The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-12-09


utor It is my opinion that the contribution should
be Of character in quality and extent TO sustain
the dignity and credit OF so distinguished a cen
trihutOr The ady antages to the country o1 cred
liable display IN an international point OF view are
Of the first inheritance while On lndlnerent or ols-
cradifahle nar4icipation by the Government would
be humiliating to the patriotic feelings OF our peo-
rla Themselves 1 commend the estimates OF the
board for the necessary additional appropriations TO
the Favorable consideration OF Congress.
The powers of Europe, almost without exception,
many Of the South American States, ana even the
more distant Eastern powers have manifested their
friendly sentiment toward the United States, and
the interest of the world in our progress by taking
stems to ion with in celebrating the Centennial
of the nation, and strongly recommend that q
mora national importance be given to this exhlDl-
tion by such legislation and by such appropriation
as will insure its success Its value In bringing 70
onr shores innumerable useful works of art and
skill. the comminglsng Of the citizens OF foreign
countries and our own, and the interchange OF
ideas and manufactures viii far exceed any pecunt
airy outlay we may make.
1 transmit herewith the report of the Commits
soner of Agriculture, together with the reports CT
the Commissioners of the Board of Audit and the
Board of Health OF the District of Columbia, to all
of which invite your attention. s4b
The Bureau Of agriculture has accomplished
much in disseminating useful knowledge to the
agriculturist and also in introducing and USE
full productions adapted TO our soil and climate,
and is worthy OF the continued encouragement OF
the Government.
which accompanies the report OF tho Secretary OF
the Interior, shows gratifying progress In educs-
tiOnal matters. In nearly every annual message
that have had the honor Of transmitting to Con-
gress l have called attention TO the anomalous,
not to say scandalous, condition OF the affairs cx-
listing in the territory CT Utah, and have ASKED Tor
definite legislation to correct it. That polygamy
should exist N free, enlightened and Christian
country, without the power to punish so fragrant
crime against decency and morality seems pre-
posterous. True, there iS no law to sustain this
m vi vyh ia a ayv n
punish it crime, and at the same time to fix the
status of the innocent children-the offspring of
this system, and Of the possibly innocent plural
wives but, an institution, polygamy should be
banished from the land. While this is being done,
1 invite the attention of Congress to another,
though perhaps no less evil, the Importation of
Chinese women but few Of whom brought to
our shores TO pursue honorable or useful occupa-
tions.
Observations while visiting the Territories of
Wyoming, Utah and Colorado, during the last au-
tumn, convinced me that existing laws regulating
the disposition Of public lands, timber, etc., and
probably the mining laws themselves, are very de-
fectiVe, and should be carefully amended, and at
an early day. In Territories where the cultivation
OF the soil only he followed by irrigation, where
the lands can only be used as pasturage, and this
only where stock can reach water to quench
thirst, cannot be governed by the same laws as to
entries of lands, every of which is an inde-
pendent state by itself. Lands must be held in
larger quantities to justify the expense of conduct
ing water upon it to make 1t fruitful, or to
justify utilizing it pasturage. The tim
Der in most Of the Territories is principally
confined TO the mountain regions which
are held for entry in small quantities only and as
mineral lands. The timber is the property of the
United States for the disposal of which there is
no adequate law. The settler must become a con-
sumner of this timber whether he lives upon the
pl~ius engages in working the mines. Hence
every man becomes trespasser himself, or, know
ingly, patron of trespasSerS My opportunities
for observing not sufficient to justify me in
recommending specific legislation on these SUBJ
jects; but do recommend that joint committee
of the two houses of Congress- sufficiently large to
be divided into subcommittee, be organized to
visit all the mining States and Territories during
the coming summer and that the committee shall
report to Congress, at the next session, such laws
amendments to the laws, may seem necessary
to secure the best interests of the Government and
the people Of those Territories, who are doing SO
much for their development am sure the citizens
occupying the Territories described do not wish to
be trespassers nor will they be, if legal ways are
provided for them to become owners of those actual
necessities OF their position.
AS this will be the last annual message which
shall have the honor of transmitting TO Congress be-
fory my successor is chosen, will repeat reca-
pitulate the questions which deem of vital import
aDce which are to be legisated upon and settled at
this session: 1. That the States shall
be required to afford the opportunity of a
good common school education to Z,
no tenets shall ever be- taught in any school sup
ported in whole or in part by the State nation,
by the proceeds Of any tax levied upon any commu-
nifty; make education compulsory, SO far as to de-
priYe all persons who cannot read and write from
becoming voters alter the year $780, DISTINGUISHING
none however, on the ground of illiteracy who may
be voters at the time this amendment takes effect
B. Declare the Church and State forever separate
and distinct, but each free within their proper
spheres, and that all church property shall bear
its own proportion Of taxation. 4. Drive out
licensed immortality, such as polygamy and the
importation of women for illegitimate purposes.
To recur again to the centennial year, it would
seem as though, now, as are about to begin the
second century Of national existence, would be
a most fitting time for these reforms. 5. Enact
such laws as will insure speedy return to a sound
currency, such as viii command the respect of the
world.
Believing that these views will commend them
selves to the great majority of the rightthinktng
and patriotic citizens of the United States, SUBJ
NIT the rest to Congress.
(Signed), q. 5 GRANT.
ExEcUT1vE MANSION, Dec. z, 1875.