Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-12-07


tention particularly to the continued preya
lence of an infectious and contagious cattle.
disease, known and dreaded in Europe and
Asia as cattle-plague, or pleuro-pneumonia
A mild type OF this disease, in certain sections
of our country, is the occasion of great loss
to our farmers, and Of serious disturbance TO
our trade with Great Britain, which furnishes
4 market for most of our livestock and
dressed meats. The value of neat-cattle ex-
ported from the United States for the eight
months ended August 81, 1880, was more
than twelve million dollars, and nearly
double the value for the same period in 1873.
an unexampled increase of export trade.
Your early attention is solicited to this I'M
pOrtant matter.
EDUCATION.
The Commissioner of Education reports a
continued increase of public interest in ed
vocational affairs, and that the public schools
generally throughout the country are well
sustained. Industrial training is at.
tracing deserved attention, and colleges for
instruction, theoretical and practical, in az
riculture and the mechanic arts, including
the government schools recently established
for the instruction of Indian youth, are gain
ing steadily in public estimation. The Com
missioner asks special attention to the depre-
datiOns committed on the lands reserved tor
the future support of public instruction, and
to the very great need of help from the Ma
ton for schools in the Territories and in the
Southern States. The recommendation
heretofore made, is repeated and urged, that
an educational fund be set apart from the net
proceeds of the sales of the public lands an
nuallv, the income of which, aid the re-
mainder of the net annual proceeds, to be
distributed on some satisfactory plan to the
States and Territories and the District of
Columbia.
The success of the public schools of the
District of Columbia, and the progress made,
under the intelligent direction of the Board
of Education and the superintendent, in sup
plying the educational requirements of the
District, with thoroughly trained and efficient
teachers, is very gratifying. The acts of
Congress, from time to time, donating pub
lie lands to the several States and Territories
in aid of educational interests, have proved
to be wise measures of public policy. result.
ing in great and lasting benefit. 1t would
seem to be matter of simple justice to ex-
tend the benefits of this legislation the wis.,
dom Of which has been so fully vindicated
by experience, to the District of Columbia.
DISTRICT OF CoLUMBIA.
l again CoIlluleUu t0t general lnteTtstS Vi
the District of Columbia to the favorable
consideration of Congress. The affairs of
the District, as shown by the report Of the
commissioners, are in a very satisfactory
condition.
In my annual messages heretofore, and in
my special message of December 49, 1879, /
have urged upon the attention of Congress
the necessity Of reclaiming the marshes of
the Potomac adjacent to the capital, and |
am constrained by its Importance to advert
again to the subject. These flats embrace an
area of several hundred acres. They are an
impeachment to the drainage of the city. and
seriously impair its health. 1t is believed
that, with this substantial improvement of its
river front, the capital would be, in all
respects, one of the most attractive cities in
the world. Aside from its permanent popu-
lation, this city is necessarily the place OF
residence of persons from every section OF
the country, engaged in the public service.
Many Others reside here temporarily, for the
transaction Of business with the government.
1t should not be forgotten that the land
acquired will probably be worth the cost Of
retaining it, and that the navigation Of the
river will be greatly improved, therefore
again invite the attention of Congress to the
Importance ofprompt provision for this much
needed and too long delayed improvement
The water supply of the city is inadequate
In addition to the ordinary use throughout
the city, the consumption by government isnec-
essarily very great in the navy-yard, arsenal,
and the various departments, and large
quantity is required for the proper preserva-
ton of the numerous parks and the cleansing
of sewers. l recommend that this subject
receive the early attention of Congress, and
that, in making provision for an increased
supply, such means be adopted as will have
in view the future growth of the city. Tenn
porary expedients for such purpose cannot
but he wasteful Of money, and therefore I'M
wise. A more ample reservoir. with cor
responding facilities for keeping it filled,
should, in my judgment. be constructed.
commend again to the attention Of Congress
the subject Of the removal, from their present
location, of the depots of the several rail-
roads entering the city; and l renew the
recommendations of my former messages in
behalf of the erection of building for the
Congressional Library; the completion Of the
Washington monument; and of liberal ap'
preparations in support of the benevolent, re-
formatory, and penal institutions of the Dis
trict.
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dec. 9th, 1880.