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

exhibit and make available for the public ben
eft the articles now slowed away belonging to
the National Museum heartily recommend to
your favorable consideration.
District of Coiu mbia Matters.
The sttention of Congress is again invited to
the cOndi ion of he riv=r front of the city of
Washington. 1t is matter of vital importance
to the health of the residents OF the National
Capita, both temporary aud permanent, that
the low lands in front of the city now subject
to tidal overflow should be reclaimed In their
present condition these fats obstrucs the drain
age OF the city and are dangerous source of
material poison. The reclamation Twill i'm
prove the navigation of the river BY restricting
and consequently deepani0g its channel, aud 1t
Is also OF Importance when considered In con-
nection With the extension Of the public ground
and The enlargameLt of the park west and
south OF the Washington monument The re-.
port of the board of survey heretofore ordered
by act of Congress on the improvement of the
harbor of Washington and Georgetown Is re-
specially recommended to consideration.
The report of the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia presents detailed
statement OF the affairs of the District. The
rela i've expenditures by the United States and
the District for local purposes are contrasted,
showing that the.expeuditures by the people of
the District greatly exceed those of the general
government The exhibit is made 10 con-
nection with estimates for the requisite repair
OF the defective pavements and sewers OF the
City which is work OF immediate necessity
and in the same connection is presented a
plan for the permanent funding of the Ou;-
standing securities of the District.
The benevolent reformatory and penal insti-
tutons of the district are all entitled to the
favorable attention of Congress. The reform
schools needs additional teachers. Appropria-
lions which will place all of these institutions
in condition to become models of usefulness
and benefcence will be regarded by the
country as liberality wisely bestowed.
The Commissioners with evident justice re-
quest attention to the discrimination made by
Congress against ths District in the donation of
lands for the support of the public schools and
ask that the same liberalty that has been
shown to the inhabitants of he various states
extended to the District of Columbia.
| The commissioners also invite attention to the
damage inflicted upon public and private in.
terests by the present location of the depots
| and switching tracks of the several railroads
entering the city and ask for legislation look
! ing to their removal. The recommendation
and suggestions contained in the report will,
! trust, receive the careful consideration of Con
! gress. Sufficient time has perhaps not elapsed
since the government of the District
under tho recent legislation OF Congress
for the expression of confident
opinion as to its successful operation, but the
practical results already attained are SO salts
factory that the friends Of the new government
may well urge upon Congress the wisdom of it,
continuance without essential modification un-
til by actural experience its advantages and
defects may bs more fully ascertained.
(Signed) r B. HAYES
Executive Mansion, Dec. %, 1873.