Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-01

of our public forests by depreciation. al
though such cases still occur, has been
greatly reduced in extent, and it Is probable
sued, and sufficient provision to that end is
made by Congress. such trespaSses at least
those on a large scale, can be entirely sup
pressed except In the serrofe fSe wnere 0er
cannot under the present state of the law, be
otherwise obtained. therefore earnestly invite
the attention Of CONGRESS TO the recommen ma
law be enacted enabling the government to
sell timber from the public lands, without con-
veying 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 ap-
pears to become more pressing necessity 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 industry of
our people. 1t is to the abundance of agricul-
tuial production, as compared with our home
consumption, and the largely increased and
highly profitable market abroad which we have
enjoy ed III recent years, that we are mainly in
debted for our present prosperity as a people.
We must look for its continued maintenance TO
the same substantial resource. There is no
branch OF industry in which labor directed by
scientific knowledge, yields such increased pro-
auction In comparison with unSkilled labor, and
no branch OF the public service to which the en-
enlargement of liberal appropriations can be
more appropriately extended. The omission to
render such aid is not wise economy, but, on
the contrary, undoubtedly results in losses of
immense sums annually that might be saved
through welldirected efforts by the gov
eminent to promote this vital interest. The
results already accomplished with the very
limited means heretofore placed at the command
of the Department of Agriculture is an earnest
OF what may be expected, with increased appro-
priations for the several purposes indicated In
the report of the commissioner, with view to
placing the department upon a footing which
will enable 1t to prosecute more effectively the
objects for which it is established Appropria-
tons are needed for more complete laboratory,
for the establishment of veterinary division
and division Of forestry, and for an increase of
purposes indicated in the report of the commits
sioner, under the head Of the immediate neces-
sites OF the department, will not involve any
expenditure Of money that the country cannot
with proprietv now undertake In the interests
OF agriculture.
1t gratifying to learn from the bureau of
education the extent to which educational priv
ileges throughout the United States have been
advanced during the year. No more funda-
mental responsibility rests upon Congress than
that OF devising appropriate measures of tinan-
ton in the states and territories and in the
District of Columbia. The wise forethought of
the founders OF our government has not only
furnished the basis for the support of the com
mon school systems of the newer states, but
laid the foundations for the maintenance of
their universities and colleges OF agriculture
and the mechanic arts. Measures in accordance
with this traditional policy for the further ben
ent OF all these interests, and the extension
or the same advantages to every portion of
the country it is hoped will receive your
favorable consideration. TO preserve and per-
petuate the national literature should be among
the foremost cares of the national legislature.
The library gathered at the Capitol still remains
unprovided with any suitable accommodations
Tor its rapidly increasing stores. The magnt-
tuGe and importance of the collection, increased
as 1t is by the deposits made under the law of
copyright, by domestic and foreign exchanges,
and by the scientific library of the Smithsonian
Institution, call for building accommodations
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 a matter which addresses
ly recommended as measure which should
unite all suffrages and which should no longer
be delayed.
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
The joint commission created by the act of
Congress OF August 2, 1876, for the purpose of
supervising and directing the completion of
Washington National Monument, of which com
mission the President is a member, has given
careful attention to this subject and already
the strengthening of the foundation has so far
progressed as to insure the entire success of this
part OF the work. A massive layer OF masonry
has been introduced below the original founda-
ton, widening the base, increasing the stability
OF the structure, and rendering it possible to
carry the shaft to completion. 1t is earnestly
recommended that such further appropriations
be made for the continued prosecution of the
work as may be necessary for the completion OF
this national monument at an early day.
In former messages, impressed with the i'm
portance of the subject, have taken occasion
to commend to Congress the adoption of a gen.
eT ,I spoil policy toward the District Of Columbia
herewith transmitted. contains suggestions and
recommendations to all of which l earnestly in
vite your careful attention. l ask your early
and favorable consideration of the views which
they express as to the utgent need of legisla-
ton for the reclamation of the marshes Of the
Potomac and It's Eastern Branch, within the
limits OF the city, and for the repair of the
streets of the capital, heretofore laid with
wooden blocks and now by decay rendered
almost impossible, and source of imminent
danger to the health of its citizens. The means
at the disposal of the Commissioners are wholly
inadequate for the accomplishment Of these
iml ortant works, and should be supplemented
by timely appropriations from the federal
treasury. The 1lling OF the flats in front of the
city will add to the adjacent land and parks now
owned by the United States a large and valu-
able domain, sufficient, it is thought, to reim-
burse its entire cos, land will also incidental
result, secure the permanent improvement Of
the river for the purposes OF navigation. The
pTeme and exclusive jurisdiction over the Dis
trict of Columbia, its citizens must of necessity
look to Congress alone for all needful legislation
affecting their interests, and as the territory of
this District is the common property OF the peo-
pie Of the United States. who. equally with its
resident citizens, are interested in the pros
perity of their capital. cannot doubt that you
win be amply sustained by the general voice of
the country in any measures you may adopt for
this purpose. l also invite the favorable cOnsid-
Grafton of Congress to the wants OF the public
schools of this District, exhibited in the
report of the commissioners. While the num-
Der OF pupils is rapidly increasing no adequate
provision exists for a corresponding 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 are rented. and are, in important par
ticulaTs, unsuited for the purpose. The cause
of popular education in the District OF Column
bia is surely entitled to the same consideration
at the hands OF the national government as In
the several States and Territories TO which
muniticlent grants OF the public lands nave been
made for The endowment Of schools and univer.
sites.
RUTHERFORD 3. HAYES.
Executive Mansion, Dec. l, 1879.
THE CAPTURE OF IQUIQUE by the army of Cbiel
seems to show that that enterprising state pro-
poses to settle the disputes about the nitrates
by the annexation OF the territory in which
those valuable deposits are found.