Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1875-12-17
The Presidents Message.

The Presidents Message.
1t was our intention to publish in full
the Message. bat its length would have.
curtailcd other matter to such an extent
that we concluded it would be more ac-
ceptable 10 our readers to give the most
important passages, which we shall do
from week TO week.
1t is an able document. presenting con-
|ciscly the present condition Of the coun.
TRY and recommends salutary measures
looking TO its future prosperity.
PUBLIC LANDS, ETC.
Observations while visiting the Terrific
ries Of Wyoming. Utah and Colorado,
during the past autumn. convinced me
thss the existing laws regulating the dis
position of public lands, timber, ETC., and
probably the mining laws, are themselves
very detective. and should be carefully
amended, and at an early day. In terri
tory where cultivation of the soil can on
ly be followed by irrigation, to make it
lHt oN ~ oSlt ~0OlCs SuCu 1ouu0 C1tJ OIiy w
used as pasturage, and this only where
stock can reach water to quench their
thirst. and it cannot be governed by the
same laws, rs every acre is an independent
state by itself. rhis land must be held in
large quantities to justify the expense Of
corducting water upon it to make il
fruitful or to justify utilizing it as pastur.
age.
TIMBER LANDS.
The timber in most of the Territory is
principally confined to the mountain re-
gions which are held for entry in small
quantities only, and as mineral lands.
The timber is the property of the United
States, in the disposal of which there is
no adequate law. The settler must be-
come consumer of this timber, whether
he lives upon the plains or engages in
working the mines. Hence. every man
beSmes either q trespasser himself OF
knowingly a patron of trespasser. My
opportunities for observation were not
sufficient to justify me in recommending
specific legislation on those subjects; but
l do recommend tina. a joint committee OF
the two Houses of Congress, sufficiently
large to be divided into Subcommittee
be organized to visit the mining States
and Territories during the coming sum
mcr. and that the committees shall report
to Congress at its next session such laws,
or amendments to laws. as 1t may deem
necessary to insure the best Interests OF
the government and the people Of these
Territories, who are doing so much fol
their development am sure the citizen:
Occupying the Territories described dc
not wish 10 be trcspassers, nor will they
be if legal ways are provided for them tt
become owners Of these actual necessitle:
of their position.
i LEGISLATION RECOMMENDED.
\ AS this will be the last annual message
which l shall have the honor of transmit
,|ting to Congress before my successor il
chosen, 1 will repeat or recapitulate tn
questions which I deem of vital importance
i. which ought to be legislated upon ant
settled at this session:
First. That the States shall be required
to afford the opportunity Of good com
mon school education to every child with
in their limits.
\ Second. No sectarian tencts shall eve
be taught IN any school supported in who'll
or in part by the State, Nation, or by tn
proceeds Of any tax levied upon any com
munity; to make education compulsor.
so far as to deprive all persons who canno
read and write, from becoming voters af
ter the year 1890; DISTINGUISHING none
however, on the grounds of illiteracy VIII
may be voters at the time this amendmen
takes effect.
! Third. Declare Church and State for
ever separate and distinct, but each fire.
within its proper sphere, and that al
church property shall bear its own pro
portion of taxation.
Fourth. Drive out licensed immortality
lsuch as polygamy, and the importation Q
women for illesitimate purposes. TO recu
again to the centennial year, it would seen
that now, as we are about to enter upol
he second century Of our national exist
ence, it would be a most fitting time TO
these reforms.
Fifth. Enact SUCH laws as will insure
!, speedy return to sound currency such q
will command the respect Of the Who'll
world. Believing that these views vii
commend themselves to the great majorit
OF the right-thinking patriotic citizens Z
the United States, submit the rest toCo1
Y lgress
: The Black Hills.
| A WASHINGTON disnatch saws. Geners