420 Mr. Holloway's Report. [_Sepfemher, 



tages of which the anticipated benefits are so great, that they can not 

 he computed. Assuming the position declared to be true by Gen. 

 Jackson, that 'the agricultural interest of our country is essentially 

 connected with every other, and superior in importance to them ally 

 your committee deem it by no means improper to refer to the small 

 amount which has been expended directly for its benefit in comparison 

 with other interests of far less importance. Since the organization of 

 the government there had not been expended directly fur the benefit 

 of agriculture by the government $200,000. For the benefit of the 

 War Department a military school was established, and has been 

 maintained at an expense of more than $5,000,000. For the Navy 

 Department a school has also been established and conducted at an 

 expense of millions. An expedition was fitted out for the purpose of 

 exploriug the Dead Sea, at an expense of five times the amount which 

 lias been expended for promoting agriculture. Far more money has 

 been expended in ornamenting and keeping up the twenty acres of 

 ground around the Capitol, than has been devoted to fostering that 

 great interest which is 'superior in importance to all others.' A 

 laro-er sum has been expended in statuary to adorn the public build- 

 ings and grounds; more bas been expended in the simple item af 

 pictures; more has been expended in carpets to cover the floors of the 

 public ofiices, than has been contributed to advance that great interest 

 which President Polk said should be ' the object of every statesman.' 

 We might refer to many other expenditures of a similar character, 

 but let tbese suflace. Nor would your committee be understood as 

 complaining of those above noticed. Their simple object is to suggest 

 comparisons. 



"It may be said that agriculture having done so long, and succeeded 

 so well, without the aid of government, it can continue to do so. True; 

 in view of the disregard with which Congress has treated this great 

 interest, the people in self-defense have been compelled to exert them- 

 selves for the promotion of their's and their country's prosperity. To 

 this end, societies have been established in almost every part of the 

 Union, demonstrating in every instance the greater good which could 

 be done through a systematic and liberal effort on the part of the 

 government, and such an one as your committee respectfully recom- 

 mend. The effort on the part of the people has been constrained by 

 the want of sufiicient means — it has been too partial and limited. It 

 has been without concert and co-operation. It has lacked a head, to 

 which results could be reported, comparisons made, and correct con- 

 clusions drawn. It can not be expected that private enterprise will ever 



