The Portland daily press., 1875-12-08

to the international exhibition to be held at Phade
pha during the centennial year, 1876 has bean dill
gent in the discharge of the duties which have de-
volved upon it. and the preparations so far made
with the means at command give assurance that the
governmental contribution will be made one of
the marked characteristics of the exhibition The
board has observed considerable economy in the mat
ter of the erection of building for the governmental
exhibit, the expense of which it is estimated will
not exceed say $4,000. This amount has been with
drawn, under the law from the appropriations OF
fv of the principal departments, which leaves some
of those de artments without sufficient means to
render their respective practical exhibits complete
and satisfactory The exhibition being an interna-
tional Que and the government being voluntary
contributor, it is my opinion that its contribution
should be of character, in quality and extent, to
keep up the dignity and credit of so distinguished
contributor. The advantages to the croutry of
credtable display are, in an international point of
view, of the first Importance, while Indifferent
participation by the government would be humiiat-
ing to the patriotic feelings of people themselves
commend the estimates of the board for the neces-
sary additional appropriations to the favorable con-
sideration of Congress. .- t
The powers of Europe, almost without exception,
many of the South American states, and even the
more distant eastern powers have manifested their
friendly sentiments towards the United States and
the interest OF the world in progress by taking
steps to join with in celebrating the centennial of
the nation, and strongly recommend that more
national Importance be given to this exhibition by
such legislation and by such appropriations as will
insure its success. Its value in bringing to our
shores innumerable useful works of art and Skill the
comminglng of the citizens of foreign countries and
our own, and the interchange of ideas and manufac
lures, will far exceed any pecuniary outlay we may
make.
The Agricultural Bureau.
transmit herewith the report of the Commissioner
of Agriculture together with the reports of the
mission the board of audit and the board of health
of the District of Columbia, to all of which invite
your attention. The bureau of agriculture has ac-
complished much in dissemination of useful knowl-
edge to the agriculturis, and also in introducing
new and useful productions adapted to our soil and
climate, and is worthy of the continued encourage
ment Of the government.
The report of the Commissioners of Education
which accompanies the report of the Secretary of the
Interior shows gratifying progress in educational
matters.
The Mormon Question.
In nearly every annual message that have had
the honor of transmitting to Congress have called
attention to the anamolous, not to say scandaous,
condition of affairs existing in the Territory Of Utah.
and have asked for definite legislation to correct it,
That polygamy should exist in free, enlightened
and Christian country without the power to punish
30 nagranc crime against aecency ana morahty
seems preposteious' irue' 1nere Is no Jaw 10 sus-
IAN LUIS unnatural vice. ouc wnat is neeoed is Ia"
topunisn IL as crime anu at tne same ume 10 TX
INC e'a'"s VI 'he chueh' onsprius Vi 'niS
sysein' anu Oh .ne POSSIBLY innocent piurai wives.
ou' as an ins''ution poiysaniy shouio oe panisneu
itom .ne ,ano'
=, "nie 'iis Is peihs uone' mVite inc a'eehUon oi
W ano'ner 'nousn perhaps no ieSs an evil
'no VI onineso "onen' p"' iem VI "nolu
ae " our shores 10 pursue honoiapie OF USE
iui Occupations.
Herfiiofiai Laws.
wniie visiens Tue terrieories Oh "yo-
ing, otah anu ooiorado curing tne past autumn COIL
vnced me that existing laws regulating the dispssi
uon Oh puphc lands, timper' etc., ana propaDy tne
mining laws themselves are very defective and
should be carefully amended and at an early day.
territory where cultivation OF the soil can only be
followed by irrigation. and where irrigation is not
practicable the lands can only be used as pasturage,
and this only where stock can reach water to quench
its thirst cannot be governed by the same laws as to
entries as lands, every acre OF which is an indepen
dent estate by ITSELF Lands must be held in large
quantities to justify the expense OF conducting water
upon it to made it fruitful or to justify utilizing it as
apasturage The timber in most of the territories is
principally confined to the mountain re-
gions which are held for entry in small guam
titles only and as mineral lands. The
timber is the property of the United States for the
disposal Of which there is now adequate law. The
settler must become consumer of this timber
whether he lives on the plains or engages in working
in the mines. Hence every man becomes either a
trespasser himself or knowingly patron of the tres
passer. My opportunities for observing were not
sufficient to justify me in recommending specific
legislation on these subjects but do recommend
that joint committee of the two Houses of Congress
sufficiently large to be divided into subcommittee
be organized to visit all the mining states and terri
tories during the coming summer, and that the COM
mttee shall report to Congress at the next session.
such laws or amendments to laws as it deems nec-
essary to secure the be interests of the
and the peaple of these territories who doing
much for their development, am sure the citizens
occupying the territory described do not wish to be
respassers will they be legal ways are provd
ed for them to become owners of these actual neces
stiles Of their position.
RecapituiatiOn.
As this will be the last annual message which
shall have the honor of transmitting to Congress be-
fore my successor is chosen, will repeat or recapi-
tulate the questions which deem of importance, to