The avant courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-14

RITORY THURSD
suitable remedy against the holding, owning
Or dealing Iii slaves, or being interested IN
slave property iii foreign lands, either as
owners. hirers, Or mortgagors, by persons Of
the United States
THE CUBAN DISTURBANCE.
II is to be regretted that the Disturbed con
dition OF the island of Cuba continues to be
q source Of annoyance and of anxiety. The
existence Of protracted struggle II such
close proximity to our own territory, without
apparent prospect III an early termination,
cannot be other tnan an object of concern to
a people, who, while abstaihing from interfer-
ence in the affairs of other powers, naturally
desire to see every country In the undisturbed
Of peace, liberty, and the blessings
of free institutions. Our naval commanders
Id Cuban waters have been instructed. ID esss
it should become necessary, to spare Hf.
fort to protect the lives and propeFay of bona
fide American citizens, and to 1naiiltaip the
dignity Of the flag. It Is hoped that all pend
ing questions with Spain, growing out Of The
affairs If Cuba, may be adjusted in the spirit
of peace and conciliation, which has hitherto
guarded the two powers in their treatment ol
such questions.
TO give importance and to add to the eff
cheney Of our diplomatic relations with Japan
and China, and to- further retaining the good
opinion of those people, and to secure to the
United States its share of the commerce des-
tined to flow between those nations and the
balance Of the commercial world, | earnestly
recommend that an appropriation be made to
support at least four American youths in each
ofthose countries, to serve as a part OF the of
f1cial family Of our Ministers. There our3re-
presentatiyes would not even then be placed
upon an equality with the representatives OF
Great Britain and some other powers. As
now situated our representatives have to de-
pend for Interpreters and translators upon the
natives of those countries, who know our
language imperfectly, or procure for the oc-
casion the services of employees in foreign
business houses, or the Interpreters to other
foreign ministers. 4 would also recommend
liberal measures for the purpose of support
ing the American line of steamers now ply
ing between San Francisco and Japan and
China, and the Australian line, almost our
only remaining lines of ocean steamers, and
of increasing their service.
DIMUEITION OF THE PUBLIC DEBT.
ksoves-cs-.sS-
The national debt has been reduced to the
extent of $50, ,057 ,146.e0 during the year, and
by the negotiation of national bonds at our
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
seventeen million dollars less than on the lst
of March, 1869, 1t was highly desirable that
this rapid elimination should take place, botl
to strengthen the credit Of the country and
to convince its citizens Of their entire ability
to meet every dollar Of liability without bank
rupting them but in view of the accom-
plishment of these desirable ends of the
rapid development of the resources of the
country, its increasing ability to meet large
demands, and the amount Ialready paid, 1t 4
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 tariff and
internal tax laws. / recommend that al
cept those on spifituons, yineous, and malt
liquors, and tobacco in its various forms. LII
readiusting the tariff 1 suggest that careful
estimates be made Of the amount of surplus
revenue collected under the present laws
after providing for the current expenses O
the Government, the interest account, and
sinking fund. and that this surplus be re
duced in such manner as to afford the
greatest relief to the greatest number. There
are many articles not produced at home, sucf
as medicines compounded, from which very
little revenue is derived, but which enter into
general use. All such articles recommene
to be placed OIL the free list, should ftlrthel
reduction prove advisable. would then
recommend that it be made upon those artl
cIes which can bear it without disturbing
home production or reducing the wages g
American labor. have not entered into fig
ures, because TO do so, Wonld be to repeat al
that was laid before you in the report OF tn
Secretary Of the Treasury. The present
laws for collecting revenues, pay collectors
of Customs small salaries, but provide fo
shares in all seizures, which, at principa
ports Of entrys particularly, raise the com
pensation Of those officials to a large sum
1t has always seemed to me as If this system
must at times work perniciously. It hold
ont inducements to dishonest men, slloult
such get possession Of those offices, to be lacl
in their scrutiny of goods entered, to enabl'
them finally to make large seizures.
CURRENCY AND GOLD VALUATIONS.
Your attention is respectfully invited to tn
subject Of the continued fluctuations in th'
value Of gold compared with the Nationa
currency, which has most damaging effee
upon the increase and development OF tn
country. in keeping up the prices Of all arti
cles necessary IN every day life. II fosters
spirit Of gambling rejudicial alike 70 Nationa
morals and National finances. Il the ques
ton can be met as to how to get fixed Valu'
to our currency THAT value uniformly ap
preaching par with specie-a very desirable
object will be gained.
THE ARMY.
For the operations of the army in the pas