As this will be the last annual 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 which may 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 child within their limits.

Second. No sectarian tenets shall ever be taught in any school supported
in whole or in part by the State, nation, or by the proceeds of any tax
levied upon any community. Make education compulsory so far as to
deprive all persons who can not read and write from becoming voters
after the year 1890, disfranchising none, however, on grounds 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 spheres; and that all church property shall
bear its own proportion of taxation.

Fourth. Drive out licensed immorality, 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 we are about to begin
the second century of our national existence, would be a most fitting
time for these reforms.

Fifth. Enact such laws as will insure a speedy return to a sound
currency, such as will command the respect of the world.

Believing that these views will commend themselves to the great
majority of the right-thinking and patriotic citizens of the United
States, I submit the rest to Congress.

U.S. GRANT.

[Footnote 97: See pp. 324-325.]

SPECIAL MESSAGES.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 6, 1876_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In reply to the resolution of the Senate of the 27th of February last,
requesting the President to institute inquiries as to the proper place
for the establishment of a branch mint at some point in the Western
States or in the Mississippi Valley, I transmit herewith the report, and
accompanying papers, of the Director of the Mint, who was charged with
the duty of making the inquiries called for by said resolution.

U.S. GRANT.

WASHINGTON, _January 21, 1876_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I transmit to the House of Representatives, in answer to their
resolution of the 17th instant, a report from the Secretary of State,
with accompanying documents.[98]

U.S. GRANT.

[Footnote 98