Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1871-12-09

will be protected in the worship OF God nc.
oording to the dictates of their consCicnces,
but they will not be permitted TO violate the
laws under the cloak of religion. 1t may bu
advisable Tor Congress to consider what, In the
execution of laws against pglyghmy, is to be
the status of the plural wives & their offspring.
The propricty OF Congress passing an enabl-
ing net authorizing the territorial lcgisla-
ture of Utah, 10 legitmize all born prior to
q time fixed in the act, might be justified by
its humanity tn these innocent children. This
Is a suggestion only, and not a recommends
ton.
THE INDIAN POLICY
The policy pursued toward the Indians has
resulted layOrably, So tar us can be judged
from the limited time during which ii has
been in operation. Through the exerions of
the various societies OF Christians, to whom
have been intrustcd the execution of this poll
cy, and tue Board Of Commissioners author
lied by the law OF April l0th 1869, many
tribes of Indians have been induced to settle
upon reservations, to cultivate the soil and
perform productive labor of various kinds,
and to partially accept civilization. They are
being cared for in such way, ii is hoped, as to
induce those still pursuing their old habits of
life to embrace the only opportunity which Is
lett them TO avoid determination. / recon-
mend liberal appropriations to carrying ont
the Indian peace policy, not only because ii is
because it is right | recommend to your fi-
vorable consideration also, the policy grant
ing II territorial government to Indians In the
Indian Territory west OF Arkansas and Mis-
souri, and south of Kansas. In doing so, eve.
ry right guaranteed to Indians by Treaty
should be secured. Such course might in
time I've the means of collecting most of the
Indians now between the Missouri and the
Pacific and south of the British possessions
into one Territory or one State. The Secreta-
ry of the Interior has treated upon this subject
at length, and | recommend to you his sug-
geStiOnS
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
l renew my recommendation that the Pub
lie Lands be regarded as heritage to Oui
children, TO be disposed of only rs required
for occupation and to actual settlers Those
already granted have been ia great part dis.
posed OF in such way as to secure access Ia
the balance by the hardy settler who may
wish to avail himself OF them. But caution
should be exercised even in obtaining SO desir-
able an object. Educational interest may wei
be served by the grant Of the proceeds Of the
sale Of public lands 10 settlers. | do not wish
to be understood as recommending in the
least degree, curtailment of what is being
done by The general government for the ell
enlargement Of education. The report of thC
Secretary Of the Interior, submitted with this
will give you information collected and pre-
pared for publication, in regard to the census
taken during the year 1870, the operations o
the Bureau Of Education for tho year, of the
patent office, the pension office, the land office
and the Indian Bureau.
TIE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Commissioner of Agricul
turt gives he operations of his Department
for the year. AS agriculture is the ground
work of our prosperity, too much importance
cannot be attached To The labOrs of this De
purtment. It is in the hands OF an able head
with able assistants. all zealously devoted 10
introducing into the agricultural productions
OF the nation all useful information rs to the
method of cultiyatiny the plants and seTrals
and other products adapted to particular ln.
caliIies Quietly, but surely the Agricultural
Bureau is working great national good, and
II literally supported the more widely lis in
huence will be extended and the less dependent
we shall be upon the products OF foreign
countries.
INCREASED PAY TO oFFICIALs.
The subject of compensation TO the heads o
bureaus, and to officials holding positions o.
responsibility, and requiring ability and char.
actcr 10 fit them properly, is one TO which
your attention is invited. But few of the oil
cals receive compensation equal 10 the rc.
spectacle support of family, while their du-
tics are such as TO involve millions of dollars
of interest. In private life services demand
compensation equal to the services rendered
and wise economy would dictate the SAME
ru le in the Government service.
DECREASED EXPENDITURES.
have not given the estimates for the sup
port OF the government Tor the ensuing year
nor the comparative statement between The
expenditures lor the year Just passed and the
one just preceding, because all these figures
are contained in the accompanying reports ol
in those presented directly 10 Congress. These
estimates have my approval.
THE QUESTION OF DISABILITY.
More than six years have elapsed since thu
last hostile gun was fired between the armies
then arrayed against each other the one for
the perpetuaton, the other for the Obstruction
Of the Union. 1t may well be considered
whether it is not now time that the disabilli
tics imposed by the Fourteenth Amendmen
should not be removed. That Amendment
does not exclude from the ballot but only es
tabshcs the disability to hold office of certain
classes. When the purity of the ballot is Sc
cure, majOrilics are sure 10 elect officers re
hecting the Virws of the majority. do no
see the advantage or propriely Of excluding
men from Office merely. They were, before
the rebellion, Of standing and character SUN
ccnt to be elected 10 positions requiring them
to take oath to support the Constitution, aul
admitting 10 eligibility, those entertaining pre-
cisely the same views, but of less standing in
their communities. 1t may be said that III,
former violated an oath while ihc latter die
not, The latter did not have ii in their powcl
To Go so. IL they had taken this oath it can
not be doubted they would have broken it u,
did the former cluss. If there are any grea
criminals distinguished above all others fol
the part they took in opposition to the gov
crnment, they might, in the judgment of Con
grcss, be excluded from such un amnesty
This subject is submitted for your careful con,
sidcration.
CONDITION OF SOUTHERN STATES
The condition of the Southern States is, un
happily, not such as all true patriotic citizens
would like to see. Social oslracism for opiH
ions sake personal violence or threats towart
persons entertaining political views opposed
to these entertained by the majority OF the old
citizens prevents immigration, and the-fow o
much needed capital into the States lately il
rebellion. 1t viii be a happy condition o TIN
country when the old citizens OF these States
will take an interest in public affairs, promul
gate an idea honestly entertained vote lOl
men representing their views, and permit th'
same freedom of expression and ballot il
those entertaining different political convic
tiUns
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Under the provisions OF the act of Congress
1