Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-12-20

partments- the aboiishment Of all unnecessary
tfiees, reduction of salaries, aud strict ac-
countahilify On the part Of all contractors for
government work. On this snbjeef the report
has some excellent suggestions which We copy
entire
while thus recommending retrenchment
aud the prevention of abuses, the Secretary
feels himself constrained to renew the sugges-
tions heretofore submitted by hin, that the
property of rebels should be made to pay, ia
part at least the cost Of rebellion. Property
Of great value 10 loyal States il held by pros
prietors who are actually or virtually engaged
10 that guilty attempt to break up the Union
and overturn It's Government, which has brought
aPon our country all the calamities we now
endure. That property is justly forfeited to
the people, aud should be subjected, with due
regard for all rights ard interests concerned !,
10 sequestration or condseasion, and tho pro-
eeeds should be applied to the satisfaction Of
claims arising from the war.
Property of the rebels in rebel States
should be treated in like manner. Rights to
services, under State laws, must, OF necessity
form au exception to any rule Of eonfseation.
| Persons held by rebe Is, under such laws to
service a. slaves, may, however, be justly ibis
! Grated from their oonstrailt, and made more
/ voluntary and compensated service, than If
confscated as subjects Of property
/ 'slt is now even more apparent than at the
date of the July report that duties on imports
cannot be relied upon as source of revenue
sufficient for the proper objects of taxatiou.-
Some modification may, perhaps, be judieious-
/ ~ made Of the existing tariff, aud some in
crease Of revenue may 10 this way be properly
obtained
"But existing circumstances are not PROPS
tioLs to wise aud permanent adjustment Of
| imposts to the various demands of revenue,
commerce and home industry. The most sa-
cred duty of the American people at this mo-
ment requires the conservation OF all their en-
eFgies and all their resources to the re -estab>
| lishment of Union on the permanent foundas
| tlous of justice aud freedom; and while other
! nations look With Indifferent or unfriendly eyes
upon this work, sound policy would seem to
! suggest not the extension or foreign trade, but
more absolute reliance, under God, upon
American skill, ana American soil. Freedom
/ of commerce IS, indeed, wise and noble poli~
cy; but to be wise or noble, il must DO the poll
cy of ooncordant and fraternal uations.
'lp accordance with these views, the Secre-
targ begs leave to reccommcnd that the duties
on tea, coffee and sugar, be increased to the
rates heretofore proposed: that is 70 say, TO two
and one-haif cents per pound ON brown sugar;
to three cents on elayed sugar; TO twenty cents
on green tea, and to five cents per pound on
coffee; and that no other alterations of the
tariff be made during tae present session of
Congress, unless further experience or changed
circumstances shall demonstrate the necessity
or expediency of them. Al! considerations Of
prudence and patriotism seem 10 concur in ia
vor Of giving to tho existing tariff full and
fair trial, and Of reserving the work of revi-
sion, modification, and permanent settlement
for u ore propitous days."