Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-12-09

very limited means hefefofore pIaced al the
command OF the department OF agriculture is
m earnest Of what may be expected, with tn
creased appropriations for the several pnr-
poses indicated in the report OF the commits
sioner, with view To placing the department
upon footing which will enable il TO prose
cute more effectively the objects for which II
is established. Appropriations arc needed Tor
a more complete laboratory, Tor tho establish
ment Of veterinary division and division OF
forestry, and for an increase OF force. The
requirements for these and other purposes
indicated in the report OF the commissioner,
under the head OF the immediate necessities
o, the department, will not involve any ex-
penditure OF money that the country cannot
with propriety now undertake in the interests
nf agriculture.
IL il gratifying 10 learn from the bureau OF
education the extent 10 which educational
privileges throughout the United States have
heen advanced during the year. No more
fundamental responsibility rests upon Con-
gr, IS than that OF devistOg appropriate inca
surcs Of financial aid to education, supple
mental 10 local action in the States and
Territories and in the District of Columbia.
The wise iorethought OF the founders OF our
government has not only furnished the basis
Tor ;he support of the commou-school systems
of the newer States bat laid the foundations
Ion the maintenance OF their universities and
colleges oi agriculture and the mechanical
arts. Measures In accordance with this tTadi-
iional policy, tor the further benefit of all
these Interests, and the extension OF the same
advantages To- every portion OF the country, II
j. hoIed will receive your favorable consideu-
uuii. To preserve and perpetunte the national
literature should be among the foremost cares
OF the national legislature. The library
gathered nj the Capitol still remains unpro-
vided with any suitable accommodations tor
It's rapidly increasing stores. The magnitude
and Importance OF the collection, increased as
At l. by the deposits made under g law OF
copyright, by domestic and foreign exchanges,
and by the scientific library ofthc Smithsonian
Institution, call Tor building accommodations
which shall be NJ once equal and Greprooi.
The location Of such public building, which
should provide Tor the pressing necessities OF
the present, and for the vast increase OF the
nations books in the future is matter which
addr, sse- itself 10 the discretion OF Congress.
|, j. earnestly recommended as a measure
which should unite all sutfuIges, and which
should no longer be- delayed.
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
The inint commission created by the act al
/ Congress OF August 2, 1876, Tor the purpose d
/ ,unervising and directing iAe completion q
the Washington national monument, OF which
+ commission tho President Is a member, has
+ ..iven careful attention 10 this subject, auC
ALREADY the strengthening OF the foundation
hnS - far progressed as To insure the cntJr,
success OF Tins part OF the work. massive
\ hycI oi masonry has been introduced below
the original foundation, widening the base
increasing the stability OF the structure, an,
rendering il possible 10 carry the shaft q
Il a.. f,rtrft Ia.
Tint such luther appropriations be made iu
the continued prosecution oi ,he work as MAJ
he necessary Tor the completion OF this ma
,ional monument az an early day.
DISTRICT oF COLUMBIA.
In former messages impressed with The
importance OF the subject, have taken occa
zion 10 commend 10 Congress the adoption q
n Generous policy toward the District oi Co
lumhia. The report OF the commissioners q
the District herewith transmitted, contain
suggestions and Recommendations, 10 all q
which earnestly invite your careful Ritcn
ton. ask your early and favorable consid
epa,iou ID the views which they express q
20 the urgent need OF legislation ior the reo,r
nation OF the marshes Of the Potomac and Il
eastern branch. within the limits OF the city
aud tor the repair OF the streets OF the capita
heretofore laid with wooden blocks, and no.
hy decay rendered almost impossible and
source OF imminent danger 10 the health
IL citizens. The means "a, the disposal oi ih
commissioners are wholly inadequate Tor IN
accomplishment of these important works
and should be supplemented by timely appr'
prations from the Federal treasury. Tn
n'liug OF the flats in front OF the city will al
20 the adjacent lands and parks, now owne
By the United States, u large and yalunblc dc
main, sufficient, IL j. thought, 20 reimburse Il
entire cost, and viii also, as an Incidental Il
suit, secure the permanent Improvement {
the nver for the purpose oi navigation. n
Cons tituilon having invested Congress Wit
supreme and exclusive luri- LECTION over ih
District OF Columbia, its citizens must {
necessity look 20 Congress alone for all nee,
iul legislation affecting their interests, and q
The territory OF this District a. the conImo
property OF the people of the United State,
who, equally with lis resident citizens, az
interested IN the prosperity O., their capital,
cannot doubt that you will be- amply sas,aine
by the general voice OF the country in an
measures you may adopt Tor this purpose.
also invite tho favorable con=ide iation OF Cor
gress 10 the wants OF the public schools o. tn
District, "a exhibited in the report OF oh
commissioners. While the number OF pupil
Is rapidly increasing, no adequate provi-io
exists for a corresponding increase OF scAo,
accommodation, and the commissioners az
without The means To meet this urgent ne,
a number OF the buildings now used Tor scho'
purposes are rented, and are, IN importai
particulars, unsui,ed tor the purpose. n
cause of popular education in the District 4
Columbia Is surely entitled 10 the same cor
sideultion AZ the hands OF the national govern
ment as in the several States and Territories
10 which munincent grants OF the public land
have been made tor the endowment OF school
and universities.
RUTHERFORD b. HAILs.
Executive Mansion, Dec. /, 1879.