The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-12-05

Qu~ECvS. V-ptCltlly IN Ins DOuHialnou5
districts where the rocky slopes once
denuje'! Of their trees viii remain so tor
ever. There the injury once done cannot
b repaired. fully concur with the Sec
rotary of the Interior in the opinion that
ior this reason legislation touching The
public timber in the mountainous States
aud territories OF the vest should De espec-
tally well considered, and that the exist
ing laws in which the destruction Of the for
ests Is not su:ici. ntly guarded against,
shouli he speedily modified. A geneI-
al Law concerning this important subject
appears to me to be matter OF urgent put-
lie interest
, OUR Agricultural INTERESTS.
From the organization OF the government
the Importance Of encouraging by all posi-
bic means the increase Of our agricultural
! productions has been acknowledged and
urged upon the attention Of Congress; and
| the people az the surest and readiest means
| Cf increasing our substantial and enduring
prosperity. The words OF Washington are
| "a applicable to-day as when in his eight an
| nUal message he said: 1T il not 70 be
doubted that with reference both TO indiyi
| dual or national welfare agriculture is of
| primary importance in proportion as ma
tional welfare. agriculture il OF primary
importance in proportion as the nation
| advances in population, and other
circumstances Of maturity. This truth
| becomes more apparent and rende rs
the cultivation OF the soil more and more
an object OF public patronage. Institutions
| for promoting /. grow up supported by the
public purse and to what object can it be
| dedicated with greater propriety. Among
4 the means which have been employed to
| thss end none have teen attended with
| greater success than the establishment OF
| boards composed OF proper characters.
| charged with collecting and diilusing infor-
nation, and enabled by premiums and
small pecuDiary aids to encourage ard as
sist the spirit Of discovery and improve
| men', this species of establishment contrib
utiug doUb!y TO the increase
OF improvement by stimulating 10
| enterprise and experiment and by drawing
| to a common center the results every here
OF individual skill and observation, and
spreading them thence over the whole
| nation. Experience accordingly hath
shown that they are very cheap instru-
ments OF immense national benefit" The
great pIeponderance OF the agricultural over
| apyother interest in the United States en-
| titles it TO all the consideration claimed
| for il by Washington. About one-hAlf the
population Of the United States ia engag d
in agriculture. The value OF the agricul-
tural products OF the United States for the
| year 1873 is estimated at $4,000 600 OO0.
| The exports of agricultural products for the
year 1877, "a appears from the report OF the
Bureau of Statistics, were SJ2l 100000.
The great extent OF our country, with Its
| diversity Of soil and climate. enables us to
produce WI hin our own borders and by our
own labor not only the necessaries but
most of the luxuries that are consumed in
civilized countries, yet notwithstanding our
advantages OF soil, climate and inter COM
munication, it appears from the statistical
statements in the report OF the Commits
sioner of Agriculture that we import
annually from foreign lands many millions
of dollars worth of agricultural products
which could be raise in our own country.
Numerous questions arise in the practice
OF advanced agriculture, which can only be
answered by experiments, often costly and
sometimes iruitless, which are beyond the
means of private individuals and are a Just
and proper charge on the whole nation for
the benefit Of the nation. II is good policy,
especially in times OF depression and I'M
certainty in other business pursuits, with
vas, area of uncultivated and hence unpro-
ductive territory, wisely open to homestead
settlement, to encourage, by every
proper and legitimate means, the occupa-
tion and iillage OF the soil. The efforts oil
the Department OF Agriculture to stimulate
old and Introduce new agricultural indus
tries, to improve the quality andi Increase the
quantity of our products, TO determine the
value OF old or establish the Importance
of new methods of culture, are worthy OF
vour careful and favorable consideration,
and assistance by such appropriations OF
money and enlargement OF facilities As may
seem TO be demanded by the present favor
able conditions for the growth and rapid
development Of this importsn: interest.
THE ABUSE OF ANIMALS IN TRANSIT,
Is widely attracting public attention, ard I
national convention of societies specially
interested in the subject has recently met
at Baltimore and the facts developed, both
in regard 10 cruelties TO animals and the
effect Of such Cruelties upon The public
health, which would seem to demand the
careful Consideration Of Congress ard the
enactment of more efficient laws for the
prevention Of these abuses.
EDUCATIONAL.
Tie report of the commissioner OF the
Bureau Of Education shows very gratifying
prog RES throughout the country in all the
interests committed TO the care of this impor-
lant Office. The report is especially encour-
aging with respect TO the extension of edUca-
ton In the several states and the advantage OF
the common school system in sections of the
country where general enjoyment of the
privilege OF free schools is no: yet attained.
To education more than any other agency,
we are TO look as the resource for the adj
vancement of the people in the requisite
knowledge and appreciation OF their rights
and responsibilities as citizens, and desire
TO repeat the suggestion contained in my
former message in behalf Of the enactment
of appropriate measures by Congress for the
purpose OF experimenting with nation
al aid the locali systems of education
THE NAT OVAL LIBRARY.
Ad,gu accommodation for the great
library which il overgrowipg the capacity
Of the rooms now occupied at the capital
should be provided without further delay.
Thi 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 de-
m and the prompt and careful attention Of
Congress to save it from injury in its
present crowded and insufficient quarters.
As this library il national in its character
and must from the nature Of the case in
crease even more rapidly in the future than
in the past, it cannot be doubted that
the people will sanction any wise expendi-
ture to preserve it and enlarge its useful
ness. The appeal OF the regents OF
TIE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
for the means to organize, exhibit and
make available for the public benefit the
articles nov stored away belonging to the
national museum, heartily recommend 20
your favorable consideration.
TIE POTOMAC.
The attention Of Congress is again invi-
ted to the condition Of the river front OF the
city OF Washington. 1t is a matter Of vital
i'm portance TO the health OF the residents Of
the national capital, temporary and perma-
nent. tn the loylands in front OF the city, |
now subjec, 10 tidal overflow, should be re-
claimed. In the present condition OF these |
flats they obsiruct the drainage OF the city, |
and are a dangerous source OF malarial pol |
son. The reclamation will improve the |
navigation of the river BY restricting and
consequently deepening its channel, and is
also OF importance when considered in con-
neCtion with the extension OF the public |
grounds and the enlargement OF the park |
aest ard .outh If the Washington monu-
ment. The report Of the board OF survey |
heretofore ordered by act oil Congress on the
improvement Of the harbor Of Washington
and Georgetown is respectfully commended
to yOur consideration.