Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-12-17
PUBLIC LANDS AND TIMBER.

Observations while visiting the Terrific
ries of Wyoming, Utah and Colorado dur
ing the past Autumn convinced me that OK
listing laws regulating the disp osition OF
public lands, timber, &C., and probably the
mining laws themselves, are very dciec-
tive, and should be.carefuly amended TO at
an early day. Territory where cultivation OF
the soil can only be followed by irrigation,
and where this is not practicable the lands
can only be used as pasturage and this on
ly where stock can reach the water TO
quench its thirst, cannot be governed by
the same laws as 10 entries as lands every
acre of which Is an independent estate 10y
itself. Lands must be held in larger guam
titles 10 justify the expense of conducting
water upon 1t to make IL fruitful, or TO JUS
tify utilizing 1t as pasturage. The timber
In most of the Territories is principally
confined to the mountain regions, which
are held for entry in small quantities only,
and as mineral lands. This timber is the
property of the United States, for the dis
posal of which there is now no adequate
law. The settler must become consumer
of this timber, whether he lives upon the
plains or engages in working the mines.
Hence every man becomes either tres
passer himself or knowingly patron of
trespassers. My opportunities for obscrv-
ing were not sufficient TO justify me in rec
ommending specific legislation IN these
subjects, but do recommend that joint
cOUlUhlCb Vi TIC NNO uOusts vi NOuGltcof
sufficiently large to be divided into sub
committees, be organized TO visit all OF tn
mining States and Territories during the
coming summer, and that the committee
shall report 10 Congress at the next session
such laws or amendments TO laws as 1t may
deem necessary TO secure the best inter
ests OF the Government and the people OF
these Territories, who are doing so much
for their development. l am sure the citi-
Zens occupying the territory described do
not wish to be trespassers, nor Will they be
If legal ways are provided for them to be-
come owners of these actual necessities OF
their position.
REHABILITATION OF THE SUGGESTIONS.
AS this will be the last annual message
which shall have the honor oftransmitting
10 Congress before my successor is chosen, l
will repeat or recapitulate the questions
which l deem of vital importance which
should be legislated upon and settled at
this session.
F'irst-That the States shall be requir, d
to afford the opportunity OF good COM
mon school education TO every child with
in their limits.
iSecond-No sectarian tenets shall ever be
taught in any school supported in whole OF
| in part by the State, nation, or by the pro-
ceeds of any tax levied upon any commun-
! ity. Make education compulsory SO far as
| to deprive all persons who cannot read aud
write from becoming voters after the year
S90-disfranchising none, however, on
| grounds 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
| its proper sphere and that all church prop
erty shall bear its own proportion of taxa
| ton.
Fourh-Drive out licensed immortality
such as polygamy and the importation o
women for illegiimate purposes. To recul
again to the Centennial year it would seen
| 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.
| FUth-Enact such laws as will insure {
| speedy return to a sound currency such a
will command the prospect of the world.
| Believing that these views will commend
themselves to the great majority Of th'
right-thinking and patriotic citizens of thu
United States, l submit the rest to Congress
u. S. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dee. I, 1875.