The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-12-12

worth of agricultural products which
could be raised in our country.
Numerous questions arise in the prac-
tice of advanced agriculture which can
only be answered by experiments, often
costly and sometimes fruitless, which
are beyond the means of private indi.
viduals, and are Just and proper charge
on the whole nation for the benefit Of
the nation. 1t is good policy, especially
in times of depression and uncertainty
in other business pursuits, with vast
area of uncultivated, and hence unpro
ductive territory, wisely opened to
homestead settlement, to encourage, by
every proper and legitimate means, the
occupation and tillage OF the soil. The
efforts of the Department of Agriculture
to stimulate old and introduce new agri-
cultural industries, to improve the
quality and increase the quantity of our
products, tosdetermine 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 appropriations of
money and enlargement of facilities as
may seem to be demanded by the pres
ent favorable conditions for the growth
and rapid developments Of this important
interest.
The abuse of animals in transit is
widely attracting public attention. A
national convention of societies special
ly interested in the subject has recently
oped, both in regard to cruelties to ami
mails and the effect of such cruelties
upon the public health, would seem to
demand the careful consideration of
Congress and the enactment of more eff
ficient laws for the prevention of these
abuses.
The report of the Commissioner of the
Bureau of Education shows very graft
flying progress throughout the country,
in all the interests committed to the care
of this important Office. The report is
especially encouraging with respect to
the extension of the advantages of the
common school system, in sections of
the country where the general enjoy
ment of the privilege of free schools is
not yet attained.
To education more than to any other
agency we are to look, as the resource
for the advancement of the people, in
the requisite knowledge and apprecia-
ton of their rights and responsibilities
as citizens, and desire to repeat the sug-
gestion in my former message in behalf
of the enactment of appropriate meas
ures by Congress for the purpose of sup
plementing, with national aid, the local
systems of education in the several
States.
Adequate accommodations for the
great library, which is overgrowing the
capacity of the rooms now occupied at
the Capitol, should be provided without
II IN oil hi. III
ton of books, manuscripts, and illustra-
tive art, has grown to such proportions,
in connection with the copyright sys-
tenn of the country, as to demand the
prompt.and careful attention of Congress
to save it from injury in its present
crowded and insufficient quarters. AS
this library is national in its character,
and must, from the nature of the case,
increase even more rapidly in the future
than in the past, it cannot be doubted
that the people will sanction any wise
expenditure to preserve it and to enlarge
its usefulness.
The appeal the Regents of the Smith
sonian Institution for the means to or
ganize, exhibit, and make available for
thepublic benefit the articles now stored
away belonging to the National Museum
[ heartily recommend to your favorable
. 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 Importance to the health
of the residents of the National Capital,
both temporary and permanent, that the
low lands in front Of the city, now SUBJ
ject to tidal overflow, should be reclaim
ed. In their present condition, these
flats obstruct the drainage of the city
and are dangerous source Of malarial
poison. The raclemation will improve
the navigation of the river by restricting
md consequently deepening its cham
mel, and is also of importance when
in connection with the ex-
tension of the public ground and the en-
of the park west and south of
he Washington Monument. The re-
port of the board of survey, heretofore Or
Tered by act of Congress, on the i'm
of the harbor of Washington
md Georgetown, is respectfully COM
nended to consideration.
The report of the Commissioners of
,he District of Columbia presents de-
allied statement of the affairs of the Dis
riot.
The relative expenditures by the Uni
ed States and the District for local pur-
'ooeS 10 CoHtIaSIeu, SHoWlHS tHaI Ine eX-
oenditures by the people of the District
greatly exceed those of the General Gov
The exhibit is made in con-
lection with estimates for the requisite
epair of the defective pavements and
ewers of the city, which is work of
necessity, and, in the same
plan is presented for the
permanent funding of the outstanding
securities of the district.
The benevolent, reformatory, and
,enal institutions of the District are all
untitled to the favorable attention of
congress. The Reform School needs
additional buildings and teachers. APP
'ropriations which will place all of these
in condition to become
,,odnI. .,.oc.I.,eauz i L.. 4.