Year: 1877

NUMBER 80.
the passage of law to that effect It win be an ss
Earnesteforts are being mode 20 purify She In
dian service & 50 that sTex delsar sgprs.sssd bg
the Indians intended 10 be benefited
These ., Efforts win have my firm sup
encouragement held out TO the Ind1sns to better
their condition, and to elevate themselves in the
cale of civilization, may hope to do. at the
tune. good work for them and fof ogrselvee.


The Timber Thieves


invite the attention OF Congress to the import
anee OF the statements and suggestions by the Sec
retars OF TIE Interior concerning the depredatioHs
committed upon the tignber-lands of the United
States aad the neceesity for the preserv ,tion of
ihe forests 1t is believed that the taken
depredatiops viii be entirely successful, if Con-
gees by appropriation for that purpose, renders
their continued enforcement possible


The experience OF other nations teaches US shsta
country cannot be stripped of its forests with i'm
consequences unless the and irrprovident
manner in which the forests Of the United States
are destroyed be efectually checked I earncsny
recommend that the measures suggested by the Sec
retar of tine Interior Tor the suppression depreda
tons on the public timber lands of the Tlited States
for the ceiling ef timber from The public lands, aud
for the preservation of the forests, be embodied
law. ana that considering the urgent necessity of
enabling the psop3e OF certain States and Tern
tories to purchase timber from the public lands in
legal manner, which at present they cannot do,
such a Law be passed without unavoidable delay.


Desert Lands.


would also cali the attention of Congress to the
statements made by the Secretary of the interior
concerning the disposition that might be made of
the desert lands, not irrigated, west of the one
hundredth 10oth3 meridian These lands sre prae-
tically upsaable under existing Laws, and the sug-
geslion E wotly of consideration that system of
feasehoid tenure would make them of profit
to Stat lepai-
izng the business OF scattle-raising, which is at
present carried on upon tbe11-


Agriculture.


The report of the Commissioners of AgrfcuIt ure
oont:tns the gratifying announcement Of the ex-
traordinaty which has rewarded the aRr2cul-
taIral industry of the oouotry for The past year.
With tho fair pricer winch obtain for the products Of
the SOL ociaIy for the surplus which people
| have to export, may confidently turn TO thus
the most important of all RESOURCES for tha
vival Of The depressed industries of the country
The report shows agricultural progress during
| the year, and contains statement of the work
| done by this department for the advancement of
| the agricultural industry upon which the
prosperity of our people 80 largely depends. Mat
ters of information included, of great interest
to all who seek, by the experience OF Others to i'm
prove their methods of cultivation. The eff
forts of the department to increase the production
| of important articles of consumption will, fl
hoped Improve the demand for labor and advance
! the business Of the country and eventually result
in saving some of the many millions that
annually paid to foreign nations for sugar and 9TH
| er stap-e products which habitusl has made
NAoA1SoeiS


Centennial Board.


The board, on behalf of the United States e1eou-
tive departments at the international Exposition of
1876, has concluded Its labors The inal report of
the board transmitted to Congress at the Last
session. As these papers are understood to contain
interesting and valuable information, apd will
stitute the only report emanating from the Govern
ment the subject of e1h1 bition, invite at
tention to the matter and recommend that the re-
port be published for general information


District of CoIumhIa.


| Congress is empowered by the constitution with
the authority of exclusive legislation the Dis
ment Of the nation is located The interests of the
| District having no direct representation in Con-
gres - are G entitled h 70 especial eonsidseation and
The capital of the United States belongs to the
nation, and it is natural that the American
theK th'' National government, @ nt and desire it to
be an ornament to the country. Much has been
done to render 1t healthfu convenient and attract
i've, but much remains to be done which its per-
manent Inhabitants not able and ought not to be
portion OF the cost required for pubic improve
fnents, which are IN great measure planned and
executed for the couvenience1of the Government
and of the many thousands of visitors from all parts
of the country who temporarily reside in the capital
of the nation, is an evident Injustice.


Your attention is invited to the suggestion of the
Comnliss toner's and of the Board a Health for the
organization of Board Of Charities to have super
| vision and control OF the disbursement of all mon
eys for charitable purposes from the District treas
urY.
need of adding to the efficiency of the public
schools of the District by supplemental aid from the
national treasury. This is especially Just since &C
large number of tuse attending schools are chill
dren of employees of the government.
| earnestly commend u your care the interest OF
| the people of the District VINO intimately
ISOLATED with the Government establishment, and to
tzsctiveness of the Capital are largely due,
and I ask your attention te the request
the interests intrusted to their care The approp-
ratons asked for the care of belonging
sioner Of Public Buildings and Grounds. also
commended 10 your favorable consideration


The Washington Monument.


The report Of the joint commission created by
the act approved August 2, 1876 act providing
for the completion Of the Washington monument,
is also herewith transmitted, with accompanying
documents. The board of engineer officers de-
tailed examine the monument in compliance
that the foundation ts insufficient No authority
exists for n making ths expenditures necessary to
mend that the commission be authorized TO expend
such portion of the sum appropriated by the act
may be necessary for the purpose. The present
unfinished condition of the monument, begun
long ago. is reproacn TO the nation 1t cannot be
mainly respond to such prompt provision as may
| be made for its competition at an early day, and
urge upon Congress the propriety and necessity of
| immediate legislation for this purpose.


Public Education


The wisdom Of legislation upon the part of Con-
|
whole people in those branches of study which
taught in he common schools of the country, is
longer question The intelligent Judgment of the
country goes still further regarding it also both
constitutional and expedient for the General
Government to extend to technical and
deemed essential to the general welfare,
and to due prominence among the enlightened
and cultured nations of the world. The ultimate
settlement of all questions of the future whether of
administration finance, of true nationality of
sentiment, depends upon The virtue and intelli-
| Cf II Ia to hon for The
success of free goTernment without the
source of power. No less than one-sevsnth Of the
entire voting population Of OR country are yet
unable to read and write. 1t is encouraging to OBJ
feeling in those States in which slavery formerly
existed; evidences Of increasing interest in unfver
sal education, and shall be glad to give my ap-
proval to any appropriate measures which may Be
enacted by Congress for the purpose OF supple


entfng, with national nid the local systems of ed
ucation these States and in all the States; and,
having already invited attention to the needs


c-schooi system here add that believe IT desira-
Bile, not much with reference TO the local wants
OF the Dstsct but the great and lasting benefit Of
the entire country, that this system should
be crowned crowned with wi ,- university IN IN
hopes of Washington on this subject.


Ialeo earnestly commend the request OF the Re
gents of the Smithsonian Institute, that adequate
appropriation be made for the replenishment and
conduct of a national museum under their super
| vision.


| And So Forth.


The request of providing for the preservation and
growth Of the library of Congress is also of
tional importance As the depository Of copyright
publications and records this library has outgrown
the provisions for its accommodation, and the
erection, such site as the Judgment Of Congress
may approve, Of re-proof library building, to
preserve the treasures and enlarge the usefulness
of this valuable collection, Is recommended.
recommend also such legislation will render
available and efficient for the purpose of instruc-


ton, far is consistent with the public service
the cabinets or museums of invention of surgery,