The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-12-09
Presidents Message.


The late hour at which the Presidents
message reaches this office, precludes Civ
ing more than synopsis in our columns
to-day. The opening portion of the doc
ument is devoted to a review of the ld-
Nancement of the United States up to the
close Of the first century Of its existence.
he need Of the general education Of the
masses is then discussed. and in amend
ment TO the Constitution suggested The
President says
As the primary step, therefore, to cur advance
men in all that has marked progress in the past
century, suggest for your earnest consideration
ana most earnestly recommend that Il constitutional
amendment be submitted TO the Legislatures Of the
several states Tor ratification making it the duty of
each OF the several States to establish and forever
MAINTAIN ireG public schools, adequate to the educa
non OF all the children iii the rudimentarv branches
Wlthm their respective limits, irrespective of sex,
color, birthplace or religion; forbdding the teach
ing IN SAID schools of religious, atheisic or pagan
tentts, and prohibiting the granting of any school
IaS or school taxes, or any part thereof either by
legislative, municipaor other authority, for the ben
e OF in aid directly or indirectly of any religious
sect OF denomination, or in aid or for the benefit OF
any other object OF any nature or kind whatever.
The subject OF untaXed church property
- htNt tollSlicltu, lie ileSlutul SAY ;
on this subject
by 700, without check it is safe 10 say this prop
titg VIII reach 4 sum exceeding 81, 00O, 100000 so
vast Il sum II ing all the protection and benefits
OF government without bcaringits proportion OF the
burdens and expenses Of same, will not be looked
upon aeGuiescenty by those who have to pay taxes.
In a growing country where real estate enhances so
rapidly with time as in the United States, tlcr" is
scarcely limit to the wealth that may be acquired
by corporations, religious or otherwise if allowed
" tAN-u Tbp pN,
temptation OF vast property here alluded to.
without taxation may lead to st,Iurstraon without
constitutional authority and through blood
would suggest the taxation OF all property equally,
whether church or corporation, exempting only the
llst resting place Of the dead and possibly with
proper restrictions, church editiccS.
Spain and Cuban affairs occupy 4 LARGE
portion OF the MESSAGE The civil strife
in Cuba is drplored. but the President
does not think the time has arrived for
either the recognition Of Cuban indepen-
dcnce or the according Of bellgerent
rights. The subject. however, ends with
an intimation like this
Persuaded however that a proper regard tor the
interests of the United States and its citizens enti-
tie us TO relief from the strain 10 which it has been
subjected by the difficulties of the questions and the
wrongs and losses which arise from the contest in
Cuba, and that the interests of humanity itself de
mand the cessation of the strife before the whole
Island shall be laid waste and larger sacrifices OF
me be made, shall feel it my duty should my hopes
OF Il satisfactory adjustment and of the early restor
alton OF peace and the removal of future of
complaint, be unhapplly disappointed. to make Il
luftner communication to Congress at som" period
moi far remote and during the present session,
onlhendlng what may then seem to me to be ncces-
S.lry.
The finances and specie resumption are
considered. 1t is stated that the customs
receipts have fallen off six millions in the
past year, The need of specie payments is
strongly urged, concluding with these re-
concentrations
There are few measures which seem to me i'm
poftalt III this connection and which | commend
tu your earnest considerations First a rpneoI Of
suth portion of the legal tender act rs makes these
notes receivable for debts contracted after date 10
Is lNed IN the act itself, say not later than the lst of
january, 1e11 We should then have quotations at
real value not fictitious ones gold would be no long
or AT premium but currency at discount Il HEALTHY
reaction would set iii At once and with it desire to
iNc iii' currency equal TO what it purp0rs to be.
lhe merchants, manufacturers and tradeslnrn of
every calling could do business on Il fair margin of
profit, the money to be Received HAVING mn cst,h
lisied value the aboriug and all classes who work
Tor Stipulated pay or salary would receive more for
iheir income, because extra profits would longer
be charged 10y the capitalists TO compensate for the
r'Sk Oh II downward 1ucuation in the value Of the
currency.
o'cohu tlal the secretary Of the Treasury be al-
lhofl|eo 10 redeem, say not to exceed two million
dollars monthly OF legal tender notes by issuing in
thrll stead long bond bearing interest ut the rat
oi .b3 per cent. per annum, Of denominations rang.
ing from 500 to ) 900 each. This would in time re-.
tutP tilr lc9al ttsutr notes to volume that couI
De kept ailoat without demanding redemption in
large sums.
Third, that additional power be given 10 the Sec
fetary OF the treasury, to accumulate gold for final
redemption, either by increasing the reyenue, cur
lHlllhg expenses or both. 1t is preferable to do
BON, ana recommend that reduct ion of tNncndi-
lures be made whenever ii be done without i'm
pairing government obligations or Gripping ,. due
execution thereof.
The restoration Of duties on tc4t and cot
Ice IS recommended
The subject of naturalization and its
abuses are considered, and Recommending
lions Tor reform made
The navy, it is stated, has been brought
to 4 force Of fifty effective ships, and is in
good condition.
The Post Onre Department shows .
large deficiency
\ good word is said for the Centennial
Exhibition, and an appropriation recon-
mended,
Attention is called to the scandal Of DO
lygamy in Utah. and to the importation
Of Chinese women.