The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-12-07

SIX dollars and eighty cents during the
year, and by the negotiation Of national
bonds at o lower rate of interest, the in
terest on the public debt has been 80 far
| diminished that now the sum to be raised
for interest account is nearly $1700O,O0Ol
less than on the 1st of March, 1869. It'll
was highly desirable that this rapid di-
minution should take place, both to
strengthen the credit Of the country and
convince it's citizens of their entire ability
to meet every dollar of liability without
| bankrupting them; but in view Of &c
complishment of these desirable ends, of
! the rapid development of the resources
OF the country, it's increasing ability to
meet large demands, and the amount
already paid, it is not desirable that the
present resources Of the country should
continue to be taxed in order to continue
this rapid payment. | therefore recon-
mend modification of boch the tariff
and international tax laws. | recommend
that all taxes from internal sources
be abolished, except those On spirltnous,
vlnous and malt liquors, tobacco IN It's va
Il rlous forms, and from stamps. In re-
adjusting the tariff, suggest that a care
fnl estimate be made Of the amount OF
surplus revenue collected under the pres
ent laws after providing for the current
expenses of the Government, the interest
account and sinking fund; and that this
surplus be reduced III such manner as to
effect the greatest number. There are
many articles not produced at home, such
as medicines and compound essences,
from which very little revenue is derived,
bat which enter into general use. 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 bear it without disturbing home pro
ductiOns or reducing the wages of Ameri
can labor. | have not entered into figures,
because To do SO would be to repeat all
that is laid before you in the report of
the Secretary of the Treasury. The pres
ent laws for collecting the revenue pay
collectors of customs small salaries, but
provide for shares in all seizures, which,
: at the principal ports Of entry particular
4 ly, raise the compensation of those Of
I tcials to large sum, 1t has always
seemed to me as if this system must at
times work perniciously. It holds out an
inducemeEt to dishonest men, should such
get possession Of these offices, to be lax in
ftncir scrutiny of goods entered, to enable
them finally to make large seizures. Your
attention is respectfully invited to this
subject
GOLD AND CURRENCY.
Continued fluctuations in the value of
gold, compared with the national cur
rency, has a most damaging effect upon
the increase and development of the coun-
try, in keeping up the price of all articles
necessary in everyday life. 1t fosters a
spirit of gambling, predjudicial alike
to national morals and national finances.
If the question can be met as to how to
get fixed value to our currency, that
,, value constantly aud uniformly approach
J ing par with specie, very desirable OBJ
ject will be gained
E THE ARMY.
For the operations Of the army In the
E past year, the expense of maintaining it,
the estimates for the ensuing year, and
Tor continuing the sea-coast and other
improvements conducted under the super
vision 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
Improved March Sd, 1869, which discon-
, tinues promotions in the staff corps of the
army until provided for by law. recon-
mend that the number Of officers in each
grade of the staff corps be fixed, and that
I whenever 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
I when the office Of Chief of corps be-
comes vacant, the place may be filled by
selection from the corps in which the va
cancy exists.
/ THE NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
shows an Improvement in the number and
efficiency of the naval force, without ma
terial increase in the expense of support
ing it. This is due to the policy which
has been apopted, and is being extended
as fast as our material will admit, OF
using SMALLER vessels as cruisers on the
several stations BY these means we
have been enabled to occupy at once a.
larger extent of cruising ground, to visit
more frequently the posts where the pres
ence of our flag is desirable, and, gen
orally, to discharge more efficiently the
appropriate duties of the navy in times
of peace, without exceeding the number
of men or the expenditures authorized
by law. During the past year, the navy
has, in addition to its regular services,
supplied the men and officers for the YES
sells of the coast survey, and has COM
pleted the surveys authorized by Con
gress of the Isthmus of Darien and Tel
huantepec, and, under like authority,
has sent out an expedition completely
furnished and equipped to explore the un-
known ocean Of the North. The sugges-
tions of the report as to the necessity for