The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-12-03
Iecting and difusing Information,
enabled by premiums and small

pecun1ary aids TO encourage and assist thos
spiritof discovery and Improvement. This
species of establishments contributes
doubly to the increase of Improvement, by
stimulating enterprise and experiment by
drawing 10 common center the results
everywhere of individual skill and observa-
ton and spreading them thence over the
whole nation. Experience accordingly
hath shown that they are very cheap in
struments of immense national benefit"
The great preponderance of the agricultu-
raj over any other interest in the United
States entities it to all the consideration
claimed for it by Washington. About one
half the population of the United States
is engaged in agriculture. The value
of the agricultural products of the United
States for the year 1873 is estimated at
So, DOC, 900, 900. The exports of agricultural
products for the year 1877, as appears from
the report of the Bureau of Statistics, were
$524, 100000. TIE great extent of our
country with its diversity of soil and.
climate, enables us to produce within our
own borders and by our own labor, not
only the necessaries but most of the luxur
les that are consumed in civilized countries
Yet, Notwithstanding our advantages of
soil, climate and internal communication,
il appears from statistical statements
in the report of the Commissioner
OF Agriculture, that we import an
nually from foreign landD many millions
of dollars worth of agricultural products
which could be raised in our own country
Numerous questions arise in the practice
of advanced agriculture which can only be
answered by experiments often costly and
sometimes truitless, which are beyond the
means of private individuals and are Just
and proper charge on the whole nation for
the benefit of the nation. 1t is good pol
icy, especially in times of depression and
uncertainty in other business pursuits, with
vast area of uncultivated and hence un-
productive territory wisely opened to home
stead settlement to encourage by every
proper and legitimate means the occupa-
ton and tillage of the soil. The efforts of
the Department of Agriculture 20 stimulate
old and introduce new agricultural indus
tries, to improve the quality and
increase the quantity of our products,
to determine the value of old or establish
the importance of new methods Of culture,
are worthy of your careful and favorable
consideration and assistance by such ap-
preparations of money and enlargement
of facilities as may seem to be demanded
by the present favorable conditions for the
growth and rapid development of this i'm
portant interest.
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.
The abuse of animals in transit is widely
convention of societies specially interested
in the subject has recently met at Balti-
more, and the facts developed both IN re-
gard to cruelties to animals and the effect
of such cruelties upon the public health,
would seem to demand the careful consid-
Grafton of Congress- and the enactment OF
more efficient laws for the prevention of
these abuses.
THE EDUCATIONAL BUREAU
The report of the Commissioner of the
Bureau of Education show very gratifying
progress throughout the country in all the
interests committed to the care of this i'm
portant office. The report is especially en-
couraging with respect to the extension of
the advantages of the common school sys-
tenn in the section of the country where the
general enjoyment of the privilege of free
school is not yet attained. To education,
more than TO anyk other agency, we are to
look as the resources for the advancement
of the people in the requisite knowledge
and appreciation of their rights and re-
spOnsibilities as citizens, and desire to re-
peat the suggestion contained in my for
mer message in behalf of the enactment of
appropriate measures by Congress for the
purpose of experimenting with national
aid the local systems of education in the
several States.
i TILE CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY.
Adequate accommodations for the great IL
brary, which is oyergrowing the capacity
| of the rooms now occupied at the capitol.
should be provided'without further DELAY
This invaluable collection of books, manu-
scripts and illustrative art, has grown
TO such proportions in connection with
the copyright system of the country
as to demand the prompt and careful atten-
| ton OF Congress to save injury in the
present crowed and insufficient quarters.
AS this library is national in character, and
must from the nature of the case increase
even more rapidly in the future than in the
past, 1t cannot be doubted that the people
viii sanction any wise expenditure to pre-
serve and to enlarge its usefulness.
/ THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
The appeal of the regents of the Smith
sonian Institution for the means to organ
ize, exhibit and make available for the pub
| lie benefit the articles now stored away be-
longing to the National Museum, 1 heartily
recommend to your favorable consideration
wAsHINeToN's RIVER FRONT.
The attention of Congress is again invited
to the condition of the river front of the CITY
of Washington. 1t is a matter of vital i'm
portance to the health ofthe residents of the
national capital both temporary and per-
manent, that the low lands in front of the
c1ty subject TO tidal overflow should be re
claimed. In their present condition these
flats obstruct the drainage of the city, and
are dangerous source of malarial poison.
The reclamation will improve the naviga-
ton of the river by restricting, and conse-
quently deepening the channel, and is also
of importance when considered in connec-
ton with the extension of the public
grounds, and the enlargement of the park
west and south of the Washington monu-
ment. The report Of the Board of Survey
heretofore ordered by tof Congress onlthe
| improvement of the harbor of Washington
and Georgetown is respectfully commended
to consideration.
The report of the Commissioners of
: THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
presentsa detailed statement of the affairs oil
{ the District The relative Expenditures by
the United States and District for local
purposes is contrasted, showing that the
expenditures by the people of the District
, greatly exceed those of the general govern
ment. The exhibit is made in connection
!. with the estimates for the requisite repair
. of the defective pavements and sewers Of
! the city, which Is work of immediate ne
cessity, and IN the same connection a plan
: is presented for the permanent funding Of
: | the outstanding securities of the District
u The development of reformatory and pena
!. | institutions OF the District are all entitled
! to the favorable attention of Congress. The
: reform school needs additional buildings
! and teachers. Appropriations which vii
) place all OF these Institutions in condition
to become models of usefulness and benefl
: cence viii be regarded by the country al
y lihnralitv yyicaiv bncfnwnd Tho fs1,. ~, Ia