The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-12-04
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,

My recommendations in former messages are
renewed in favor of charging 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 agricultu :
raj production, as compared with our home con
SUMPTION and the largely increased and highly
proftably market abroad which we have enjoyed
in recent years. that we are mainly indebted for
our present prosperity a people. We must
look for Its continued maintenance to the same
substantial resource. There is no branch of in
dustry in which labor, directed by scientific
knowledge yields such increased production in
comparison with unskilled labor. and branch
of the public service to which the encouragement
of liberal appropriations can be more appropri-
ately extended. The omission to render such aid
is not wise economy but, on the contrary, un-
doubtly results in losses OF immense sums annu-
ally that might be saved through well directed eff
forts by the Government to promote this vital in
terest The results already accomplished with
the very limited means heretofore placed at the
command OF the Department of AgricuItu re is an
earnest of what may be expected with increased
appropriations for the several purposes indicated
in the report OF the commissioner, with a view to
placing the department upon a footing which
will enable it to prosecute more effectively the
objects for which it is established. Appropria-
lions are needed for more com plete labratory for
the establishment OF veterinary division and a
division OF forestry. and for increase of force
The requirements for these and other purposes
indicated in the report OF the commissioner, I'M
der the head of the immediate necessities of the
department, will not involve any expenditure of
money that the country cannot with propriety
now undertake in the interest OF agriculture.
THE BUREAU EDUCATION.
1t is gratifying to learn from the bureau of edu-
cation the extent to which educational privileges
throughout the United States have been advaDc-
ed during the year. No more fundamental res
possibility rests upon Congress than that of de-
vising appropriate measures of financial aid to
education, supplemental to local action in the
states and Territories and in the District of Co.
lumbia. The wise forethought of the founders
Of our government has not only furnished the ba-
sis for the support of the common school systems
of the newer States, but laid the foundations for
the maintenance OF their universities and collie
ges of agriculture and the mechanic arts. Meas
ures in 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 country, it is hoped will receive
your favorable consideration. To preserve and
perpetuate the national literature should be
among the foremost OF the National Legis-
lature The library gathered at the Capitol still
remains unprovided with any suitable accommo-
dations for its rapidly increasing stores. The
magnitude and Importance OF the collection, in
or eaSed as 1t is by the deposits made under the
law of copyrightGby domestic and foreign exchan-
geS, and by the scientific library CT the SmlthSo-
MAN Institution, call for building accommoda-
tions which shall be at once equal and fire PROOF.
The location OF such public building, which
should provide for the pressing necessities of the
present and for the vast increase OF the nations
books in the future, is matter which addresses
itself to the discretion of Congress 1t is earnest
ly recommended measure which should unite
all suffrages, and which should no longer be de-
layed.
Washington Monument, and invokes generous
policy the part OF the national legislature to-
wards the District of Columbia, its thorough ares,
approaches, &C., and closes as follows
also invite the favorable consi Iteration of Con-
gress to the wants OF the public schools OF this
District, as exhibited in the report OF the COM
missoners. While the number OF pupils is rap
idly increasing no adequate provision exists for
a corresponding increase of school accommoda-
ton, and the commissioners without the
means to meet this urgent need. number Of
the buildings now used Tor schooi purposes are
rented, and are, in lmpor ant particulars insult
ed for the purpose. The cause OF popular edu-
tied to the same consideration at the hands OF the
national governments as in the several States and
Territories to which munihcelt grants of tn
public lands have teen lade for the endowment
Of schools and universities
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.