Year: 1879

for our present prosperity as q people, We
must look to its continued maintenance for
Substantial resource. There is NO branch of
Indcstry in which labor directed by scientific
knowledge yields such increased production IN
comparison with unskilled labor, and no branch
of the public service to which the encourage
ment of liberal appropriations can be more
appropriately extended. The commission to
render such aid Is not wise economy, but on
the contrary, undoubtedly results in thv
losses OF immense sums annually, that
might be saved through well-directed
efforts by the government to promote this vi
tai interest. The results already accom-.
pllshed with the very limited means heretofore
placed at the command of the department of
agriculture Is an earnest of what may be ex-
pected with increased appropriations for the
several purposes indicated in the report of the
commissioner. With view to placing the
department. upon footing which will enable
II ~. to prosecute more effectively
established appropriations are needed.
for more complete laboratory for the estab-
hshment of q veterinary division and division
or forestry and for an increase of force, Th,
requirements for these and other purposes H.
dlcated IN the report of the commissioner uu
der the head of immediate neces sities of the de-
partment, Will not involve any expenditure of
money that the country cannot with propriety
no" undertake In the interest of agriculture.


EDUCATION.


1t is gratifying to learn from the bureau of
education the extent to which educational
privileges throughout the United States have
been advanced during the year. No more fun.
dsmental responsibility rests in Congress than
that of devislng appropriate measures of fnan-
cia! aid to education, supplemental to local
action. In the States and Territories and in
the District of Columbia The wise fore.
thought of the founders of our
government has not only furnished
the basis for the support of the common school
systems of the newer States, but laid the foun-
datlons for the maintenance of their universi-
ties, and of colleges of agriculture and me-
chanic art. Measures in accordance with this
traditional policy for the further benefit of all
these interests and the extension of some ad.
vantages to every portion of the country it is
hoped will receive your favorable cOusidern-
bic.


TIE CAPITOL LIBRARY.


To preserve and perpetuate the national
literature should ne among the foremost cares
of the national legislature. The library
gathered at the capitol still remains unpro.
vided with any suitable accommodations for
its rapidly increasing stores. The magnitude
and Importance of the collection. increased as
1t Ia by the deposits under the laws of CODY.
rl2nt, by domestic and foreign exchanges, ana
by the scientific library of the Smithsonian
institution, call for building accommodations
winch shall be at once Sdequate and IRE proof.
The location of such public buildings, which
should provide for the pressing nece stiles of
the present and for the vast increase of the
cation S books In the future, is a matter which
addresses ltsetfto the discretion of Congress. 1t
Is earnestly recommended an a measure which
should unite all suffrages and which should no
longer be DELAYED.


~Idenlng the base and increasing the stability
IT the structure, rendering it possible to carry
the shaft to c ImpletiOu. 1t is earnestly req
|mmended that such further appropriation be
mace for the continued prosecution of the
work az may be necessary for the completion
al rms uatlor al monument at an early day.


WASHINGTON MONUMENT.


The joint com mmission, created by the act of
Congress of August End, 1876, for the purpose
Of supervising and directing the completion of
the Washington national monument, of which
2oH1 mission the President is mem ber. has
gwen careful attention TO this subject. and al
ready the strengthening of the foundation
mas so far progressed to insure
the entire success If this part of
the work. A massive layer Of masonry has
been introduced below the Originel foundation.


DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
In former messages, impressed with the im-
portance of the subject. have taken occasion
to recommend to Congress the adoption of a
generous policy toward the District of Column
bis- The rs p TT of the commissioners of the
District, herewith transmitted, contain cousid-
sratlons and recon mendations, to all of
which l earnestly invite careful attention.
l ask early and favorable consideration
OF the views which they express as to the urgent
need of legislation for the reclamation of the
marshes OF the Potomac and its eastern branch |
within the limits of the city. and for the re-
oair OF the streets of the capital heretofore laid
with wooden blocks. and by delay rendered
almost impassable, ana source of imminent
danger TO the health of its citizens. The
means at the disposal of the commissioners are
wholly Inadequate for the accomplishment of
these important works, and should be supple
mented by timely appropriations from the
federal treasury.
The filling of the fats n front of the CITY
will add to the adjacent lands and parks now
owned by the United States large and valu-
able domain. sufficient. it is thought. to reim-
burse its entire cost, aud will also, as an in
cidental result, secure the permanent i'm prove
snent of the river for the purpose of naviga-
tior.


The constitution has invested Congress with
supreme and exclusive jurisdiction over the
District of Columbia. It's citizens must of
necessity look to Congress alone for all needful
legislation affecting their interests and as the
territory of this District Is the common proper
ty of the people of the United States who.





ed in the prosperity of their capital can not
doubt that You will be amply sustained by the
general voice of the country in any measure
you may adopt for this purpOse.


also invite the favorable consideration of
Congress tn the wants of the public schools of
this District. as exhibited in the report of the
commissioners. While the number OF the pu-
pills is rapidly increasing, no adequate pro-
vision exists for corresponding
increase of school accommodation,
and the commissioners are without
the means to meet this urgent need A num-
ber of the buildings now used for school pur-
poses rented. and are in important particu-
lars unsuited for the purpose. The cause
of popular education in the District of
Columbia is surely entitled to the
same consideration. at the hands
of the national government as in the several
States and Territories, to which muniicent
grants of the public lands have been made for
the endowment of schools and universities.


RUTHERFORD 3. HAYES.


Executive Mansion, Dec. lst, 1879.