The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-12-07

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Of the greatest political evils. 1t undermincs the
| virtues necessary for the support of the social
system, and encourages propensities destructive
/ of its happiness; it wars against industry fr11
gality and economy, and it fosters the evil SHIRTS
of extravaganza and speculation. 1t has been
asserted by one profound and most gifted states
men, that " of all the contrivances for cheating
| the labOring classes of mankind, none has been
more effcctual of inventions to fertize the rich
mans fields by the sweat OF the poor mans brow
Ordinary tyranny, oppression, excessive taxation
| these bear lightly on the happiness of the mass
of the community compared with fraudulent
| currency, and the robberies committed hy de-
preciated paper. Our own history has recorded
| for our instruction enough, and more than
enough of the demoraizng tendency, the inius.
tice, and the intolerable oppression on the yirtn
| Gus and well DISPOSED of degraded paper chr.
rency, authorized by law or in any way counter
anced by Government" It is one of the most
successful Devices in times of peace or war ey
pansons revulsons, to accomplish the trans
| fer of all the precious metals from the great
mass of the people into the hands Of the few
where they are boarded in secret places or de-
posted in strong boxes under bolts and bars
while the people are left to endure all the ncon
yenience, sacrifice, and decentralization resulting
from the use of deprecated and worthless pa,
per money.
The condition of our finances-and the opera
tions of our revenue system are set forth and
fully explained in the able and instructive report
Of the Secretary of the Treasury. On the 3Oth of
June, 1866 the public debt amounted to So 7S3
325, S79; ON the 30th of June last it 81 69a-
1920, showing a reduction during the fiscal
year of s91 ,226 664 During the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1867, the receipts were $3.50 1874 OlO
and the expenditures $40, 729, l29, leaving an
available surplus of Sl43 904 SS9 1t is estimated
that the receipts for the fiscal year ending June
30, 1868, will be S417, 161 92S and that the ex-
penditures will reach the sum of 1898, 800 236.
leaving in the Treasury surplus of 500, S92, 7e2
For the fiscal year ending June so, 1869, it is
estimated that the receipts will amount TO
1881 900 600, and that the expenditures will be
1872 600 900, showing an excess OF S., 900 900 in
favor OF the Government.
The attention of Congress is earnestly invited
to the necessity OF thorough revision of our
revenue system. Our internal revenue laws and
import system should be so adjusted as to bear
most heavily on articles of luxury, leaving the
necessaries of life free from taxation as NAV be
consistent with the real wants of the Government
economically administered. Taxation would not
then fall unduy on the men OF moderate means:
and while none would be entirely exempt from
assessment, ALL in proportion to their pecunary
abilities, would contribute towards the support
of the State. modification of the internal re-
Venue system, by large reduction in the number
of articles now subject to tax, would be followed
by results equally advantageous to the citizen
and the Government. 1t would render the exc
cutiOn of the law less expensive and more certain
remove distractions TO industry, lessen the temp
tations to evade the law, diminish the violations
and frauds perpetrated upon its provisions make
its operations less inQuisitorial, and greatly re-
duce in numbers the army of taX-gathercrs Great
ed by the SYSTEM who q take from the mouth of
ment, REFORM and economy should be carried
into every branch of the public service, that the
expenditures of the Government may be reduced
and the people relieved from oppressive taXation
a sound currency should be restored, and the
public faith in regard to the national debt sacred
ly observed. The accomplishment of these i'm
portant results, together with the restoration of
the Union of the States upon the principles of
the Constitution, would inspire confidence at
home and abroad in the stability of our institu-
tions, and bring to the nation, prosperity, peace
and good will.
The report of the Secretary of War Gd interim
exhibits the operations of the army anu of the
several Bureaus of the War Department. The
a a strength OF our military toree on the
estimate for military appropriations is ST. 1Ul
including deficiency in last years appropriation
OF SID, 6O0, GOO. The payments at the Treasury on
account of the service of the War Department
from January !, to October %, 1S67-a period of
ten months-amounted to S109, S07, 600. The
expenses, OF the military establishment, as well
as the numbers of the army, are now three times
as great as they have ever been in time of peace;
while the discretionary power is vested in the
Executive to add millions to this expenditure by
an increase of the army to the maximum strength
allowed by the law.
The menacing attitude of some of the warhke
bands OF Indians nhabiting the district of coun-
try between the Arkansas and Platte rivers, and
portions of Dakota Territory, required the pres
ence OF large military force in that region
lnstigated by real or imaginary grievances, the
Indians occasionally committed acts of barbar-
settlements; but general Indian war has been
provldentially averted. The Commissioners un-
der the act OF 10th July, 1867, were invested with
full power to adjust existing difficulties, negoi-
ate treaties with the disaffected bands and select
for them reservations remote from the Travelled
routes between the Mississippi and the Pacific.
They entered without delay upon the execution
)f their trust, but have not yet made any official
report of their proceedings. 1t is of vital im-
oortance that our distant Territories should be
exempt from Indian outbreaks, and that the
Dill. nf
rational importance, should not be interrupted
" hostile tribes. These Objects as we'll as the
material interests and the moral and intellectual
Improvement of the Indians, can be most eficctu-
lily secured by concentrating them upon por-
ions of country set apart for their exclusive use,
nd located at points remote from our highways,
nd encroaching white settlements.
Since the commencement OF the second session
f the Thirty Ninth Congress, five hundred and
ell miles of road have been constructed on the
pain line and branches OF the Pacific Railway.
The line from Omaha is rapidly approaching the
astern base OF the Rocky Mountains, whilst the
erminus of the last section of constructed road
n California accepted by the Government on
he oath day of October last, was but eleven
niles distant from the summit of the Sierra Ne
ada. The remarkable energy evinced by the
Companies offers the strongest assurance that the
completion OF the road from Sacramento to Oma-
la will not be long deferred.
During the last fiscal year seven million forty-
me thousand one hundred and fourteen acres OF
public land were disposed OF, and the cash re-
eipts from sales and fees exceeded by one-half
million dollars the realized from those
ources during the preceding year. The amount
'aid to pensioners, including expenses OF dis
,ursement, was $1S, 619 956, and thirtysix thous-
md four hundred and eighty-two names were
Idded to The rolls. The entire number OF pen-
oncrs on the 30th of June last was one hundred
md tifty-hve thousand four hundred and seventy
our Eleven thousand six hundred and flty-fiye
patents and designs were issued during the year
,nding September 80, 1857, and at that date the
balance in the Treasury to the credit OF the Pat
mt fund was $3.50, 607.
The report OF the Secretary of the Navy states
hat we have seven squadrons actively and judi
,iously employed. under efficient and able COM
handlers, in protecting the persons and property
If American citizens, maintaining the dignity
md power of the Government, and promoting
he commerce and business interests OF our coun-
rymen in every part of the world. Of me Two .So
hundred and thirty eight vessels composing tne
present navy of the United States, ffty-sX, caS
ying five hundred and seven guns, are III nv
squadron service. During the year the nuinue 5
of vessels i'll commission has been reuuceu
welve, and there are thirteen less on squauroh
luty than there were at the date of the last re-
port. a large number of vessels were commeh-
:cd and in the course of construction when inc
war terminated, and although Congress hau