The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-12-11

this Is being done, invite the attention OI
congress To 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.
PUBLIC LANDS.
Observations while visiting the territories
of Wyoming, Utah and Colorado, during the
last autumn, convinced me that the existing
laws regulating the disposition Of public
lands, timber etc, and probably the mining
laws themselves, are very defective, and
should be carefully amended, and at an early
day. Territory where the cultivation OF the
soil can only be followed by irrigation,
where the lands can only be used as pastur-
age, and this only where stock can reach wa
ter to quench thirst, cannot be governed by
the same laws as to the entries OF lands, every
acre of which is an Independent state by
itself. LANES must be held IN larger quanti-
ties to Justify the expense of conducting wa
ter upon it to make it fruitful, or to justify
utilizing. it as pasturago. The timber in
most OF the territories is principally coniineu
to the mountain regions, which are held for
entry in small quantities only, and as min
eral lands. The timber is the property OF
the United, States, for the disposal of which
there is no adequate law The settler must
DCIOliC u CouSuultT Vi tlllS tilhDcl, "hSthSi
he lives upon the plains or engages in work
! ing the mines. Hence every man becomes
either a trespasser himself, or, knowingly, q
patron of trespassers. My opportunities for
observation 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, sui
! fcieDtly large TO be divided into sub'cOmmt-
| tees, be organized to visit all the mining
states and territories during the coming sum
mer, and that the committee shall report to
congress at the next session such laws or
amendments TO the laws, as may seem neces-
/ sary to secure the best interests of the govern
ment and the people Of these territories, who
arc doing 50 much for their development. l
am sure the citizens occupying the territor'
les described do not wish to be trespassers,
nor will they be if legal ways are provided
for them to become owners of these actual
necessities OF their position.
PROPHETIC.
AS this will be the last annual message
which shall have the honor Of transmitting
to congress before my successor is chosen, |
will repeat or rPcaDitulate the questions
which | deem of vital importance to be leg
| islated upon and settled at this session.
l. That The states shall be required to at.
ford the opportunity of good common
school education to every child within their
limits
2. That no tcnct5 shall ever be taught in
any school supported in whole or in part by
the state, nation, or by the proceeds Of any
tax levied upon any community; make cdu-
cation compulsory, So ,di as t. dtpilVc all
persons who cannot read and write from be-
coming voters afte! the gear 1920, dofranchls-
ing none, however, on the ground of illrera-
cy VI hu may be voters at the time lAls am md.
ment takes effect.
3. That the church and state be dccl ired
forever separate and distinct, but each free
within their proper spheres, and that all
church property shall bear its own proper
ton of taxation.
4. That licensed immortality such Zig
amy and the importation of women for LEG.
itimate purposes, be driven out.
The recur again to the Centennial year, 1t
would seem as though now, as we ar about
to begin the second century of our .tional
existence, would be most fitting I me for
these reforms.
s. That such laws as will insure the speedy
return 10 a sound currency, such as viii com
mand the respect Of the world, be enacted.
! Believing that these views will commend
themselves to the great majority of the right
think ing and patriotic citizens Of the United
States, l submit the rest TO congress.
! U. S. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, Dec. :, 1915.