Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1875-12-18

teleErapny, the "nuD" OF wnlcn Is
that there shall be a reciprocity OF
rights, as to the tcrmini with all
countries with whom we connect by
cable telegraph that there shall be
no monopoly or exclusive privileges
granted; and that government mes
sages shall have precedence of or
binary dispatches. Congress is next
urged to take cOgnizance of the fac
that frequent cases of fraudulent
naturalization and expatritiOn Oc
Cur, and adopt such effective mea
sures as will meet the ends of jus
tice. The condition of American
women, who marry foreigners, is q
subject also upon which the Presi
dent thinks some legislation is need
ed, and there should be, in his Opin
ion, some statute provisions to de-
fine the status of children born
abroad of American parents, and to
give effect to the legal marriages Of
American parents in foreign coun
isles. Upon the question Of resump'
ton of specie payments the Presi-
dent reiterates his formerly expires
sed opinions, and he expresses the
hope that Congress VIII az the earl
lest day insure the consummation OF
the act of the last Congress to bring
about the return of specie payments
OH the LIST of January, 1879. With
a view to aid in the work of resump'
ton he suggests repeal of such
parts of the legal tender act us
make the notes receivable for debts
contracted after January l, 1877.
He also recommends that the Sec
rotary Of the Treasury be authoriz-
ed to redeem, say not to exceed
$4,000, 600 monthly of legal tenders,
by issuing in their stead long bond
bearing interest at the rate of 3.G5
per cent. per annum Of denOmina-
tons ranging from $50 to $1,000
each; also that additional power be
given to the Secretary of the Treas.
ury to accumulate gold for final re.
demption, either by increasing rev.
enue, curtailing expenses or both.
In the belief that tax on tea and
coffee will give an income of $751;
600, 900 year to the Treasury, and
without costing the consumers any
more than at present, he advises
that these articles shall be taken
from the free list. The Presidents
remarks in relation to the army and
navy are but a reiteration of the
statements of the Secretaries of
those Departments, and we omit
them here, as we have already pre-
sented them to our readers. In re-
gard to the Postoffice Department,
he suggests that all merchandise,
other than books and newspapers,
shall be excluded from tho mails en-
tirely. The message bearly alludes
to Indian affairs and the Patent Of
flee, and upon the public lands, moth
ing new is suggested. The centen
NAL celebration seems to him wor.
thy of government aid, and he COM
mends the estimates Of the board of
Commissioners to the favorable at.
tention of Congress. Definate leg
islation to suppress polygamv in
Utah appears to him desirable, and
tho importation of Chinese women
he regards as all evil to be abated
by law. He concludes thus:
AS this will be the last annual
message which l shall have the
honor of transmitting to Congress
before my successor is chosen, | will
repeat or recapitulate the questions
which l deem of vital Importance,
which should be legislated upon
and settled at this session:
First, That the States shall be re.
quired to afford an opportunity Of
good common school education to
every child within their limits.
Second, That no sectarian tenets
shall ever be taught in any school
supported in whole or part by the
State or Nation, or by the proceeds
of tax levied upon any commune
ty. Make education compulsory so
far as to deprive all persons who
cannot read and write from becom-
ing voters after the year 1890, dis
frachising none, however, on the
ground of illiteracy 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
sphere. and that all church proper
ty shall bear it's own proportion of
taxation.
Fourth, Drive out licensed i'm
morality, such as polygamy and the
Importation of women for illegiti-
mate purposes.
Fifth, Enact such laws as will in
sure speedy return to a sound cur.
rency, such as will command the re
spect of the world.
To recur again to the centennia
year, it would seem as though no W,
as we are about to begin the second
century of our national existence,
would be a more fitting time for
these reforms. Believing that these
views will commend themselves to
the great majority of the right think
ing and patriotic citizens of the
United States, l submit the rest to
Congress.
The N. III. Board of Agriculture
held its thirteenth meeting for the
year on Friday, at Lisbon. Fully |