The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-12-11

relatives 1920 were navy pensioners, of whom
1,636 were invalids and ,7Si widows and depend
Of 1919, 15,s75 of whom were survivors and 6,193
were widows. It is estimated that $40, ,535 900
will be required for the payment of pensions for
the next fiscal year. amount S965 600 less than
the estimate for the present year.
The geological explorations have been prose-
cuted with energy during the year, covering an
Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, developing the
agricultural and mineral resources and furnish
ing interesting scientific and typographical de-
tails of that regien.
The method for the treatment Of the Indians
adopted at the beginning of my first term has
been steadily pursued and with satisfactory and
encouraging results 1t has been productive of
evident improvement in the condition of that
race and will be continued with only such modi-
iications as further experince may indicate to be
necessary.
Tho commission heretofore appointed to take
charge of the articles and materials appertainins
to the war, the war; the treasury, the interior
and the post office, the departments OF agricul-
ttlre, the Smithsonian Institute and the commis-
sion of food fish, and to be contributed under the
legislation of last session to the international ex-
hibtion to be held in Philadelphia during the
centennial year of 1876, has been diligent in the
discharge of the duties which have devolyed
upon IL, and the preparations so far made with
the means at command give assurance that the
governmental contribution will be made one OF
tho marked characteristics of the exhibition.
The board has observed cOmmendable economy
in the matter of the governmental exhibit, the
expense Oh WHICH III is Will lOJ tNCttu
say $50 900. This amount has been with
drawn under the law from the appropria-
tions of five of tho principal depart
ments which, leaves some of the departments
without sufficient means to render their respec-
tive practical exhibits complete and satisfactory;
The exhibition being international, and
the government being voluntary contrib
utor, it is my opinion that its contribu-
ton should be of % character in quality
and extent to sustain the dignity and credit OF
so distinguished contributor. The advantages
tnf 90 in nm
International point of view, of the first impor-
tance, while an indifferent or an discreditabie
participation by the governmentwouldb be humil-
iating to the patriotic feelings OF our people
themselves. l commend the estimate of the
board for the necessary additional appropriations
| transmit herewith the report of the comm Is
sioner of agriculture, together with the reports
OF the commissioners Of the board of audits, and
the board of health of the District of Columbia,
to all of which 1 invite your attention. The
bureau OF agriculture mas acGompisnea 81 uon IN
culturst and also in introducing new and
useful productions adapted to our soil and climate
and is worthy of the continued encouragement
of the government.
The report of the commissioner Of education
which accompanies the report of the secretary
of the interior, shows gratifying progress IN
educational matters In nearly every fISy
honor of transmitting TO congress have called
attention to the anomalous, not to say
scandalous condition of affairs existing III the
islaton TO correct it. That poygamy should eX-
list in an enlightened and Christian country,
without the power TO punish SO hagrant crime
against decency and morality, seems preposter-
Gus. There is no law to sustain this unnatural
vice but what is needed is law TO punish 1t as
a crime and at the same time TO fix the the status
of the the system system, and Of the' possible
innocent, plural wives but as an institution
polygamy should be banished from the land.
While this is being done invite the attention of
rnn In nuOthpr. thOupl nprlang. less
evil The importation Of Chinese women, but
few Of whom are brought to our shores to pur-
sue honorable or 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 public
the mining laws themselves are very defective,
and should be carefully amended, and at an
early day.
only be followed by irrigation, and where irri-
CATION is not practicable, the lands can only be
used as pasturage, ,!and this only where stock can
reach water to quench its thirst, cannot be gov
ernCd by the same laws as to entries as lands
every acre ofwhich is an independent estate by
itself.
Lands must be held in larger Quantities to jus
tily expense of conducting wateruponit TO make 1t
fruitful or to justify utilizing it as pasturage-
The timber iii most of the territories is princi
pally confined TO the mountain regions, which
are held for entry IN small quantities
only, and as mineral lands. The
timbcr is the property of the United States, for
the disposal or which there Is now no adequate
law. The settler must become II consumer of
this timber, whether he lives upon the plains or
engages in working the mines Hence every man
becomes either tresspasser himself or knowing
ly patron of tresspassers. My opportunity for
observation was not sufficient TO justityme in re-
commencing specific legislation on these sub
iects but do recommend that q Joint committee
Of the two houses of congress sufficiently large to
bedividcd into sub committees, the organized yisi
tlton of all mining states and territories during
the coming Summer, ana that me committee
laws or amendments To laws ms it may deem
necessary to secure the best interests of the gov
ernment and the people OF these territories who
are doing so much for their development. am
sure the citizens occcupying the territory de-
scrbcd do not wish to be trespassers,
vlded for them 4 10 become owners Of these
actual necessities of their position.
As this will be the last annual message which
shall have the honor of transmitting to congress
before my successor is chosen VIII repeat or re,
captulate the questions which deem OF vital
Importance which should be legislated upon and
settled at this session.
First. That the states shall be required toaf-
ford the opportunity of good school education
10 every child within their limits
Second No sectarian tenet shall cyerbe taught
IN anyschool supported in whole or IN 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
Allci tllu NtttI loiu1 utslihhNiii9AtS NV"
ever, ON grounds of illteracy. who may be vO-
tiers 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 property
shall bear its own proportion Of taxation.
Fourth. Drive out licensed immortality, such
as polygamy and the importation of women for
iHegitimate purposes 10 rccur again TO the
centennial year, it would seem as though nov
we are TO begin the second centennial of natonsi
experience would be most fitting time for thee
reforms.