Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-12-12

an equality with the representatives of Gres
Britain and OF some other powers. As no
situated our representatives In Japan and Chin
have to depend for interpreters and translator
upon natives of those countries who know ou
language imperiectly, or procure for the occs
sion the services OF employees of foreign bus
ness houses or the interpreters to other foreig
ministers. | would also recommend libers
measures for the purpose of supporting th
American lines of steamers now plying betwee
San Francisco and Japan and China and th
Australian line almost our only remaining
lines of ocean steamers-and of increasing thei
subsidies.
The national debt has been reduced to tn
extent of eighty-six millions ffty-seven thou
sand one hundred and twenty-six dollars AM
| eighty cents during the year, and by the nego
| tiation of national bonds at lower rate of in
terest the interest on the public debt has beel
SO diminished that now the sum to be raised fo
the interest account is nearly seventeen million
dollars less than on the 1st of March, 1862 [
was highly desirable that this rapid diminutiol
should take place both to strengthen the credi
OF the country and to convince its citizens O.
their entire ability to meet every dollar of LA
bllity without bankrupting them but in view
of the accomplishment of these desirable ends
of the rapid development of the resources o
the country, Its increasing ability to meet large
demands and the amount already paid, it is moi
desirable that the present resources of the coun.
try should continue to be taxed la order to con-
tinue this rapid payment. l, therefore, recon-
mend modification of both the tariff and In.
ternal tax laws. / recommend that all taxes
from internal sources be abolished, except those
collected from spirltuous, vinous, and malt
liquors. tobacco 10 it's various forms and from
stamps.
In readjusting the tariff, suggest that care
ful estimate be made of the amount of surplus
revenue collected under the present laws after
providing for the current expenses of the gov
ernment, the interest account, and a sinking
fund, and that this surplus be reduced in such
a manner as to afford the greatest relief to the
greatest number. There are many articles not
produced at home, but which enter largely into
general consumption through articles which are
manufactured at home such as medicines COM
pounded, &c, from which very little revenue
is derived, but which enter into general USE
ALI such articles | recommend to be placed on
the free list should further reduction
prove advisable, would then recommend that
it be made upon those articles which can best
bear it without disturbing home production, or
reducing the wages of American labor. | have
not entered into figures, because to do so would
be to repeat what will be laid before you in the
TcpoiI VI tHt OCcICtaty vi tu5 Treasury.
The present laws for collecting the revenue
pay collectors of customs small salaries, but
provide for moietes, shares in all seizures,
which at principal ports OF entry particularly,
raise the compensation OF these officials to a
large sum. 1t has always seemed to me as If
this system must at times work pernlclously.-
1t holds out an lnducement to dishonest men.
should such get possession Of those offices, to
be lax In their scrutiny Of goods entered to en-
able them finally to make large seizures. Your
attention is respectfully invited to this subject.
Continued fluctuations in the value of gold,
as compared with the national currency, has a
most damaging effect upon the increase and de-
veiopment of the country In keeping up prices
of all articles necessary In every day lie 1t
fosters species of gambling prejudcial alike to
national morals and the national hnances Ii
the question can be met as to how to give fixed
value to our currency, that value constantly and
uniformly approaching par with specie. a very
desirable end will be gained.
For the operations Of the army In the past
year, the expense of maintaining 1t, the esti-
mates for the ensuing year, aud tor continuing
sea coast and other improvements, conducted
under the 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 g. 1869. which
discontinues promotion in the staff corps of the
army until provided for by law. | recommend
that the number of officers in each grade in the
staff corps be fixed, and that whenever the num-
Der n any one grade falls below the number SO
fixed that the vacancy may be filled by promo
ton from the grade below. also recommend
that when the Office of chief of corps becomes
vacant, the place may be filled by selection from
the corpS in which the Vacancy exists
The report OF the Secretary ofthe Navy shows
an Improvement in the number and efficiency
of the naval force, without material increase in
the expense of supporting it. This is due to
the policy which has been adopted, and is being
extended as fast as our material will admit, oi
using smaller vessels as cruisers on the several
stations. By this means we have been enabled
to occupy at once a large extent Of cruising
ground, to visit more frequently the posts where
the presence Of our flag is desirable, and gen.
orally to discharge more efficiently the appro-
pirate duties of the navy in time of peace, with
out exceeding the number of men or the expendi
ture authorized by law.
During the past year the navy has, in addi-
ton to its regular service, supplied the men and
officers for the vessels Of the coast survey, and
has completed the surveys authorized by Con
gress of the Isthmus of Darien and Tehaunte-
pee, 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
cessity for increasing and improving the mate
rial of the navy and the plan recommended for
reducing the personnel OF the service to a peace
standard, by the gradual abolition of certain
grades of officers, the reduction of others, and
the employment of some in the service OF the
commercial marine, are we'll considered and de-
serve the thoughtful attention OF Congress.
| also recommend that all promotions in the
navy above the rank Of captain be by selection
instead of by seniority. This course will secure
in the higher grades greater efficiency and hold
out an incentive to young officers to improve
themselves in the knowledge of their profession
The present cost of maintaining the navy, iii
cost compared with that of the preceding year,
and the estimates for the ensuing year, ars
contained In the accom- panying report OF the
Secretary OF the Navy.
The enlarged receipts of the Postofice De
partment, as shown by the accompanying repor
Of the Postmaster General, exhibits crafty
ing increase in that brauch of the public service
1t is the index Of the growth of education ant
of the prosperity of the people-elements high
ly conducive to the vigor and stability of repub
lies.
With vast territory like ours, much of j
sparsely populated. but all requiring the ser
vices OF the mail, it is not at present to be ex
pected that this department can be made self
sustaining; but gradual approach to this end
from year to year, is confidently relied on, an.
the day is not far distant when the Pos.offic
department OF the government will Prove
| much greater blessing to the whole people tha
it is now. The suggestions of the Postlnaste
| General for improvements in the department
presided over bv him are earnestly recommond