The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-27

tans several interesting tables, compiled from the
commercial document Of last year, and conveys
well-merited compliment to the registers Office for
its industry and efficiency in its preparation at
much earlier day than has been usual. Not having
hsd time to examine and compare the tables with the
original document we take it for granted they ar,
entirely correct. After conceding that the CONNER.
cial statement Of last year was prepared upon tho
same plan heretofore il raises one specific obec-
ton against it, 1t is not satisfied because specie i,
included in the statement of imports and exports
The answer to this objection is to be found in ,hs
fact that the law requires it to be included. Tho
law, as construed by every secretary who has acted
upon the question, far as we can ascertain, re-
quires the importer Of specie to enter at the Gus.
tom-house free article, and the delivery OF the
usual manifest on its expectation. The collectors
required to make complete returns Of all impor.
taons and exportationsto the Register of the Treas.
ury at the end Of each quarter. 1t is the duty Of
the latter to carry these into the annual CON-
mercia tables specified in the statute. He has no
discretion over the subject. The Secretary of the
Treasury has none over any portion Of it, "except
in where it may appear to the Secretary of,he
Treasury that separate statements Of the species,
quantities, values of any particular articles would
swell the annual statements without utility; and in
such cases. the kinds and total values of such srti.
cles shall be stated together, in such classes a.
the secretary may think fit" 1t is not our inen.
ton to attempt to decide what should and what
should not be included in these tables. But
we cannot readily see why the imports and ex.
ports of specie should be left out. They seem to
be necessary to right understanding of our com.
merce. Those who wish to consider it without
these items, can readily deduct them. The other
objections to the form of the tables, not being spec
fed, cannot be responded to. That Improvements
could be made in the document we readily con.
cede. We are informed that the register has long
since brought this matter TO the attention of the
proper committees of Congress, and asked specific
instructions in legal enactments on this whole sub
ject The blanks now in use by the collectors were
prepared and distributed some three years since by
direction Of the then secretary. The tables must
be compiled from the returns made by the use Of
these until others are furnished. We understand
the secretary has been furnished by the register with
list Of about FIVE hundred articles not now emu
merated in the commercial tables; and that he is now
considering and preparing new blanks and forms
to render these tables as perfect as possible
under the present law. It is in the power of Con-
gress, however, to make the exact provisions which
they wish carried into effect leaving no discretion
airy power with any one. If the law remains as it
is at present, we think we safely say that both
the secretary and register will be much gratifed
with friendlv of
this commercial document---their object being to
render it as perfect possible without violating the
statutes.
While on the subject of statistics, we cannot fore
go the pleasure of giving publicity to what we saw,
in a recent visit at the Treasury Department. We
there saw eight welLarranged statistical legers
which have been opened by the register. They are
being filled up, by the ordinary force of the Office
with much labor and great care and accuracy. One
of these legers exhibits at a glance tho expendi-
lures Of the government under every head, from
1871 to this time being the substance of the pub
he accounts for the last ffty-fve years. A second
gives the receipts and expenditures of each collec
ton district for the same period. A third the re-
cepts and expenditures at each land office. as far
back as the records are in existence fourth gives
the tonnage Of each collection district back to about
1904 which is as far as the records have been pre-.
served. A fifth gives the American and foreign
tonnage and crews engaged in foreign commerce, as
far back as the records exist; also, the American
tonnage and crews engaged in the coasting trade
and fisheries. sixth contains a full statement Of
the marine hospital fund and its expenditures from
its commencement. A seventh contains full state
ment of our exports of domestic produce in Amer
lean and foreign vessels from 1921. The eighth
gives full account Of imports and exports of for
egn goods in American and foreign vessels for the
same period. These several lesers are SO arranged
that any person competent to sit as Juror in
court of justice can understand them When
completed, they will form body of American sta
tStcs alike useful to the legislator and man of bu-
slness and credtabe to those engaged in their prep
aration. Should members of Congress, on exam
ming these records, estimate them as we do, we
think they will concur with us in saying they
ought, when completed, to be made public.