Terre Haute Weekly Gazette, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 9 December 1880 — Page 5

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"W nliuri period mcr .i Ijiindrt'd miirmn:. ot (iv »iil .six per cent, bond.* wilt i.' cnun' iltM-mabii'. This piiv«ail.s ft vi't)' Ciiv• iil'lf opportunity not only to furifii-r retlucc tl.r principal of .i! ilclit, but .iiso to ri ijiuri- tin rale of iu!crr»t tlia'v which will rminin unpiiiil. I .mII the jittentiou of (,'ongrrss 'o th« views expiivHS*d on tlii-i subject by the Se re4*rv n! tin- 'l'ri'iiMn in bii auminl report, And- rf.'ii!ii)n nd prompt legislation, to cna.fi'!'' tJi' Trenailty Department to comjplctM the rum.iirj of tli^ ilcli which is •botit to mature.

Tli" ("s^iniiaih"! of .^p'ccji* paymonls has not !Kirn i11:? rri: 1 or endangorcd niii«' Mu: da'.c of resumption, it hu4 coa6«itju'.cd greatly to tin revival of bu.sinef«.and to our nunarkable prosperity, Tho-Scars that jm -.'eded rnd acco:npaniel rcsieinpt'on have prover" p-oinifl!es.s. No con.-iideraiili,' amount of twined State-j not»,:s u:'.A. li. iii presented !*«»r redemption. vi-rv l?»rgi» sums of gold bullion, lnu:. domes, ii: and imports!, are taken lo ilie iniii:.H and c.vehanged for coin or n-.t«'s. Ttie increase oj'gold and "blllMon i:: I |ie •n itcd Slates ainoo .hum arv I. iy7i), ii estimated at $iK-!~i,oi)'JA'S%

TUuuf! are. Ht.ilI in existence, uncancel! ed, ^10 of Unitid Slates legal tender noU'.-t. These notes an: authorized tv war taeasure, made necessary by the oxi^iiencies of theconniet in which the Unifted Sink's wan then engaged. The preservation «1 the Nalion'.* existence required, in t,he judgment of Congrew, an i«au« of legal-tender [lajier money. That ittt-rved lht! purpose for \vhich it •wa created is not questioned, but tha employment of the object for which they were provided, was not contemplated by the if turners of 'fie l*w under which they were issued. These, notes long Bines hecaniK! like any other pecuniary obligation of i.he Government—a debt to he paid, and.,-whec. paid, be cancelled as mere oviiJrnce in edness no longer dialing. I t!i repeal what was taid in tin a:* .ssage of last year, that, the ictirt from circulation of United States notes, with the capacity of legad-tCndcr in private contracts, ia a atep to be taken in our progress towards »affo and stable currency, wnich should be taccepU'd as the policy and duty of the ©ovorment ant^the interest nnd security of tSie people.

At the time of the passage of the act now in force requiring the coinage of ailntT dollars, fixing their value and giving them legal tender character, it was believtsd by many of the supporters of the measure, that the silver dollar, which it authorized, would speedily become, under the Kiperation of the law, of equivalent rakiK) to the gold dollar. There were other supporters of the bill, who, while they doubted as to the probability of this result, nevertheless were willing to give the proposed experiment a fair trial, with aYfcwv to stop the coinage, if experience ahotald provo that the siver dollar authorized by the bill continued to be of less commercial value than the standard jold dollar.

Tlhc coinage of silver doilers, under rthe act referred to, began in March, 187b1, and has been continued aa required by the act. The average rate per Dionih io the present time has been $2,2*6,4d2. The total amount coined prior to the first of November last was f72,847,750. Of this amount $47,081,450 rem,ain in the Treasury, and only $25,763,391 are in the hands of the people. A constant effort has been tuado to keep thisi (currency in circulation, and considerahfle expense has been necessarily incurred for this purpose, but its return to the Treasury is prompt and sure. Contrary to the confident anticipation of the ftietnds of the measure at the time of iu ademption, the value of the silver dollar, containing 4l3J-j grains of silver, has not increased. During the year prior to the passage of the bill authorizing its coiaage» the market value of the stiver which it contained was from ninety to ninety-two^-cents, as compared with the standard gokl dollar During the ja?t year the avctuige market value of the silver dollar has -btrcn eighty-eight and a half cents. lit is obvious, that the legislation of the last Congress in tcgard to silver, so ir as it W.M3 based on an anticipated rise in the •alrae of silver aa a result of that legislating has failed to prpduee the eti'cc theK predicted The longer the law reiuaiins in force, requiring as it doea the coinage of a nominal dollar, which, in reality, is notadollur, the ^r-.atcr 'oceotnes the dan,er Uiat ibis country will be forced to accept a single uu tul as the sole legaJ standard of value, in circulation, and! this a fcluudard of less value than it pur^ports to be worth in the recognized nioKicy of the world.

Tihe Constitution "of the Uuited Stales, aousnd financial principles, ami our best iatflrcsts, all require that the country ahonriki have as its legal-tendei money botii gold and silver coin, cf an intrinsic ralrae, as million, equivalent to that which, upon it? face, it purports to possess. The Constitution, in express terras, jccregni7.es both gold and silver as the only true legal-tender money. To banish jtliivr tif these metals from our currency

1 is to narrow and limit the circulating medium of .exchange to the dLspr.rnsement of imjiortant interests. The U'li'ed

States produces jiore silver than any other country, and is directly interested in maintaining it as one of the two precious routals which forniish the coinage of the world. It will, in my judgement, contribute to this result if (tongres* will repeal so much of existing legis'ation a* re quires the coinage ol silver dollars con taining only

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gTains of silver, and

in ita stead will authorize the Sccictary of the Treasury to coin silver dollars of equivalent value as bullion, with gold

dollars. Hiia will defraud no miui, and has opened a broad deep highway to the

Will tin it nn^A ti (K fnmilm* »M»/k. 1

will be in accordance with familiar precedents Congress, on several occasions, has altered the ratio of value between gold and silver, in order to establish it more nearly in accordance with the actual ratio of value between the two metals.

In financial legislation every measure in the direction of greater fidelity in the discharge of pecuniary obligations, has been found by experience to diminish the rates of interest which debtors are required to pay, and to increase the facility with which money can be obtained for every legitimate purpose. Our own recent financial history shows how surely money becomes abundant whenever confidence iiuhe exact performance of mon eyed obligations is established.

The Secretary of W*r reports that the pxpendituren of the War Department for the fiscal year ended June 30,1880, were $39,924,773.03. The appropriation* for this Department, for the current fiscal year, amuuot to $41,993,630.40.

With reppect to th« Army, the Secretary invitfH attention to the fact that ith utren^th i« limited by otatuta (aection 1115, Kevised Statutes) to not more thnn 30,000 tnlr-aed men, but tlittt provisos contained in appropriation bills have limited vxpeiidilurca to the enliatmt-nt of but 25,000. It is believed the full legal strength in the least possible force at which the present organization can he maintained, having in view efficiency, discipline and economy. While the enlistment of this force wouhl *dd somewhat to the appropriation fror pay of the Armr, ihe aaving made in other respects would he more thin an equivalent for this additional outlay, ami the efficiency of the Army would be largely increased.

The rapid xtension of »he rsilroad system west of the Mississippi river, and the great tide of settlers which has ilowed in upon new teiritorv, impose on the military an entire change of policy. The maintenance of small posts along wagon and stage-routes cf travel is no longer necessary. IVrmanentquarters at points selected, of a more substantial character than thope heretefore constructed, will be required. Under exiftius lawn, permanent buildings cannot be erected without the sanction of On-gres-*, nnd when sales of miliary sites end buildings have be£n authorized, the moneys received have reverted to the Treasury, and could only become available through anew appropriation. It is re commended that provision be made, by a general statute, for the sale of auch abandoned military posts and buildings as are found to be necessary, and for the application of the proceeds to the construction of other posts. While many of the present posts are of but pilght value for military puposes, owing to the changed condition of the country, their occupation is continued at great expense and inconvenience, because they afford the only available shelter for troops.

The absence of a large number of officers of the line, in active duty, from their regiments, is a petious detriment to tlie maintenance of the pervice. The constant demand for small detachments, each of which should be commanded by a commissioned officer, and the various details of officers for necessary service away from their commands, occasions a scarcity in the number required for company duties. With a view to lessening this drain to some extent, it is recommended that the law authorizing the detail of officers from the active list as professors of tactics and 'military science at certain colleges and universities, be so amended as to provide that all such details be made from the retired list of the armv.

Attention is abked to the necessity of providing by legislation for organizing, arming, and disciplining the

active

mili

tia of the country, and liberal appropriations are recommended ia this behalf. The reports of the Adjutant General of the Army and the Chief of Ordnance touching this subject fully set fort'* its jimportance.

The report of the officer in charge of education in the Army shows that there are seventy-eight schools now in operation in the Army, with an aggregate attendance of 2,305 enlisted men and children. The Secretary recommends the enlistment of one hundred and fifty schoolmasters, with the rank and pay of commissary-ser-geants. An appropriation is needed to supply the judge advocites of the Army with suitable libraries, and the Secretary recommends that the corps of judge advocals be placed upon the same footing, as to promotion, with the other staff corps of the Army. Under existing laws, the Bureau of Military Justice consists of one officer, the Judge-Advocate General, and the corps of judge sdvocates. of eight officers of .equal rank (majors), with a provision thi^ the limit of the corps shall remain at tuur, when reduced by casualty or resignation to ihat number. The consolidation of the Bureau of Militc/v Justice, and the corps of judge advocates, upon the satue basis with the other stoSl corps of the Army, womUI remove an unjust discriminatior against deserving officer*, and subserve the best interests of the service.

i^pecial attention is aked to the report of the Chief of Engineers upon the condition of our National defences.

mm a p-rson«l inspection cf many of

the fortifications referred to, the Secretary is able to emphasize tb» recommendations made, and to state that tbeir incomplete and defenceless condition is discreditable to the country. While other nations have been increasing their means for carrying oo ofFep&ive warfare and attacking maritime cities, we have been dormant in preparation for defence nothing of importanoe has been done towards strengthening cd finishing our casemated works since our late civil war, during which the great guns of modern warfare and the heavy armor of modern fortifications and sbipe came into uee among the nations, aad our earthworks left, by a

THE TifiKKiS HAUTE WEEKLY GAZETTK

Midden failure of appropriations Home years einin all stage* of inc jmp^fion, are now itciLg rapidly dMrcjyed by the elements.-- -•*.

The two greit river* the North American Continent, the Mississippi and the Colombia, have their nnvigable waters wholly within the limit* of the United States, and are of va«t importance to our internal and fi.reiga commerce. The per manenev of the important work on the South Pass of the Mississippi river seems now to be assured. Tbere has been no failure whatever in the maintenance of the maximum hannel during the aiz months ended August 9, last. This experiment

ocean, and ii an improvement, upon the permanent success of which, congratula lions may be exchanged among people abroad and at home, and especially among the communities of the Mississippi valley, whose commercial exchanges float in an unobstructed channel safely to and from the sea.

A comprehensive improvement of the Mississippi and its tributaries is a matter of transcendent importance. These great water-ways comprise a system of inland transportation spread like net-work over a large portion of the United States, aiid navigable to the extent of many thousands of miles. Producers and consumers alike have a common interest in such unequalled facilities for cheap transportation. Geographically, commercially and politically, they are the strongest tie between the various sections of the country. These channels of communication and interchange are the property of the Na tion. Its jurisdiction is paramount over their waters, aud the plainest principles of public interest require their intelligent and careful supervision, with a view to their protection, improvement, and the enhancement of their usefulness.

The channel of the Columbia river, for distance of shout one hundred miles rorn its mouth, is obstructed by a succ esion of bars, which occasion serious delays io navigation aud heavy expense for lighterage and towage. A depth of at lea*t twenty feet at low tide should be secured and maintained, to meet the requirements of the extensive and growing inland and ocean commerce it subserves. The most urgent need, however, for this great water-way is a permanent improve mcntfif the channel «t the mouth of the river.

From Columbia river to San Francisco, a distance of over six hundred miles, there is no harbor on our Pacific ct^st which can be approached during stormy weather. An appropriation of $150,000 was made by the Forty fifth Congress for the commencement of a breakwater and haiborof refuge, to be Ibcated at some point between the Straits of Fuc.i and Suu Francisco, at which the necessities of commerce, locul and general, will be be.^t accommodated. The amount appropriated is thought to be quite inadequate for the purpose iutended. The cott ot the work, when finished, will be very great, owing to ibH want of natural advantages for a site at any point on the coast between the designated limits, and 'it has not been thought to be advisable to undertake the work without a larger appropriation. I commend the matter to the attention of Congresp. dence needed in the settlement of large numbers of pension and other claims, for the protection of the Government against attempted frauds, ai well as for the benefit of honest claimants. These valuable collections are now in a building which is peculiarly exposed to the danger of destruction by fire. It is therefore earnestly recommended that an appropriation be made for a new fire proof building, adequate for the present ueedo and reasonable future expansion of these valuable collections. Such a building should be absolutely fire-proof no expenditure for mere architectural display is required. It

The completion of the new building for the War Department is urgently needed, and the estimates for continuing its construction are especially recommended.

The collection of books, ppecimens, and records constituting the Army Medical Museum and Library are of national imortance. The library now contains about 51,500 volumes and 57,000 pamphlets relating to medicine, surgery, end allied topics. The contents of the Armv Medical Museum consist of 22,000 specimens, and are unique in the completeness with which both military surgery and the diseases of armies are illustrated. Their destruction would be an itreparable loss, not only to the United Sta-es but to the world. There are filed in the record and pension divisiou, over 1G 000 bound volumes of hospital records, together with a great quantity of papers, embracing the original records cf the hospitals of our armies during the civil war. Aside from their historical value, these records are daily searched for oviis believed that a suitable structure can be erected at a cost not to exceed $250,000.

I commend to the attention of Congress the great services of the Commander-in-Chief of our armies during the war for the Union, whose wise, firm, and patriotic conduct did so much to bring that momentous conflict lo a close. The legislation of the United States contains many precedents for the recognition of distinguished military merit, authorizing rank and emolumems to be conferred for eminent services to the country. An act of Congress authorizing the apfiointmvnt a Captain-General of the Army, with suitable provisions relating to compensation, retirement, and ether details, would, in my judgment, be altogether fitting and proper, and would be warmly approved by the country.

The repcrt of the SecretMry of the Navy exhibits the suffceesful *nd satisfactory management of that Department during tbe fiscal year Thetotnl expenditures for the year were $12 910,639 45, Uaving unexpended at ttie close the year $2,141,682 23 of the amount of available appropriation*. Tit* appropriation* for the present fipcnl year ending ui« i" r« ucv »a

J)inft Ks8l Hr^

§15,095.0151 45 ar.d the

total esiiinates for the nesi ti^cal year end June 30, 1882, are $15,953,751.61. The amount drawn by warrant from July 1, 1880, to Novemoerl 1, 880, is £5,041,570 4o.#

The'recommendation of the Secretary of the Navy that provision be made for the establishment of some form of civil government for tbe people of Alaeka,*is approved. At prerent there is no protection of persons or property in that Territory, except such as is afforded by the officers of the United States ship Jamestown. This vessel was dispatched to Sitka, because of the fear that, without the immediate presence of the National

faith by both white and Indian inhabit ants, and the necessity for this method of restraint does not, in my opinion, now exist. If, however, the Jamestown shoo Id be withdrawn, leaving the people, as at present, without the ordinary, judicial and administrative authority of organized local government, serious consequences might enaue.

The laws provide only for the collection of revenne, the protection of public property, and the transmi«sion of the mails. The problem ia to supply a local rule for a population so scattered and so pecolier in its origin and condition. The natives are reported to be teachable and self-sup-porting, aud, if properly instructed, doubtless would advance rapidly io civilization and a new factor of prosperity would he added to the national life. I therefore recommend the requisite legislation upon this subject.

The Secretary of the Navy has taken steps toward the establishment of naval coaling stations at.the Isthmus of Panama to meet the requirements of our commercial relations with Central and South America, which are rapidly growing in importance. Locations eminently suitable, both as regards our naval purposes and the uses of commerce, havp been selected, "one on the east sde of the Isthmus, at Chiriqui Lagoon, in the Caribbean Sea, aDd the other on tfie Pacific coast, at the Bay of Golfito. The only safe harbors, sufficiently commodious, on the Isthmus, are at these points, and the distance between them is less than one hundred miles. The report of the Secretary of the Navy concludes with valuable suggestions with respect to the building np of our merchant marine service, which deserve the favorable consideration of Congress.

The report of tbe Postmaster Genera! exhibits the continual growth and the high ptateof efficiency of the iiostal service. The operations of no department of the Government, perhaps, represen with greater exactness the increase in the population and the business of the country. In I860, the postnl receipts w»re $8,518,067.40 in 1880, tbe receipts Were $33,315,479 34. All the inhabitants of

part of the people has proved a constant stimulus to improvement. During the past year there was an incresse of 2,134 post offices, and the mail routes were extended 27,177 miles, making an additional annual transportation of 10,801,191 miles, making an additional annual transportation of 10,.w04,191 milts The revenues oi the postal service for the ensuing year are estimated at $38 845,174.10, and the expenditures at $42,475,932, leaving a deficiency to be appropriated out of the Trea«ury of $3,630,757.90.

Tnc Universal Postal Union has re ceived the accession of almost all the countries and colonies of the world maintaining organized postal services, and it

alizing.be grand idea and aim

of the

founders of the Union, of forming, for If™

purposes of international mail comniuni-

The suggestion of the Postmaster General, that it would be wise to encourage, by appropriate legislation, the establishment of American lines of steamers by our own citizens, to carry the mails between our own ports and those of Mexico, Central America, South America, and of trans-Pacific countries, is commended to the serious consideration of Congress.

Tbe attention of Congress also invited to the suggestions of tbe Postmaster General in regard to postal saving*.

The necessity for additional provision, to aid in the transaction of ^'e buaines* of the Federal courts, becomes each year more apparent. The dockets of the Supreme Court, and of the circuit courts, in the greater number of the circuitp, are encumbered with the constant accession of cases. In the former court, and in many instances in the circuit courts, years intervene before it is practicable to bring cases to hearing.

Tha Attorney-General recommends the establishment of an intermediate court of errors and appeals. It is recommended that the number of judges of the circuit court in cach circuit, with t'»e exception of the second circuit, should be increased by the addition of another judge in the second circuit, that two should be added and that an intermediate appellate court should be formed in each circuit, to consist of the circuit judges and the circuit justice, and that in tbe event of the absence of either of these judges the place ot tbe absent judge should be supplied by the judge of one of the district courts in the circuit. Such an appellate conrt could be safely invested with large jurisdiction, and its decisions would Ratisfy suitors in many capes where appeals would still be allowed to the Supreme Court. The expense incurred for this intermediate court will require a very moderate increase of the approw-iation* for the expenses of the Department (i Justice. This recommendation is commended to the careful ccnsideration of Congress,

Il is evident ihat a delay of justice,, in many instances oppressive aud disastrous io suitors, now necessarily occurs in tbe Federal courts, which will in this w*y be remedied.

The report'r.f the S^cretiry of the interior, pre.-*ent« an elaborate isocount of the operations of ihat Department during the p*st yemv It given me treat pleasure to «ay ihatonr Indian a|«|iecr to be' in more ho|»etiil condition now than ever before. The Indians have madegratifying progress in agriculture, twrding, and mechanical pursuits. Many who were a few years ago in hostile conflict with the Government are quietly settling down on farms where tbey hope to make their permanent homes, building houses, and engaging in the occupations of civilized life. The introduction of tbe freighting business among them has been remarkably fruitful of good results, in giving many of them congenial and remunerative employment, and in stimulating their ambition to earn their own support. Their honesty, fidelity, and efficiency as carriers

f-r^f

authority, there vu impending danger of jam highly praised. The organization of anarchy. The stepj taken to roto.-v ^police force of Indians,few equallv order have been accepted in itncceasful in maintaining law and order

•:t

amtaynng taw and oraer

upon the reservations, and in exercising a wholesome moral influence among the Indians themselves. I concur with the Secretary of the Interior in the recommend^ tion that the pay of this force be increased, aa an inducement to the bett clam of young men to enter it.

Much care and attention has been de voted to tbe enlargement of educational facilities for the Indians. The means available for thu important object have been very inadequate. A few additional boarding srhools at Indian agencies have been established, and the erection of bnildings has been begun for several more, bntan increase of the appropriations for this interesting undertaking is greatly needed to accommodate the large number of Indian children of school age. The number offered by their parents from all parts of the country for education in the Government schools is much larger than can be accommodated with the means at preheat available for that purpose. The number of Indian pupils ai the Normal School at Hampton, Virginia, under the direction of General Armstrong, has been considerably increased, and their progress is highly encouraging. The Indian school established by the Interior Department in 1879, at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, under the direction of Captain Pratt, has been equally Hicccssful. It has now nearly two hundred pupils of both sexes, representing a great variety of the tribes east of the Rocky Mountains. The pupils in both these institutions receive not only an elementary English education but are also instructed house-work, agriculture, and useful mechanical pursuits. A similar school was established this year at Forest Grove, Oregon,for the education of Indian youth on the Pacific coast. In addition to this, thirty-six Indian boys and girls were selected frcm the Eastern Cherokees and placed in boarding schools in North Carolina, where they are to receive an elementary Eoglish education and training in industrial pursuits. The interest shown by Indian parents, even among the so called wild tribes, in the education of their children, is very gratifying, and gives promise that the results acsomplished by the efforts now making will be of lasting benefit.

The expenses of Indian education have

the country *re directly aud personally interested in having proper mail ficiliti.'s,- ., soil naturally walch lhe 1'of Office ^Z clesfly. I hi* careful oversight on the „rtmptu ,lf ,h„ ,nt„p *.

hll

1,1

cation, a single postal territory embr.c- «mel 'nminent, and for the first ttmein ing the world, with complete uniformity

of postal charges, and conditions cf irf

!ie

titm tnntt

partuient of the Interior but the fund is now fo much reduced, that the continuance of this beneficial work will in the future deprn-i on specific appropriations by Congress for tbe purpose, and I venture to express the hope that Congress will not permit institutions so fruitful of good results, to perish for want of means for their support. On the contrary, an increase of the number of such schools appears to me highly advisable.

The past year has been unusually free from disturbances among theludi »n tribes. An agreement has been made with the IJtes, by which they surrender their large reservation in Colorado in consideration of sn annuity, to be paid to them, and agree to settle in severalty on certain

is confidently expected that all the other ,LU, "T "'v"" *i -j .i lands designated for that purpose, as farcountries and colonics now outside thei f. Union will goon unite therewith, thus re

mers, holding individual title to their land

pimple inalienable for a certain

"/^'ly Ind.au war

0 6

/'f"C °tnf.

l"?e

^country an Indian na-

h?«

ter national exchange, for all descriptions^"eUisd orally, and to live as mdivrd-

of correspondence. To enable the Uuited States to do its full share oi this great work, additional legislation is asked by the Postmaster General, to whose recommendations especial attention is called.

Slven «Pwtslence to be

nils under the common protection of the laws of the country. ,Tbe conduct of the Indians throughout tie country, during the past year, with l|-ut few noteworthy exceptions, has been orderly and peaceful. The guerilla warfare carried on for two 3 ears by Victorio and hiu band of Southern Apaches h»B virtually come to an end by the deatbof that chief and most of his followers, on Mexican soil. The disturbances caused on our northeru frontier by Sitting Bull nnd his men, who had taken refuge in the British dominions, are also likely to cease. A lar$e majority of his followers have surrendered to our military forces, and the remainder are apparently in progress of disintegratiou.

I concur with the Secretary of 'he Interior in expressing the earnest hope that Congrees will at this session take favorable action on the bill providing for the allotment of lands on the different reservations in severalty to the Indians, with patents conferring fee-simple title inalienable for a certain period, and the eventual disposition of the residue of th6 reservations, for general settlement, with the consent and for the benefit of the Indians, placing the latter under the equal protection of the laws of the country. This measure, together with a vigorous prosecutionof our educational eQoits, will work the most important and effective advance toward the solution of the Indian problem, in preparing for the gradual merging cf our Indian population in the great body of American citizenship.

A large increase is reported in the disposal of public landa for settlement during the past year, which marks the prosperous growth of our agricultural industry, and a vigorous movement of population toward our unoccupied lands. An this movement proceeds, the codification of our land laws, aa well as proper legislation to regulate the disposition of public lands, becomes of more pressing necessity, and 1 therefore invite the consideration of Congress to the report and the accompanying draft of a bill, made by the Public Lands Commission, which were communicated by me to Congress at tbe last session Early actiou upon this important subject is highly desirable.

Tbe attention of Congress is again asked tothe vasieful depredations committed on cur public timber-lands, and the rapid and indiscriminate destruction of our forest". The urgent necessity for legislation to this end is now generally recognized In view of the lawless character of the depredations committed, and the disastrous consequences which will inevitably follow their continuance, legislation has again and again been recommended to arrest the evil, and to preserve for tbe people of our Western Slates and Territories the tmber needed for domestic aud other esential uses.

The report of the Director of the Geological Survey is a document of unusual interest. The consolidation of tbe various geological and geographical surveys and exploring enterprises, each of which has heretofore operated upon an independent plan, without concert, cannot fail to be of great benefit to all those industries of the country which depend upon

v'-fi'f:"V, xv?^^

the development of our mineral resources- The lal*QM jq|? the scientific recognized merit, who compose the cor pel' of the Geological Survey, during th* first season of their field operations and inquiries, appear to have been very comprehensive, and will soon be communicated to Congress in a number of volumes. The Director of the Survey recommends that the investigations, carried on by his bureau, which, so far, h»v« been confined to the so-called public-land States and Territories, be extended over the entire country, and that the necessary appropriation be madt for this purposn This would be particularly beneficial to the iron, coal and other miuing interests of the Mississippi Valley and of the Eastern and Southern States. The subject is commended to the careful consideration of Congress.

The Secretary of the Interior asks attention !o the want cf room in the public buildings of tbe Capital, now existing and in progress of construction, for thu accommodation of the clerical force employed, and of the public records. Necessity compels the renting of private buildings in different parts of the city for the location of public offices, for which a large amount of rent is annually paid, while the separation of offices belonging to the same department impedes the transaction of current business. The Secretary suggests that the blocks surrounding Lafayette Square, cn the east, north and west, be purchased as the sites for new edifices, tor the accommodation of the Government offices, leaving the square itself intact and that, if such buildings were constructed upon a harmonious plan of architecture, they would add much to the beauty of the National Capital, and would, together with the Treasury and the new Stat». Navy and War Department building, form one of the most imposing groups of public edifices ia the world.

The Commissioner of Agriculture expresses the confident belief that his effort* in behtlf of the production of our own sugar and tea have been encouragingly rewarded. The importance of the result* attained have attracted marked attention nt home, and have received the special consideration of foreign nations. The suQcestful cultivation of our own tea, anil the manufacture of our own sugar, would make a difference of many millions of dollars annually in the wealth of the Nation.

The report of tbe Commissioner asks attention particularly to the continued prevalence of an infectious and contagious cattle disease, known and dreaded in Europe and Asia a cattle-plague, or pleu-ro-pneumonia. A mild type of this disease, in certain sections of our country, is tho occasion of great lose to our farmers, and serious disturbance to our trade with Great Britain, which furnishes a market for moat of our live-stock and dressed meats. The value of neat-cattle exported from the United States for the eight months ended August 31, 1880, was more than twelve million dollars, and nearly double tho value for the same period in 1879, an unexampled increaBo of export trade. Your early attention is solicited to this important matter.

The Commissioner of Education rpporta continued increase of public interest in educational affairB, and the public echcol* generally.throughoui the country nre well sustained. Industrial training is attracting deserved attention, and colleges for instruction, theoretical and practical, in agriculture and the mechanic arts, including the Government schools recently ee tablished for the instruction of lad an youth, are gaining steadily in public estimation. Ihe Commissioner a* special attention to the depredations committed on lands reserved for the future support of public instruction, and to the very great need of. help from the Nation for scbooln

iu the Territories and in tho Southern States. The recommendation heretofore made, is repeated and urged, that au educational fund be set apart from the net proceeds of the Bales oi the public lands annually, the income of which, and the remander of the net annual proceeds, to be distributed on some satisfactory plan t, the Stales and Territories and the District of Columbia.

The success of the public schools of the District of Columbia, and the progress trade, under the intelligent direction of the Board of Education and the superintendent, in supplying the educational requirement* ot the District with thoroughly trained and efficient teacher*, is very gratifying. Tbe sets of Congress, from time to time, donating public lands to the several States and Territories in tho aid of education I interest*, have proved to bh wise measures of public policy, resuiting in great and laatiog benefit. It would seem to be a matter of simple justice to extend the benefits of this legislation, the wisdom of which has been so fully vindicated by experience, to the District of Columbia.

I again^commend the general interests of the District of Columbia io tbe favorable consideration of Congress. The affairs of the District, as shown by tbe report of the Com mirsioners, are in a very satisfactory condition.

In my annual message heretofore, and in my sjiecial message of December ID. 1879,1 have urged upon tbe attention of Congress the necessity of reclaiming tbe marshes of the Potomac adjacent to the capital, and 1 am constrained by its importance to advert again to the subject. These flats embrace an area of beveral hundred acres. They are au impediment to the drainage of the city, and seriooslv impair its health. It i-t believed that, with this substantial improvement of its river front, the capital wonld be, in alt respects, one of the most attractive cities in the world. Aside from its permanent population, this city is necessarily tbe place of residence of persons from every section of the country,engaged in tbe public service. Many others reside here temporarily, for tbe transaction of busineiw with tbe Government.

It should not be forgotten that the land acquired will probably be worth tbe cost of rechiming it, and that the navigation of the river will be greatly improved. I therefore again invite the attention of Congress to the importance of prompt provision for this much needed and too lung delayed improvement.

The water npply of the city is inade* quate. In addition to the ordinary use throughout the city, tbe consumption by Government is necessarily very great in the navy yard, arsenal, and the various Departments, and a large quantity is required for the proper preservation of the

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