Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-12-16

commended to arrest the evil, and to preserve for
the people of our western states and territories
the timber needed for domestic and other essential
uses.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
The report of the director of the geological sur
! yey Is document Of unusual interest. The con-
soiidaton OF the various geological and geOgraph-
zeal surveys and exporting enterprises, each Of
| which has heretofore operated on an independent
| plan without concert cannot fail to be Of great
| benefit to all those industries o! the country
| which depend upon the development OF our min
eTal resources. The labOrs of our scientific men,
| Of recognized merit. who compose the corps of
geological survey, during the first season of their
field operations and inquiries, seems TO have been
/ very comprehensive, and will soon be cOmmunl-
| Gated to congress IN a number OF volumes. The
| director Of the survey recommends that the in
yestigations carried on by his bureau, which, SO
| far, have been confined to the sO-caled public
land states and territories. be extended over the
entire country, and that the necessary appropria
ton be made for this purpose. This would be par
/ ticularly beneficial to the iron, coal and other
mining interests of the Mississippi valley, and of
| the eastern and southern states. The subject is
commended TO the careful consideration of con
| gress.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
| The secretary of the interior asks attention 10
/ the want Of room in the public buildings of the
capital now existing and in progress of construc-
/ ton for the accommodation Of the clerical force
! employed, and of the public records. Necessity
| has compelled the renting OF private buildings IN
dierentsparts of the city for the location Of pub
lie Offices Tor which large amount Of rent Is an
nually paid, while the separation OF offices belong
| ing to the same departments impedeS the trans
| action of current business. The secretary sUg
! gests that the blocks surrounding Lafayette
| square on the east north and west, be purchased
| as the sites for new edifceS, for the accommoda-
ton Of the government offices, leaving the square
/ sol I II
structed upon harmonious plan of architecture,
| they would add much to the beauty Of the ma
| tlonal capital and would, together with the
treasury and the new state, navy, and war de-
| partmentbuilding, form one of the most imposing
groups " public edifces in the world.
EDUCATION.
he commissioner of education reports a con-
tinued increase of public interest in educational
fairs, and that the public schools generally
/ throughout the country are well sustained. In
dUstral training Is attracting observed attention
and colleges for Instruction. theoretical and prac-
| teal in agriculture and the mechanic arts, in
Guiding the government schools recently establish
ed for the instruction Of Indian youth, are gain
| ing steadily in public estimation. The commits
sioner asks special attention to the depredatOns
committed on the lands reserved for the future
| support of public instruction, and to the very
| great need of help from the nation 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
annually, the income of which, and the remainder
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 supplying the educational
requirements Of the District, with thoroughly
trained and efficient teachers, is very gratifying
The acts Of congress. from time to time, donating
public lands to the several states and territories
Ill aid of educational interests, have proved to be
wise measures of public policy, resulting in great
and lasting benefit. 1t would seem to be q matter
Of simple justice to extend the benefits of this leg
| islation, the wisdom of which has been SO fully
indicated by experience to the District of Colus
| bia.
! / again commend the general interests of the
| District Of Columbia to the favorable considera-
ton of congress. The affairs of the district as
shown by the report of the commits sioners. are in
| a very satisfactory condition.
| POTOMAC MARSHES.
! In my annual messages heretofore, and in my
| special message of December 10, 1879, / have
| urged upon congress the necessity of retaining
the marshes Of the Potomac adjacent to the
| capital, and ! am constrained by its mportance
| to advert again to the subject. These flats en-
| brace an area of several hundred acres. They
| are an impedent to the drainage of the CITY and
I q.
with this substantial improvement of tbs river
front, the capital aid be- in all respects one Of
| the most attractive cities in the world. Aside
| from its permanent population this city is nee
! essarily the place OF residence of persons from
! ever section of the country, engaged in the pub
| lie service. Many Others reside here temporarily,
for the transaction of business with the govern
ment.
| 1t should not be forgotten that the land &C
qured will probably be worth the cost Of redeem
ing it, and that the navigation Of the river viii be
greatly improved. | therefore again invite the at
tention of congress to the Importance of prompt
provision for this much-needed and tOo-long- de-
| layed Improvement
| The water supply of the city is inadequate In
addition to the ordinary use throughout the city,
the consumption by government is necessarily
very great in the nayy-yard, arsenal, and the va
rlous departments, and large quantity is re-
CURED for the proper preservation of the numer-
| GUS parks and the cleansing of sewers. | recon-
mend that this subject receive the early atten-
PROVISION for an increased supply,
such means be adopted as will have
in view the future growth of the city. Temper
airy expedients for such purpose cannot but be
wasteful of money and therefore unwise. A more
ample reservoir, with corresponding facilities foI
keeping it filed, should, in my judgement, be
constructed. | commend again to the attention
| of congress the subject of the removal, of theil
present location of the dopOts of the several rail-
roads entering the city: and l renew the recon
mendationS 0fmy former messages in behalf o
the erection of building for the congressional
library, the completion Of the Washington Mon
ument, and of liberal appropriations in support
of the benevolent reformatory, and penal institr-
| items of the district.
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES
| Executive Mansion, December g. 1880.