Year: 1878

The report of the commissioner of the bu- reau of education shows very gratifying prog ress throughout the country, in all the inter- ests committed to the care of this important Ofice The report is especially encouraging with respect to the extension of the advantages of the common school system, in sections of the country where the general enjoyment of the privilege of free schools is not yet attained To education more than to any ether agency we are te look as the resource for the advance ment of the people, in the requisite knowledge and appreciation of their rights and responsi- bflities as citizens, and desire to repeat the suggestion contained in my former message in behalf of the enactment of appropriate meas ures by congress for the purpose of supplement ting, with national aid, the local systems of education in the several states.

 Adequate accommodations for the great library, which is overgrowing the capacity of the rooms now occupied at the capitol, should be provided without further delay. This in- valuable collection of books, manuscripts and illustrative art, has grown to such proportions, in connection with the copyright system of the country, as to demand the prompt and careful attention of congress to save it from injury in it's present crowded and insufficient quarters. As this library is national in it's character and must, from the nature of the case, increase even more rapidly in the future than in the past it cannot be doubted that the people will sanction any wise expenditure to preserve it and to enlarge it's usefulness. The appeal of the regents of the Smithsonian Institution for the means to organize, exhibit, and make available for the public benefit the articles now stored away belonging to the National mus cum, heartily recommend to your favorable consideration.

 The attention of congress is again invited to the condition of the river front of the city of Washington. It is matter of vital impor- tance to the health of the residents of the na- tional capital, both temporary and permanent, that the low lands in front of the city, now subject to tidal overflow, should be reclaimed. In their present condition these flats obstruct the drainage of the city, and are dangerous source of malarial poison. The reclamation will improve the navigation of the river, by restricting and consequently deepening it's channel; and is also of importance when con- sidered in connection with the extension of the public ground and the enlargement of the park, west and south of the Washington mon. ument. The report of the board of survey, heretofore ordered by act of congress, on the improvement of the harbor of Washington and Georgetown, is respectfully recommended to consideration.

 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AFFAIRS.

 The report of the commissioners of the Dis trict of Columbia presents detailed statement of the affairs of the District. The relative ex- penditures by the United States and the Dis trict for local purposesis entrusted, showing that the expenditures by the people of the District greatly exceeded those of the general government. The exhibit is made in connec- tion with estimates for the requisite repair of the defective pavements and sewers of the city, which is a work of immediate necessity, orA sx. fkoo V11o so ed for the permanent funding of the outstand- ing securities of the District. The benevolent, reformatOry and penal institutions of the Dis rsct are all entitled te the favorable attention. of congress. The reform school needs adlit. iOnal buildings and teachers. Appropriations which will place all of these institutions in a condition to become models of usefulness and benefcence, will be regarded by the country as liberality wisely bestowed. The commis. sioners, with evident justice, request attention te the discrimination made by congress against the District in the donation of land for the support of the public schools and ask the same liberality that has been shown to the ir. habitants of the various states and territories of the United States The commissioners also invite attention to the damage inflicted upor public and private interests by the present To- cation of the depots and switching tracks oi the several railroads entering the city, and ask for legislation looking to their removal. The recommendations and suggestions contained in the report will, trust, receive the careful consideration of congress

 Sufficient time has, perhaps not elapsed since the reorganization of the government of the District, under the recent legislation of congress, for the expression of a confident opinion as to it's successful operation but the practical results already attained are so satis- factory, that the friends of the new govern ment may well urge upon congress the wisdom of it's continuance, without essential modifica- tiOn, until by actual experience it's advantages and defects may be more fully ascertained.

 R. B. HAYES

 Executive Mansion, December 9, 1878.