The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-12-05

the public lands of the United States The pro-
lection Of the public property is one of the first
duties Of the Government. The Department Of
the Interior should, therefore be enabled by sufi'
Client appropriations to enforce the laws In that
respect. But this matter appears still more i'm
portant as a question Of public economy. The
rapid destruction of our forests is All evil fraught
with the gravest consequences especially in the
mountainous districts, where the rocky slopes.
once denuded of their trees will remain SO for
| ever. There the injury once done, can not be re-
| pa red. fully concur with the Secretary OF the
Interior in the opinion that, for this reason, legis
latiOn touching the public timber in the noun.
| famous States and Territories Of the West should
| be especially well considered and that existing
laws in which the destruction of the forests snOt
| sufficiently guarded against should be specially
| modified A general law concerning this import
| ant subject, appears to me TO be matter of ur'
| gent public necessity,
AGRICULTURE.
From the organization Of the Government the
importance of encouraging, by all possible means
the increase of our agricultural productions has
been acknowledged and urged upon the atten-
tion of Congress and the people as the surest and
readiest means Of increasing our substantial and
enduring prosperity
The words of Washington are as applicable to-
day as when, in his eighth annual message, he
said at is not to be doubted that with reference
to either individual or national welfare agricul.
ture is Of primary Importance. In proportion as
nations advance in population and other circum-
stances of maturity, this truth becomes more ap'
parent, and renders the cultivation Of soil more
and more an object of public patronage Institu-
tions for promoting 1t grow up, supported by the
public purse-and to what object can it be dedi-
Gated with greater propriety? Among the means
which have been employed to this end, none
have been attended with greater success than the
establishment of boards composed of proper char.
acters, charged with collecting and diGuEing in
formation, and enabled, by premiums and small
pecunary aids, to encourage and assist the spirit
of discovery and improvement contributing dou-
bly, to the increase of improvement by stimulat-
ing to enterprise and experim ent, ard by draw.
ing to q common center the results everywhere Of
individual skill and observation, and spreading
them thence over the whole nation. Experience
accordingly hath shown that they are very cheap
instruments Of immense national benefit
The great preponderance Of the agricultural,
over any other interest In the United States entl.
ties it to all the consideration claimed for 1t by
washington. About one.half Of the population
|
The value of the agricultural products Of the Uni
ted States for the year 1875 is estimated at three
thousand millions Of dollars The exports of ag.
ricultural products for the year 1877. as appears
from the report of the Bureau OF Statistics, were
1924 100000. The great extent of our country,
with its diversity of soil and climate, enables us
10 produce within our own borders, and by our
own labor, not only the ne0essaries, but most OF
the luxuries that are consumed in civilized eoun-
tries Yet, Notwithstanding our advantages OF
soil, climate and intercommunicaton. 1t appears
from the statistical statements in the report OF the
Commissioner of Agriculture, that we import an.
nually from foreign lands many millions Of dol
lars worth Of agricultural products which could
be raised in our own country,
Numerous questions arise In the practice Of ad-
yanCed agriculture which can only be Rnswere
by experiments, often costly and sometimes fruit
less, which are beyond the means OF private indi-
| yiduals and are o 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
| q vast area Of uncultlvated, and hence unprOduc-
tive territory, wisely opened to homestead settle
ment, to encourage, by every proper and legitt-
| mate means the occupation and tillage OF the
| soil. The efforts of the Department of Agricul.
ture to stimulate old and introduce new agricul-
| tural industries, tn improve the quality and in
crease the quantity Of our products, to determine
| the value of old or established the importance of
new methods Of culture, are worthy Of your care.
| full and favorable consideration, and assistsnd by
| such appropriations Of money and enlargement
| of facilities as may seem 10 be demanded by the
| present favorable condition for the growth and
| rapid development Of this important interest.
The abuse Of animals In transit is widely at
tracting public attention, Anational convention
of societies specially interested In the subject has
recently met at Baltimore, and the facts develop.
ed, both In regard TO crueties TO animals and the
effect of such crueltes upon the public health,
would seem to demand the careful consideration
Of Congress, and the enactment of more efficient
laws for the prevention Of these abuses.
EDUCATION.
The report of the commissioners Of the Bureau
of Education shows very gratifying progress
throughout the country, In all the interests com.
mitted to the care Of this important Office. The
report is espe ecially encouraging with respect to
the extension OF the advantages Of the common
school system, in sections of the country where
the general enjoyment 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 ap-
probation of their rights and responsibilities as
citizens, and desire 10 repeat the suggestion con-
in my former message In behalf of the enactment
of appropriate measures by Congress for the pur-
pose of suppem enting, with national Rid, the To-
cal systems Of education in the several States,
CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY.
Adequate accommodations for the great library
which is overgrowing the capacity Of the rooms
now occupied at the Capitol, should be provided
without further delay. This invaluable collec-
ton Of books, manuscripts and illustrative arthas
grown to such proportions, in connection with the
copyright system Of the country, as to demand the
prompt and careful attention Of Congress to save
it from injury in its present crowded and insutiic
lent 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 1t cannot be doubted that the people will
sanction any wise expenditure TO preserve 1t and
TO enlarge its usefulness.
The appeal of the Regents Of the Smithsonian
Institution for the means to organize exhibit and
make available for the public benefit the articles
new stored away belonging to the National Mu
scum, heartily recommend to your favorable
consideration,
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The attention Of Congress is again invited 10 the
condition Of the river-fIoRt of the city Of Washing
ton. 1t Is a matter Of vital importance to the
health OF the National Capital both temporary
and permanent, that the low lands in mont Of the
city, now subject to tidal overflow, should be re-
claimed In their present condition, these fats
obstruct the drainage OF the city. ana are dang
erous source Of oFmalArial poison. The reclamation
will improve the navigation Of the river, by re-
strlcting and subsequently deepening its channel,
and 1t is also Of importance, when considered In
connection with the extension Of the public
ground and the enlargement 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 harbOr Of
Washington and Georgetown, is respectfully com.
| mended for consideration.
The report Of the Commissioners Of the District
OF Columbia presents detailed statement Of the
| affairs of the District
The relative expenditures Of the United States
and the District for local purposes Is contrasted,
showing that the expenditures by the people Of
the Disrtict greatly exceed those Of the General
| Government. The exhibit Is made in connection
with estimates for the Iequist repair OF the defec
tive pavements and sewers Of the city which is a
g fpap1a Hfoia ffN nd n