The Morning herald., 1875-12-08
THE PREsIDENrs MESSAGE.
CcoNTINuED FROM SECOND PAGE1

THE PRESIDENT rs MESSAGE.
TCONTINuED FROM SECOND PAGE
i-ractory results 1t has been productive of
evident improvement in the condition of
ilat race, and will be continued with only
8 ,ch notifications as further experience
NAV indicate to be necessary to the favora-
bic consideration of Congress.
In nearly every annual message that
lave had the lonor of transmitting to Con-
cress i have called attention TO the anomal-
Gus, not to say
sCANDALOUS CONDITION OF AFFAIRS
existing in the Territory of Utah and have
asked for definite legislation to correct it.
That polygamy should exist in free en-
lghtened and Christian country without
the power to punish so fragrant a crime
against decency and morality seems prepos~
ferrous.
True there is no law to sustain this un-
natural vice, but what is needle is law to
punish it as crime, and at the same time
10 fix the status of the innocent children,
tie offspring of this system, and Of the
POSSIBLY innocent plural wives. But as an
institution polygamy should be banished
from the land. While this is being done |
ig,vite the attention of Congress- to another
I olgh perhaps no less an evil.
THE IMPORTATION OF CHINESE WOMEN,
lat few of whom are brought to our shores
10 pursue honorable or useful occupations.
Observations while visiting the territories
of Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado during
the past autumn conained me that existing
Jaws regulating the disposition of public
lands, timber, etc. land probably the mining
laws themselves are very defective, and
,,ould be carefully amended and at an
.'rly day.
IN territories where cultivation Of the soil
G II only be followed by irrigation, and
where irrigation is not practicable, the lands
n only be used as pasturage, and this
,nly where stock can reach water Ito
0lench its thirst) cannot be governed by
tie same laws as to entries, as lands every
acre Of which is an independent estate by
self Lands must be hele in larger qlan-
les to justify the expense of conducting
\, ater upon it to make it fruitful or justify
,tilizing it as pasturage. The timber IN
most of the Territories is principally con-
aed to thu mountain regions, which are
leld for entry in small quantities only, and!
.s mineral lands, the timber is the property
Of the United State, for the disposal Of
which there is now no adequate law.
The settler must become u consumer of
this timber, whether he lives upon the
plains or engages in working the mines.
ii nee, every man becomes either tres
D1sser himself or, knowingly, patron Of
frcsspassers. My opportunities Tor
observation were not sufficient to
Justify me in recommending specific
legislation on these subjects, but l do
,scommend that joint committee OF the
two Houses Of Congress, sufficiently large
be divided into subcommittee, be organ
iled to visit all the mining States and Terri
tories during the coming summer, and that
tas committee shall report to Congress at
Tie next session such laws, or amendments
to laws, as it may deem necessary 10 secure.
THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE GovENRN-
MENT
and the people of Territories, who are doing
50 much for their development. l am sure
he citizens occupying the territory de
rbcd do..not wish to be trespassers, nor will
ley be if legal ways are provided for them,
50 become owners of these actual necessi-
ties of their positions.
As this will be
THE LAST ANNUAL MESSAGE
which I shall have the henor OF transmit
ting to Congress before my successor Is
chosen, | will repeat or recapitulate the
Questions which deem of vital Importance,
which should be legislated upon and settled
at this session:
First. That the States shall be required to
efford the opportunity of good school edu
c.tion to every child within their limits.
Second. No sectarian tenets shall ever be
Ia lght in any school supported in whole or
in part by the State. nation, or by the pro-
tceds of tax levied upon any community
lIake education compulsory so far as TO de-
! rive all persons who cannot read or write,
ION becoming voters after the year 1871,
.sfranchising none, however, on the
rounls of illiteracy, who may be voters at
the time this amendment takes effect.
Third. Declare Church and State forever
separate and distinct, but each free WITHIN
their proper spheres; and that all cnurcn
property shall bear its own proportion OF
taxation.
Fourth. Drive out licensed immortality,
flch as polygamy and the Importation VI
women for iIegitimate purposes. .,
To recur again to the Cen ennial year, 1t
would seem as though now we ought TO pe-
gin.
THE CENTENNIAL
cF national existence would be most lifting
time for these reforms. Fifth. Enact such
laws as will insure a speedy return TO
scnnl currency, such as will command the
respect of the world. Believing that these
views will commend them selves to the great
majority of the right-thinking and patrlolc
Citizens Of the United States, submit the
rest to Congress. Z. ). HRANf'
Executive Mansion, December !, 1873.