The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-06

declaring that without waving in any degree the right
tina. time accrued in the States and Territories nsur
Iocon or assuming TO exoneate the taxpayer from ms
ase 70, such taxes the pc 6sr pay
sn, OF collection district embracing territory IN
For substantially the same reasons that induced the
secretary TO issue this circular he deemed 70 DC ms
duty to suspend all further sales under the direct tax
law. Tax commissioners, however, have been appointed
for each State collections have been made as far
property Some sales had however, been previously
made in many Of the States and large amounts Of prop
Carolina portion Of the lands thus purchased have
been sold under the eleventh section OF the Of Au
gust, 1868.
STAMPS IN SOUTHERN sTATEa
During the the laws In regard to stamps have BEEN
OF course, in the nsurreconary States entirely disre
garded, and, as consequence. immense interests
thereby mperilled
In view therefore, OF the recent and present cond.
tton Of the Southern States, the Secretary recon-
nepds:-
Fra-That the collection of internal revenue taxes
which accrued before the establishment OF revenue
Offices IN the States recently rebellion indefinitely
postponed
Second-That all sales OF property in those States,
under the direct tax law be suspended until the
shall have an opportunity OF assuming las done by
INC loyal sates the payment OF the tax assessed upon
Ta,rd-That all transactions in such States which
may DC invalid by the nonuse Of stamps BIO legazed, as
I as u Is IN the power OF Congress TO legalixe them
what action, any, should be taken for the relief OF
persons in those States whose property has been sold
sn it will be for Congress % Diet determine II The Score
tary s decidedly Of the opinion that liberal legislation in
regard TO the taxes which accrued prior TO the suppress
sion OF the rebellion will tend to promote harmony be-
tween the government and the people Of those States
viii ultimately increase the public revenues, and vinc
cate the humane policy of the government
SATISFACTORY STATE OF AFFAIRS In THE INTERNAL REVENUE
The Secretary is happy in being able 10 state that the
affairs Of the Bureau OF Internal Revenue being salts
factory administered, and the working Of the system
throug hout the country being gradually improved
For OF proper accommodations In the Treasury
building tho Bureau has been removed TO the large and
been secured for such time the government may
Qairc its use, at an annual rent Of $4,000
THE CANADIAN RECIPROCITY TREATY.
The reciprocity treaty with Great Britain will expire on
the 18th Of March next due notice Of this fact has
been given by circulars to the officers Of customs on the
There grave doubts whether treaties Of this char
acer do not interfere with the legislative power Of Con
gres and especially with the constitutional power Of the
House Of Representatives TO originate bis and
whether such treaties IL they yield anything not granted
by our general revenue laws, are not in conflict with the
spirit Of tho usual clause contained most OF COM
mercia treaties to treat each nation footing
as the most favored nation and not TO grant, without an
equivalent, any particular favor 70 nation not
coded to another in respect TO commerce and navigation
II appears be well established that the advantages OF
sns treaty have not been mutual but have been in favor
Of the Canadas Our markets have been strong,
sve and valuable; theirs have been weak limited and
generally far less profitable to citizens. The people
Of the Canadas and Provinces have been sellers
buyers OF tho same productions for which often
, s 70 seek foreign marke. !. Is questionable in
the articles now in the treaty, can be maintained BE-
tween the two countries Evon in regard TO the fisheries
il by no means certain that instead Of equivalents
having been acquired under the treaty than
advantages we're not surrendered by it. But, whatever
the facts may be- this bjcct, well that Of inter
communication through rivers and lakes, and possibly
canals and railroads. are proper subjects OF negotiation
and Their importance should secure early consideration.
is cera that in the arrangement OF our complex
system OF through the tariff aud internal duties
che treaty has been the cause Of little embarrassment
The subject OF the should not be embarrassed by
tFsaty stpuatons but Congress should be left to act
npon IL freely and independently. Any arrangement
between the United States and the Canadas and Pro-
vinces that may be considered mutually beneficial
- readily BIO perfected and carried out by reciprocal
legislation by any other No complaint would
then TO subsequent changes Of laws for each
party would be free TO oct at all times according 70 M
However desirable stability may be, an rrcpeaIable
law, in ordinary times, open grave oh
jecons and in any extraordinary crisis likely 70 b.
nous The people OF the United States cannot consent
70 be taxed producers while those outside OF boun
darics exempt from burdens shall be permitted
competitors to have free access to our markets IL 10
desirable diminish the temptations existing for
smuggling and II the course suggested OF mutual egs-
nal and external more in harmony wish our own sht
Justly be anticipated from the action OF neighbos
BY which this result would be most likely 70 DO OBJ
ouR MINERAL LANDS
Tho attention OF Congress again called 10 the mpor
ssnce Of early and definite action upon tho subject OF
mineral lands which subject involved questions
MOT only OF revenue but social questions OF most inter-
esting character
miners will hardly be proposed, and system Of lease
hold Cir IL within the constitutional authority OF
character and genius OF our peopc after tho lessons
which have been taught Of its practical results IN the
lead and copper districts cannot Of course be recon-
mcnded
After giving the subject a. much examination as the
constant pressure Of ON al duties would permit the
Secretary has the conclusion that policy
20 DO pursued with regard these lands liz the
which shall substitute absolute title in fec for the in
definite possossory rights or claims now asserted by
Tho right 10 Obtain "fee simple in the sol' would
invite 10 the mineral districts OF character and
torprise by creating homes (which will not be found
whero title 10 property canoot be securcdf would give
permanency 10 tho settlements and. BY the stimulus
which ownership always produces, IL would result in
thorough and regular Development or tho mines.
A bill for the subdivision and sac Of tho gold and
silver lands Of the United states under
by the last Congress. 10 which attention is respectfully
called II tho enactment Of this bill should not be
deemed expcden and no satisfactory substitute can DO
der, account Of the possessory claims Of miners, II
will then DO important that the policy OF extending
the principle OF presumption 10 the mineral districts DO
considered 1t rs not material, perhaps how the end
sall be attained but there can be question that IL
10 Of the highest Importance a financial and social
point Of view, that ownership OF those lands in limited
quantities 20 each purcbas should be within the roach
Of the people OF the United States who desire 10
In this connection il may be advisable for Congress TO
consider whether tho prosperity Of the trcasureproduc
ing districts would not be increased and the convenience
a miners greatly promoted. by the establishment OF
assay office ia every mining district from which
annual production OF gold and silver amounting TO ten
millions Of dollars Is actually obtained.
SMUGGLING
The attempts at smuggling, stimulated by the high
rates OF duties imports have engaged the attention
Of the Department, and such arrangements have been
made for its detection and prevention as seemed to be
required by the circumstances and available for that
purpose.
Il rs quite apparent however, that with extensive
ssaCoasts and n,and frontier, 10 mpnccable entirely
20 prevent Illicit traffic. though checks at the most OK
posed POINTS have doubtless been put TO such practices
tins connection IL may be remarked that the
nue. cutteg diligently and usefully employed in the
preventive service, within cruising limits 90 defined az
90 leave point OF and gulf coasts unvsed BY an
adequat, force.