Terre Haute Evening Gazette, Volume 6, Number 152, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 8 December 1875 — Page 2

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Our "People's Column.5

ADVEBTISElOtNTS in this column will be not*, per lino for each insertion. No aavertisameat inserted for loss than 25 eta* Those who are out of employment, however, and want to communicate with the business public, with a view of securing situations and work, will not be charged for the use of this column. This proposition applies to all ajjes and botn sexes, and will remain open until the times are easieT *ud employment more easily secured than it present.

FINANCIAL^

npo LOAN—MONEY—Persons desiring to I. borrow money on first mortgage can do PO by applying to J. H. Douglas, office over Vigo County Abstract Office. No com mission charged for negotiating loans.

LOST.

Lgregationalwith

OST.—On Sunday night, at the Conchnrch, a black waferproof cape, lined blue. Return either to M. M. Joab's office, on Ohio streeD, or to Dr, Eider, and receive reward.

WANTED.

Wexperience

ANTED-A Kltuation in a rivate larni'y as seain.strees or nurEa has had In boili. Inqulie ftf Mrs. M. K. Adams, North Sixth street, near Kim.

WANTED—To

fures

sell 50 cords of wood at

32a cord, at the wood yard at the foot ol Main street near the Early House.

1 IT ANTKD—A. situation by a boy 14 yeais

of age. to work lor board and go school. Honest ai industrious. Good reference. Northwest corner ol Chestnut and Twelfth.

WANTED—BOARDERS—Rooms

WANTED—Everybody

v»

Wexperienced

Jur-

nlshed. or without and with board Corner Becond and Poplar. JNO. TRUINETi

to go to Henry

Lang for all kinds of fresh meats, tau sages, and anything and everything in that Hue. He will sell to regular customers at extremely low figures. He calls the attention of ralKoad shop men of the facilities of buying cheaply. Cornc-r of Thirteenth street and Liberty avenue. \KTANTED—Everybody to know

Mrs. C. A. Beard is prepared to make boys suits. Work promptl done and satisfaction guaranteed. Prices very cheap. Call at the southwest corner of Third and Swan streets.

Wboarders

ANTED—BOARDERS—Mrs. Mattie A. McMonigle would line to have a few day Afew rooms also for rent. Terms reasonable. Call at the sixth house

No. 76) west of Seventh, south side of Jhestnut street. MRS. MATTIE A. McMONI«L^.

ir ANTED—Two intelligent ladies to en1 ga^e in a light, respectable employment, paying frcm £4 to 80 per day. Expenses advanced. Inferences required. Apply at once to the southwest corner ol Sixth uud Eagle streets.

ANTED—Situation as office clerk or clerk in some sti.re, by a respectable and young' miin, who Is an expert salesman, and can write a splendid business jL&nd. Haye good rtcommeidatlp.n from lat? employer, and best of references given. A^'Jress E. W. M., this offioe.

ANTED—GIRL—A girl who underVV stands cooking can get employment by applying lmmtdiately at

No.512

South

First street. .. I*/-ANTED—Employment, by an active and energetic young man, around a nouse. Address, through postoffice, Peter Maynard, or apply on South Seventh street opposite the Colored Baptist Church

VBT ANTED—Board by a gentleman in a Vf private family who nefd a plano.and are willing to let the board apply towards paying for same. The place! miut be centraliylocatf d. Address, stating terms and locality, Postoffice box 18(i2, city. \\T ANTED—A purohaser for a Wheeler a "Y

Wilson Bewlug Machine Itisabar* In. Inquire at thiB office.

rr ANTED—Two gentlemen can obtain W first-class board »n private family, applying at No. 43 South F.'lth street.

TANTED—A GENERAL AGENT—For I the New Family and.No. 6 and No. 7 K'oiary-Hooic, Lock-Stitch Wheeler A Wil•on Hewing Machines. A good chauce for the right man. For terms, &c., apply to J. T. Grayson, at Terre ilaute House.

Agents tor the'best, selling Prize Pack-

WANTED

axea Its the "world. Slogle package, with Vj'egant prize, postpaid,25 cents. For other novelties send smup. Address, F. i*. 'tLUCK, New Bediord, Mas?.

•strANTED—Everybody to know that W Brunker's Carminative Balsam Is infallible Tor dlairbsB, flux, pain or conest'on «f the stomach, or cholera morbas, children's teething chollc hlccups sum iE«er complaint, or cholera in tan turn,

without debilitating alter ail other vcwedTcs fail. Pleasant 'and safe to take. Inquire lor it at our druggist s.

ANT ED— BOARDERS— Several genrj ilcrnen can find first-class board in a rivate liirtiily, iy inqulrlnis at the fourth iiOUKe east ol Sixth, i-outh sice of iroplar trt'et.

FOK SALS.

1-^OR

SA IJE—Eight to 10,000 leet of Pice Joice, has been used Supt. of Gas Light Co.

T?OR SALE-A Wheeler A Vr Hson sewlng machine, In perfect orderand lor about hall price. Has only been used1 a khort tUne and is In good condition. Call at this Office.

OR SALK—Ruggy for salo cheap, Kussner's, No.48Ohio street.

Y?OR SALE—A merchant mill, with three lun of burrs. Is in a good wheat country. For particulars "ddrera, A. llalteman, 1611 Jackson street, St.Louis, I to.

•tfjOR HALE— A Wheeler A Wilson Sewing Machine, ftlmr.st new und lately rut in peifeet order and as pood at-new. It vill be sold at a bargain. For perticulars Inquire at this office.

FOR BENT. OBSALE^

inOR RENT OR SALE-^-A. good house of 9 rooms, suitable lor boauling. Good cut buildings, etc. Applv on the pTmlsex, on Ohio, between First and Second streets.

FOU TRACE.

"L^OR TRADE Some town property in Cofleeville. Montgomery count}', Kan••BJis. It Is a Ft"re house and dwelling 'liouso. It Is valuable aud clear of lncum bm» «e. Will be traded for property he^e

•t FOB RENT.

Jit1 tr:

T^GK KENT—A nloe large roomxver o-»r "X store, suitable for a ureg9 maker. Ap ply fj D. C. Greiaer A Co.

ITOH RENT—Dwelling house. "West side of Fifth street, second house soutu or Miocust eight looms, well, cistern Ac "'"•A"Bfnt reasonable. Inquire at the St. -Charles Hotel, -ipiano

FcallLENT—2thefalace

OR 7 octaves rosewood soon at of Music, 48 Ohio street

FOR

RENT -A house of four good rooms, good well, cist* rn and wood shed, on b«uth Tenth «t eet. Rent 812 per mouth. Only good parties "e^ a^'^GGEKTY.

a ^qt

A. MCMONIGLE.

Sixth house east of Sixth (No. 7b), south Hi le of Ohcstuttt street.

1 'OR TRADE—A line four-year-old mare ,. J* for apt teton or buggy, also a slx-year-old horse for a good fringei sewing ma~chine. A bargain will bo oflered in both ol these trader. Apply to Wm. Joab, cortier of Fouitcenth and Sycamore Streets

comfortable one-acd-a-

J^ENT- ..T......

f,LiH

half story house, intlie south part of AWn with good cistern, well, shutters and •table. large lot. Possession given immetft&tely. Address Box 1281, postoffice.

Wvmmzg (^dzcttc.

YM.

C. BALL & CO., Prop'rs.

WM. 0. BALL 8PBNCKR BALL.

)fflce, Beatb Fifth Street, sear Main.

The DAILY A .TTK is published every afternoon, except Sunday, and sold by the carriers at.

SOe per fortnight. By

mall 98.00 per year (M.OO lor 6 months for months, The WHKLY GASBTTB IS issued every

Thuraday, and contains all the best matter of the six daily IssueB. The W EKKLY 9AXRTS is the largest papor printed In Terre Haute,

Is sold lor: One copy,

per year, 03j nix months, fit three nnnths, 5ttr. All subscriptions must be paid for in advance. No paper discontinued until all the arrearages are paid, unless at the option of the proprietors. A failure to notify a discontinuance at the end of the year will be considered a new engagement.

Address all letters, WM. C. BALL A CO., GAZETTB, Terre Haute, Ind.

Wednesday Evening, Dec. 8, 1875.

The Gazette la the only news paper in Terre Haute that taket* and publishes the full Associated Press news report. It receives and publishes every word that is sent to the metropolitan dailies of the West.

PRESIDENT'S MESS AGE

The School System.

TAXATION OF THE PROPERTY OF CHURCHES.

A Constitutional Amendment Regularting the Sufferage in the Distant Future.

Resumption.

The following is a continuation Of the President's Message, begiuning at the point at which our report of yesterday closed. ..

THIS ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH,

has become an essential, and indis-

Eas

ensible agent in the transmission of ne89 *nd social messages. It's operation on land, and within the limit of particular States, is necessarily under the control of the jurisdiction within which it operates. The lines on the high seas, however, are not Subject to the particular control of any Government. In 1869 a concession was granted by the French Government to a company which proposed to lay a cable from the shores of France to the United States. At that time there was a telegraphic connection between the United States, and continent of Europe, through the possessions of Great Britain at either end of the line, the control of an asseciation which had been at a large outlay of capital and at a great risk, demonstrrted the practicability of maintaining snch means of communication. The list of corre-spondence-by,this agency was greats possibly not too large at the time for' a proper remuneration for"so costly an an enterprise, however, ft heavy cbarge-upon the means of communication which progress in the social and in the commercial intercourse of the world, foudd to be a necessity, and the obtaing of this. The French consession showed that other capital that already invested was ready to enter into completion with the assurance of adequate return for their outlay. 1 am impressed with the convicthat the inteiests not omly of the people of the United States, but of the world at larp-e, demand, or would de mand the-multislication of such means of communication between separated contents. I was desirous that the proposed connection should be made, but certain provisions of this concession were deemed by mo to be objectionable, particularly one which gave lor along .term of years the exclusive right of telegraphic communication by the submarine cable between the shores of France and the United States. I could not concede that any power should claim the right to land cablo on the shores of the United States and at the same time deny to the U. S. or to its citizens of grantieB on equal right to land cable on its shores. The right to control connection for the laying of cable within the jurisdictional waters of the U. S. to connect our shores with those of any foreign State pertains exclusively to the Government of the U. S. under such limitations and conditions as Congress may ina-

ose in the abscence of a Legislation Congress. I was unwilling on the one hand to yield to a foreign State the right to say that its merchants might land on our shore what it denied a similar right to our people to land on its shores, and on the other hand I was reluctant to deny to grant the interests of the world and of civiiation, the facilities of such communication as were proposed.

I therefore withhold any resistance to the landing of any cable ,on condition that the ,,"_1

OFFENSIVE MONOPOLY

concession be abandoned and that right of any cable company which may be established by authority :of.tb®fGovernment to .land on -French territory, and connect with French land lines, and to enjoy the necessary facilities, or privileges incident to the .itse thereof upon as favora.ble terms as any other company, be conceded as the result thereof. The company in question re-, Bounced the exclusivejjrivllflg68, andthe representative «f France was informed that understanding, this relinquishment to be continued as grant-* ing entire reciprocity, and equal facilities, the opposition ot landing cable was withdrawn. The cable under this French concession was landed in the month of July, 1869, and has been anefficient aud valuable agent of communication between thi9 country and Other continents. It soon passed under control of those who had the: management of the cable, connecting Great Britian with this continent and others. Whatever benefit to the public might have ensued from competition between two lines was lost, having facilities, of ad additional line, and additional security, ot-accident to them, bat these increased facilities, and. this additional facility together wiLh combined control of capital, two companinies gave also greater power to prevent the construction of other lines, and to lidjit the control of telegraphic communication between the two continents to those passing lines already laid. Witbin a few months a cable had been laid known as-the United States direct cable, connecting the United States directly with Great Britian. As-soon as this cable was re-' ported to be in working order the rates of the eastern consolidated co's were greatly reduced. Soon,' however, 'a. break was announced in this new cable, and immmediately rates ot the other line which had been reduced were again raised* This cable being now repaired the rates appear not to be reduced by either line from those formerly charged by the other company. There

is reason to believe that large amounts of capital both at home and abroad are ready too seek -profitable investment in the advancement of the useful and most civilizing means of intercourse and correspondence. They await however the assurance of the meanB and conditions on which they may saiely be made. As these cable telegraph lines connect separate States there are questions as to their organization and control which probably can be best, if not safely settled by conventions between the respective States. In the absence, however, of international conventions on tho subject the municipal legislature may secure many points which appear to me important-, if not indsensiblo, for the protection of the public against the oxtortions which msy result from a monopoly of the right of operating cable telegrams or from a combination between several lines.

First—No line should bo allowed to land on the shores of the United States under the connections from another power which does admit the right of any line, or lines, formed in the United States to land and freely connect with and operate through land lines.

Second—No line should be allowed to land on the shores of tho United States, which is not by treaty stipulation with the Government from whose shores it proceed?, or by provisions in its charter, or otherwise, to the satisfaction ot the Government, prohibited from consolidatiug, or amalgamating with any other cabletelegraph line, or combining therewith for the purpose of regulating and maintaining the coil of telegraphic communication.

Third—All lines should be bound to give precedence in the transmission of the official messages of the Governments of the two countries between which it may be laid.

Fourth—A power should be reserved to the two Governments, either conjointly, or to each, as regards the message dispatched from its shorts, to fix a limit to the charges to be maintained for the transmission of messsg-

I preseat this subject to the consideration of Gongjess. In the meantime, and unless Congress objects, 1 shall not oppose the landing of any telegraphic cable which complies with and assents to the points above enumerated, but will feel my duty to prevent the landing of any wbch does not conform to the first and second points a& stated, and which will not stipulate to concede to this Government the precedence in tho transmission of its official messages, and will not enter into satisfactory arrangements as regards the charges.

Among the pressing and important) subjects, and which, in my opinionthe attention of Congress should be di' rected, are those in relation to FRAUDULENT NATURALIZATION AND EX

PATRIATION.

The United States with great liberality offers its citizenship to all who in good laith, comply with the requirements of the law. These requirements are as simple and upon as favorite terms to the emigrant as the high privilege to which be is admitted can or should permit. I do not propose any additional requirements to those which the law now demands, but the very simplest wants of the necessary formality in our law have made fraudulent naturalization not infrequent, to the discredit and injury of all honest citizens, whether native or naturalized. Cases of this character are continually being brought to the notice of the Government by our representatives abroad and also: those of persons resident in other countries, most frequently those who, if they have remained in this country long enough to. entitle them to become naturalized, have generally overpassed that period, and hare returned to tho country of their origin. and whera they reside, avoiding all duties to the United States by their absence, and claiming to be exempt from all duties to the country of their nativity and of their residence by

:be

rea

sons of their alleged naturalization. It is due to this Government itself and to the great mass of naturalized citi zens who entirely, both In name and in fact, become citizens of the United States, that the high privilego of citizenabip of tho United States should not be held by fraud and in derogation of the laws and of the good name of every citizen. On many occasions it has been brought to the knowledge of the Government that certificates of naturalization are held, and pretection or interference claimed by parties who anmit that they were not witbin the United States at' the time pretended naturalization, but that they have never resided in the United States. In others the certificate and record of the court show ou their face that the persons claiming to be naturalized had not resided the required time in the United States. In ether words it is admitted, upon examination, that the requirements of the law had not been complied with. In some cases, even such certificates have been matters of purchase. There are not isolated cases, arising at rare in tervals, but of common occurrence and which are reported from all quarters of the globe. Such occurrences cannot and do not lail to reflect upon the government, and injure all honestcitizens Such a fraud being descovered. however, there is no practicable means witbin the control|Vof the governmont, by which the record of naturalization can be vacated, and should the certificate be taken up, as it usually is by the diplomatic and consular representatives, of the government to whom it may have been presented, there is nothing to prevent the person claiming to have been naturalized from obtaining anew certificate from the court in place of that which has been taken rrom him. The evil has become so great and of such frequent occurence that I cannot too strongly recommend that some effective measures be adopted to provide a proper remedy for the vacating of any records fraudulently and of punishing guilty parv ties to the transaction in this connection.

I refer also to the question of expatriating and the election to nation* ality.

The United States has been

foremost in holding the right of expatriation. and was principally instrumental in overthrowing the doctrine

perpetual allegiance. Con

gress has declared the right of expatriation to be a national, inherent right of all people, but while many other nations have lawa providing what formalities shall be,necessary to work a change of allegiance, the United States has enacted the provisions of law, and has in no respect marked how and when expatriation, may

accomplished by its citizens.

Instances are brought to attention of the' Government where citizens of the United Btates, naturalized or native born, have formally become citizeus or subjects of foreigu powers, but who nevertheless,'inthe absence of any provisions of Legislation on these questions when involved in difficulties or when it seems to be tbeirinterec t, cl»im to be citizens of the United States and demand the intervention of a Government which they bavo long since acandoned, and 16 which for years they have rendered no service ner held, themselves in any way amendable.

,,tr

until called- npon to discharge some duty to the country where they are residing, when at once thay assert their citizenship and call upon the representatives of the Government to aid them in their unjust pretention. It is but justice to boni-fide citizens that no doubt should exist on such question, and that Congress should determine by enactment of law how expatriation will be accomplished and the change of citizenship be established.

I also invite your attention to the necessity of regulating by law the status of American women who may marry foreigners, and

defining

more fully that of children born in a foreigu country,-of

American parents

who may reside abroad and also of some further provision regulating or giving legal effect to marriages of American citizens contracted in foreign countries. The correspondence submitted herewith, shows a few of the constantly occuring questions on these points, presented to the consideration of the government. There are few subjects to engage the attention of congress in which'more delicate relations are depending.

In tho month of July last the building erected for TH3 DEPARTMENT OF STATE was taken possession of and occupied by that department. I am happy to say that the arcnives and valuable prpers of the Government' in the custody of that department, are now safely deposited aud properly cared for.

The report of the Secretary of THE TREASURY shows the receipts from customs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874, to have been $163,103,833*69, and for he fiscal ear ending June 30, 1875to have been $154,167,722.25, a detrease for the last fiscal year of $5,936,111.34. The receipts from internal revenue for the year ending June 30,1874, were $103,409,784 90, and for the year ending June 30,1875, $110,007,493.58, aii increase of $7,597,708., 68. The report also shows a complete history of the working of the depart ment for last year, and contains recommendations for reforms and for Legislation which I concur in, but cannot comment on so fully as I should like to do if space would permit, but will confine myself to a few suggestions, which I look upon as vital to the best interests of the whole people, coming withiii the perview of the Treasury. I mean

SPECIE RESUMPTION.

To much stress cannot be laid upon the question, andl hope Congress may be induced, at the earliest day practicable, to insure the consummation of the act of last Congress, at its last session, to bring about specie re* sumption on and after the first of January, 1876, at furthest. It would be a great blessing if this Qould be consummated even at an earlier day. Nothing seems to me more certain than that a full, healthy and permanent reaction caunot take place in favor of the industries and financial welfare of the country until we return to a measure of values recognized throughout the civilized world. While we use a currency not. equiv' alent to this standard, the world's recognized standard, specie becomes a commodity, like the products of the soil, the surplus seeking a market wherever there is a demand for it. Under our present system we should want none, nor would we have any, were it not that customers dues must be paid in coin, and because of the pledge to pay the interest of the public debt in coin. The yeild of precious metals would flow out for the purchase of foreign productions, and leave the United States hewers of wood and drawers of water, because of wiser legislations on the subject of finance, by the nations with whom we have dealings. I am uot prepared,to say that I can suggest the best legislation to secure the end most heartily commended.. It will be a scourse of great gratification to me to be able to approve any measures of Congress looking effectively toward securiug resumption. 5

UNLIMITED INFLATION

would probably bring about specie payments more speedily than any Legislation looking to the redemption of legal tenders in coin, but it would be at the expense of honor The legal tenders would have no value beyond settling present liabilities, or-properly speaking, repudiating them. They would buy nothing aftwr debts are all settled.

There are few measures which seem to me important in this connection, and which I commend to your consideration:

First—A repeal of so much of the legal tender acts, as makes these notes receivable for debts contracted after a date to be fixed in the act it self, say not later than the first of Jauuary, 1877. We should then have quotations at real values, and not fictitious ones. Gold would no longer be at a premium, but currency at a discount. A healthy reaction would set in at once, and with a de gife to make currency what its val uation purports to be The merchants, manufacturers and tradesmen of every calling could do business on a fair margin of profit, the money received having unvarying value. Laborers and all classes who work for stipulated jpay or salary, would receive more than their in* come, because extra profits would no longer be charged by capitalists to compromise for. the risk.of a, downward fluctuating in the value of the currency.

Second—That the Secretary of the Treasury shall be authorised to redeem say not to exceed two million of dollars monthly of legal tender notes, by issuing in their stead, long bonds bearing interest at the rats of 3, 65-100 per cent per annum, of denominations ranging from 500 to 1000 dollars each. This would, in time redeem the legal tender notes to a volume that could be kept afloat without defnanding redemption in large sums suddenly.

Third—That additional power is to be given to tha Secretary oj Treasury to accumulate gold for the filial, redemption of currency, increasing revenues, curtailing expenses for both.

In-other cases natur

alized citizens immediately after oatur-, alizntion, have returned to their native: conntry, have become engaged in' business, have accepted offices and evinced nc intent to return to the United States

is preferable to do both,

and I recommend "that a reduction of expenditures be made whenever it cau be done without impairing Government obligations or crippling the due execution thereof* One measure of increasing the revenuej and the only one, Ithink of, is the restoration of the duty on tea and coffee. Tiiese duties, would-add probably $18,000,000 t6 the present amount received for imports, and would in no way increase- 'the prices paid for these articles by the consumers. These articles are the products of countries collecting revenue from ex* ports, and as we are the largest consummers, reduce' the duties, they proportionally increase them. With this addition to the revenue, many

T.r.'»:^.THArSr.y-CSfti

duties now collected, and which gave an insignificant return for the cost of cnllection, might be remitted, and to tbe direct advahtage of consumers alone. I would mention those articles which enter into manufactures of all sorts, all duty paid upon such articles go directly to the cost of artic when manufactured here, and must be paid tor by consumers the duties not only come from the consumers alone but acts as a protection to foreign manufactnrers of the same completed article in our own distant markets.

I will suggest or mention another subject bearing upon the problem of now to enable the Secretary of the Treasury to accumulate balances. It is to devise some better method of verifying claims against the Government, than at present exists. Through the court of claims especially, those claims growing out of the late war, nothing is more certain than that a large percentage of amounts passed and paid are part of a wholly fradulent claim for in excess of the real losses sustained. The large amount of lossess proven, in good testimony, according to existing laws, by persons, to have been sustained on small farms and plantations, are not only far beyond the possible yield of those places, for any one year, but, as every one knows who has had experience in tilling the soil, and who has visited the scenes of the spoliations, are, in many instances, more than the individual claimants were ever worth, including personal and real estate. The report of the Attorneygeneral, which will be submitted to Congress at an early day, will contain a detailed history of awards ma'Je, and of claims pending, of the class here referred to.

The report of THE SECRETARY OF WAR, accompanying this message, gives a detailed account of army operations for the year just passed, expenses for maintenance, &c., with recommendations for Legislation, to which I respectfully invite your attention. To some of these I invite special attention.

First—The neeessity of making $30,000 of the appropriation for the subsistence department available before the beginning of ttie next fiscal year. Without this provisions for troops at points distant from supply of production, must either go without food or the existing laws must be violated. It is not attended with cost to the Treasury.

Second—His recommendations of an enactment of a system of annuuities for families of Meceased officers by voluntary reductions from the monthly pay of officers. This again is not attended with burden upon the Treasury, and would for the future relieve much distress, which every old army oflicer has witnessed in the past of army officers dying suddenly, or being kilied, leaving families without even means of reaching their friends, if fortunate enough to have friends to aid them.

Third—The repeal of the law abolishing mileage and a return to the old system.

Fourth—The trial witli torpedoes under the corps of engineer and appropriation for the same. Should war ever occur between the United States and any maritime power, torpedoes will be among, if not the most effective and cheapest auxiliary for the defence of harbors and also in aggressive operations, that we can have,hence it is admissable to learn by experiment their best construction and application as well as effect,

Filth—A permanent organization for tbe signal servace corps. This service has now become a necessity of peace as well as war, under the advancement made by the present able management.

Sixth—A renewal of the appropriation for compiling the official records of the war, etc.

Tfie condition of

THE NAVY

at this time is a subject of satisfaction. It does not contain, it is true, any of the powerful cruising iron-clads,which make so much of the marinitine strength of some other nations. But neither our continental nor our foreign policy requires that we should'have a large number of ships of this character, while the situation and the nature of our ports coutinue to make those of other nations little dangerous to us under any circumstances. Our navy does contain, however, a considerable number of iron-clads of tho monitor olass, which, though not properly cruisers, are powerfully effective for harbor defence, and for operations near our own shores. Of these all the singleturretted ones, fifteen in numbbr, have been substantially re-built, their rotten wooded beams replaced with iron, their hulls strengthened and their engines and machinery thoroughly repaired, so that they are now in most effient condition and ready for sea as soon as? they can be manned and put in commission. The five double terreted iron-clads belonging to our navy by far tbe most powerful of our ships for fighting purposes, are also undergoing complete repairst and could be ready for sea in from lour to six months. With these completed according to the present design our two iron-clad torpedo boats new ready, our iron-clad fleet will be for the purposes of defense at home, equal to any force that can be readily brought against it. Of our wooden navy, also cruisers of various sizes the number of about forty,including those now in cn.-nmission on the northern Atlantic, and could be ready for duty as fast as men could be enlisted for those not already in commission Of these, one third are in effect, new ships. Someiof *he remainder need considerable repairs on their boilers and machinery. They nil are or can readtlv'be made ffective. They consuLute ft fleet of more than fifty warships, of which filteen are iron-clads, now in hand on the Atlantic coast. The navy has been!brought to this condition by a iudicious and practical application ef what conld be spared from the current appropriations of the last few years and from that was made to meet the possible emergency pf two years ago. It has been done quietly without proclamation or display, and though is has straightened the department in its ordinary expenditure, and, as far as tbe iron-clads sre concerned,^ has added nothing to the cruising force of the navy, yet tht resnlc is not the less satisfactory beotuse it is found in real rather than apparent force. The ex Dense incurred inthe maintenance of an affective naval force.in a_ll of its branches are necessarily large, b_ut such force is essential to our positions, relations and character, and affects seriously the weight of our principles and nolicv. The estimates for the regular

suDDort

Y*»" "**.

of this branch of the ser

vice for the next year, amounts to a little less in the aggregate than those for the

current

year, but some additional

aopropaiations

are asked lor, not in

cluded in tbe ordinary maintenance of the navv bat believed to be of pressine importance at this time. It would, in

opinion, be wiser at once to afford

sufficient

means for the immedi-

ate completion of the five double terret-

ed monitors now undergoing repairs, whioh must otherwise advance slowly, and only as money can be spared from the current expenses. Supplemented by these, our navy, armed with the destructive weapons of modern warfare, manned by our seamen, and in charge of our instructed officers, will present a force powerful for the home purpose of a responsible though peaceful nation.

The report of THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL, herewith transmitted, giving a full history of the workings of tho department for tho year just passed. It will be observed that tho deficiency to be supplied from the general treasury, increased over the amount required for the preceding year. In a country so vast in area as the United States, with large portions sparsely settled, It must be expected that the important service will be more or less a burden upon the treasury for many years to comc but there is no branch of the public service which interests the whole people more than that of cheap transmission of the mails. The commercial advantages to by a direct line of Amcritan steanw-rs to South American States will far

0.1:-

wcigh the expense of the service. JJ the act of Congress, approved March 1875, almost all matter, whether properly mail matter or not, may be sent any distance through the mails in a package not exceeding four pounds in weight, for the sum of sixteen cents per pound. So far as tho transmission of real mail matter goes, this would seem entirely proper, but I suggest that the law be so amended as to exclude from the mail merchandise of all descriptions, and limit this transportation to all articles enumerated, and which may bo classed as mail matter proper.

The discovery of gold in THE BLACK HILLS. A portion of the Sioux reservation has had the eliect to induce a large emigration of miners to that point, thus far the effort to protect the treaty rights of the Indians of that section has been successful, but the next year will certainly witness a large increase of such emigration. The negotiations for the relinquishment of th9 gold fields having failed, it will te necessary for Congress to adopt some measure to releive the embarassment growing out ol the causes named. Tbe Secretary of the Interior suggests that the supplies now appropriated for the sustenance of that people being no longer obligatory under the treaty of 1868, but simply a gracnity, may be issued or withheid at his discretion. The condition of

THE IKDIAN TERRITORY,

to which I have referred in my former messages remains unchanged. The Secretary of the Interior has taken measures to obtain a full report of tbe condition of that Territory, and will make it the subject of a special report at an early day. It may then bo necessary to make some further reccommendatious in regard to legislstion lor the Government of that Territory.

Tbe steady growth and increase of the business of THE PATENT OFFICE indicates in some measure the progress of the industrial activity, of the country. The receipts of the office are in excess of its expenditures, and tho office generally is in a prosperous and satisfactory condition.

The report of THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE shows that there were 2,459,401 acrcs less disposed of during ti is than during the last year. More than half Ibis decreas.0 was in lands disposed of under the homestead and timber culture laws. The cause of thi3 decrease is supposed to be lound in the grasshop per scourge, and the droughts, which prevailed so extensively in some of the frontier states and territories duriog that time, as to discourage and deter entrees by actual .settlers. The cash receipts were less by $690,322,28 than duriog the preceding year. The entire surveyed area of the public domain is 580,263 694 acres of which 26,077 53L acres were surveyed during the past year, leaving 1,154,471,762 acres still unsurveyed. The report of the commissioner presents many interesting suggestions in regard to tho man agement and disposition of the. public domain, and the modification of existing laws. Tbe apparent importance of which should insure for them the careful consideration of Congress.

THE NUMBER OF PENSIONERS

still continues to decrease, the highest number having been reached during the year endtng June 30,1873. During the last year 11,557 names were add«d to the rolls, and 12,977 were dropped therefrom, showing a net decrease of 1,420. But while tho number of pensioners has decreased, the annual amount due on tbe pension rolls has increased $4,473,313. This is caused by tbe great increased average rale of pen sions, which, by the liberal legislation of Congress, increased from $92.26 in 1872, to $103.91 in 1875, to each invalid pensioner, an increas on tlie average rate of 15 per cent, in the three years. During the year eudlng June SO, 1875, there was paid on account of pensions, including the expenses of disbursement, $26,683,116, being $610,962 less than was paid the preceding year This reduction in the amount of expenditures was produced by the decrease in tho amount of averagos duo on the allowed claims and pensions, tbe rate of which was increased by the legislation of the preceding session of Congress. At tbe close of the last fiscal vear there were on the pension jolls 234,821 persons, of whom 210,363 were army pensioners, 105,478 being invalids, 104,885 widows and dependent relatives 3,420 were navy pensioners of the war of 1812, 15,§73 of whom wore survivois, and 5.163 were widows. It is estimated that $29,535,000 will be required for the payment of pensions for the next fiscal year, an amount of $965,000 loss than the estimate for the present year.

THE GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS^: have been prosecuted with energy during the year, covering an area of about 40 000 square miles in the territories of Colorado,

Utah, and New Mexico, de

veloping the agricultural and mineral resources, »nd furnishing interesting, scientific and topographical details of the region.

The method of the TREATMENT OF THE INDIANS, adopted at the beginning of my first term, has ben steadily pursued, and witb satisfactory and eucouragiog re suits.

It has been productive of vi-

dent

improvement in the condition of that race, aud will be continued with only such modifications as further experience may indicate to be necessary.

The board heretofore appointed to take charge of the articles and materials pertaioing to the war, the navy,tbe interior and the postoffice departments, the department of agriculture and the Smithbonion Institute, and tbe commissioner of food and fish to be contributed under the legislation of last season to the

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION To be held at Philadelphia during the centennial year. 1876, has b^een dilligent in the duties which voived upon it, and the preP"5 _m. thus far made witb

l^0,niea.n,8^,„„nP.

mand give assurance that the menall contribution will be made one of the marked characteristics of the ex hibitiou. The Board has oLsc-rved commendable economy the erection of buildings/orthe Gover mental exhibition, the expense 01 which it is estimated will not exeeea

$50,000. This amount was withdrawn under the law, from the appropriations of five of the principal departments, N which leaves some of those departments without sufficient means to reRder their exhibitions complete and satisfactory. The exhibition being an international one, and the Government being a voluntary contributor, it is my opinion fiat i's con'.ibution should be of a character in quality and extent to sustain the dtgnity and credit of so distinguished a contributor. The advantages to the country of a creditable display are, in an international point of view, of iho first importance, while an inpiflerent or uncreditable participation by the Government would be humilatingto the patriotic feelings of our people themselves.

I commend tho estimates of tho Board for the necessary additional appropriations.

The powers of Europe, almost without exception, many of the Soulh American states, and even more distant eastern powers, have manifested their friendly sentiments toward the United States, and the interest of the world in our progresses shown by taking steps to join with us in celebrating

TFIE CENTENNIAL OF THE NATION, and I stiongly recommend that a more national importance be given to this exhibition by such appropriations as will insure its success. Its value in bringing to our shores innumerable usoful works of art and skill, the commingling of tbe citizens of foreign countries and our own, and the interchange of ideas and manufactures will far exceed any pecuniary outlay we may make.

I transmit herewith the REPORT of the commissioner of agriculture, together with the reports of tho commisioners of the board of audit and the board of health of the district of Columbia, to all of which 1 invite your attention. The bureau of agriculture has accomplished much in dissembling useful knowledge to the agriculturists, and also in introducing new and useful productions adapted to our soil and climate, and are worthy of the continued encouragement of the Government. Tbe report of the commissioner ofeducation, of the Iterior, shows a gratifying progress in educational matters.

In nearly every annnal message that I have had the honorot transmitting to Congress,I have called attention to the anomalous, not to say scandalous, condition of affairs existing in the

TERRITORY OF UTAH,

and have asked for deBuate legislation to correct it. That polygamy should exist in a free Christian country, withont the power to punish so flagrant a crime against decency aud morality, seems preposterous. True, there is no law to sustain this unnatural vice but what is needed is a law to punish it as a crime, and, at the same time, to fix the status of the innocent offspring ef this system, and of the possible innocent plural wives. But, as an institution,

POLYGAMY SHOULD BE BANISHED FROM THE LAND, FS^T. While this is being done, I invite the attention of Congress to another,though perhaps no less an evil: The

IMPORTATION OF CHINESE WOMEN, but few of whom are brought to our shoies to pursue honorable or useful occupations. Observations while visitiug the Territories of Wyoming, Utah and Colorado, during the past summer, convinced me that the expisting laws of reguiating tbo disposition of

PUBLIC LANDS,

timber, &e., and probably the mining laws themselves, are very defective and should becarefluly amended and at an early day. In a territory where the cultivalion of the soil b$r irregation is not practicable, thei lands can only be used as pasturage (and this only M'here stock can reach* water to quench its thirst and cannot be governed by the same laws as to entries, of lands every acre of which is an independent estate by itself. The lands must be held in large quantities to justify the expense of conducting water upon it to make it fruitful or to justify using it as pasturage. The timber 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 110 adequate law. Tbe settler must become a consumer of this timber whether he lives upon the plains or engages in working the mines. Hence, every man becomes either a trespasser himself, or knowingly a patron of trespassers. My opportunities for observing were not sufficient to justify me in recommending specific legislation on these subjects but I do recomend that a joint committee of the two Houses of congress, sufficiently large to be divided into sub-commit-tees, be organized to visit all the mining states and territories during the coming summer and that tbe committee shall report to congress, at the next session, such laws or amendments to laws as it may deem necessary ty secure the best interests of the government and the people of these territories who are doing so much for their dovelopment. I am sure tbe citizens occupying the territories described do not desire to. trespass, nor will they if legal waysn are provided for them to become owners of these actual necessities of their possessions.

As tbfs will be the last annua] message which I shall have the honor of transmitting to Congress before my successor is chosen, I will repeat or

RECAPITULATE

the questions which I deem of vital importance, and which should be Legislated upon and settled at this session:

First—That the States shall be required to

afford

the opportunity of a

good common school education to every sohool within their limits. Second—That no sectarian tenets shall be taught in any school supported in whole or in part by the State or nation, or by the proceeds of any tax levied upon any communitv* make education compulsary so far as to deprive all persons who cannot read and write from becoming voters after the year 1890 disfranchising none, however, on grounds of illiteracy, who may be votees at the time this

amendment

takes effect.

Third.—Declare

church and btafe

forever separate and distinct, but each free and distinct within its proper sphere, and that all church prop erty shall bear its own proportion of taxes* ,.

Fourth.—Drive out licensed immorality, such as polygamy and the importation of

women

Durposes.

for illegitimate

To r«cur again to the cen--

tennial year, It would seem as though now as we are about to begin the fecond century

StotSSr

onr national

»o»|d

be tbe most

time far these reforms. Fifth.—Enact eucb laws as will secure a speedy return to a sound currency, «5ch comma-d tUe respect of tbe

world.

[Conoludwl on flrat page.l