Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-12-06

will sanction any wise expenditure to pre-
serve II and 10 enlarge It's usefulness The
appeal OF the regents of the Smithsonian In
stitution for the means to organize, exhibit
and make available for the public benefit the
articles now stored away belonging TO the
National Museum l heartily recommend to
your favorable consideration
THE CITY or WASHINGTON.
The attention of Congress is again invited
TO the condition of the river-front of the CITY
OF Washington II is q matter of vital impor-
lance to the health of the residents of the
national capital, both temporary and perma-
nent, that the low lands in front of the city.
now subject TO tidal overflow, should be re-
claimed In their present condition, these
Hats obstruct the drainage Of the city, and
are dangerous source of mnlaria poison
The reclamation will improve the navigation
of the river by restricting and consequently
deepening its channel and is also of import
ance when considered in connection with the
extension of the public ground and the en-
largement of the park, west and south Of the
Washington monument. The report Of the
Board OF Survey, heretofore ordered by act
of Congress, on the improvement of the har-
Dor of Washington and Georgetown. is re-
specially commended TO your consideration.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The report of the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia presents detailed state
ment of the affairs of the District. The rel
ntive expenditures by the United States and
the District for local purposes is contrnsted
showing that the expenditures by the people of
the District greatly exceed those of the Gen
eral Government. The exhibit is made in
connection with estimates for the requisite
repair of the defective pavements and sewers
Of the city, which is a 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
The benevolent, reformatory and penal insti-
tutlons of the District are all entitled TO the
favorable attention of Congress. The Reform
school needs additional buildings and teach
ers. Appropriations which will place all
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, request attention to the discrimina-
ton made by Congress against the District in
the donation of land for the support of the
public schools, and ask that the same liberal
ity that has been shown to the inhabitants of
the various States and Territories Of the Uni
ted States, may be extended to the District
of Columbia. The Commissioners also invite
attention to the damage inflicted upon public
and private interests by the present location
of the depots and switching tracks of the sew
eral railroads entering the city, and ask for
legislation looking TO their removal. The
recommendations and suggestions contained
in the report will, trust, receive the careful
consideration of Congress Sufficient time
has, perhaps, not elapsed since the reorgani-
cation of the Government of the District un-
der the recent legislation of Congress, for the
expression of confident opinion as to its
successful operations but the practical results
already attained are so satisfactory that the
friends Of the new Government may well
urge upon Congress the wisdom of its contin-
uance, without essential modification, until
by actual experience its advantages and de-
fects may be more fully ascertained
r. b. HAYES.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dec. 2 1873.