve
ment by stimulating to ene prise and experiment.
and by drawing to common centre. the results
everywhere of individLa al skill ard observation
and spreading them thence over the whole nation
Experience accordingly hsth shown that they are
very cheap instruments, of immense National ber-
eft" The or al preponderancc of the agrcultn-
raj over any other interest in the United States,
entities II to all the consideration claimed for it
by Washington About onc-half of the popula
ton of the United States is engaged in sgricul-
ture. The value of the agricultural pro iucts of
the United States for the year 1873, is estimated
at $4,000 600, 900. The exports of agricultural
products for the year 1871 a. appears from the
report of TIE bureau IF statistics, were S524,-
COO 900. The great extent of our country,
with its diversity of sol and climate, enables US
to produce within our own borders. and BY our
own labor not only the necessaries but most of the
Injuries that are consumed in civilized countries.
Yet, notwithstanding our advantages of soil. eli
mate and nter-communications, it appears from
the statistical statements in the report of the Com
missioner of Agriculture that we import annu ally
from foreign lands many millions of dollars worth
OF agricultural products which could he raised in
our own country.
Numerous questions arise in the practice of ad-
vanced agriculture, which can only be answered
by experiments often costly and sometimes fruit
less. which are beyond the means Of private ind
vidnas. and are just aud proper charge on the
whole nation for the benefit of the nation. 1t is
good policy. especially in times of de-
preston and uncertainty in other business
pursuits, with vast area OF uncultivated
and hence uuproductve territory, widely
opened to home stead settlement, to encourage nv
and leptimsta IN tho patin m
and tillage of the soil The efforts of the depart
men. of agriculture to stimulate old aud intro
dnce new agricultural industries, to improve the
quality and Increase the quantity of our products,
10 determine the value of old or establish
the importance of new methods Of culture, are
worthy of your careful and favorable consideration
and assistance hy such appropriations of money
aud enlargement of facilities, as NAV seem to he
demanded by the present favorable conditions for
the growth and rapid Development of this i'm
por.ant interest.
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.
Inc abuse OF animals IN transit ls widely at
tracing pubic attention. national convention
of societies specially interested 10 the subject has
recently met at Baltimore, and the facts developed
both in regard to cruelties to snimals and the eff
feet of such cruelties upon the public health,
would seem 20 demand the careful cons iders ton
of Congress and the enactment Of more efficient
laws tor the prevention of these abuses.
EDUCATIONAL.
The report OF the commissioner of the bureau
of educatioD shows very gratifying progress
throughout the country in all the Interests com nit
ted TO the care OF this important office. The
report Is especially eDcouraging with respect 10
the extension of the the advantages Of the CON-
mon school system in sections OF the country
where the general enjoyment of the privilege of
free schools is not yet attained. To education
more than to any other agency we are to look a.
the source for the advancement of the people, in
the requisite Knowledge and appreciation of their
rights and responsibilities as citizens; and l de
sire to repeat the suggestion contained in my for.
mer message in behalf of the enactment of APP
propri,te measures by Congress for the
purpose of experimenting with national aid the
local systems of education in tue several States
THE CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY.
Adequate accommodations Tor the great library
which is overgrowing the capacity Of the rooms
now occupied at the Capital shonld be prov :ded
without further delay. This invaluable collection
of books. manuscripts and illustrative art, has
grown to such proportions, 10 connection with the
copyright system of the country, a to demand the
p ompt and careful attention of Congress to save
from injury in its present crowded and insult
Gent quarters. AS this library is national in its
character, and must from the nature Of the case
increase even more in the future than in the past,
it cannot be doubted that the people will sanction
any wise expeodture to preserve it and to en-
large its usefulness.
The appeal Of the regents eff the Smithsonian
Institution, for the means to orgonize, exhibit
and make available for the public benefit the art
clos stored away belonging to the National
museum, | heartily recommend to your favor
able consideration.
LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS.
The attention of Congress is again invited to the
condition of the river front of the city of Wash.
ington. 1t is matter of vital importance to the
health of the residents of the National capital,
both temporary and permanent, that the low
lands in front of the city, subject to
It'd al overflow, should be reclaimed. In
their present condition, these fats OBJ
struct the drainage of the city and are dan
gerous source of malarial poison. The recama-
ton will improve the navigation Of he river by
restricting and consequently deepening its chau-
mel and also of importance when considered in
connection with the extension of the public
grounds and the enlargement of the park west
and south Of the Washington monument. The
report of the board Of survey heretofore ordered
by act OF Congress the improvement of the
harbor of Washington and Georgetown is respect
fully recommended to consideration The report
of the commissioners of the District
of Columbia presents a detailed statement
Of the affairs of the District. The
relative expenditures by the United States
and the District for local purposes are contrasted
showing that the expenditures by the people OF
the District greatly exceed those of the general
government. The expenses made in connection
with estimates for the requisite repairs Of the de-
fective drains aud sewers of the city, which is
work of immediate necessity, and in the same