Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-12-14

only so much Is asked as Congress may
choose to give. The appropriation for the
same works for the present fiscal year was
$ll, 1854, SIS 90.
The average value of gold as compared
with national currency, for the whole OF the
year 1869 was about 1874, and for seven
moths OF 1870 the same relative value was
about Is. The approach to specie basis
is very gratifying; but the fact cannot be
denied that the instability Of the value of
our currency is preiudicial to our prosperity
and tends to keep mp prices TO the detrIment
Of trade. The evils Of deprecated and
nuctuatlng currency are SO great that nov.
when the premium OF gold has fallen so
much, it would seem that the time has ar
rived when, by wise and prudent legislation.
Congress should look to policy which would
place our currency at par with gold at no
distant day.
REVENUE REFORM
The taxes collected from the people has
been reduced more than $4,000 900 per
annum. By s,eadineSs In our present course
there is 20 reason why, iu few short years,
the national tax gaJherer may not dissp
pear from the door OF the citizen almost en-
tJrely. With the revenue stamp dispensed
by postmasters In every community. i tax
upon liquors of all sorts and tobacco IN all
Its forms, and by a wise adjustment of the
tariff, which will pnt duty only upon these
articles which we could dspeiIse with, known
aS luxurlcs, aud on those which we use more
OF than = e produce, reVenUe enough NAV be
raised, after few years OF peace and con>e
quent reduction Of Indebtedness TO fil i all
our obligations. 4 further redGctiUu of ex
pcnses, ln addition to a reduction Of inter
est account, lnay be relied on 40 make this
practicable. " Revenue reform, il it mean
this, has my hearty support, Ii it implies
collection OF all the revenue for the sup
port OF the GoverTment, for the payment
OF the principle and interest of the public
debt, pensions, etc, by directly taxing the
people, then | am against revenue reform
and confidently believe the people are wiz
me. Ii ii means failure 10 provide the
necessary means to detray all expenses Of
the Government, and thereby reputation
OF the public debt and pensions, then | am
still more opposed 10 such kind Of revenue
reform.
Revenue reform has not been defined by
any OF Its advocates, to my know ledge, but
seems to be accepted "a something which
Will supply every man wants, without any
cost or effort on his part. A true revenue
reform cannot be made in day, but must
he the work of national legislation and Of
time. As soon as the revenue can be dis
pensed with, all duty shall DC removed from
coffee, tea, sugar and other articles of uni
versai use not produced by ourselves. The
necessities of the country compel us to col
lect revenue from our Imports. An amy
OF assessors snd collectors Is not pleasant
sight to theNeiIizen; but that, or tariff foi
revenue, is necessary. Such tariff, 50 far
a. It acts as an announcement for hone
products, affords employment to labor at
living wages, in contrast to the pauper !?hor
Of the Old World, aud also in the develop
ment OF home resources.
TIE ARMY AND NAVY.
Under the act of Congress OF tie l5th day
of July. 1870, the army has gradually been
reduced, so that on the ist of January, 1871.
the number of commissioned officers and
men will not exceed the number c0ntempla-
ted by that law.
The War Department building is an old
structure, not fire proof, and entircl, made
Quate in dimensions to our present wants.
Many thousands of dollars are nov paid
annually for rent Of private bu ldings to
accommodate the various bureaus of the
Department. ] recommend an appropria
ton foi new War Department building,
suited to the present and growing wants of
the nation.
The report of the Secretary Of War shows
a very satisfactory reduction in the exp peuses
of the army for the last fiscal year. For
details, YOU are referred to his accompany
ing report
The expenses of the navy for the whole
OF the last year, !. e., from December l.,
1869, the date of the last report are less
than Sl9. 000, 900, or about 81 ,0O0, 0GJ less
than they were the previous year. The
expenses since the commencement of this
fiscal year, /. e.. since July /, show for the
five months a decrease of over 81, 400 900
from those OF the corresponding months ot
last year The estimates for the current
year were SOS, ,205.G7I 81. Those TOR the
next year are $2O6S3, 3I7, with $3.50, 100
additional for necessary permanent i'm
prOyements. These estimates arc made
closely for the mere maintenance OF the
naval establishment as it now is, without
much in the nature OF permanent improve
ment. The appropriations made for tho
last and current years were evidently in
tended by Congress, aud are sufficient only,
To keep the navy on Its present footing ty
the repairing and retittlng OF our old ships.
! This policy must, OF course, gradually bat
surely destroy the Navy and il Is IN Itse.i
far from economical as each year that 1t Is
pursued the necessity fer more repairs II
ships and navy yards, becomes more lmper-
ative and more costly, and our current ex
penses are annually increased Tor the mere
| repair of ships, many of which must SOON
come unsafe and useless
! | hope during the present session OF Con
| gress 10 be able to submit TO it 4 plan by
which naval vessels can DC built and repairs
/ nIade with great saving upon the present
| cost. 1t eau hardly be wise craftsmanship
! in a Government which represents coUn-
! try with more than 5000 miles OF coas t-lint
| on both oceans, exclusive OF Alaska, anC
! containing 40, 900 600 OF progressive people
| with relations Of every nature with almost
! every foreign country, to rest with such in
/ adequate means of enforcing any foi eigr
! policy, either OF protection or redress. Sepa
rated by the ocean from the nations of the
| Eastern Continent, our Eavy Is our onlS
means of direct protection to our citizens
abroad or for the enforcement ofany foreign
policy.
POST OFFICES, ETC.
The accompany report of the Postmaster
/ General, shows "a most satisfactory working
I of that department With the adoption Of
| the recommendations contained therein,
PARTICULARLY those relating to a reform in the
| franking privilege, and the adoption Of cor
| respondeuce cards, a self sustaining posta
/ system may speedily be looked for, and a
/ no distant day further reduction OF til,
: rate of postage may be attained.