Year: 1878




courage and assist the spirit of discovery
and improvement, this species of establish
ment contributing doubly to the increase of
improvement by stimulating to enterprise
and experiment, and by drawing to COM
mon center the results everywhere of indi-
vidual skill and observation, and spreading
them thence over the whole nation. Ex.
perience accordingly hath shown that they
are very cheap instruments of immense
national benefit"


The great preponderance of the agricul-
tural over any other interest in the United
States entities it to all the consideration
claimed for it by Washington. About one
half of the population of the United
States is engaged in agriculture. The value
of the agricultural products of the United
States for the year 187Sis estimated at three
thousand millions of dollars. The exports
of agricultural products for the year 1877
as appears from the report of the Bureau of
Statistics, was five hundred and twenty.
four millions of dollars. The great extent
of our country, with its diversity of soil |
and climate, enables US to produce within |
our own borders, and by our own labor, |
not only the necessaries but most of the |
Injuries that are consumed in civilized |
countries. Yet, Notwithstanding our ad- |
vantages of soil, climate and intercommuLi
cation, it appears from the statistical state.



Agriculture, that we import annually from |
foreign lands many millions of dollars
worth of agricultural products sfwhich could
be raised in our own country.


Numerous questions arise in the practice |
of advanced agriculture which can only be
answered by experiments, often costly, and
sometimes fruitless, which are beyond the
means of private individuals, and are just
and proper charge on the whole nation for
he hnr, Oft Of fl,ar tc Arnn
especially in times of depression and un-
certainty in other business pursuits, with
vast area of uncultivated, and hence
unproductive territory, wisely opened to
homestead settlement, TO encourage, by
every proper and legitimate means, the
occupation and tillage of the soil. The
efforts of the Department of Agriculture to
stimulate old and introduce new agricul-
tural industries, to improve the quality and
increase the quantity of our products, to
determine the value of old or establish the
Importance of new methods of culture, are
worthy of your careful and favorable con.
sideration, and assistance by such appro-
priations of money and enlargement of
facilities as may seem to be demanded by
the present favorable conditions for the
growth and rapid Development of this i'm
portant interest.


The abuse of animals, in transit, is widely
attracting public attention. A National
Convention of societies specially interested
in the subject has recently met at Balti-
more, and the facts developed, both in re-
gard to cruelty to animals and the effect of
such cruelties upon the public health, would
seem to demand'the careful consideration of
Congress, and enactments of more
efficient laws for the prevention of those
abuses.


EDUCATION.


The report of the Commissioner of the
Bureau of Education shows very gratifying
progress throughout the country, in all the
interests committed to the care of this inn
portant Office. The report is especially en-
couraging 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 any other agency
we are to look, as the resource for the ad-
| vancement of the people, in the requisite
| knowledge and appreciation of their rights
and responsibilities as citizens, and desire
| to repeat the suggestion contained in my for
mer message in behalf of the enactment o
appropriate measures by Congress for the
purpose of supplementing, 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 delay. This
| invaluable collection of books, manuscripts
and illustrative art has grown to such rro-
portions, 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 its present crowded
and insufficient quarters. As this library is
national in its character, and must, from
the nature of the case, increase even more
rapidly in the future than in the past, it
can not be doubted that the people will
sanction any wise expenditure to preserve it
and to enlarge its usefulness.


The appeal of the Regents of the Smith
sonian Institution for the means to organize,
exhibit and make available for the public
benefit the articles now stored away belong
ing to the National Museum, 1 heartily
recommend to your favorable consideration.


DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MATTERS.


The attention of Congress is again
invited to the condition of the
river-front of the city of Washington. 1t
is matter of vital importance to the health
of the residents of the National 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 danger.
Gus source of malarial poison: The re:
clamation will improve the navigation OF
the river, by restricting and consequently
deepening its channel; and is also of i'm
portance, when considered in connection
with the extension of the public grounds
and the enlargement of the park, west and
south of the Washington Monument. The
| report of the board of survey, heretofore
ordered by act of Congress, on the improve.
ment OF the harbor of Washington and
Georgetown, is respectfully commended to
consideration.


The report of the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia presents a detailed
, statement of the officers of the District.
The relative expenditures by the United
States and the District for local purposes
is contrasted, showing that the expenditures
by the people of the District greatly ex


ceed those of the General Government


The exhibit is made in connection with
e estimates for the requisite repair of the de
1 fective pavements and sewers OF the city
n which is work of immediate necessity
e and, in the same connection, plan is pre-
sented for the permanent funding Of tn
e outstanding securities of the District.
!. The benevolent, reformatory, and pena
: institutions of the District are all entitlet
s to the favorable attention of Congress. Tn
s Reform School needs additional buildin
C and teachers. Appropriations which viii
r place all these institutions in a condition t
It become models of usefulness and benef
l. cence, will be regarded by the country a
e liberality wisely bestowed.


= The Commissioners, with evident justice
It requestattent to the discrimination mad
= by Congress against this District in tn
IS donation of land for the support of the put
l. lie schools, and ask that the same libert
r. that has been shown to the inhabitants 9
u the various States and Territories of th
h United States, may be extended to the Di
l. trict of Columbia.


y The Commissioners also invite attentio
is to the damage inflicted upon public an
a private interests by the present location {


the depots and switching tracks of tn
it several railroads entering the. city, and as
s. for legislation looking to their remova
al The recommendations and suggestions col
d tanned in the report will, 1 trust, receiv
ID the careful consideration of Congress.
Is Sufficient time has, perhaps, not elapse
g since the reorganization of the governmeI


of the District, under the recent legislatio
l. of Congress, for the expression of col
al fdent opinion as to its successful operation