The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-12-05

rltories, where timber for the daily require
ments OF the population caunot, under the
present stale OF the law, be otherwise
obtained therefore earnestly invite the at
tention Of Congress to the recommendation
made by the Secretary of the Interior, that
law be enacted enabling the Government to sell
timber from the public lands without convey
ing the fee where sach lands are principally
valuable for the timber thereon, such sales to
be 80 regulated as to conform to domestic
wants and business requirements, while at the
same time guarding against a sweeping de-
struction of the forests. The enactment of such
u law appears to become more pressing ne
cess ty every day.
My recommendations in former messages are
renewed in favor OF enlarging the facilities of
the Department of Agriculture Agriculture
is the leading interest and the permanent in
dustry of our people. IL is to the abundance of
agricultural productions as compared with our
home cors imption and the hugely increased
and highly profitable market abroad which we
have enjoyed in recent years that we are main
ly indebted for our present prosperity as q
people. We must look to its continued main
tenance for substantial resource. There is no
branch of industry in which labor, directed
by scientific knowledge, yields such in
creased production in comparison with unskil!ed
labor, and no branch of the public service to
which the encouragement Of liberal appropria-
tons can be more appropriately extended.
The omission to render such aid is not a wise
economy, but on the contrary undoubtedly re-
suits in Losses Of immense sums annually that
might be saved through weil-directed efforts
by the Government TO promote this vital
interest The result already acco nplish d
with the very limited means heretofore placed
at the command OF the Department OF AgIi-
culture is an earnest Of what may be expected
with increased appropriations for the several
purposes indicated in the report OF the
Commits 'ioner, with view to placing the de.
partment upon q footing which wi enable it
10 prosecute more effectively the objects for
which it is established. Appropriations are
needed for more complete laboratory, for the
establishment of a Veterinary Division and a
Division Of Forestry, and for an increase Of
force. The requirements for these and other
purposes indicated in the report of the Commits
sioner, under the head Of Immediate Neces-
sites OF the Department" will not involve any
expenditure of money that the country cannot
with propriety now undertake in the interests
OF agriculture.
1t is gratifying to learn from the Bureau of
Education the extent to which educational
privileges throughout the United States have
been advanced during the year. No more
fundamental responsibility rests upon Congress
than that of devising appropriate measures of
financial aid to education, supplemental
to local action in States and Terri
tories, and in the District OF Column
bia The wise forethought Of the founders
Of our Government has not only furnished the
basis for the support OF the common school
systems of the newer States, but laid founda-
tons for the maintenance Of their universities,
Of colleges OF agriculture and mechanic art
Measures in accordance with this traditional
policy for the further benefit OF all THESE in
terests and the extension of some advantages
to every portion of the country, it is hoped,
will receive your favorable consideration.
Capitol Library.
To preserve and perpetuate the national lit
eratlre should be among the foremost cares OF
the national Legislature. The library gathered
at the Capitol still remains unprovided with any
suitable accommodations forts rapidly Whereas
ing stores. The magnitude and importance OF
the collection increased. az ii II, by the deposits
made under the laws of copyright, by domes-
tic and foreign exchanoes. and Nv the scieno,Gc
library of the Smithsonian Institution, call
for BUILDING accommodations which shall
be at once adequate and fire-proof. The loca-
ton Of such public buildings, which should
provide for the pressing necessities of the
present and for the vast increase Of the ma
TONS books in the future, is matter which
addresses itself to the discretion OF Congress.
1t is earnestly recomm ended a, measure
which should unite all suffragcs, and which
should no longer be DELAYED.
VAST fngtOn Monument.
The Joint Commission created by the act OF
Congress OF Aug. 2, 1876, for the purpose OF
supervising and directing the completion OF the
Washington National monument, of which
commission the President is member, has
given careful attention to this subject, and al
ready the strengthening of the foundation has
80 far progressed as 10 insure entire success
OF this part of the work. A massive layer Of
masonry has been introduced below the orlgl-
nal foundation, widening the base, increasing
the stability Of the structure, and rendering II
possible 10 carry the shaft to completion "
is earnestly recommended that such further
appropr alton be made for the continued
prosecution of the work as may be neoessaly
for the completion Of this national monument
at an early day.
District of Columbia.
In former messages impressed with the inn
portance of the subject / have taken occasion
to recommend to Congress the adopi ion Of a
generous policy toward the District Of Column
bia. The report Of the Commissioners OF the
District herewith transmitted contains sugGes-
| tons and recommendations 10 all of which |
earnestly invite your careful attention l ask
| your early and favorable consideration OF the
views which they express as to urgent need OF
legislation tor the reclamation of the marshes OF
| the Potomac and its eastern branch within the
limits of the city, and for the repair OF stree
of the capital, heretofore laid with wooden
| blocks, and by delay rendered almost impass
| able and a source of imminent danger to the
| health of its citizens. The means at the dis
| posal of the Commissioners are wholly made
| Quate Tor the accom- lshmentI 0f tnt sc imp r.
| tant works and should be supplemented by
| timely appropriations from the FEDERAL { cas-
| urv The filling OF the flats in front of the CITY
| will add to the adjacent lands and parks now
| owned by the United States a large and valuable
domain, efficient, it is thought, to reimburse
| its entire cost, and will a-o, an incidental
| result, secure the permanent Improvement of
| the river for the purpose OF navigation.
The constitution having invested Congress
with supreme and exclusive jurisdiction over
the Disiiictef Columbia, its citizens must, of
necessity, look to Congress alone for all need
| full legislation affecting their interests, and as
the territory OF this District is the common
! property OF the people OF the United States,
who, equally with it's resident citizens, are in
terested in the prosperity OF their capital,
cannot doubt that you will be amply sustained
| by the general vUlce Of the country in any
measure you may adopt for this purpose.
| sJso invite the fave Iabe consideration OF
| Congress 10 the wants or the public schools OF
this District, as exhibited in the report Of the
Commissioners While the number Of pupil.
! il rapidly increasing, no adequate provision
exists for corresponding inc, ease OF school
accommoda ion, and the Commissioners are
without the means to meet this urgent need
A humber of the buildings now used
for school purposes are rented, anC
are in important part ulars unsaited for the
purpose. The Gauss of popular education IL
| the District of Columbia is surely entitled t.
! the same consideration at the h nds OF the
! Natio al Government as III the several States
and Territories, to which muDlhce.it grants o
the public lands have been made for the Ell.
L = =.