New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,
Continued from second P.se.

means TO render their respective practical
Exhibits complete and satisfactory. The Exhi-
h;tiop being an international one, and the
Government being voluIstary contributor, it is my
op;nion that its contribution should be of charsc-
tar in quality and extent TO sustain the dignity and
o,od;t of 40 distinguished contributor The nivan-
toes o the country of creditable display are in an
International point of view of the first Importance,
,rhe an indifferent or discredtahc participation by
thc Government would be humiliating TO the patri
ofie feelings of our people themselves. i commend
The estmates of the Board for the necessary addi-
tOnsl appropriations 10 the iaVorabie considerable
The Powers of Europe almost without exception,
many of the South American States, and even the
mere distant Eastern Powers, have manifested their
friendly sentiments toward the United States and
the interest Of he world in our progress, 10y taking
steps % Join with IN celebrating the centennial of
the nation and strongly recommend that a more
national importance be given 70 this Exhibition by
euch legislation and by such appropriations as will
insure its success. It's value in bringing TO our
shores innUmcrabe useful works of art and skill,
the commiuCling Of the citizens of foreign countries
srd our own. and the Interchange of ideas and
ufactures Will far exceed any pccuniary outlay we
n'iI' transmit herewith the report Of the Commits
sioucr of Agriculture, together with the reports of
the Commissioners Of the Board of Audit and the
board of Health of the District of Columbia 70 all
Of which | invite your attention. The Board Of
Agriculture has accomplished much IN disseminating
useful knowledge to the agricultuTlSt and also in
introducing new and useful productions adapted to
our soil and climate and Is worthy OF the continued
rncourag oment of the Government.
Tie report of the Commissioner of Education.
which accompanies the report Of the Secretary of
The Interior, shows gratifying progress III educa-
tIunal matters.
REFORMS IN THE TERRITORIES.
La nearly every annual message that have had
the honor Of transmitting 10 Congress have called
attention TO the anomalous, not 10 say scandaOus,
condition of affairs existing in the Territory OF
Utah and have asked for deuite legislation TO
rect It. That polygamy should exist IN free, en-
IL. mt IL.
power 10 punish so fragrant a crime against decency
and morality, prepoSterous. True there Is no
law to sustain this unnatural vice, but what is
needed is a law 10 punish il as a crime and at the
same time 70 fix the status OF the innocent children
the offspring of THIS system, and of the possibly in
nocent plural wives. But rs an institution poygamy
should be banished from the Land. While this - be-
ing done, / invite the attention of Congress
t. another, though perhaps no less an evil,
the importation of Chinese women but few OF
whom are brought to our shores to pursue honorable
useful occupations.
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, TIM
Ter. &c. and probably the mining laws themselves
are very defective and should he carefully amended
at al early day In territory where cultivation OF
the soil can only be followed by irrigation, and
where it il not practicable, the lands can only be
used AZ pasturage. and TINS only where STOCK can
reach water 10 QuenCh It's thirst cannot be governed
by the same laws as 10 entries as the lands
every acre of which is an independent
estate by itself. Lands must be held
IN larger quanlnes 10 Justly lIe eHPfhsr
of conducting water upon it TO make II fruitful or
to justify utilizing it as pasurage. The timber pa
most of the Teri torres Is principally COnnneu 10 tlc
mountain regions, which are held for entIy Vi small
quantities only and as mineral lands. The tlmbc!
is the property Of the United States, for the disposal
Of ,,h n fier. IL adpUUate law. The settler
must become a consumer OF the uaber, whether nc
lives upon the plains or engages IN working the
paSser himself or knowingly a patron Of tres
passeTs bly, opportunities for observing were
not sufficient To justify me In recommending
specific legislation Oh these subjects, hut 90 recon.
mend that JOINT committee OF the two Houses 81
Congress, sufficiently large 10 bc divided into sub
committees be organized 10 visit all Of the mining
States and Territories during the coming Summer,
end that the committee shall report 10 Congress AT
the next session such laws, amendments 10 laws,
a. may deem necessary u secure the best interests
Of the Government and the people OF these Terri
tories who are doing SO much Tor Their deVeiopment.
ed do not wish 10 be tresp3sSCTs, Will theJ
bee # legal ways are provided for them TO becomc
owners Of these actual necessities OF their position
REFORMS FOR THE CENTENNIAL YEAR
Az this viii be the last annual Message which |
shan have the honor Of transmitting to Congress be-
fore my successor is chosen, will repeat or recapitu-
late the questions which deem Of vital importance
which should be legislaed upon and settled at this
session.
Fiyst: That the States shall be required to afford
the opportunity of good common school education
10 every child within their limits.
Second: No sectarian terets shall ever be taught IL
anv school supported in whole OF in part by the
State nation or by the proceeds Of any tax levied
upon any community. Make education compulsory
60 far as TO deprive all persons who cannot read ana
write from becoming voters after the year 1890 dis
franohising none however, the igTound OF luite-
Iacy who may lie voters at 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 property shall bear it's
own proportion Of taxation.
Fourth: Drive out licensed immortality such as
polygamy and the importation of women for HE
Ultimate purposes.
To recur again to the centennial year, 1t would
seem as though now, as We are about 10 begin the
second century Of our national existence, would be
most fitting time for these reforms.
FIN: Enact such laws viii insure speedy re-
tnrp 10 sound currency such as will command the
respect of the world.
believing that these views viii commend them
solves 10 the great majority Of the Tght-hnking and
patriotc citizens of the United States, submit the
rost 10 Congress u. S. GRANT.