Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-12-04

of your careful and favorable consid.
Grafton, and the assistance of such APP
preparations Of money and enlarge
meut Of facilities 80 may seem to be |
demanded by tho present favorable |
conditions for tho growth and rapid |
of this important inter-
est.
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.
The abuse of animals In transit 10
widely attracting public attention.
A national convention Of societies |
specially interested In the subject has
recently met at Baltimore, and the
facts developed, both in regard to
cruelties to animals and the effect Of
such cruclties upon the public health,
would seem to demand the careful
consid Grafton Of Congress and the en-.
actment of more efficient laws for the
prevention Of these abuses,
EDUCATIONAL.
The report of tho Commissioner Of
the Bureau Of Education shows very
gratifying 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 tho common school
system in sections of the country
where the general enjoyment Of the
privilege of free schools 10 not yet at
tanned. To education, more than to
any other agency, we are to look -
the resource for the Advancement Of
the people in the requisite knowledge
and appreciation Of their rights and
responsibilities 10 citizens, and I de.
sire to repeat the suggestion contain
ed In my former message in behalf of
the enactment of appropriate meas
ures by Congress for the purpose of
supplementing with national aid the
local systems Of education In the sew.
eral states. Adequate accommoda-
tions for the great library which 10
overgrowing the capacity of the
rooms now occupied at the capital
should be provided without further
delay. This invaluable collection Of
books and manuscripts and illustra-
tive art has grown to such proper.
tons In connection with the copyright
system Of the country % to demand
the careful and prompt attention Of
Congress to save 1t from injury In ita
present crowded and insufficient
quarters. As this library 10 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 IA
preserve 1t, and to enlarge its useful
ness.
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM.
| The appeal Of the regents Of the
Smithsonian institution for the means
to organize, exhibit and make availa.
able for the public benefit the articlel
now stored away belonging to the ma.
tional museum, T heartily recommend
to your favorable consideration.
Il DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The attention Of Congress is again
invited to the river front Of the city
of Washington. It is matter Of vi
tai importance to the health Of the
residents Of the national capital, bott
temporary and permanent, that thu
low lands in front of the city, nov
: subject to tidal overflow, should b.
; reclaimed. In their present condi
| ton these fats obstruct the drainage
. and are dangerous source Of mala
rial poison. Their reclamation viii
improve the navigation Of the rivel
: by restricting, and consequently
; deepening, it's channel, and is also Of
, Importance when considered in con
nection with the extension Of the pub
lie ground and the enlargement OF tn,
park west and south of the Washing
) ton monument The report of til,
board Of survey, heretofore orderet
> by act Of Congress, on the improve
+ ment of the harbor Of Washing tol
: and Georgetown, 10 respectfully com
. mended to your confederation.
: The report of the miesioners o
. the District Of Columbia presents
detailed statement Of the affairs o
the district. The relative expendi
tresu by the United States, and tn
district for local purposes fs contrast
ed, sho wing that the expenditures b,
/, the people Of the district greatly ex
ceeds those of the general govern
: ment. The exhibit IL made in con
nection with estimates for the requis
{ itc repair of the defective pavement
and sewers Of the city, which IL ,
work of immediate necessity, an,
, In tho connection plan 10 presenter
. for this permanent funding Of the out
!, standing securities Of the distrio,
, The benevolent, reformatory and pc
nal institutions of the district are 81
. entitled to the favorable attention o
Congress. The reform school need
additional buildings and teacher.
i Appropriations which will place q
Of these institutions In condition {
become models Of usefulness and be
nificence, will be regarded by tn
country as liberality wisely bestow
ed. The commissioners, with evi
J dent Justice, request attention I
, the discrimination made by Con
, gress against the district in tn
: donation Of land for the sup
> port of the public schools, and ask tina
the same liberality that has bee
shown TO the inhabitauts of the vari
, Gus states and territories of the Unit
ed States may be extended to the Die
trict Of Columbia. The Commission
ers also invite attention to the dam
age inflicted upon pubic and privat
interests by the present location O
the depots and switching tracks o
the several railroads entering the cit
and ask for legislation looking t
their removal. The recommends
: tions and suggestions contained in tn
report will. trust, receive the care
full consideration Of Congress. Stuff
cicnt time has, perhaps, not elapse'
since the reorganization ofthe govern
ment of the District under the recen
legislation Of Congress, for the OK
} preston of q confident opinion &c I,
its successful operation, but the prac
teal results already attained. are 9,
satisfactory that the friends Of tn
new government may we'll urge up
on Congress- the wisdom Of its contin
uance, without essential mod; Acatiou
until, by actual experience its advan
tages and defects may be more full,
ascertAined. r. B. HAYES.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dec. 2, 1878.
CONGRESSIONAL.
II HOUSE.