The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1871-12-06

justification for the absence of an effort to
: meet their solemn treaty obligations.
The ratification of an extradition treaty
with Nicaragua has been exchanged.
, 1t is a subject for congratulation that
9 the great empire Of Brazil has taken the
initiatory steps toward the abolition of
slavery. Our relations with the empire,
Always cordial, will naturally be more so
by tins act. IL is not too much 10 hope
r thst the government Of Brazil may here
after find 1t for its interest, as well as in
. 'rinsically right, to advance toward entire
emancipation more rapidly than at pres
ent contemplated. The true prosperity
and greatness Of a nation is to DO found in
the elevation and education Of its labor
crs.
SPANISH WEST INDIES.
1t is a subject for regret that the reforms
III TINS direction which were voluntarily
promised by the statesmen Of Spain have
not beer carried out in its West Indian
colonies. The laws and regulations fer
the apparent abolition Of slavery in Cuba
and Porto Rico have most of the laborers
IN bondage, with no hope Of release until
their Lives become burden to their en-
ployer.
desire to direct your attention TO the
fact that citizens Of the United States are
large holders in foreign lands Of this spe-
cics of property, forbidden by the funda-
mental law Of their adopted country, and
1 recommend to congress to provide by
stringent legislation u suitable remedy
against the holding, owning or dealing in
slaves, or being Interested in slave prop
erty IN foreign lands, either a. owners.
hirer' or mortgagers by persons Of the
/ United States.
CUBAN AFFAIRS.
lis to be regretted that the disturbed
condition Of the island Of Cuba continues
TO he source of annoyance and anxiety.
The existence Of n protracted struggle in
such close proximity to our own territory,
without any apparent prospect Of an early
| termination, cannot be other than an OBJ
Ject OF concern to a people who, while abb
staining from Interference in the affairs of
other powers, naturally desire to see every
country IN the undisturbcd enjoyment Of
! peace, liberty and the blessings OF free in
| sttutions
Our naval commanders in Cuban Wa.
terS have been instructed, in case it should
become necessary,to spare no effort to pro- |
tcct the lives and property Of bona-ide |
American citizens and to maintain the
dignity of the flag
1t j, hoped that all pending questions
with Spain, growing out Of the affairs of
Cuba, may be adjusted in the spirit of con-
ciliaton which has hitherto guided the
two powers in their treatment of such
questions.
REDUCTION OF THE DEBT.
The national debt has beer reduced to
the extent of SSG,057, 1860 during the
year, and by the negotiation Of national
bonds at II lower rate Of interest. the in
terest Of the public debt has been so far
diminished that now the sum TO be raised
for the Interest account Is nearly $1,000
600 less than on the lst of March 1869. 1t
was highly desirable that thi, diminution
should take place both to strengthen the
credit OF the country, and convince its
citizens Of their entire ability to meet every
dollar Of liability without bankrupting
them; but IN view of the accomplishment
Of these desirable ends, of the rapid de.
vclopment of the resources of the country.
Its increasing ability To meet large de-
mands and the amount already paiu, it is
not desirable that the present resources Of
the country should continue to bo 1. cd fn
order 10 continue this rapid payment.
therefore recommend modification of
both tariff and internal tax laws.
ABOLITION OF INTERNAL TAXES RECON-
MESDED.
recommend that all taxes from inter-
nal sources be abolished except those on
spiriluous, qinous and malt liquors, tobacco
in its various forms, from stamps. In re-
adjusting the tariff I suggest that care
ful estimate be made of the amount of sur
plus revenue collected under the present
laws after providing for the current eI-
penses of the government the inter-
est account and sinking fund, and that
this surplus be reduced in such manner as
to afford the greatest relief to the greatest
number. There are many articles not
produced at home, such AS medicine and
compounded essences, from which very
little revenue is derived, but which enter
.into general use, all such articles recon-
mend TO be placed on the free list If
such further reduction provo advisable,
j would then recommend that il be made
Oh those articles on which it can be done
without disturbing home production or re-
ducing the wages of American labor. |
have not entered into figures, because to
do so wolld be to repeat all that 10 laid
before you in the report OF the secretary
of the treasury.
COLLECTORS OF CUSTOMS.
In the present laws for collecting reve-
nue. you pay collectors of customs small
u |
seizures, which, at the principal ports of
entry particularly, raise the compensation
ui these officials 10 n large sum. 1t has
always saemel to me that this system
must at all times work perniciously. 1t
holds out an inducement to dishonest men,
should such get possession of those offices,
to be lax in their scrutiny of goods en-
tered to enable them finally to make large
seizures. Your attention is respectfully
invited to this subject.
GOLD FLUCTUATIONS.
The continued fluctuations in the value
of gold as compared with national curren-
cy has most damaging effect upon the in
crease and development of the country, in
keeping up the prices of all articles neces-
sary in everyday life, and fosters u spirit
of grumbling at the national finances. If
the question can be met, so as to get u fixed
value to our currency, that value constant
ly and uniformly approaching par with
specie, very desirable object will be
gained.
ARMY MATTERS
For the operations of the army in the
past year, the expense Of maintaining it,
the estimates for the ensuing year, and for
continuing the sea coast and other i'm