The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-12-14

| ter at Pekn to endeavor to conclude convention
| with Corea for securing the safety and humane
| treatment or such marines. Admiral Rodgers
| was instructed to accompany him, with suf
| ncient force to protect MIN In case OF need. A
small surveying party sent out on reaching the
| coast was treacherously attacked at a disadvan.
| tage. Ample opportunity WAS given for expana.
| tion and apology; neither came. A force was
then landed, anu afler AN ardnous march over y
| rugged and difficult country, the forts from which
| the outrages had been committed were reduced
| by gallant assault, and were destroyed. Having
thus punished me criminals, and having vindica'
ted the honor Of the flag, the expedition returned,
tndtny 1t impractlcable, under the circumstances.
| to conclude the desired convention Respectfully
| refer to the correspondence relating thereto here.
with submitted and leave the subject for such &C.
| tion as Congress may see it to take.
| MEXICO.
| The Republic OF Mexico has not yet repealed the
| very Objectionable laws establishing what is known
| as the Free Zone on the frontier OF the United
States. II Is hoped that this may yet be DONE and
also that more stringent measures may be taken
by that republic for restraining awless persons on
| It's frontiers. hope Mexico, by Its own action,
Will soon relieve this government Of the dficul.
ties experienced from these causes. Our relations
with the various republics OF Central and South
America continue, with one exception, to be
cordial and friendly. | recommend some action
| by Congress regarding the overdue installments
under the VENEZUELA claims commission OF 1866.
Ihe eternal dissensions OF this government pre-.
| sent no Justification for the absence OF effort to
| meet their solemn treaty obligations.
| NTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA.
The ratification Of the Extraditon Treaty with
Nicaragua has been exchanged.
Ii IS subject for congratulation that the great
Emperor ol Brazil has taken the iDitiatory step
| towards the abUiition OF slavery. our relations
WIN tnat empire, always cordial, win naturally be
made more SO by this act IL Is not too much to
hope that the government OF Brazilfnay hereafter
mud 1t for its interest a. well intrinsicay right
| to advance towards entire emancipation more
rapidly than the present act contemplates.
The true prosperity and greatness OF a nation
are TO be found in the eievation and education of
It's laborers ltis subject for regret that the
| forms in this direction which were voluntarily
promised by the statesmen Of Spain have moi been
carried out in its West India colonies. The laws
| and regulations for the apparent abolition OF
slavery in Cuba and Porto Rico leave -nost of the
aborers in bondage with no hope OF release until
| their lives become burden to tleir employers.
desire to direct your attention to the fact tn at
the citizens OF the United states, or persons claim
ing to be citizens OF the United States, are large
olders in foreign lands Of this species OF property
forbidden by the fundamental law OF their alleged
country. recommend TO Congress 10 provide, by
stringent legislation, suitaUic remedy against
the holding, owning or dealing In slaves. or being
interested IN slave property in foreign lands, either
as owners hrers or moitgagers by citizens Of the
United States.
THE STRUGGLE IN CUBA.
1t is TO be regretted that the disturbed condition
or the island Of Cuba continues TO be a source
annoy yance ana OF anxiety. The existence Of a
protracted struggle In such close proximity to our
Jwn territory, without apparent prospect OF All
early termination, cannot be other than al object
ufcuncern TO people, who, while aOstanlng from
Interference IN The affairs Of other powers. natu
rally desire TO see every country In the undistur0.
Ell enjoyment OF peace, liberty, aud the blessings
Of free institutions. Our naval commanders IN
Cuban waters have been instructed, in case IL
should become necessary. 10 spare no effort tu
protect the lives aud property Of 6Orla fde Ameri
can citizens, and to maintain the dignity or the
flag.
luis hoped that all pending questions with Spain
growing out ol the affairs In Cuba, may be adjust
ed in the spirit OF peace and conciilatioB, which
mas hitherto guided the two overs In their treat
ilent vi Slch Questions.
INTERCOURSE WITH TIE EAST.
To give Importance and to add tO the efficiency
uf our diplomatic relations with Japan anu China
and to luther aid in retaining the good opinion Uf
those peu, les, and to secure TO tue United states
It's share Of the commerce destined to now between
those nations AID the balance Of the commercial
world, earnestly recommend that an appropria.
ton Ue nude to support Ut least four American
youths in each Of those countries to serve as parl
Ol the Official families OF our ministers there. Oui
representatives would not even then be placed
upon All equality with The representatives OF Great
brltain ana OF some other powers. As now stu
ated, our representatives In Japan and Cana have
TO depend for Interpreters anu translators upon
natives Of those countries who know our language
lnperlectly, or procure for the occasion the ser
vices OF employees III foreign business houses, Or
the interpreters to other foreign ministers.
would also recommend liberal measures ior the
purpose OF fostering tile American lines OF steamers
now plying between AN Francisco ana Japan and
China, anu the Australian llne almost our only
naming lines OF ocean steamers, and OF increasing
tHtlT seTVlCts.
THE NATIONAL DEBT.
The national debt has been reduced to the ex.
tent II eighty six millions, nifty seven thousand,
one hundred and twenty-siX dollars and eighty
cents during the year; and Dy the negotiation Ui
national bonds ut lower rate OF interest. the III
Ierest on the pubic debt has been 50 far diminish
ed that now the sum 10 be raised for the Interest
account Is nearly seventeen million dollars less
than on the first OF March, 1869. II was highly de-
srable that this rapid dimlnution should tax,
place both to strengthen the credit OF the country
anu TO convince its citizens Of their entire ability
to meet every dollar OF liability without bankrupt,
ing them. but In view OF The accomplishment of
these desirable ends Of the rapid development ol
the resources ofthe country us Increasing ability
10 meet large demands, aud the amount already
paid II Is not desirable that the present resources
OF the country should continue to be taxed, IN or
der to continue the rapid payment. i, therefore,
recommend modification Of both the tarin and
internal tax laws: recommend that all taxes from
internal sources be abolished, except those col
lected from spirituOus, vinous and malt liquors,
tobacco in It's various forms and from stamps. In
readjuslng the tariff suggest that careful estl
male be made OF the amount OF surplus revenue
collected under the present laws after providing
the current expenses or the government, the In
terest account, and sinking fund, and that this
surplus be reduced in such u manner as TO afford
'he greatest relief 10 The greatest number. There
arc many articles not produced at home, but
which enter largely into general consumption
through articles which are manufactured at home,
such AS medicines compounded, &c DC, IRON
which very little revenue Is derived, but which
ter into general use. All such articles recon.
mend 10 De placed on the Tree list. Should a fur.
lher reduction prove advisable, would then re-
commend that 1t be made upon those articles
which Can best bear 1t without disturbing home
production or reducing the wages OF American la.
Dor. have not entered into figures, because 10
do SO would be 10 repeat what will be laid before
you In the report OF The Secretary OF the Treasury
FINANCIAL REFORM.
The present laws for collecting the revenues pay
Collectors OF Customs small salaries, but provide
FOR mUletes-sharrs In all selZures-which, al
principal ports Of entry particularly, raise the
compensation Of those oflicias ~ large sum II
has always seemed to me as II this system must
at times work prolniscuOusy. il holds out an In
ducement TO dishonest men, should such get pos
session Of those offices to be lax In their scrutiny
Of fgouds entered TO enable them finally to MAKE
large seizures. Your attention IL respectfully in-
yied To this subject.
Continued fluctuations In the value OF gold, az
compared with the national currency, has mOsl
damaging effect upon The increase and develop
Inent OF he country, in keeping up prices OF all
articles necessary In every day lie. IL fosters
spirit OF gambling ejudciai alike TO national
morals anu national finances. fthe question can
be met as 10 how 10 get u liked value 10 our cur
rencY, that value constantly aud uniformly ap-
preaching par with specie, very desirable objecI
will be gained.
ARMY AND NAVY.
For the operatIons OF the army In the past year,
the expense OF maintaining II, the estimates IOi
the ensuing year and for continuing seacoast and
other improvements conducted under the super.
vision ofthe War Department, refer you 10 the
accompanying report oI tne secretary ol war.
cali your attention to The provisions OF the act
OF Congress approved March 3, ls6e. which discon.
tinues promotions Ia the stan corpsfof the army
until pro, ided for by law. recommend that th'
number OF ofieers In each grade OF the stan corps
be liked, and that whenever the number In any
one grade falls below the number 30 nxed, the VA
cancy may be filled by promotion from the grade
below. also recommend that when the ol1ce Oi