New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-01

thor agitation Of this subject such agitation being
apt TO produce disturbing effect up0n the service
MS well ~ tho Indians themselves" Since then. the
| committee having reported, tho question has been
decided III the negative by ayote IN the House Of
Representatives for the reasons here stated, and in
view Of the fact that further uncertainty this
point will be- calculated to obstruct other much
needed legislation to weaken the discipline Of the
service. and 80 uusotto sanitary measures now in
progress for tho government aud improvements OF
| HE lndiaDs, respectfully recommend that the de-
csion arrived az by Congress at is last sessoB 10
! permitted to stand.
TIE PUBLIC LANDS.
Efforts made by the Department Of the rnterior 10
nrres; the depredatIons the timber lands Of the
United States have been continued, and have met
with considerable success. large number of cases
OF trespass have been prosecuted in the courts Of
the United States. Others have been settled. the
| trespassers offering 10 make payment 10 the Gov
! ornmont for the value Of The timber taken by them
The ;rOccedsoi these prosecutions and settlements
turned into the Treasury, Ear exceed in amount the
| sums appropriated by Congress for this pnrpose A
more important result, however consists in The fact
that The destruction of oar public forests by depre
! daton, although such still occnr has been
greatly reduced in extent, and " Is pfobable
that il the present. policy is vigorously pursued and
sufficient provision TO that end "a made by Congress
such frespasses at least those on o large scale can
be entirely suppressed. except In the Territories
where timber the daily requirements OF the
popuiat OBS cannot nDder the present state Of the
law. be otherwise obtained. j therefore earnestly
invite the attention of Congress 60 the rccOmmenda-
tion by the Secretary Of the Interior, that law DO
enacted enabling the Government TO sell timber
from the public lauds, without conveying the fee
where snch lands are prime gally valuable foo the
timber thereon, such saestobe so regulated as TO
form 10 domestic wants and business requirements
while AZ the same time guarding against sweeping
destruction of the forests. The enactment If such
n law appears TO become moro pressing necessity
every day.
AGBIcyLTURE.
Ny recommendations IN former messages are re-
newed in favor Of charging the facilities Of the
Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Is the
leading interest and the permanent industry of our
people Ii is to the abundance of agricultural pro-
duction as compared with onr home consumption
and the largely-Increased ana highly profitable
year,, that we are mainly indebted Tor our present
prosperity a people. We must look for rs con-
timed maintenance 10 the same substantial re-
source. There is 40 branch Of industry IN which
labor directed by scientific knowledge. yields such
increased production in comparison with unskilled
labor ard no branch Of the public service TO
which the encouragement of liberal appropriations
can be more appropriately extended. The omission
20 render such aid j. not wise economy, onf, on
tho contrary. undoubtedly results IN losses OF In
menec Sums annually that might be saved through
well-dIrected efforts by the Government 20 promote
this viral interest. The results already accom-
plished with the very limited means heretofore
placed at the command OF the Department OF Agri-
culture are an earnest OF what may be expected with
increased appropriations for the several pur-
poses indicated in the report of the COMMISSIONED.
with "A view to placing the department upon
lively the objects for which it Is established. Al
preparations needed for more complete iaDora-
tory, for the establishment of veterinary DIVISION
and a division of forestry. and for an increase OF
force; The requirements for these and other pur-
poses indicated IN the report OF the Conmssionsr
Under the head of the immediate necessities OF she
department., VIII not involve any nxpenoltofe 81
money iaat the country cannot with 9Tssr.ety ~"w
undertake in the interests Of agriculture.
THE BUREAU OF EDUCATION.
It's gratifying to learn FROM tho 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 deyiSing
appropriate measures of financial aid 10 education,
supplemental To local action in the states and
Territories and IN the District or Colunl-
bia. The wise forethought If the founders
of our Governments has not only furnished
the basis for the support OF tho common
school systems Of the newer States. but laid
tine foundation for the maintenance OF
their universities and colleges of agriculture and
the mechanic arts. Measures in accordance with
this TadtiODal policy, for the further benefit OF all
these interests. and the extension of the same adj
vanages 10 every portion oil the country, tits hoped.
will receive your favorable consideration. SO pre-
serve and perpetuac the National literature should
be among tine foremost cares Of the National Legis-
lature The library gathered at the Capitol still re-
maIns unprovided with any suitable accommoda-
tions for its rapidly increasing stores. The magni-
tude and importance of the collection. increased
il Is by the deposits made under tho law
of copyright 10y domestic and foreign exchanges,
and by tie scientific library OF the Smithsonian
shall be at equal and fireproOf. The location
OF such public building. which should provide
for the pressing necessities of the present, and Tor
the vast increase IF the Nations books the flu
tire, matter which addresses itself to the dis.
erection Of Congress. 1t IS earnestly recommended
Us measure which should unite all SURFACES. and
which should no longer be delayed
TIE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
The joint commission created by the act Of Con-
eress of August q 1875, for the purpose of supervs
ing and directing the completion of the Washington
National Monument. of which commission the Presi-
dent Is member. has given careful attention to
this subject and already the strengthening OF the
foundation has far progressed to insure the en-
tire success OF this part or the work. MASSIVE
layer of masonry has been introduced below the
original foundation, widening the base, Increasing
the stability of the structure and rendering pos
sible TO carry the shaft TO completion. t IL earn
estly recommended that sncb further appropriations
be made for the continued prosecution of the work
as be necessary for the completion Of this Ma
tional monument at an early day.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
In former messages impressed with tho impor-
lance ofthe subject. have taken occasion to COM
mend to Congress the adoption OF generous policy
toward the District OF CoIumbia. The report OF
thu Commissioners of the District. herewith trans
mitted. contains suggestions and recommendations,
to All of when earnestly invite your careful at
tenton. ask your early and favorably consdera-
ton of the views which they express ~ to the ur-
gent need of legislation for the reclamation of the
marshes of the Potomac and its 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 al
most impossible, and q source of imminent dan
ger the health OF its citizens. The means at the
disposal OF the Commissioners wholly made
quate for the accomplishment of these important
works, and should be supplemented by timely ap-
preparations from the Federal Treasury. The filing
of the as in front of the city will add to the ada
cent lands and parks, owned by the United
States q large and valuable domain sufficient il Is