adjustment of the relations between the Government and the railroad
companies which have received land grants and the guaranty of the public
credit in aid of the construction of their roads should receive early
attention. The report of a majority of the commissioners appointed to
examine the affairs and indebtedness of these roads, in which they favor
an extension of the time for the payment of such indebtedness in at
least one case where the corporation appears to be able to comply with
well-guarded and exact terms of such extension, and the reenforcement
of their opinion by gentlemen of undoubted business judgment and
experience, appointed to protect the interests of the Government as
directors of said corporation, may well lead to the belief that such an
extension would be to the advantage of the Government.

The subject should be treated as a business proposition with a view to a
final realization of its indebtedness by the Government, rather than as
a question to be decided upon prejudice or by way of punishment for
previous wrongdoing.

The report of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, with its
accompanying documents, gives in detail the operations of the several
departments of the District government, and furnishes evidence that the
financial affairs of the District are at present in such satisfactory
condition as to justify the Commissioners in submitting to the Congress
estimates for desirable and needed improvements.

The Commissioners recommend certain legislation which in their opinion
is necessary to advance the interests of the District.

I invite your special attention to their request for such legislation
as will enable the Commissioners without delay to collect, digest, and
properly arrange the laws by which the District is governed, and which
are now embraced in several collections, making them available only with
great difficulty and labor. The suggestions they make touching desirable
amendments to the laws relating to licenses granted for carrying on the
retail traffic in spirituous liquors, to the observance of Sunday, to
the proper assessment and collection of taxes, to the speedy punishment
of minor offenders, and to the management and control of the reformatory
and charitable institutions supported by Congressional appropriations
are commended to careful consideration.

I again call attention to the present inconvenience and the danger to
life and property attending the operation