Year: 1877

been made at the United States Lega- ton at Paris The Department of Stale has also received official advice of the strong desire on the part of the French government that the United States should participate il this enterprise, and that space has hitherto been and is still reserved in the exhibition build ing for the use of exhibitors from the United States, to the exclusion Of other parties who have been applicants there for.

 In order that our industries may be properly represented al the Exhibition, an appropriation will be needed for the payment of salaries and expenses of Commissioners, for the transporta- ton of goods, and for other purposes in connection with the object Tn view, and as May next is the lime fixed for the opening of the Exhibition, if our citizens are to show the advantages of this International Convention for the trade of other nations, the necessity for immediate action IS apparent. To en- able the United States to cooperate in the International Exhibition which was held at Vienna in 1873, Congress passed q joint resolution making an appropriation of S200,000 and author izing the President To appoint certain number of practical artisans and scien- tific men who should attend lhe EXhi- bition and report thelr proceedings and observations to him. Provision was also made for the appointment of a number of honorary Commissioners l have felt that prompt action by Con. gress m accepting rhe invitation of the government of France is Ot SD much interest 10 the people of this country, and SD suitable 10 the cordial relations existing between the governments of the two countries, that tbe subject might properly be presented for at- tenuon at your present session.

 The governments of Sweden and Norway have addressed an official in vltation 10 this government tO take part in the International Prison College 10 be held next year The problem which the Congress proposes to study-how tD diminish crime-ls one in which all civilized nations have an interest in common, and the Congress of Stock holm seems likely 10 prove the most important convention ever held for the study of this grave question. Under authority of joint resolution of Con greas, approved February l6, 1875, q Commission was appointed by my pre- decessor to represent the United States upon tha; occasion, and The previous Congress having been, at the earnest desire of the Swedish government, postponed to 1878, his Commission was renewed by me. An appropriation of 5000 was made in the Sundry Civil Service Act of 1875 to meet the eX- penses of the Commissioners. I re- commend the reappropriation of that sum for the same purpose, the former appropriation having been returned in to the Treasury, and being no longer available for the purpose without fur ther action by Congress. The subject is brought tO your attention at this time in view of circumstances which render it highly desirable that the Commissioner should proceed to the discharge of his important duties i'm mediately.

 The several Acts of Congress pro viding fog detailed reports from the different departments of the government scquiTe their submission at the begin ming of their regular annual session. l defer until that time any further ref erence to subjects of public interest

 R. B. HAYES, President