The New York herald., 1878-12-03

common centre the results every where of individual
skill and observation. and spreading them thence
over the whole nation. Experience accordingly hath
shown that they are very cheap instruments of i'm
national benefit.
The great preponderance of the agricultural over
any other interest in the United states entities it TO
all the consideration claimed Tor it by Washington
About half OF the population of the United States
is engaged in agriculture. The value of the agrcul-
tura products Of the United states for the year 1875
is estimated at s3ooo0oo0Oo The exports of agrcul-
tural products for the year 1877. as appears
from the report of the Bureau of Statistics,
were S52i 100000. The great extent Of orr
country. with its diversity OF soil and climate.
enables us 70 produce within borders and
by our own labor, not only the necessAries but most
OF the lxuries that consumed in civilized cou-
tries. Yet Notwithstanding our advantages OF SOL,
climate and Recommendation II appears from the
statistical statements in the report OF the Comrs-
sioner of Agriculture that import annually from
foreign lands many millions or dollars worth of
agricultural products which could be raised in our
country.
Numerous questions arise in the practice OF ad-
vanced agriculture which can only be answered by
expsrm;,ilts often costly and sometimes fruitcss.
which are beyond the means OF private individuals.
and are Just ana proper charge on the wnoie maton
especially In times OF depression and uncertainty in
other business pursuits. with vast area OF uncu.-
.iyated, and hence unproduc.ive territory. wisely
opened TO homestead settlement, to encourage. by
every proper and legitimate means, the occupation
and tiliage Of the soil The efforts of the Depart
lncnt Of agriculture to stimulate old and introduce
new agricultural industries to improve the quality
and increase the quantity OF our products,
tance of methods OF culture are worthy Of yuur
careful favorable consideration aud assistance by
cilties as may seem to be demanded BY the present
favorable conditions for the growth and rapid devcl
opnient of this important interest.
The abuse OF animals III transit Is widely attracting
public attention. national convention Of societies
specially interested in the subject has recently met at
Baltimore and the facts developed both in regard to
cructies animals aud the effect OF such crueties
upon the public health would seem to demand the
careful consideration of Congress and the enactment
f~u At.v ~
abuses.
The report OF the Commissioners Of the Bureau Of
Education shows very gratifying progress through
out the country in all the interests committed to the
care OF this important Office The report is espc-
cially encouraging with respect To the extension or
the advantages of the school system IN rec
tons the country where the general enjoyment OF
the privilege of free schools is not vet attained To
education tLan to any other agency we are -
look the resource for the advancement OF the peo-
pie in the requisite knowledge and appreciation of
their rights and responsibilities citizens, aud de-
sire to repeat tho suggestion contained in my former
message in behalf OF the enactment OF appropriate
measures by Congress for the purpose OF supple
raenting with national aid the local systems OF edil
cation in the several States.
Adequate accommodations for the great library.
which IS overgrowng tho capacity OF the rooms now
occupied at the CAPITOL should be provided without
further delay. This Invaluable collection of books,
manuscripts and illustrative art has grown to such
proportions in connection with the copyright system
of the country, to demand the prompt and careful
attention of Congress to save it from injury in its
library is national in its character and must from the
nature OF the increase more rapidly in the
future than in the past it cannot be doubted that the
people will sanction any wise expenditure to preserve
II and to enlarge its usefulness.
The appeal OF the regents Of the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition Tor the means to organize exhibit aud make
available for the public benefit the articles nov stored
away belonging to- the National Museum / heartily
recommend to your favorable consideration.
DISTRICT COLUMBIA.
The attention OF Congress is again invited 10 the
condition OF the river front of the city of Washing
Of the residents Of the national capital, both tenn
porary and permanent, that the low lands in front Of
the CITY, subject to tidal overflow, should be re-
claimed In their present condition these flats OBJ
struct tho drainage of the city, and dangerous
source of mal2ria poison. The reclamation will i'm
prove the navigation OF the river. by restricting and
consequently deepening its channel and is also of
importance when considered in connection with the
extension of the public ground and the enlargement
,,ment The rcportof the Board Of Survey. hereto
fore ordered by act OF Congress the Improvement
OF the harbor Of Washington and Georgetown Is re-
spcctfully commended to consideration.
The report of the Commissioners OF the District Of
Columbia presents detailed statement Of the affairs
of the District
The relative expenditures by the United States and
the District for local purposes s contrasted, show
ing that the expenditures BY the people OF the Dis
rict greatly exceed those of the general government
The exhibit Is made in connection with estimates
for the requisite repair of the defective pavenens
and OF the city, which il work OF mmcdiate
necessity and in the connection, plan pre-
sented for the permanent funding OF the outstanding
securities OF the District.
The benevolent. rcformatory and penal institutions
OF the District all entitled to the favorable attcn
tion Of Congress. The Reform School needs adLi-
tional buildings and teachers. Appropriations which
will place Ill Of these institutions in condition to
become models OF usefulness and bcnehcence viii be
regarded by the country as hberalty wisely be-
slowed.
The Commissioners. with evident justice, request
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
lbraity that has been shown to the Inhabitants of
the various States and Territories of the United States
may be extended to the District of Columbia
, The Commissioners also invite attention to tho
damage inflicted upon public and private interests by
the present location OF the depots and switching tracks
Of the several railroads entering the CITY, and ask for
legislation looking to their removal. Tho
datiois and suggestions contained in the report WILL
trust receive the careful consideration Of Congress.
Sufficient time has, perhaps. not elapsed since tho
reorganization Of the government Of tho District
der the recent legislation of Congress- tor the
preston OF confident opinion to its successful
operation but the practical results already attained
satisfactory that the friends of the gov
ernment may well urge upon Congress the wisdom
of its continuance without essential modification
until. by actual experience. its advantages and de-
fects may be more fully ascertaincd.
K. H. HAYES.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dec. 2, 1873.