The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-12-05
LATEST FROM WASHINGTON.
Special telegram to the Dispatch.


WASHINGTON, December 4.-The message
and Department reports and committee ap-
pointments completely absorbed attention
here to-day. Comment upon the message
is generally favorable, and it IS regarded as
extremely iudicious. The recommends.
ton In favor OF general amnesty certainly
gives it immense weight, as 1t is positive
ana thorough in It's declarations. The
opinion Is expressed that Congress will
adopt That portion Of the message very
soon, and that prescription South Will be
entirely ohliteratcd. Its 3ucitic toue con-
corning foreign relations generally Is con-
sidercd as giving it an additional strength.
The secretary Of tho Treasury, in his an
nual report, adhcres TO lbs formerly OK
pressed opinion that the payment snnuall5
upon the principal Of The pubic debt should
not ne lcss thau fifty millions. He says:
" AS large as The revenues ct the country
have been during the last three years, our
system Of taxation has not been oppressive
to individuals, nor has Il in any sensible de
gree embarrassed the business OF the cCun.
try; and while relief from taxation Is des-
rable, it is yet more desirable to maintain
public credit in its present elevated posi-
ton, not only as Oil example to other na
tons, but for itr historical value In eua-
bling the Government TO make loans for
large amounts upon favorable terms, IT,,
uuhspp!iy, in the future, all exigency
should require such loans TO be made"
In conaidering reduction Of taxes he keeps
ia view-trst, that tho ability OF the nation
to pay at least SO, 900, 600 annually Of the
principal OF tho public icbs Shall not be i'm
paired and secondly, that in a change OF
the revenue system no violence shall be
done to the business interests of the eoun-
try. He considers 1t IS practicable to dis
p,nse with all taxes from internal sources,
except that derived from stamps, spirits,
tobacco, and malt liquor5. These sources
should furnish for the year 1SI2-'73 reye-
nue. Of about 9H0.00O,000 making q
reduction Of taxes Of SIC, 600, 600" He re-
commends the reduction OF the duties on
salt to the extent Of so per cent. tue duty
on bituIninouS coal to 50 ccnts per ton
the reduction OF the duty OH raw hides and
skins, and tho removal OF all duties from q
Barge class of articles produced In other
cpuutries which enter into the arts and
manufactures of this country, and which
ure not produced In the Unlted States, and
the !Yvenus from which is Uncomfortable
The most serious obstacle In the way O
negotiating the aud AZ per cent. bonds
Ia Europe IL the iDadequacy Of the commits
siops allowed. The Secretary advises such
IN allowances for commissions on the anC
Ak Der cens. bonds AZ will insure the nego
tiation Of ihom with the least possible
delay, Returns for the fiscal yea
1901 show That tho ocean commerc,
of the United Stales is passing rapidly int
the hands OF foreign merchants and ship
builders, and after careful consideration
| of the whole subject the Secretary advises
for tho restoration Of our commerce, tn
! pl.sa.e of law guaranteeing to persons
! who may employ III the foreign trad
| Amorican-buiIt first class iron steamship
| of not lees lhau 1000 tons burden each al
annual payment foc the period OF flv,
years Of the sum Of thirteen dollars pc
ton. The subsidy should be proportion
ately less to vessels Of lower class.
The Secretary of the Navy, in his report
urges that Congress take efficient measure
to check the decline IN our naval force, an,
says, ''uuless something Is dono in thi
direction our cruising navy, now by n
means powerful-indeed, scarcely respecta
bic for nation Of our rank and responsl
bilities-wili SOON almost wholly pass ou
Of existence lis al arm OF our nationa
power"
The Comptroller OF The Currency, in bl
report, says the number of banks organized
I In the South is small, Us the banks in tha
SECTION were not in condition to take an,
considerable portion OF the circulation. H
estimates that I'LL western and northwest
ern States can be fully supplied and Still
leave from So. 900 900 to e., Oo0, coo Tor th'
j southern States when they are in condi
tIon 70 take it. he again calls the attention
! Of Congress to the high rates Of taxation