Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-12-10
Presidents Message.

sage, sent to Congress On Tuesday, ndulges in
some pleasant mention OF The advancement OF
our country from It's infancy 10 It's centennial,
and of the nations great success ia progress
and civilization; OF ills wonderful achieve
ments in arts, science and all the concomltHnts
of advanced betlerment of all the people.
Aud 10 this connection he urges that all cili-
zens should be educated sufficiently to cast
vote with right Intelligence OF the value OF
the elective franchise, which is u proposition
no reasonable person will question, though
it was not acted upon in the reconstruction
policy Of the Presidents own party. The ab-
sence of such educated intelligence 10, the
President thinks, the primal danger to our
country's prosperity and the permanence OF lis
Tree institutions, and 10 such belief he recon-
mends an amendment to the constitution re-
buiring the several States 20 establish aud for
ever maintain free public schools adequate
10, at least, the rudiiuentary education OF all
the children, irrespective Of color, sex, nation
ality or religion forbddins, however the
teaching in such schools the incubation Of
pagan or atheistic teDets, or the Oestowal Of
school funds 10 any religion denomination for
educaliona purposes. lie aiso objects 10 the
accumulation Of vast amounts Of unlaxed
church property. and SAYS that that class vi
property in the United States in 1875 amounts
10 81 600 600, OOU He recommends The taxa
ton Of ali such property, exemptng only
cemeteries and limited edbces Tor churches.
These subjects have always in this country
heretofore been regarded AS belonging peculiar
ly to the Stale aud local government, and al
no time have they received more general and
Wiling attention in the States that at present
Stating that our relations with foreign
powers are satisfactory and friendly, the PresI-
dent takes occasion 10 remark that Congress
should SO legisatc as to prohibit citizens OF
the United States from owning slaves in any
other country, and he hopes such consnmmn-
lion may ultimately embrace citizcns OF all
nations.
Chill has made reparation in some long
standing cases OF outrage on our commercial
ma ue Mention is male of the Hawaiian re
ciprocty treaty, and OF the Virginius indem-
niiy. which has been settled by Spain.
In regard TO Cuba, the President thinks
there is no evidence OF a. near termination OF
the conflict there and that there still exits
that continuous disregard of laws of civilized
warfare and humanity which has characterized
the inlernecine strife during the pnst seven
yehrs He advcrls TO the commercial iIDpOr-
lance of Cuba to the world al large, aud as
serts his belief that the nations have right
to interfere sufficiently to establish its govern
ment on secure basis, but he considers the
recognition Of Cuban Independence impractl-
cable at present. and lie belivcs the United
SUITES and all other nations must soon con
slider the necessity OF meditation aud inter
ventiun in the premises. considerable lor-
ton of the message is devoted TO this subject.
He Endorses the recommendation made i'll
the annual report OF the Secretary OF War,
Including II sysle,l of annuliies for families oil
deceased officers by funding mouthly. deduc-
ton from the pay of those officers while in
service; return 10 the old system OF mileage;
an approval OF torpedo experiments, and
permanent organization Of the signal service
corps.
The condition of the navy is stated rs being
satisfactory Ii does not contain much iron
crushing power but it has considerable
number ui ron-clads OF the monitor class,
which, though not cruisers, are OF excelltni
effect for operation On our coast aud Tor sale
defense Of our harbors. The navy includes
more than fifty war ships, fifteen of them be-
ing iron clad.
In referring TO PostofIice Department aff,rs
the President recommends the exclusion from
the mails of merchandise of all kinds, and the
limitation OF transportuOle matter therein only
to those articles which should he properly
classed as mailabe.
The President says that although govern
ment efforts to protect the rights of indians
IN the Black Hills have been successful, the
next year will exhibit large increase Of i'm
dian Territory is practically unchanged, but
the President may hereafter make some sug-
geslions AS TO legislation for the government
OF that Territory.
The grasshopper plague is supposed TO have
diminished the sale CT public lands during the
year. there being decrease in the sales OF
2, 459, 60i acres MS compared with those ot the
previous year. The surveyed of publ
domain is $50, 1853, o94 acres, leaving /, i54,-
All, 1852 acres yet to be surveyed. The man
agement and disposition Of this vast farm oi
''Uncle Sam are recommended TO the CON
of Congress.
As to pensioners the message states that
during the past year IL 557 names have been
added to the payruls and 1871 dropped,
showing decrease of 1920. But notwith-
this decrease of pensioners, there has
been IN Increase in pay TO the amount OF S44,-
1913 l3, which was induced by the greatly ill.,
creased average rate of pensions allowed by
the last Congress. Daring the last hscal year
there WAS paid for account OF pensions S29,-
6S3, ll6. There are on the rolls 234 S2l per-
sons of whom 2l0, 1868 are army pensioners,
(of these O5, 47S being invaids, aud l04-
1856 are widows and dependent relatives The
navy pensioners are 8 400, including l,636
invaids and l 1874 widows and dependent
relatives. OF the war OF 1872 there are 2l,-
038 pensioners, $3.50 being Survivors and
5, l43 widows The amount required for pay
ment of pensions fur the next hscal year Is
estimated at 500 $685. 900.
The President thinks his Indian policy has
been prosecuted with encouraging and salts
factory results as to the Improvement of the
race, and he says the same policy will be cou-
tinued with such notifications as may be
deemed proper.
As 10 the centennial exhibition the President
thinks that as it is to be an international affair,
to which the United States government is only
voluntary contribution, its contribution
should he large enough 10 sustain the dignity
Of the United States in such contingency.
He says that almost without exception the
powers of Europe, the South American States,
and even the far-of Eastern sovereignties
have taken steps to be represented in the CEN
tennial exhibition.
The President recommends the formation OF
a special tribunal for hearing and determining
all claims, of aliens against the government
Of the United States which now exists or may
hereafter arise outside of treaty slipulations
The question as TO monopoly and exorbitant
charges on the Atlantic telegraphic cable lines
is given TO the earnest consideration of Con-
gress, and in absence of action by that body
the President will not approve the landing of
cables proposed to be laid by competing COM
pauies.
The frauds in naturalization and expairia-
ton are severely commented on. and preven-
tive legislation asked. 1t is also suggested
that there is necessity of enactment in relation
to the status of American women who NAV
marry foreigners, and of defining the cond-
ton of children Of American parents born in
foreign Countries so rs to give legal effect to
marriages of American citizens effected in
foreign countries.
As to resuptiou Of specie payments the
President will heartily anprove apy practica-