The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1875-12-09

Europe, almost without exte ..tion, many
q the South American States, and even
distant Eastern powers have manifested
their friendly sentiments toward the United
~i.Ics, and the iniere.; OF the world In our
progress, by tax ing steps 10 join with u in
celebrating the Centennial OF the Ma
ton, and ] strongly recommend that
more national importance be given TO this
exhibition 10y such legislation and by such
appropriation as will insure It's success. Is
value in bringing to our shores innuner-
able useful works of art, and the COM
minsling of the citizens OF foreign coGn-
tries and our own, and the interchange OF
ideas and manufactures viii far exceed any
p5cuHiary outlay We may make.
VARIOUS REPORTS.
transmit herewith the report of the
Commissioner OF Agriculture, together with
the report Of the Commissioners of the
BOARD OF Audit and Board OF Health, of
the District OF Columbia, TO all OF which
invite your attention.
The Bureau Of Agriculture has accom-
plished much in disseminating useful
knowledge to the agriculluralists and also
adapted to our soil and climate, and are
worthy OF the continued encouragement Of
the government.
The report OF the Commissioner Of Edu-
cation, which accompanies the report Of
the Secretary OF the Interior, shows graf
living progress in educational matters.
PoLYGAMY.
In nearly every message L have had the
honor Of tranimitting 20 Congress, j have
called attention 10 the anomalous, not TO
saw scandalous condition OF affairs existing
in the Territory OF Utah, and have asked
for definite Legislation 10 correct it That
polygamy should exist in a Tree, erlighten-
al and Christian country, without the pow
or to punish 50 fragrant crime against
decency and morality, seems pre-
posterous. True, there IL no law TO
sustain this unnatural vice, but what
is needed is a law TO punish il as a crime,
and at the same time to fix the status OF
the innocent children the offspring OF the
system. and of the (possiblyl innocent plu-
raj wives; but, as an institution OF polyg-
amy, should be banished from the land.
CHINESE WOMEN.
While this is being done, / invite the.
attention Of 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.
PUBLTc LANDS.
Observations, while visiting the Terrific
ries OF Wyoming, Utah and Colorado, dur
ing the past autumn, convinced me that the
l., ,1.t ha nfI
public lands, timber, etc, and probably the
uining laws themselves, are very defective,
and should lie carefully amended, and at
an early day. Where the cultivation OF
the soil can only be followed by irrig alton,
it is not practicable. The lands can only ]
lie used as pasturage, and this only where :
stock can reach water to quench Its thirst,
cannot be governed by the same laws, as to |
entries, az lands every acre OF which is an
independent estate by itself. Lands must |
be held in larger quantities to justify the |
expense OF conducting water upon 1t 10
make it fruitful, or TO justify utilizing 1t as
pasturage The timber in most OF Terri |
tories is confined to the mountainous re-
gions, where it is held for entry in small
quantities only, and, as the mineral lands,
the timber is the property OF the United
States, Tor the disposal Of which there is
now no adequate law. The settler must
become a consumer of this this timber,
whether he lives upon the plains or engages
in working the mines. Hence, every man
becomes either a trespas>er himself, or
knowingly, patron OF trespassers. NV
opportunities for observing were not sufh-
cient to Justify Inc in recommending specif-
ic legislation on these subject, but | do
recommend that a JOINT committee OF the
two Houses of Congress, sufficiently large
- a. 10 be divided into subcommittee,
be organized, to visit all the mining States
and Territories during the coming summer,
and that committee shall report to Con-
gress at the next session such law, OF
amendments 10 the laws, as 1t may deem
necessary 10 secure the best interests OF the
goyernmant and the people Of these terri
tories. who are doing SO much for their de-
vclopmeEt. ] am sure the citizens occupy
ing the territories described do not wish to
I've trespa,-ers, nor will they be, If legal
WAYS are provided for them 10 become
owners of these actual necessities Of their
positions.
As this viii be the last annual messag.
which | shall have the honor of trans-
hitting to Congress before my successor is
chosen, | will repeat, or recapltnlate, the
questions which deem OF vital importance,
and which need legislation upon, and
should be 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: That no sectarian tenets shall
be ever taught IN any school supported, IN
whole or in part, by the State, Nation, or