The New York herald., 1875-12-08

% oin with us celebrating the centennai OF the
tion, and strongly recommend that more national
poFance be gwen to this exhibition by such legisa
tion and by such appropriation will insure its
cess Its value in bringing 10 shores innumerabe
useful works OF art and skill the commingling OF the
citizens OF foreign countries and our own and the IN,
terchange OF ideas and manufactures will far exceed
any pecuniaTy outlay we may make.
REPORTS or COMMISSIONERS.
transmit herewith the report or the Commissioner
OF Agriculture together with the reports OF the Com
missloners or the Board OF Audit and the Board OF
Health OF the District OF Columbia TO all Of which in
vlte your attention. The Board OF Agriculture have
accomplished much in disseminating useful knowledge
70 the agrcuturis and also In introducing new ana
useful productions adapted to our soil and climate, ana
is worthy Of the continued encouragement OF the gov
ghe report or the Commissioner of Education, which
accompanies the report OF the Secretary o. the INTERIOR
shows gratifying progress IN educational ina''eiS
In nearly every annual Message that nave naa t,e
honor Of transmitting TO Congress nave caeu M ae.e
aion TO the anomalous, not to say scandalons cohdi
ton OF affairs existing the Territory of Utah, and
asked for definite legislation TO correct IL Ihat
poygamy should exist in Tree, enlightened ana
Christian country without the power TO punish so
fragrant crime against decency ana norahty seems
preposerous True there is no law TO sustain this
unnatural vice. but what is needed is law to punish
and at the same time 10 hx the status OF the
innocent Children the offspring of this system and OF
fhe possibly innocent plural wives But as an nstitu-
ton, polygamy should be banished from the land.
IMPORTATION CHINESE
While this is being done invite the attention OF
Congress to another, though perhaps less evil
the importation of Chinese women, but few or whom
useful occupations
TnE INTERESTS or THE TERRITORIES.
Observations while visiting the territories OF wyoming,
Utah and Colorado during the past autumn, convinced
me that existing laws regulating the disposition OF
public lands, timber, &c, and probably the mining
laws themselves are very detective and should be care
fully amended Il early day territory where cul-
Avation of the soil only be followed by irrigation,
and where II Is not practicable the lands can only be
used as pasturage and this only where stock
can reach water 70 quench its thirst, cannot bo
governed by the same laws as to entries as the lands
ftpht oh 10 an nj
Lands must be held In larger quantities TO justify the
expense OF conducting water upon IL TO make u fruit
ful or TO Justify utilizing II as pasturage. The timber
IN Of the Territories principally confined 70 the
mountain regions, which are held for entry in small
quantities only, and as mineral lands The timber is
the property Of the United States for tho disposal of
which there s now no adequate law. The settler must
become consumer OF this timber whether he
lives upon the plains or engages in working
the mine Hence, every man becomes either tres
passer himself or knowingly patron Of uespassers
Ny opportunities for observing were not sufficient TO
justify In recommending specific legislation these
subjects but do recommend that JOINT committee OF
the two houses OF Congress- sufficiently large be
divided into subcommittee be organized 10 visit all
Of the mining States aud Territories during the coming
summer, and that the committee shall report TO Con
Rress At the next session. such laws amendments TO
laws as II may deem necessary 10 secure the best In
teresis OF the government and the people
for their development | the citizens
occupying the territory described do not wish to be
rcspasscrs nor wiz they be u legal ways are provided
for them 20 become Of these actual necessities
Of their position.
AS this viii be the last annual Message which shall
have the honor Of transmitting 10 Congress before my
successor is chosen will repeat rccapulate the
questions which deem OF vital Importance which
should DC legslaed upon and settled this session
RBcAPrrUI-ArIuH
Firs-That the States shall be required 10 afford the
opportunity OF good common school education TO
every enid within their limits
Second-No sectarian tenets shall be taught In
any school supported in whole In part by tho State
nation or by the proceeds OF any levied upon any
community. Make education compulsory so far as 10
deprive ali persons who read and write from be-
coming voters after the year 1890 disfranchisng none
however on grounds Of teracy who may be voters at
the time this amendment takes effect
Third-Decare Church and State forever separate and
distinct but each free within its proper sphere and
that all church property shall bear its proportion
OF taxation.
Foarth-Drive out licensed immortality. such polyg-
amy and the importation Of womon for itogtmatc pur
poses.
TO again to the centennial year, IL would seem
MS though, about "a begin the second
tury OF national existence, would be most fitting
time for these reforms.
FUth-Enact such laws will inaure speedy return
TO sound currency such will command the respect
OF the world.
Believing that these views win command themselves
90 the great majority of the right thinking and patriotic
cuzens OF the United States submit ale rest to Con
gress L. s. GRANT
EXECUTIVE MANsAoY Dec T. 1875