Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-06

expressing the earnest hope that congress VII
AZ this session take favorable action or tue h'l
providing for the allotment OF lands on the az
teleht reservations In ScveraltY 10 the Indians,
WIN patents comforting Zee simple title inalieu-
aoie lor a certain period ana the eyenJful dispo-
sllloE or the residue OF The reservations :oT
general settlement, with the consent and for
lhe benent OF the Indians. placing The latter
uhuer The equal protection OF the laws OF tb,,
os 1 Inns measure, toGei her with vigor-
work the most impoTtant aud elective advances
Toward The solution OF the Indian problem in
preparing for the gradual merging or our Indian
population In the great body OF American cTri-
ZenShip.
A large increase Is reported In the disposal o.
PUBIC lan0S ior statement during the nast wear
which marks the prosperous growth OF or Arr,
cultural industry, and a vigorous movement or
population toward our unoocupied lands. A
this movement proceeds the co1lncalon of our
land laws. as Well as proper legislation - rngu-
late the disposition or publtc lands. become N
more pressing necessity. aud therefore invite
the consideration of Congress 10 the report and
the accompanying draft Of bill, made Dy the
Public Lands Commission. which were comnu-
nlcated by me 10 Congress al the last session.
Early action upon this important subject IS
highly desirable.
The attention OF Congress is again asked 20
the wasteful depredations committed on oar
public timber lands. and the rapid ana in.iis-
criminate destruction OF our forests The urgent
necessity for legislation 10 this end is now gen.
orally recognized. In view OF the lawless cuaT-
acter of the depredattonS commit ted aud the
disastrous consequences which will inevitably
follow their continuance. legislation has again
and again been recommended TO arrest the eva,
al Il TO preserve for the people or our western
states and territories the timber needed for DO
nestle and other essential uses
The report OF the Director OF the Geological
Survey is document Of unusual interest
The Director OF the survey rpcomneuds
that the fnyestiSa ions carried on by MS bu-
reau which, SO far, have been confined 10 tbs
so-Caled public-land states and territories bs
extended over the entire country. and that the
nece SSaTy APPROXIMATION pe made for tLis pur-
pose. This would be particularly beneficial 10
the iron, coal and other mining Interests OF the
Mississippi valley and OF the eastern and south
ern states The subject is commended 70 the
careful consideration Of Congress
The secretary or the Interior asks attention
TO The want OF room in the public buildings OF
TIE capital, now existing and Ina progress OF con-
stiuction, for the accommodation OF the clerical
force employed. and or the public records Ne
Cesslty has compelled the renting or private
buildings In different parts OF the city FOR the
location OF public Offices, Tor which a large
amount or rent IS annually paid. while tha sep
afatlon or oiiiceS belonging 10 the same depart
ment impedes the transaction or current blsi-
ness. The secretary suggests that the blocks
surrounding Lafayette square on tie east
north. ana west, be purchased rs the sites Toe
new ediceS. for the accommodation or q he gov
/ ernment Offices leaving the square irSPIIinfasf.
AID that If Such building were cOnstrictef
upon harmonious plan OF architecture fa.y
I would add much 10 the beauty OF the altlOnii
! capital, ana would, t0geh her with the Treas ~
aId the new state. Navy and War department.
building, form one OF the most imposing -rC lps
or public edifiCeS IN the WUTld
The Commits ion,r of Agriculture asks atrcn-
I ton particularly 10 the continued prevalence or
an infectious and contagious cattle disease
known and dreaded In Europe and Asia a. eafs
tie plague, O. nleuro-parumOnia. A NIL -ype
uf This disease, Ia certain sections or OUr cOun-
Try, IS the oct asion Of great loss 10 our farmers
and OF serious disturbance 20 our trade WITH
Great Britain, which furnishes a market Tor
most OK our live s. 0ck and dressed meats. The
value OF neat cattle exported from tho United
states for the sghj months ended August -,
lSS0, was more than twelve million dollars and
I nearly GOube the value for the same period IN
1879. an uneNampl"d increase or export trada
Your carly attention Is Solicited 70 this import
ant matter.
The recommendation heretofore made. IS re
peated and urged, that an educational Tlnd o.
set apart from the net proceeds of the sal"s Oh
the public lands annually. tie income OF which,
and the remainder or The net annual proceeds
10 be distributed on some satisfactory plan 10
the states and territories and the District or
Columbia The success or the public schools OF
the District OF columbia, and the progress
made. unCeT the intelligent direction of the
board OF education and the superintendent in
supplying the educational requirements OF The
District with thoroughly trained and Efficient
teacnerS, is very gratifying. The acts o: Con-
gTees. from time 10 time. donating publi. lands
| 10 the several states and territories Ia a.d 0f
educational Interests, have proved 10 be wise
measures or public policy. resulting in great
and lasting benefit It would seem 10 Oe r
matter or simple justice 70 extend the benefits
OF this legislation, the wisdom OF VIII d has
District or Columbia.
again commend the general interests OF tbs
Dlstrict OF columbia 10 The favorable cuns!tera-
tion OF Congress. The affairs or the District as
shown by the report OF the Commissioners are
, IN very satisfactory condition.
In my annual messages heretofore. ard ia NY
special message OF December "a. lS.a J have.
urged upon The attention OF congress the
necessity OF reclalming The marshes OF ths
Potomac adjacent 70 the capital. and am con-
strained by its importance 10 advert again 10
the subject. These flat5 embrace an area OF
several hundred acres They are az inpe,l.-
ment TO the drainage or the CITY, aad seriously
Impair its health lC is believed that with THIS
substantial improvement or Its river front The
capital would be. In all respects one or the E0sI
at raeuiye cities ia the world. Aside from us
permanent population. this city Is ne'-~saTi.y
Jne place OF residence or persons FROM every
section or the county, engaged IN The ppn.i:
service. Many Others reside here temporarily,
Ior me transaction OF business with The govern
mcIl.
II should not be forgotten that the land ac-
quiTed VIII probably oe worth the cost OF Te-
! claiming II, and that the navigation Or th5
river Will be greatly improved. / therefore
again invite the attention OF Congress 10 tho
importance or prompt provision Tor his much
needed ana toe long delayed improvement.
The water supply OF the city Is fndiadpate.
IN addition 20 the ordinary usU throughout the
city, the consumption oy government Is neces-
sally very great 10 the navy yard, arsenal aC1
The various departments, and a large quantity
Is required foi The proper preservation VI the
numerous parks ana the cleansing OF SeWers.
] recommend that his subject receive The early
attention or Congress. and that In making
prov islon for an Increased supply, such means Dc
adopted as viii have In view the future growth
or the city. Temporary cXpedients Tor such a
purpose cannot but be w6Sterul OF money. aal
therefore unwiSe. more ample reservoir
with corresponding facilities Tor keeping n
illleJ should, III my Judgment, be constr IcIe1.
commend again 70 the attention OF toEEF@ss
the subject Cf The removal. from their pTeseu-
location. OF the depUiS or the several railroads
entering the city: and renew the recONmen-
Cations OF nay former mess ages In behalf or rh1
erection OF a building for the congressional M-
prafy; the completion OF the Washington mJg-
ument; and or liberal appropriations 10 support
or the benevolent. reiOrEatOry and penal iIs,i-
tutionS CT the District
RUTHERFORD i. HAZE
Executive Mansion, dec. q. lo,e.
Report Of Secretary sherman.
The annual report or Secretary sherman was