Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-12-28
REPORTS OF THE SECRETARIES.
Ireasuru Dcporimenk.

with shouts of Joy by all the Locoioco presses in
the country, as sign that the Tariff had failed i'm
It's Intended effects and as argunent in favor Of
its Immediate repeal! We felt sure, then, that
there was something at the bottom, which we did
I not exactly comprehend and that when it came 10
| light, all would be properly explained. Before
saying amy thing on this subject, however we
determined TO wait for the Report of the Secreta-
ry of the Treasury, confident that it would scat
Ter the arguments of the Free Traders into air.
| Our hopes have not been disappointed, for we see
J from that Report, that the Revenue SO far from
having diminished, hrs been greatly increased by
the operations of the Tariff The Free Trade
men boosted of the large amount received from
customs, during the year lSi2, hut the statement
of the Secretary pus the fnt.hipg slr6ha that
| part of tnefr argument.
! IL seems that of the eighteen millions credited
to that year, four millions eight hundred and
eight thousand, were actually due to the year
I 1911, having accrued that year, and being secu-
red by bonds which were paid i'm 1912! In addi-
/ ton to this five hundred and sixty-seven thou
sand dollars, In treasury notes, were redeemed by
the collectors in SlI, and, Notwithstanding that
fact, credited TO lSi2.-rhese two sums amount,
at rough estimate, TO about five millions iour
hundred thousand dollars, due TO 1871, which,
were credited to 1912! Take this away FROM
/ eighteen millions, and we have Tin ruum0 khar<1
bers,) twelve millions six hundred ,housam51 5
lars, The actual receipts from customs, for The
year 1872
1
present year, are above thirteen millions and the
Secretary says, that, from returns already receiv.
ed, Is quite certain that those of the fourth quar-
Ter VIII amount to more than three millions, thus
making the whole receipts amount to more than
sixteen millions. Three quarters of the present
year. have already brought more revenue. bv near
iy million OF dollars, than did .he whole of last
year. This is failure with vengeance! If
The Globe and Enquirer can make any capital for
Martin van Durcn out of this, he is welcome to
] a a l.,x,,
him.
But 1t seems our revenue has not only increas-
! ed 1t is still increasing. The immense amount
oil foreign goods left OH hand are now nearly ex-
hausted, and lnportaiions, Of course, will be lar
ger, since there is more occasion for them The
Secretary, reasoning from In, Sc premises assigns
| as thelt limit, two or three millions more under
me present laws, during the next two wears, and
this, Notwithstanding very general spirit of g.
economy prevailing among people, and de-
Termination 10 dispense with many articles of for
elSn manufacture hitherto in general use
| At the same time that the revenue has increas
ed, the general prosperity Of the country under
the present laws, has advanced with a steady and
sober pace. The Secretary tells us that MANY fa
orics heretofore imported, and nearly all those
which are necessary TO our comfort, excepting
those composed of silk, are manufactured within
Our own borders as well, and are furnished as
cheap as fhe productions of other countless The
predictions OF the FREQ fra3ers seem destined Il,
I NC ihsIHeu Dy every ihlng connected with the la
riH hey told us that such protection as this ia
rlif afforded would render The article dearer 1t
mas mad an effect exactly the reverse OF this The
( foreign article is actually sold now cheaper than
It's was before lis passage. This part of the ar
gnment failing, they then say that the object of
The protection has failed for foreigners undersel-
ing us, it does good to our own manufacturers
ct not only are goods foreign or domestic grown
cheaper under the tariff, but our manufactures
have revived and are gaining strength every day.
All Their arguments on this subject have proved
utterly fallacous, and exhibit, in sirkino liuht
the folly of laying down general rules, which are
always coming in direct conflict with facts This
is the great folbls of free-traders of those we
mean who are earnest in their views. AS for
such men as Blair and Richie, having it always
In view to promote the interest of some Presiden-
tial asPirant, they care little about the soundness
OF The doctrine they preach, provided ii answers
their purposes.
! The tariff law, then, has not failed to increase
the revenue-it has not increased the price of ar
tlclesit has not failed TO afford sufficient protec
tlon. In fine, it has failed in nothing. Ali that
was expected of it, has come from it. The Globe
and Enquirer must try at something else. They
are biting against file when they assai the laie
tariff law.-Whig.
War Department.
The regular army consists of TIC commission
ed officers, II military storekeepers, and 1890 en-.
ils'ed men, commissioned officers, artifcers
Infantry, and rfemen,) 40 sergeants, and $50 en-
listed men, OF ordinance-making an aggregate
| of S,Gl3.
| Major General Scott has the immediate COM
mand.
The Secretary recommends the enaction of a
law to prevent dueIing between persons connect
1 ed with the army, and citizens. The estimates
OF the Department for the ensuing year $50, $780,
10 less than those of last year.
| Favorable mention is made of the Military A.
cademy at West Point, which is recommended 10
the Favorable notice. of Congress.
Post Office Department.
This is an able, lucid and very importan, docu-
ment. Especially in the present moment of ex-
citemeni on the subject Of a general reduction of
ietter hostages, VIII 1t commend itself to the at
tentlon OF business men in the community.
| 1t vii! be noted that the revenue of the depa,t.
men' has fallen oil to large amount-the receipts
Tor the year 1913 being $S25O.32O 20 less than in
1912. The diminutlon of means is attributed to
the right cause, viz; the running of private ex-
presses upon the great thorough.aIes, centerinp i'm
! the city OF New y ork And to prevent this in
reference with the government upon its most pro-
ductlve posi-routes, the Postmaster General asks
more efficient Legislation at the hands of Con-
gress. He says that he has exerted himself to the
utmost TO enforce the laws, as he understands
them that his views have been sustained by the
Attorney General; but that from the defective
phraseology OF the law, he has been defeated in
the District Court Of New Y ork, and has no rinht
OF appeal. Farther legislation against the private
expresses is therefore necessary, else there will
! De yet a farther dminution in the revenue of the
department.
| The Postmaster General has not dismissed this
subject without an argument against the position
assumed by several presses that the C,overnmept