Litchfield enquirer., 1871-12-14

other powers. As now situated, our rep resentatiFes in Japan and China have to depend for interpreters and translators upon natives of those countries who know our language imperfectly, or procure for the occasion the services of employees in forsign business houses, or the interpre- tors 10 other foreign ministers. would also recommend liberal measures for the purpose Of supporting the American line of steamers now plying between San Fran cisco and Japan and China, and the Aus tialian lines, almost our only remaining Ines of ocean steamers, and of increasing then services.
 sSs fs THE NATIONAL DEBT
 has been reduced 10 the extent of S86, ,O57, : l27s 80, during the year and by the nego- tiation of national bonds at lower rate of Interest on the public debt has been so far diminished that now the sum to be ralaed for the interest account is nearly $17, COG, ,000 less than on the first of March, 1869. It was highly desirable that this rapid diminution should take place both to strengthen the credit of the country and to convince it's citizens of their entire ( dhty to meet every dollar of liability without bankrupting them; but in view of the accomplish of these desirable ends, of the rapid development of the re- sources. of the country, it's increasing abil- ity to meet large demands, and the amount already paid, it is not desirable that the p1Bsent resources of-the country should continue to be taxed in order to continue thls rapid payment. I, therefore, recom- mend Q modification of both the tariff and thb internal tax laws. I recommend that ltaxes from internal sources be abol- ished, except those collected from spirit ons, yinous and malt liquors, tobacco in itsNarious forms, and from stamps. In readiusting
 M THE TARIFF,
 | Isuggest that careful estimate be made Of tie amount of surplus revenue unde, the present laws, after providing the cur rent expenses of the government, the in terest account and sinking fund, and that this surplus be reduced ill such man ,ner as to afford the greatest relief to the greatest relief to the greatest number There are many articles not produced at home, but which enter largely into gener al consumption through articles that are manufactured at home, such as medicines compounded, &c., &c., 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. Should a further reduction be deemed advisable 1 would then recommend that 1t be made upon those articles which can best bear Ii without disturbing home production or re ducing the wages of American labor. have not entered into figures because to do so would be to repeat what will be laiC before you in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury. The recent laws for col ieeting the revenue pay collectors of GUS toms, small saiaRies but provide for moi ties of shares i'll all seizures which, at tht principal ports of entry, particularly, raise the compensation of those. officials to | large sum. It has always seemed to mt that this system must at all times worl perniciously. It holds out inducement tt dishonest men, should such get posses sion of those offices, to be lax in theil scrutiny of goods entered to enable then finally to make large seizures. Your at tention is respectfully invited to this sub ject.
 THE CURRENCY.
 Continued fluctuations in the value O gold as compared. with the national cur rency, has most damaging effect upol the increase and development of the coun try in keeping mp prices of all articles nee essary every day life. It fosters spirit of gambling prejudicial alike to nationa morals and the national finances. If th' question can be met as to how to get :, fixed value to our currency, that valu, 1. constantly as formerly approaching pa with specie, very desirable object vii be gained.
 THE ARMY
 For the operation of the army in tn, the estimates for the ensuing year, and fo continuing sea coast and other improve ments, conducted under the supervision of the War Department, I.refer you to tn, accompanying report of the Secretary O War.
 safff THE NAVY *
 The report of the Secretary of the Nav shews an improvement in the number anG efficiency of the naval force, without ma terial increase in the expense of support ing 1t. This due is to the policy which hal been adopted and is being extended, a fast as our material will admit, of usin1 smaller vessels cruisers on the severa stations. By this means we have beer enabled to occupy at once larger exten of cruising ground, to visit more frequent ly the posts where the presence of oul flag IS desirable, and generally to dis charge more efficiently the appropriat. duties of the navy in time of peace, with out exceeding the number of men or ex penditures authorized by law. During the past year, the navy has, in addition tt its regular service, supplied the men anG officers for the vessels of the coast survey and has completed the surveys authorizeG by Congress of the Isthmus of Darien anG Tehuantepec, and under like authorit, has sent out an expedition completely fur nished and equipped to explore the un known ocean of the North. The sugges tion of the report as to the necessity fol increasing and improving the material O the navy, and the plan recommended fol the reducing the personel of the service te 8 peace standard by the gradual abolition of certain grades of officers, the reduction of others, and the employment of some il the service of the commercial marine art well considered, and deserves the thought ful attention of Congress.
 also recommend that all promotioni in the navy above the rank of captain bs by selection. This course will secure, il the higher grades greater efficiency, and hold out an incentive to young officers tt improve themselves in the knowledge O their profession The present cost o maintaining the navy, it's cost compared with that of the preceding year, and tho estimates for the ensuing year are con tained in the accompanying report of the Secretary of the navy.
 THE PosT-oFFIcE DEPARTAfRET.
 The enlarged receipts of the post-ofice department, as shown by the accompany ing report of the Postmaster General, ex hibits gratifying increase in that brancl of the public service. It is the index o the growth, of the education and the pros perity of the people, two clements highl, conducive to the vigor and stability of re publics With vast territory like ours much of it sparsely populated, but all re quiring the services of the mail, it is no at present to be expected that this depart can be nude self-ssEsf0inin0. but a grad