Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-12-11
WASHINGTON NEWS.
81 ond Days Session of the Forty
Fourth Congress.
OTHER MATTERS.

! IL was after | O'Clock when the PreSi-
dent message reached Congress today.
Ths House was engaged at the time in
drawing for seats. The Senate was wait
ing foT the message and its reading was
begun and completed in that body first.
At the outset the attentiC n was excellent,
but the unusual length of the message
seemed to weary the Senate and before
the ScAIsary had finished several Sena-
tors had left their seats, while quite a
number were engaged in reading news
papers and writing letters.
I After the adjournment of the Senate it
was manifest from conversation of the
Senators that they had listened to what
might be termed the leading parts of the
message and were quite prepared to give
their opinions upon them. AdminiStra-
ton Republicans generally approved of
the sentiments and tone Of the message.
They admitted that the Presidents prop
ositions with regard to the school question
in the States and taxation Of church prop
crty were somewhat novel In 4 Prcsiden-
tial message to Congress.
One New England Senator remarked
that the President was stealing Senator
Biaine's thunder in proposing to settle
the school question by amending the Con-
stitution of the United States, lifting it
out of the narrow sphere of State regu-
lation, making it national. The Demo
Gratis in both houses denounce unsparingIy
the new raid upon State rights; they re-
gard the Presidents fine propositions
with which he sums up his message, as
his message, as his platform for 1876, but
they assert that the school question is to
be the Republican key note for the Presi-
Dental campaign. To this the Republicans
make no reply, but it is evident that the
new war cry Of no division of the schoo
fund and no scctarianism in the public
schools, which was first raised by thu
President at, Dcs Moines, now elaborated
and crystalze1 In his message and
tacitly adopted by the Republicans
GREATS troubles the Democrats. The,
assert that Grant, having failed to rail-!
the country on sectional issue, has nov
appealed to sectarian feeling.
The Presidents view on the Cuban
question proved disappointment to tn,
: majority in both Honses. The Demo
; Gratis, almost without exception, and no
few Republicans, were under the i'm
preston that Grant would take strong
!, ground in favor Of recognizing the Cuban
insurgents as bcligerents. When tina
part Of the message was reached, there
, fore, there was close attention both in TIL,
| House and Senate. Senator Thurman
| remarked, i'll conversation, that if we ar,
on such peaceful relations with Spain a,
the President represented, and have NJ
intention of interfering with Cuba, h,
does not understand why so many million
dollars have been spent during the pas
two or three years in adding to and
Strengthening the naval forces of tn,
nation. This idea seems also to be enter
tanned by quite number of Republicans
The Presidents position on the currenc,
is generally indorsed, except by the infla
tioniStS.
But that portion of the message whiel
eXcites most comment among Congress
men is theSchool question. The allusion t.
it in the message opens it up to genera
discussion in Congress, and it is likely t,
; prove one Of the most exciting question
of the session. 1t is an issue that will b
forced upon the Democrats especially il
the House. for it is understood to be tn
= determination of Blains to introduce a
-, an early day an amendment to the Cor
- stitution with regard to the public school
: alluded to in his letter. 1t is learnc
that the Democrats will place themselye
behind their well known States right
doctrine; and while not advocating
division Of the school fund for scctaria
purposes will oppose Blaines amendment
on the ground that it would be q gros
interference with the rights Of the State
which have heretofore regulated the pub
lie school question.
The message closes with the followin
appropriate suggestions:
, As this will be the last annual Messag
c which | shall have the honor of trans
t hitting to Congress before my successo
c is chosen, will repeat or recapitulate tn
questions which deem of vital impol
y lance which should be legislated upo
l. and settled at this session
+ First: That the States shall be requil
II ed to afford the opportunity of a goo
common school education to every chill
y within their limits.
y Second No Sectarian tenets shall eve
e be taught in any school supported /
n whole or in part by the State, nation, G
by the proceeds Of any tax levied upo
any community. Make education CON
r pulsory SO far as to deprive all person
!, who can not read and write from becom
y Jag voters after the year 1890, disfrancl
Using none, however, on the ground {
" illiteracy who may be voters at the tin
: this amendment takes effect.
l. Third: Declare Church and State fc
1 ever separate and distinct, but each FREE
-. within their proper spheres and that a
y church property shall bear its own Pre-
portion of taxation.
Fourth: Drive out licensed immoralit
IN such as polygamy and the importation
:, women for illegitimate purposes.
y" TO recur again to the centennial yea
IL it would seem as though now, as we al
lie about to commence the second centur
&c of national existence, would be mo,
-, fitting time for these reforms.
" Fifth: Enact such laws Us will insuI
y % specdy return to sound currency sue
t, as will command the respect of the worlt
N Believing that these views will con