The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-12-02
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of by the government for their benefit By adopt
ing such policy they would more certainly secure
for themselves the value of their possessions and
at the time promote their progress in civiliza
lion and prosperity than by endeavoring to perpet-
uate the present state Of things In the territory
THE INDIAN SERVICE.
This question whether change In The control oil
the Indian should be made was, In the forty
fifth Congress, referred to joint committee of both
houses for inquiry and report. In my last annual
message l expressed the hope that the decision OF
that question then in prospect "would arrest fur-
ther agitation of this subject. such agitation being
apt to produce disturbing effect upon the service.
as well as upon the Indians themselves" Since
then, the committee having reported, the question
has been decided in the negative by vote in the
House OF Representatives. For the reasons here
stated, and, in view of the fact that further uncer.
tainty on this point will be calculated 10 "bstruct
much-nee ed legIs tion, to weaken the discipline
of the service, and to uusettle salutary measures
LOW in progress for the government and improye
ment of the In ians, recommend that the decision
arrived by Congress at its ast session be permitted
to stand.
DEPREDATIoSs ON TIMBER LANDS.
Efforts made by the Department OF the Interior to
arrest the depredations the timber lands of the
Uniteu States have been continued, and have met
with considerable success. large number OF
cases of nespass have been prosecuted in the
courts of the United States, others have been set
tled the trespassers Offering TO make payment to
the government Tor the value of the timber taken
by them. The proceeds of these prosecutions and
settlements turned into the treasury far exceed In
amount the sums appropriated by Congress for
this purpose. more important result, however,
consists In the fact that the destruction of our
public forests by depreciation, although such cases
still occur, has been greatly reduced in extent
and 1t is probable that, if the present policy is
vgo Ously pursued and sufficient provision to that
end is made by Congress- such trespasses, at least
those on a large scale, be entirely suppressed,
except in the territories where timber for the daily
requirements o. the population cannot, under the
present state of the law, be otherwise obtained.
therefore earnestly invite the attention of Congress
TO the recommendation made by the Secretary of
he Interior, that law be enacted enabling the
government to sell timber from the public lands
without conveying the fee where snch lands are
princp lily valuable for the timber thereon, such
sa.es to be SO Suated as to conform to domestic
wants and business requirements, While at the
same time guarding against sweeping destruc-
tion of the forests. The enactment OF such law
dnPe'r' dnP. become more pressing Necessity every
AGRICULTURAL.
NY recommendations in tormer messages are re-
newed in favor of enlargDg the facilities of the de-
partmeDt of agriculture. Agriculture is the lead
ing interest and the permanent industry of our peo
pie. 1t is.to the abundance OF agricu pi0duc
ton, as compared with our home consumption and
the largely increased and highly profitable market
abroad, which we have enjoyed in + cent years,
that we are mainly indebted for our present pros
perity as people. We must look for its continued
maintenance to the same substantial resource.
There is no branch of industry in which labor, di-
rected by scientific knowledge, ieds such IN
creased production in comparison with ulskled
labor, and branch of the public service to which
the encouragement of liberal appropriations can be
more approt trately extended. The Ommlssion to
render such aid is not wise economy, but, on the
contrary, undoubtedly results In losses OF immense
sums annua ly that might be saved through we'll.
directed efforts by the government to promote this
vital interest. The results already accomplished,
with the very limited means heretofore placed at
the command IF the department of agriculture, is
an earnest of what may be expected with increased
appropriations for the several purposes indicated
in the report of the comm ssoner, with view to
placing the department upon footing which will
enable it to prosecute more effectively the objects
for which it is established. Appropriations are
needed for more complete laboratory, for the es-
tablishment OF veterinary division and division
Of forestry, and for an increase of force. The re:
qurements for these and other purposes, indicated
in the report of the com missioner, under the he ID
of the immediate necess ties of the department,
will not involve any expenditure of money that
the country cannot with propriety now undertake
in the interest of agriculture.
EDUCATION.
1t is gratifying to learn from the bureau of edu
catI IN The extent to which education privileges
throughout the United States have been advanced
during the year. No more fund amental RESPONSE
bity rests upon Congress than that of devisins
appropriate measures of financial aid to eduoa-
tIoh supplemental to local action in the States and
Territories and in the District of Columbia. The
wise torethought OF the iounders OF our govern
ment has not only furnished the basis for the sup
port of the common school system In the newer
States, but laid the foundations for the maintenance
of their universities and colleges of agriculture
and the mechanic arts. Measures accordance
with This traditional policy for the further benefit
of all these interests and the extension of the same
advantages to every portion of the untry, 1t is
hoped, will receive your favorable consideration.
THE NATIONAL LIBRARY.
To preserve and perpetuate the national literature
should be among the foremos cares Of the natiena
legislature.
The library gathe red at the clpito still remaiLs
unprovided with any suitable accommodations for
its rapidly increasing stores. The magnitude and
importance of the collection, increased as it is by
the deposits made under the law of copyright, by
domestic and foreign exchanges. and by the scien-
fc library of the Smithsonian Institution, call for
building accommodations which shall be at once
equal and fire proof The location of such pub
lie building. which should provide for the pressing
fnrf tnnra
of nations books in the future, is matter which
addresses itself to the discretion of Congress. 1t
is earnestly recommended as measure which
should unite all sufrages, and which should no
longer delayed
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
The joint commission orea ted by the act of Con.
gress of August :, lS76. for the purpose of upper
vising ana directing the completion of the Wash.
ingto national monument, of which commission
the President is member, has given careful atten-
ton to this subject, and already the streng thening
OF the foundation has 50 far progressed as to in
the enlire success of this part of the work.
massive layer of masonry has been introduced be-
low The original foundation, widening the base,
increasing the stability of the structure, and rem
erng it possible to carry the shaft to complexion
1t is earnestly recommended that such further ap
be made for the continued prosecution
of the work as may be necessary for the compile
ton of the national monument at an early day.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
In former messages, impressed with the impor-
tance OF the subject, have taken occasion to com
mend to Congress the adoption OF a generous poll
cy toward the District of Columbia. The report Of
the commissioners of the district herewith trans
mled, contains suggestions and recommendations
to all of which ca nestly invite your careful at
tenton: ask your early and favorable con-
sideration of the views which they express as to
the urgent need of legislation for the reclamation
of the marshes of the Potomac, and its eastern
branch within th limits of the city, and for the re-
pair of the streets of the capital, heretofore LAID
with wooden blocks, and now, by decay,
rendered almost impossible, and SQUIRE
Of the cilizons. The msans at the disposal of the
commissioners are wholly inadequate for the ac-
complishment of these import mt works, and
should be supplemented by timely appropriations
from the federal treasury. The filing of the flats
in front OF the city will add to the adjacent lands
and parks now owned by the United State. a large
and valuable domain, sufficient it is thought, to
imburse its entire cost. and will also, as an Incl
dental result. secure the permanent improvement
of the river for the purposes of navigation. The
constitution having invested Congress with su-
preme and exclusive jurisdiction over the District
of Columbia, its citizens must of necessity look to
Congress alone for all needful leg fslation affecting
their interests, and as the territory of this district
is the common property OF the people OF the
United States, who, equally with its resident cti-
zens are interested in the prosperity of their CAPT
tai, cannot donbt that you will be amply sustained
by the general voice of the country in any meas
ures you may adopt for this purpose, also invite
the favorable consideration of Congress to the
wants of the public schools of this district as ex-
hibitcd in the report of the commissioners. Will
the number of pupils is rapidly increasing,
no adequate provision exists for correspond
ing crease OF school accommodation, and the
Inmissioners are without the means to meet
this urgent need. A number Of the buildings
Low used for school purposes are rented,
and are, in important particulars, unsuited
for the purpose. The cause of popular education
in the District of Columbia is surely entitled to
the same consideration at the hands of the national
government as in the several States and territories.
10 which munifcent grants of the public lands
have been made fer the endowment of schools and
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES
Executive Mansion, Dec. l, 1879.
THE Finances