Connecticut western news., 1875-12-17


 those made for the current year, but some addationaE appropriations are asked for objects not.ihcluded in the ordinary main ten Ance of the navy, but tbelieved to be of gpressing importance at this time. It would in my opinion be wise at once to afford sufficient means for the immediate Ecompletion .ofsthe five double turretted monitors now undergoing repairs, which must otherwise advance slowly, and only as money can be spared from current expenses. Supplemented by these our navy, armed with the destructive weapons of modern war fare, manned by our seamen, and in charge of sour instructed officers, will present a force powerful for the home purposes of a responsible though peaceful nation.
 YORK OF THE PENSION OFFICE. "1 number of pensioners still continues ft, Tease, the highest number having < ceached during the year ending June
 = ing the last year 11,557 names were added to the rolls and 12,977 were dropped therefrom, showing a net decrease of 1,42O. But while the number of pensioners has de- creased the annual amount due on the pension. rolls has increased $44, ,733.13. This is caused by the greatly increased average of pensions, which by the liberal legislation of Congress has increased from $9026 1n 1872 to $103.91 in 1875, to each invalid pensioner an increase in the average of fifteen per cent. in the three years. Dur ing the year ending June 30,e 1875, there was paid on account of pensions, including the expenses of disbursement, $29, ,6S3, ,116, being $91O,6S2 less than was paid the pre- ceding year this reduction in amount of expenditures was produced by the decrease in the amount of arre arages due on allowed claims and on pensions, the rate of which was increased by the legislation of the pre- ceding session of Congress. At the close of the last fiscal year there were on the pension rolls 234, ,821 persons, of whom 21O,363 were army pensioners, 105, ,478 being invalids and ,855 widows and dependent relatives ; 3,42Ofwere navy pensioners, of whom ], 1,636 were Sinvalids, and 1,784 widows and de- pendent relatives; 2l,03S were pensioners of the war of 1812---15, 1875 of whom were survivors, and 5, 5,163 were widows. a It is estimated that $29,535, 900 will be required for the payment of pensions for the fiscal year, an amount $965,000 less than the estimate for the present year:
 Y N {s THE INDIAN POLICY.
 The method for the treatment of the In- dians adopted at the beginning of my first term has been steadily pursued and with satisfactory and encouraging results. It has been productive of evident improvement ill the condition of that race, and will be continued with only such qualifications as further experience may indicate to be neces- sary... "a. --s..,--. ..,...
 RECOMMENDATIONS.
 As this will be the last annual message which shall have the honor of transmit ting to Congress before my successor is chosen, l will repeat or recapitulate the questions which deem of vital importance, which may be legislated upon and settled at this session: ss ~e
 First-That the States shall be required to afford the opportunity of a good common school education to every child within their limits.
 Second-No sectarian tenets shall ever be taught in any school supported in whole or ill part by the State, nation, or by the pro- ceeds ot any tax levied upon any communi- ty to make education compulsory so far as to deprive all who cannot write from becom- ing voters after 1890, disfranchising none, however, on grounds of illiteracy who may be voters at the time this amendment takes effect. .. ....,..... .s.,.,, ..
 Third-Declare church and State forever separate and distinct, but each free within their proper spheres, and that all church property shall bear it's own proportion of taxation. fl
 Fourth out licensed immortality, such as polygamy and the importation of women for illegitimate purposes To recur again to the centennial year, it would seem as though now as we are about to begin the second century of our national existence would be most fitting time for these re- forms. E
 Fifth-Enact such laws as will insure speedy return to sound currency, such as will command the respect of the world.
 Believing that these views will commend themselves to the great majority of the right thinking and patriotic citizens of the United States, l submit the rest to Congress.
 U. $. GRANT
 Executive Mansion, December 7, 1875.