Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-12-08
ment IN the condition of that race, aud will be con-
tinued, with only such notifications as further ex-
perience may Indicate to be necessary

tinued, with only such notifications as further ex-
perience may Indicate to be necessary
THE CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION.
Inc board heretofore appointed to take charge
OF the articles and materials pertaining to the
war, the Navy the Treasury, the Interior and the
fost OHce departments, and the Department of
Agriculture, the Smithsonian Institution and the
commission OF food fishes to be contributed under
Inc legislation OF last session to the International
exhibition 70 be held at Philadelphia during the
centennial year 1876 has been diligent in the dis
charge Of the duties which have devolvcd upon it,
anu the preparations so far made with the means
AT command give assurance that the governmental
contrlDntlon will be made of the marked char
| acterlstics of the exhibition The board has OBJ
served commendabe economy in the matter of the
erection OF building for the governmental exhibit
the expense of which, it is estimated will not ey.
ceed say, SS),Oul.
Inns amount has been withdrawn, under the
law Tor The appropriations of live Of the principal
departments without sufficient means to render
Ihclr respective practical exhibits complete and
satisfactory. The exhibition being an nternaton-
al one, aud the Government being voluntary con-
tr6utor, it is my opinion that its contribution
shouio be OF character, in quality and extent, to
sustain The dignity and credit of so distinguished
contributor
Inc advantages TO the country of creditabe dis
play are, IN an International point of view, OF the
nrsI Importance while indifferent or incredtable
participation by the Government would be humla-
Ilhg 10 Inc patriotic feelings of our people them
serves. commend the estimates of the board for
the necessary additional appropriations to the fa-
Vorable consideration of Congress.
The Powers of Europe, almost without execution
many OF the South American States, and even the
more distant Eastern Powers, have manifested their
friendly sentiments toward the United States, and
the interest of the world in our progress by taking
steps to join with us in celebrating the Centennial
OF the nation, and | strongly recommend that
hat
oy such legislation and by such appropriation as will
insure lis success Its value in bringing to our
| shores innumerabe useful works of art and skill.
the commingling of citizens of foreign countries
and our own, and the interchange of ideas and man
uiactures will far exceed any pecuulary outlay VIC
may make
| transmit herewith the report of the Commission
er OF Agriculture, together with the reports of the
| Commissioners, the Board of Audit, and the Board
OF Health OF the District Of Columbia to all Of which
Invite your attention.
The Bureau of Agriculture has accomplished much
| IN disseminating useful kuowedgeto the agrcultu-
rlst ana also III introducing and useful produc-
tlons adapted to our soil and climate, and is worthy
OF the continued cncoura cement OF the Government
| The report of the Commissioner Of Educai ion
| which accompanies the report of the Secretary of
the Interior, shows gratifying progress in cduca-
! tlOnal matters
| POLYGAMY n UTAH.
| In nearly every annual message that have had
the honor OF transmitting TO Congress have called
| attention TO the anomalous, not to say scandaOus
condition Of affairs existing in the Territory of Utah
and have asked for definite legislation to correct it
That polygamy should exist in free, enlightened
and Christian country without til power to punish
| so fragrant crime against dcccncv and morality
seems prepostcrous. True, there is no law to sus-
tain this Immature wee, but what is needed is law
| TO punish it as crime and al the same time 10 fix
the status of the innocent children the offspring of
| this system, and Of the possibly innocent plural
wives. But, institution, polygamy should be
banished from the land.
While this is being done, invite the attention
OF Congress TO another though perhaps no less an
cvilthe importation of Chinese women, but few of
whom are brought To shores TO pursue honorable
or useful occupations
| TIMBER, LANDS, MINES AND MINING.
Observations while visiting the Territories of
Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado, during tho past
autumn, convinced me that existing laws regulating
the disposition of public lands, timber, &C., and
| probably the mining laws themselves, are very de-
fccvc, and should be carefully amended, and al an
| early day
In territory where cultivation of the soil can only
be followed by Irrigation, and where irrigation is not
lractcable, the lands can only be used as pasuragc
and this only where stock can reach water, Ito
quench its thirsO cauuot be governed by the same
laws, as TO entries. as lands every acre of which is
an independent estate by itself Land mnst hp held
Quoting water upon it to make it fruitful or to util-
iZe it as pasturage.
The timber III most of the Territories is princi-
pay confined To The mountain regions, which are
held Tor entry in small quantities only, and as min
eral lands The timber is the property of the Uni
ted States for the disposal of which there is now no
adequate law. The seLlermust become consumer
of this timber whether he lives upon the plain or
engages in working the mines. Hence every man
becomes either trespasser himself or knowingly Il
patron of trcSpasserS.
My opportunities for observation were not suli
Client TO justify me In recommending specific legis-
lation these subjects, but do recommend that
joint committee OF the two Houses of Congress suf
tcently large to be divided into sub committees, be
organized to visit all the mining States aud Terrific
res during the coming summer, and that the COM
mittee shall report to Congress at the next session
such laws or amendments to laws as it may deem
necessary to secure the best interest Of the Govern
mcnt and the people of these Territories who are
| doing so much for their Development
am sure the citizens occupying the territory de.
scrbed 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
! SUMMARY OF URGENT RECOMMENDATIONS
| 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 re-
captuate, the questions, which deem Of vital i'm
portance which may be legslated upon and settled
| at this session
First. That the States shall be required to afford
| the opportunity of good common school education
| TO every child within their limits
! Second. No sectarian tcnets shall ever be taught
in any school supported in whole or il part by the
State, Nation or by the proceeds Of any tax levied
| upon any community. Make education compulsory,
so far as TO deprive all persons who cannot read and
write from becoming voters after the year 1890, dis
franchisng none, however, on grounds of ilIteracy
who may be 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 its
| own proportion of taxation.
| Fourth. Drive out licensed immortality. such as
poIigamy and the importation of women for icgiti-
| mate purposes.
! To recur again to the Centennial year, it would
| seem as though now, as we about to begin the
second century Of national existence, would be
| a most fitting time for these reforms.
Fifth. Enact such laws as will assure a speedy