Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-12-07

missioner Of Agriculture, together with the re-
ports Of the Commissioners; the Board OF Audit
and the Board of Health Of the District Of Co.
lumo'a; to all Of which invite your attention.
The Bureau of agriculture has accomplished
m1sh N disseminating useful knowledge TO the
sgreulturist and also in intro 1ucing new and
useful productions adapted to our soil and
climate, and il worthy of the continued encour-
agement of the Government.
The report OF the Commissioner Of Education,
which accompanies the report OF the Secretary
OF the Interior, shows gratifying progress in
In nearly every annual message that have
had the honor OF transmitting to Congress 1
have called attention to the anomalous, not 10
say scsDdalous condition of affairs existing ia
the Territory Of Utah, and have asked for def
mite legislation to correct 1t. That polygamy
ian country, without the power to punish 80 la.
grant crime against deCelcy and morality
seems prepoeterous. True there is no law to
sustain this unnatural vice, but, what is needed
Is law to punish il as a crime, aud at the same
time 10 fix the status Of the innocent children,
the ofspring Of this system, and of the possibly
innocent plaral wives. But as an instItutiOn,
pOlygamy should be banished from the land
While this Is being done invite the attention
of Congress 70 another. though perhaps no less
an evil. The Importation of Chinese women,
but few of whom are brought to our shores TO
pursue honorable or useful occupations.
Observations While visiting the territories
OF Wyoming. L tab, and Colorado during the
past autumn, convinced me that existing
laws regulating the disposition of public
lands, timber, &C., and probably the IN ming
Jaws themselves are very defective, aud
should be carefully amended and ut an early
day. In territory where cultivation Of the
soil can only be followed by irrigation and
can only be used as pastura3e, aud this only
where stock caL reach water ito quench its
thiTst); cannot be governed by the same
laws as TO entries, as lands, every acre of
which issn independent estate By itself Land
must DC heid IN larger quantities to justifvthe
expense OF conducting water upon il to make IL
fruitful, or t. justify utilizing il "a plstursge
The timber II most OF tbs territories Is prilci-
paily confined 10 the mountain regions, which
are held for entry in small quantities only and
as mineral lands. The timber Is he property OF
the United States, for tie disposal of which
there Us now no adequate law. The settler
must become a consumer Of his timber whether
he lives upon the plains or engages in working
the mines. Hence every IN an becomes either a
trespasseT himself OF. knowingly, a patron OF
treSpassers.
Ny opportunities for observation wero not
sufficient TO justify me in recommending
specific legislation on these subjects, but,
DO recommend that joint committee OF the
two houses fCongreSs-sutficiently large 20
be divided into Sub-committeeS-b be organic
cd TO visit all the mining states and terri
tories during the coming summer, and that
the committee shall report TO Congress al the
beXt session such laws, or amendments 10
laws Us II may deem necessary to secure the
best interests OF the government and the leo-
pie OF these territories who are doing so
much for their development.
am sure the citizens occupying the terri
tory described 10 not wish to be treSpaes ers,
nor Will they be II legal ways are provided
fOT them 10 become owners of these actual
necC ssitieS of their position.
As this VIII De the last annual message
which shsit nave the honor OF trans Il ittiug
to Cor gress before my successor is chosen,
VIII repeat or recapitulate the questions
WAicn deem OF vital importance which NAV
be Iegtslated upon and settled at this session.
First, that the states shall be required ~
afford the opportunity of good common
school education 10 every Child within tneiT
limits.
Second, no sectarian tenets shall ever be
taught IL any school supported in whole OF
IN part by The state, nation, or by the pro-
ceeds OF any tax levied upon any cOmmuni-
~. Make education compulsory so far "a to
deprive al persons who cannot read and
write from becoming voters after the year
$50, anchising none, however, on
grounds OF illiteracy Who may be voters 81
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 church
properly shall bear its own proportion OF
taxation.
Fourth, drive out licensed Immortality
such az pOiygamy and the importation vi
woman foT illegitimate purpo seS.
To recur again TO the Centennial yea: 10
would seem as though now, as we are about
10 begin the second century of our national
existence, would be most fitting time for
the q reforms.
Fifth. Enact such laws as will insure a
speedy return 10 sound currency such as
will command the respect OF the world.
BELIEVING that these views Will CONNIE ID
themselves 10 the great majority OF the ri ,ht
thinking and patriotic citizens OF the United
States i submit the rest TO Congress.
L. S. GIANT.
EaecJttte Mansion, Deccalber IN, 1875.