Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-12-04

lbor, and no branch of the public service to
which the encouragement Of liberal 1ppropria-
tons can be more appropriately extended
The ON !ssion to render such aid j. not wise
economy, but on the contrary undoubtedly re-
suits in losses OF Immense sums annually that
might be saved through we!l-directed efforts
by the Government TO promote this vital
interest The result already accomplish d
with the very limited means heretofore placed
at the command OF the Departmeat OF Agri-
culture is al earnest Of what may be expected
with increa led appropriations for the several
purposes indicated In the report of the
Commissioner, with view to placing the de
p.rrment upon . footing which wi | enable it
to prosecute more effectively the obj scts for
which i. is established Appropriations are
needed for q more complete laboratory, for tie
establishment Of Veterinary Division and a
Division 1T Forestry, and for an increase of
force The requirements for these and other
purposes indicated in The report of the Commits
sioner, under the head of "Immediate Neces-
sites Of tbs Department" will not involve any
expenditure ot money that the country cannot
with propiety nos undertake In the interests
of agriculture.
The PostCfYics.
The report Of the Postmaster General bears
testimony to the general revival OF business
throughout the country. The receipts OF the
Postoitice Department for the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1879, we're $50, OIL ,9S2 81, being
s76i, 463 81 more than the revenues of the
preceding year. The amount realized from the
sale or p1stdge-5tamps, stamped envelopes
and postal-carde was s764 49, 81 mo~e than In
the preceding year, and 81, 1897, 500 % more han
IN 1877 The expenditures of the department
were So, 449, 800 10, of which the sum of
$780, f6l CD was paid on liabilities incurred III
preceding years. The expenditures during the
year were $50, 200 n less than in the precsd-
ing year. This reduction is to be attributed
mainly to the operation OF the law passed June
~ 1873, changing the compensation of Post
masters from commission on the value of
stamps sold to q commission on the stamps can
celed. The amount drawn from the treasury
on appropriations, in addition to the revenues
of the department, WAS s3,03l, 454 81, being
S2,416, 81 50 less than in the preceding year
The expenditures for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1881, are estimated at S39, 92U. $50. and the
receipts from all sources at $50 PIG, 900, leaving
q deficiency to be appropriated for out of the
treasury of S17l0,SD. The relations Of the
department with the railroad com anies have
been harmopi2ed, Notwithstanding the general
reduction ~ Congress Of their compensation
by the appropriation for general facii les, and
the railway postal lines have been greatly
extended, especially III the Southern States
The interests Of the railway mail service would
be greatly promoted and the expenditures
could be readily controlled by the classification
OF the empltyes of the railway mail ser
vice, az recommended by the Postmas ter Gener-
al, the appropriations for service with respect
To which the maximum limit is already fixed
by law TO be made IN gross. The Postmaster
General recommends an amendment to the law
regulating all increase OF compensation for in
creased service and increased speed on star
routes, so AZ to enable him to advertise for
such increased service and speed H0 also
suggests the advantages to accrue to the COM
MERGE OF the country from the enactment Of
general law authorizing contracts with
American built steamers carrying the Amer
Aorv Co.
between the United s ates and parts of the
West Indies and South Americs at fixed
maximum price per mile, The amount to be
expended being regulated By annual appropria-
tons In like manner with the amount for tho
domestic star service. The arrange mont made
by the POSTMASTER: General and the Secretary
of the Treasury for the collection OF duties on
books received in the mail from foreign coun-
tries has proved 30 satisfactory in it's practical
operation that the recommendation is now
made that Congress extend the provisions of
the act of March 8, 1879, under which this
arrangement was made so as to apply TO all
other dutiable ATTIC es received in the mails
fto.n foreign countries.
District of Columbia.
In former messages, impressed with the i'm
portauce of the subject, l have taken occasion
to recommend to Congress the adrp ION Of a
generous policy toward the District of Column
ba. The report Of the Commissioners OF the
District herewith transmitted contains sug2es
tons and recommendations 10 all OF when
Le5uy invite your careful attention. l ask
your early and favorable consideration of tn
views which they express as TO urgent need o
legislation for the reclamation OF the marshes o
the Potomac and it's eastern branch within the
limits OF the city, and for the repair OF stree E
of the capital, heretofore laid with wooden
blocks, and by delay rendered. almost impass
abe and a source of imminent danger TO the
health of its citizens. The means at the dls
. psal OF the Commissioners are wholly made
quste for the mplishmenttof these imp
tsnt works and should be supplemented b
timely appropriations from the Federal & cas-
urv The filling Of the flats il front OF the cuy
will add to the adjacent lands and palk nov
ewned by the United States large and valuable
domain, efficient, il is thought, to reimburse
its entire cost, and will al~o, ~ An incidental
result secure the permanent Improvement OF
the river for the purpose of navigation.
The constitution having invested Congress
with supreme and exclusive jurisdiction Owe
the District of Columbia, it's cit zene must, o.
necessity, look 10 Congress alone for all need
full 10 isation affecting their interests, and a
the territory of this District is the commo'
property of tho people of the United States
who, equally with its resident citizens, are in
terested in the prosperity of their capital,
cannot doubt that you will be amply sustained
BY the general voice Of the country in any
measure you may adopt for this purpose
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 sdequste provision
exists for a corresponding inc ease OF schooi
accommCd anon, and the O. commissioners az
without the means to meet this urgent need
number OF the buildings now used
for school purposes are rented, ana
are in important parti 'rlars unssited for the
purpose The csllsa of popular education II
the District of Columbia is surely entitled 70
the same consideration at the h nds of the