Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-12-12


pect of an early termination, cannot be other
than an object of concern TO people who,
while sustaining from interference in the affairs
OF other powers, naturally desire to see every
country in the undis.urbed enjoyment Of lib
erty and the blessings OF free institutions.
Our laval commanders in Cuban waters
have been instructed, in case it should become
necessary, to spare no effort 20 protect the
lives and property of bona fide American cit
liens and to maintain the dignity of the flag
IL is hoped that all pending questions with
Spain, growing out of the affairs in Cuba,
may be adjusted in the spirit of peace and
concord which has hitherto guided the two
powers in their treatment of such questions
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH cHISA AND JAPAN
To give importance and to add to the eff
cacy OF our diplomatic relations with Japan
and China, and to further in retaining the
good opinion of those people and to secure
to the United States its share of the commerce
destined to flow between those nations and
the balance of the commercial world, earn
estly recommend that an appropriation be
made to support at least four American youths
in each OF these countries to serve in the of
fetal family of our minister there. Our re-
preventative would then be placed on an
equality with the representatives of Great
Britain, and several other powers. As now
situated, our representatives in China and
Japan have to depend for interpreters and
translators, upon natives of these countries,
who know our language imperfsctly, or pro-
cure for the occasion the services of employ.
es OF foreign business houses, or the inter
prefers to other foreign ministers.
PACIFIC STEAMSHIP LINES.
would also recommend liberal measures
n Nf Al A,,o linz
of steamers now plying between San Fran
cisco and J pan and China, and the Austral.
ian line, at most our only remaining lines of
ocean steamers, and ofincreasing their service.
THE TARIFF ON TAXES.
| recommend that all taxes from internal
sources be abolished, except those on spiritu-
Gus, vinous and malt liquors, and tobacco in
its various forms, from stamps. In readiust
ing the tariff, suggest tina. careful estimate
be made of the amount Of surplus revenue
collected, under the present laws, after pro-
viding for the current expenses of the gov
eminent, the internal account, and sinking
fund; and, that this surplus be reduced in
such manner as to afford the greatest rev
enue.
There are many articles not produced at
home, such as medicines and compounded es
sences, from which but little revenue is de-
rived, but which enter into the general use
Such articles | recommend to be placed on
the free lists. Should further reduction prove
advisable, would recommend that it be made
upon articles which can bear it without dis
turbing home productions, or reducing the
wages of American labor
have not entered into figures, because to
do so would be to repeat all that is said be-
tore you IN the report ofthe Secretary of the
Treasury. The present laws for collecting
revenues pay collectors too small salaries. but
provide for shares in all seizures, which, at
principal ports of entry particularly raise the
compensation OF those officials to a large
sum. 1t has always seemed to me as il this
system must at times work perniciousy.
Ii holds out an inducement to dishonest
men, should such get possession of these ofiic
ces, to be lax in their scrutiny of goods en-
tered, to enable them finally to make large
seizures Your attention is respectfully in
vited TO this subject.
THE NATIONAL DEBr
The national debt has been reduced TO the
extent of $50, 057, 1860 during the year and
by the negotiation of national bonds a. a low
er rate of interest, the interest of the public
debt has been so far diminished that now the
sum to be raised for interest account is near
ly sl7,00o,000 less than on the lst of March,
1889
1t was highly desirable that this rapid di
intuition should take place, both to strength
en- the credit of the country and convince lis
citizens of their entire ability to meet every
dollar of liability without bankruptcy; but in
view of the accomplishment of these desira-
BILE ends. and its increasing ability to meet
The large demands, and the amount already
paid, 1t Is not desirable that the present re-
sources OF the country should continue to be
taxed in order to meet this rapid payment.
therefore recommend the modification of both
tariff and internal tax laws
GOLD AND THE CURRENCY
Continual fiuctuation in the yaIue of gold.
with the national currency. has a
most damaging effect upon the increase and
development of the country, in keeping ND
prices of all the articles necessary in every
day life; it fosters spirit of gambling pre-
judicial alike to national morals and to ma
tional finances. If the question can be met.
as to how to get fixed value to our eurren
cy, that value constantly and uniformly an
preaching par with specie, very desirable
object will be gained.
THE ARMY
For the operations of the army in the past
year, the expense of maintaining, estimates
for the ensuing year, and for continuing sea
coast and other Improvements conducted I'M
der supervision OF the War Department. |
refer you to the accompanying report of the
Secretary of War.
call your attention to the provisions of
the act OF Congress, approved March, Cd, 1859,
which discontinues promotions in staff corps
of the army until provided by law. re-
commend that the number of officers in each
grade of staff corps be fixed, and that when
ever the number in any one grade falls below
the number so fixed, that the vacancy may be
filled by promotion from the grade below.
also recommend that when the Office of
chief of corps becomes vacant, the place NAV
be filed by selection from the corps in
which the vacancy exists.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
shows improvement in the navy, and efficien-
cy of the naval force, without material in
crease in expense of supporting it. This is
due to the policy which has been adopted
and is being extended as fast as our material
will permit, of using smaller vessels as cruis-
ers on the several stations By this means
we have been enabled TO occupy at once
larger extent of cruising ground, to visit more
frequentlythe posts where the presence of
our flag is desirable, and generally to dis
Shai 90 inoit ShlcltHtt1 Tue dppfOpTlhte uutlcS
of the navy in time of peace without exceed
ing the number of men or the expenditures
authorized by law.
During the past year, the navy has, in adj
dition to its regular service, supplied the men
and officers and the vessels of the coast sur
vey, and has completed the SURVEYS authoriz-
ed by Congress of the Isthmus of Darien and
Tehauntepec; and under like authority has
sent out an expedition completely furnished
and equipped TO explore the unknown ocean
of the North.
The suggestions of the report as to the ne
eessity for increasing and improving the ma
terial OF the navy, and the plan recommended
for reducing the personnel of TIE service to a
peace standing by the gradual abolition of
certain grades Of officers and reduction of
Others, and the employment of some in the
service of the commercial marine, are well
considered, and deserve the attention Of Con
gress.
] also recommend that all promotions in
the navy above the rank of captain be by Sc.
lection instead of seniority. This course will
secure in the higher grades greater efficiency
and hold out an incentive 70 your officers to
improve themselves in the knowledge Of their
profession.
The present cost of maintaining the navy,
and its cost compared with that of preceding
years, and estimates for the ensuing wear, are
Naer .s.2 H. r Il