Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-12-14

Tor the part they TOOK III opposition 10 .the I
government, they might, in the judgment OF Z
Congress, be excluded from such an amnesty. !
This subject is submitted for your careful /
consideration.
The condition of the Southern States is, un-
happily, not such as all true patriotic citizens
would Ike to see. Social ostracism for opin
ions sake, personal violence, or threats to- /
ward persons entertaining political views OPP
posed to those entertained by the majority of
the citizens, prevent Immigration and the How
of much-needed capital into the States lately
in rebellion. Ii will be happy condition of
the country when the old citizens of these
States will take an interest in public affairs,
promulgatc their ideas honestly entertained,
vote for men representing their views, and
permit the same freedom of expression and
ballot in those entertaining different political
convictions.
IMMIGRANTS.
The number of immigrants, ignorant of
our laws and habits, coming into our coun-
try annually, has become so great, and the
impositions practiced upon them so numcr
ous and fragrant, that suggest Congression-
al action for their protection. 1t seems TO
me fair subject of legislation by Congress.
| cannot now state as fully as / desire the
nature of the complaints made by emigrants
of the treatment they receive, but will en-
deavor to do during the session of Con
gress, particularly if the subject should
receive your attention
NATIONAL FINANCES AND TAXATION.
The national debt has been reduced to the
extent OF SS6, ,051, 1876 so during the year, and
by the negotiation of national bonds at a
lower rate of interest, the interest on the
public debt has been so far diminished that
now the sum to be raised for interest account
is nearly S17,00O,OOO less than on the 1st of
March, 1869. 1t was highly desirable that
this rapid dimunition should take place, both
to strengthen the credit of the country and
to convince its citizens of their entire ability
to meet every dollar of liability without
bankrupting them; but in view of the accom-
plishment of these desirable ends and the
rapid development of the resources OF the
country, its increasing ability to meet the
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 recommend modification of both
the tariff and internal tax laws. / recon-
mend that all taxes from internal sources
be abolished, except those on spirituous,
vinous and malt liquors, tobacco IN its vari-
Gus forms, and from stamps. In readjusting
the tariff / suggest that a careful estimate be
made of the amount of surplus revenue col
lected under the present law after providing
for the current expenses of the Government,
the interest account, and a sinking fund, and
that this surplus be reduced in such man
ner as to afford the greatest relief
to the greatest number. There are many
articles not produced at home, such as medi
cines and compounded essences, from which
very HIIle revenue Is ucTlNGu, bul WHICH
ter into general use. All such articles l rec
ommend to be placed on the free list.
Should further reduction prove advisable,
| would then recommend that it be made up
on those articles which can bear it without
disturbing home production or reducing the
wages of American labor. / have not enter
ed into figures, because to do so would be to
repeat all that is laid before you in the re-
port of the Secretary of the Treasury.
COLLECTORS OF iCUsToMs.
The present laws for collecting the rev.
enues pay the Collectors of Customs small
salaries, but provide for shares in all seizures,
which, at the principal ports of entry par
ticularly, raise the compensation of these
officials to large sum. 1t has always seem
ed to me as if this system must at times
work perniciously. 1t holds out induce
ment to dishonest men, should such get
possession of those offices, to be lax in their
scrutiny of goods entered, to enable them
finally to make large seizures. Your atten-
tion is respectfully invited to this subject.
GOLD AND CURRENCY.
Continued fluctuations in the value of
gold, compared with the national currency,
has most damaging effect upon the in
crease and development of the country in
keeping up prices of all articles necessary in
everyday life. 1t fosters spirit of gam
bling prejudicial alike to national morals
and the national finances. If the question
can be met as to how to get a fixed value to
our currency, that value constantly and uni
formly approaching 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 il, the
estimates for the ensuing year, and for con-
tinuing sea coast and other improvements
conducted under the supervision OF the War
Department, l refer you to the accompany
| ing report of the Secretary of War L call
your attention to the provisions of the act of
| Congress approved March 3, 1869, which dis
/ continues 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
/ 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 when the
Office of chief of a corps becomes vacant, the
/ place may be filled by selection from the
corps in which the vacancy exists.
THE NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
| shows an Improvement in the number and
efficiency of the naval force, without materi-
al 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, OF using smaller vessels
as cruisers on the several stations. By
these means we have been enabled to oc-
! cupy at once n larger extent OF cruising
/ ground, to visit more frequently the posts
where the presence of our flag is desirable,
and generally to discharge more efficiently
the appropriate duties of the navy in time of
peace.
Without exceeding the number of men or
of expenditures authorized by law, during
the past year, the navy has, in addition TO It's
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 Tehuan-
tepec 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 necessity for increasing and i'm
proving the material of the navy, and the
plan recommended for reducing the personne
| 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 well considered
and deserve the thoughtful attention OF
| Congress. / also recommend that all pro-
motions in the navy above the rank OF Cap
tain be by selection instead of by seniority.
This course will sc cure, in the higher grades,
greater efficiency, and hold out an incentive
to young officers to improve themselves In
the knowledge of their profession. The
Dresent cost of maintaining the navy, Its
cost compared with that of the preceding
year, and the estimates for the ensuing year.
are contained in the accompanying report OF
the Secretary of the Navy.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
l. III has been the aim OF tIc Auillni-tiiliuu
to enforce honesty and efficiency in all public
offices Every public servant who has violated
the trust placed in him has been proceeded
against with all the rigor of the law. III bad
men have secured places, it has been the
fault of the system established by law and
custom for making appointments, or the
fault of those who recommend for Government
positions persons not sufficiently well known
TO them personally, or who give letters in
dorsing the character of offce-seekers, with
out proper sense of the grave responsible
itics which such q course devolves upon
them Civil Service Reform which can cor
rect this abuse Is much desired. In mercan
tile pursuits the business man who gives q
letter of recommendation to a.h1end 10 en-
/ able him to obtain credit from stranger, Is
regarded as morally responsible for the integ
ritv of his friend, and his ability to meet hi
| obligations. A reformation which would en-
force this principle against all indorsers o.
persons for public place, would insure grea'
caution in making recommendations \ sal
utary lesson has been taught the careless ahe
T the dishonest servants in the great number %
: prosecutions and convictions of the last two
, wears. 1t is gratifying to notice th'
.hanoa which l. taking place