The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-12-16

the legislation of last session To the lnterna-
tiona Exhibition to be held at Philadelphia
during the Centennial year 1876, has
been dilgeut in the discharge OF
the duties which have devOlved upon
IL, and the propositions so far made, with
the means al command, give assurance that
the governmental contribution will be made
one of the marked characteristics of the eN-
hibition. The board has observed COM
mendabIe economy in the matter of the
erection of buildings for the Government
exhibit. the expense of which il is estimated
will not exceed, say $50. 600. This amount
has been withdrawn under the law from
the appropriations of five of the principal
departments, which leave some of
those departments without sufficient
means to render their respective prac-
tical exhibits complete and satiSfac-
tory. The exhibition being an international
one and the Government being voluntary
contributor, il is my opinion that its contri-
button should be of 4 character, in quality
and extent, to sustain the dignity and credit
of so distinguish contributor. The adVan-
tageS to the country Of credltable display
are in an international point of view of the
first importance, while an indifferent or un-
creditable participation by the Government
would be humiliating TO the patriotic feelings
of our people themselves. l commend the
estimates of the board for the necessary ad-
ditional appropriations.
exception, many of the South American
States, and even the more distant Eastern
Powers have manifested their friendly sentl-
ments toward the United States, and the in
terest of the world in OurprOgress is eylnced
by the steps taken to join with us in cele-
brating the Centennial ofthe Nation, and |
strongly recommend that more national
importance be given TO this exhibition by
such legislation and by such appropriation
as will insure its success. Its value in bring
ing to our shores innumerable useful works
of art and skill, the cOmmingling Of the citi-
Zens of foreign countries and our own, and
the interchange of ideas and manufactures
will far exceed any pecuniary outlay we may
make.
.. . DOCUMENTS TRANSMITTED.
l transmit herewith the report of the Com
missioner of Agriculture, together with the
reports OF the Commissioners, the Board Of
Audit and the Board of Health of the Dis
trict of Columbia, to all of which | invite
YOUR attention. The Bureau of Agriculture
has accomplished much in disseminating
useful knowledge to the agriculturalist and
also by Introducing new and useful produc-
tions adapated to our soil and climate, and
are worthy of the continued encouragement
of the Government. The report of the Com
missioner of Education, which accompanies
| the report of the Secretary of the Interior.
shows gratifying progress in educational
matters.
MORMON POLYGANIY.
Ihave called attention to the anomalous,
not to say scandalOus, condition Of affairs
! existing in the Territory of Utah, and have
asked for definite legislation to correct 1t.
That poygamy should eXistin a free, ,enlight-
| ened and Christian country, without the
| power to punish so tlagrant crime against
| decency and morality. seems prepOsterOus.
True, there is no law to sustain this unna-
| tural vice. but what is needed Is a law TO
| punish it as a crime, and at the same time to
/ tx the status OF the innocent children, the
| offspring of this system and of the possibly
] innocent plural wives; but as an institution,
polygamy should be banished from the
/ land.
| While this is being done, L invite the at
! tention of Congress to another, though per-
haps no less an evil, the importation of Chi
nese women, but few of whom are brought
to our shores to pursue honorable or useful
occupations.
LAWS REGULATING LAND SALES.
Observations while visiting the Territories
of Wyoming. Uutah, and Colorado during
the past autumn, convinced me that the eN'
isting laws regulating the disposition ofpub
lie lands, timber, etc, and probably the
mining laws themselves, are very defective
and should be carefully amended and at Al
early day. In a Territory where the cultlYa
| ton ofthe soil can only be followed by lrrl
CATION, and this Is not practicable, the and'
can only be used rs pasturage, and this only
| where stock can reach water to quench lt'
thirst, and can not be governed by the same
laws as to the entries of lands every
acre of which is an Independent estate
by itself. Lands must be held il
larger quantities to justify the expense
of conducting water upon it to make d
fruitful or to Justify utilizing il as paNturage
The timber in most of the Territories Is prin
cipally confined TO the mountain regions
which are held for entry in small quantities
only and as mineral lands. The timber i
the property of the United States, for th'
disposal of which there is now no adequate
/. law The settler must become "A cOnSume
of this timber whether he lives upon tht
pIaius or is engaged in working the mines
hence every man becomes either trespasS
er himself or knowingly patron of tre>pass
ers. NV opportunities for observing wer
not sufficient To justify me in recOmmendin;
specific legislation on these subjects, but
do recommend that joint committee of th'
| two Houses of Congress. sufficiently large L
be divided into subcommittee, he organ
lied to visit all the mining States and Terri
tories during the coming summer, and tha
the cOmmi tee shall report TO Congress, a
the next session, such laws or amendment
to laws rs it may deem necessary to secur
The best interest of the Government, and tn
people of these Territories, who are doing
30 much for their development l am sure
the citizens occupying the territories de
scribed do not wish to be trespassers, no
will they be if legal ways are provided 10
them to become owners of these actua
necessities of their positions
RECAPITULATION.
AS this will be the last annual mesSag,
which | will have the honor of transmitting
to Congress before my successor ~ chosen,
will repeat or Tecaptulate the question
which | deem of vital importance wbicl
, should be egislated upon and settled at thl
. session First-That the States shall be re
I | ouired TO afford the opportunity of a goo
, csmmon-schoOl education to every chill
! within their limits. Second - That n
! sectarian tenets shall be ever tsugh
, in any school supported in whole or 1
; mart by the State or Nation, o
! by proceeds of any tax levied upon an
; community; make Education compulsory ?
r far as to deprive all persons who cannot rea
: and write from becoming voters alter th
. wear 1890: disfranchising none. however, o
a grounds of illiteracy who may be voters
I the time this amendment takes effect. Thlr
: Declare church and State forever separat
and distinct, but each free within their prope
sphere. and that all church property sha
bear its own proportion OF taxes. Fourth-
Drive out licensed immortality, such as poly
5 gamv and the importation of women 10
y | ilIegitimate purposes. To recur again I
e the Centennial year-it would seem Z
5 though now, as we are about to begl
e the second century Of our national existence
e would be the most fitting time for thes
: reforms. Fifth-Enact such laws {
t will secure a speedy return 10 sound cul
= rency, such as will command the respect
: the world.
= Believing that these views will CONNER
e themselves to the great majority Of the rigl
e thinking and patriotic citizens of the Unite
= States, / submit the rest to Congress.
: TSignedl L. ). GRANT.
It EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dec. Z, 20.
5 A ShaWl-Pin COughed from the Lung