The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-01-13

MRS. Postmaster GENERAL RANDALL will
hold her receptions on Wednesday afternoon Of
each week, at No. +o2 L street. corner Fourteenth
and L.
THE REPORT OF COMMISSIONER
wELLS.
We have not yet found time to give this very
able report that careful reading and patient
study which the nature Of the questions dis
cusscd demands, and which il absolutely neces-
sary in order to a full comprehension and correct
understanding OF the whole subjsct-mattsr In
all of Its details. We have, however, satisfied
ourselves that this report Is one OF immense
value to US as people at thh time; especially 70
It OF great value to members Of Congress WAC
are called upon to legislate upon the question Of
internal revenue. So indeed, We may say that
the merchant, the manufacturer, the importer,
and all engaged in the business Of the country
cannot fail to be instructed and much benefited
by careful study OF this report. We are not pre-
pared to say that we endorse all the suggestions
put forth by the Commissioner. We agree with
him, that some provision should be made which
shall lead to a gradual reduction Of our national
debt, and that we should proceed to extinguish
this burden at as rapid a rate as 10 consistent
with the interests Of business and the various
Industrial pursuits Of the country but the
annual appropriation OF fifty millions Of dollars
is more than our resources can stand, without
essential injury to our business and financial
prosperity.
We believe most implicitly in the general
soundness OF the policy Of paying as fast As pos
sible the national debt, and moreover we hearth
ly endorse the views Of Mr. Wells upon this topic
which are eoincideht with those of the Secretary
OF the Treasury. But instead Of hfty millions
per annum we would say ten.
In the report before US the Commissioner has
shown great aptitude for the work he had In
hand He has made every possible effort to
inf, a nIf hr. peh of
the subject which he discusses In his report, and
he presents his views and Arguments with much
perspicuity and precision.
The report 10 . comprehensive discussion and
calculation Of the important questions Of our na-
tional internal revenue system. Mr.. Wells has
set himself at work to investigate Its numerous
sources, and to point out the best methods Of
collecting It, 1t 10 also able discussion Of the
relations which foreign trade bears to our do
nestle industry. The Commissioner must have
performed a prodigious amount Of labor. Ho
shows a perfect familiarity with The revenue
system and industrial condition Of Great Britain,
and also with the condition In this respect OF
many OF the countries OF Europe With our
own home industrial situation, financial and
commercial condition he Is thoroughly Acqusint
ed, and upon this branch Of the subject he has
addueed fund of information, In the shape Of
statistics and observations, with which every
member OF Congress should make himself IA
miliar, that he may give his vote wisely upor
the questions which will come up for the action
and determination OF that body.
me mem mos ,",t.s ,p,srcs, ths n.on,s IN. most
and which will demand the most decided legisla
tion on the part Of Congress, is the reduction o
our national expenditures. Mr.. Welh show
that not only Is q considerable reduction in gu
taxation desirable, but that It can be easily &C
complished. Upon this branch OF the subject
we propose 10 let mr. "ens speAk ioi h'niseN'
The commissioners views OF retrenehment are
follow rvs, ,u .xn,,a,,0,s. fo, tho navy b. ?,
.,.ic thM A., mont Merely sutielent 70 mai
tain The police Of the sea-. and preserve the pull
az pThat he Numerical strength of the army b
rot but IsaHssa y: seen %. :. prsStS,
except what il Necessary for Immediate use, G
t tbo same In iensir ~ nv
worI hs athep except sp pdD
are Of ,e an iona a. NJ neossst.s of the n.tio
,,s parsmoUnt 10 those Of indiyiduais, no claim
ss n. in " the
That The heads Of the various department
'.,n,r.a nv Congrcss IN nrantisc thc mo,
t,SS cnnomy' and Ia reduce their employees /
the minim hr ,eITce requisite LOT 'he a''ehas
rbat N money be Approp ri Ated for the flu
ma nmrchs.e Of foreign ferfitory and that n
ane, treaty with any foreign nation
aad If character calculated materially 4
aimiaisS the customs reyenue.s
WIN the .ubstantiai adoption on the part ,
conare.s Of An economical policy a. above 4
NEonffcS the ordinary EXPENSES Of the Cover
meat mivht. II is believed, be Immediately r
amccd To- sl3o, 600 900 per nnnum, which amoul
Sn,id eycn tSen he an excess OF over 100 ~
nnnt on the expenditures OF the fiscal wear lsd
with saving q from ATTY TO sixty millions .,
annmm thus effected. A REDUCTION Of Walton
an extent sufieient to aiford an immediate rei
and stimuius 10 the Industrial interests Of ii
Country, becomes at once practiesbiei and til
. Mt ion hat m inera If d
tnternni revenue is likely to accrue from ANY In
Movement in the method OF assessing and &c
}ncting taxes or from the progress Of the count
10 wasslth And population. Thus, for example
nsmctinn in the annual expenditures OF the W
Inansrtment from Ns3 Sal $685. as IN 1867 10 M
6oooSo would allow a reduction OF over % D
cent on ali the taxes now levied on mAnufa
tad ~ nrnd'icta exclusive OF liouors tobacco nj
nsw pptSeT aptieies generally cisssed under n
head Of iuxuries and still leave to the credit