The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-12-01

Indians, respectfully recommend that the
decision arrived at by Congress at Its last
session be permitted to stand.
THE TIMBER LANDS.
The efforts made by the Department of
the Interior to arrest the depredations on
the timber lands of the United States have
been continued, and have met with consid-
cradle success. A large number of cases of
trespass have been prosecuted in the courts
of the United States; others have been set.
tied, the trespassers offering to make pay
meBt to the government for 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. A more important result, how
evea, consists in the fact that the destruc-
ton 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 vigorously pursued and
sufficient provision to that end is made
by Congress. such trespasses, at least those
on large scale, can be entirely suppressed.
except in Territories where timber for the
daily requirements of the population can
not, 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
bling the Government to sell timber
from the public lands without conveying
the fee, where such lands are principally
valuable for the timber thereon, such sales
to be so regulated as to conform to domestic
wants and business requirements, while at
the same time guarding against sweeping
destruction of the forests. The enactment
of such law appears to become more
pressing necessity every day.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
My recommendations In former messages are re-
newed in favor of enlsI ging the facilities of the
Department of Agriculture. Agriculture is the
leading interest and the permanent industry of our
people. 1t is to the abundance of agricultural pro-
duction, as compared with our home consumption,
market abroad which we have enjoyed In recent
years, that we are mainly indebted for our present
prosperity as people. We must look for its con-
tinued maintenance to the same substantial re-
source. There is no branch of industry in which
labor directed by scientific knowledge, yields such
increased production in comparison with unskiled
labor. and branch of the public service to which
be more appropriately extended. the omission to
render such aid is a wise economy; but, on the
contrary undoubtedly results in losses of immense
sum annua ly that might be saved through well d.
rected efforts by the Government TO promote this
vital interest.
The results already accomplish he'd with the very
limited means heretofore placed at the command
of the Department of Agriculture is an earnest of
what might be expected with increased appropria-
lions for the several purposes indicated in the
port of the COMMISSIONS, with we" to piacIpg
the Department upon footing which will enable
it to prosecute more effectively the objects for
Appropriations are needed for a mere complete
laboratory, Tor the establishment OF veterinary di-
vision, and division of forestry, ard for al in
The requirements of these and other purposes,
indicated in the report OF the Commissioner nnder
the head of the immediate necessities of the De
partmert, will not involve any expenditure OF
money that the country cannot with propriety now
undertake in the interests of agriculture.
BUREAU LDUcATIoN.
1t is gratifying to learn from the Bureau of Edu-
cation the extent to which educational privileges
throughout the United States have been advanced
during the year. No more fundamental RESPONSE
bility rests upon Congress than that OF deVlslng
appropriate measures Of financial aid to education,
supplemental to local action in the States and Ter
rtories. and in the District of Columbia. The wise
forethouPht of the founders of our Government has
not only nished the basis for the support of the
common school systems OF the newer States, but
laid the foundations for the maintenance OF their
universities aud colleges of agriculture and the
mech anic arts Measures in accordance with this
interests and the extension Of the advantages
to every portion of the country tits hoped Will re-
ceiye our favorable consideration.
TIE NATIONAL LIBRARY.
To preserve and sperpetuate the National litera-
ture should be among the foremost cares of :he
National legislature. The library gathered at the
Capitol still remains unprovided with any suitable
accommodations for 3 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
changes, and by the scientific library fthe smith
sonian institution, call for building acconmoda-
yrooG The location of such public building,
which should provide for the pressing necessities
of the present, and for the vast increase of the
atoms book in the future, Is matter which 40
dresses itself 10 the discretion of Congress. 1t is
earnestly recommended a measure which should
unite all sufffages, and which should no longer be
delayed.
The Joint Commission created by the act OF
Congress ofAugust g 1876, for the purpose of super
ington National Monument, of which Commi ~sion
the President is q member, has given careful at
ing of the foundation has far progressed TO in
sure he entire success of this part OF the work.
massive LAYER of masonry has been introduced be-
low the original foundation, widening the base in
creasing the stability of The structure and render
is earnestly recommended that such further ap-
proprations be made for the continued prosecution
of the work may be necessary for the completion
of this National Monument at an early Gay.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
In former messages impressed with the import
ance of the subject, have taken occasion tn com
mend to Congress the adoption of generous pol
icy toward the District of Columbia. Inc report
of the Commissioners of the District, herewith
tran smitted contains suggestions ard recommen-
dations. to all of which earnestly invite your care
ful attention. 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 marches of the Potomac and it's eastern
branch, within the limits of the city, and for the
repair of the streets of the CAPT al heretofore ao
with wooden blocks. and now by decay rendered
almost impossible, and a source of imminent dan
GER TO the health OF it's citizens The meaIH al the
dtspoeaI of the Commissioners are wholly made
quate for the acsomplie hment of these important
works, and should be supplemented by timely ap-
propriations from the Federal treasury. -
The filing of the ats in ront of the city VIII ADD
to he adjacent lands and parks now owned by the
United States, large and valuable DOMAIN. sum
cient, it is thought, to reimburke Its entle cost
and will also, Incidental result. secure the
permanent improvement of the river for the pUr-
poses of navigation. 80
The Constitution having invested Congress with
supreme and exclusive jurisdiction over the Dis
trict of Columbia, it's citizens must OF necessity
look to Congress alone for all needful legislation
affecting their interests and the territory OF this
District is the common property of the people OF
the United States, who, equally with it's resident
CT liens, interested the prosperity OF their
capital cannot doubt that you will be amply sus-
tanned by the general voic9 Of the country IN any
measures you may adopt for this purpose.
/ also invite the favorable consideration or Con
gress to of the public schools of this Dis
trict, as exhibited ia the report of the Commission
ere. While the number pupils is rapidly lncreas
ing. no adequate provision exists for correspond
ing increase of school accommodation, and the
Commissioners are without the means to meet this
urgent need. A number of the buildings now used
for school purposes rented aud are, IN import
ant particulars, unsuited for the purpose Inc
cause OF popular education in the District OF Col
umbia lie surely entitled to the came confederation
at the hands of the National Government as In the
states and Territories, to which munihcent grants
of the public lanes have been made for the enooW-
ment OF schools and universities.
RUTHERFORD HAYES.