The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-12-03

privileges throughout the United States have
Sena sasancsa anring the year 10 more
than that OF devtsing appropriate measures of
financial aid to education, supplemental to
tories, and in the District OF Columbia. The
wise iorethCught of the founders OF our Gov
eminent has not only furnished the oasis for
the support of The com mon school systems OF
the newer States, but laid the foundations for
the maintenance OF their Universities and
Soiieges OF Agriculture and the mechanic arts.
Measures in accordance with this traditional
policy for the further benefit of all these in
terssts, and The extension of the same advan-
tages to every portion of the country. 1t is
hoped, VIII receive your favorable consider
To preserve and perpetuate the national lit
erature should be among the foremost cares of
the national legislature. The library gathered
al Inc Capitol still remains nnprovided with
any suitable accommodations for It's rapidly
increasing stores. The magnitude and
I'm portance OF The collection, increased as
1t Is by the deposits made under the law
OF copyright. by domestic and foreign ex-
changes. and by the scientific library Of the
Smithsonian Institution, call for building ac-
commodations which shall be at once ade-
quate and fire-proof. The location of such q
pressing necessities of the present, and for the
vast increase of the nations books in the fu-
ture. is a matter which addresses itself TO the
discretion of Congress- 1t is earnestly recom-
mended as measure which should unite all
layed.
The joint commission created by the act'of
Congress of August 2, 1876, for the purposesof
sAPSiNlSiue anu UlItctlIg IDe CON DleIlOn OF
the Washington National monumeuT Of
which commission the president is a member,
mas given careful attention 10 this subject,
and already the strengthening of the FONDA
ton has SO far progressed as TO insure the en-
tire success OF this part OF the work A massive
layer OF masonry has been introduced below
the original fCunoation. widening the bas e.
increasing The stability of the structure and
rendering IL possible 10 carry the shaft to conn
pletion. II is earnestly Recommended that
such further appropriations be made for the
continued prosecution OF the work as may be
he FaNafas
monument at an early day.
IN former messages, impressed with the i'm
To commend to Congress the adontson Of a
generous policy toward the District of Column
oia The report of the com missioners of the
Dislrlct, herewith transmitted, contains sug
gesiops and recommendations to all of W hich
earnestly invite your careful attention. /
ask your early and favorable consideration OF
the views which they express as 10 the urgent
need OF legislation for the reclamation of the
marshes OF the Potomac and its eastern branch
WITHIN Inc limits OF the city, and for the re-
pair OF the streets OF the capital, heretofore
laid with wooden blocks. and now by decay
rendered almost impossible, and a source of
imminent danger to the health of its citizens
The means at the disposal of the commission
ment of these important works, and 50 oud be
supplemented by timely appropriations from
the Federal trea -ury.
The filling of the flats in front of the city
Will add to the adjacent lands and parks now
owned by the United States a large and vslu-
able domain, sufficient, it is Thought, to reim-
burse its entire cost, and will also, as an Incl
dental result, secure the permanent improve
ment of the river for the purposes of paviga-
ton.
The constitution having invested Congress
with supreme and exclusive jurisdiction over
the District of Columbia. its citizens must of
necessity look to Congress alone for all need
iul legislation affecting their interests; and as
the territory of this District is the common
property efthe people OF the United States,
who, equally with It's resident citizens, are in
terested In the prosperity OF their capital, /
can not doubt that you will be amply sus-
tanned by the general voice Of tbs country in
any measures you may adopt for this purpose.
L also invite the favorable consideration OF
Congress to the wants of the public SCHOOLS of
this District, as exhibited in the report of the
commissioners While the number of pupils
is rapidly increasing, no adequate provision
exists for a corresponding increase of school
accommodation, and the commissioners are
without the means to II. eet this urgent need.
A number OF The buildings now USED for SC hooi
purposes are rented, and are, In important
particulars, uIsuifed for the purpose. The
cause of popular education IN the District of
Colum bia is surely entitled TO the same consid-
GRAFTON at the hands of the Naional Govern
ment as In the several States and Territories,
/ TO which munifcent grants OF the public
lands have been made for the endowment OF
schools and universities
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.
Executive Mansion, Dec. !, 1879.