The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-12-16
interpreters to other foreign minis
PACIFIC NAIL LINES.


measures for the purpose of support
ing the American lines of steamers
now plying between San Francisco
and Japan and China and the Aus.
tralian line, almost our only remain.
ing lines of ocean steamers, and OF
increasing their services.
NATIONAL DEBT.
The national debt has been redu.
ced to the extent of $S6,O57,1 Sc
during the year and by the negotia.
ton of national bonds at a lower rate
of interest. The interest on the pub,
lie debt has been so far diminished
that now the sum to be raised for the
interest account is nearly seventeen
million dollars less than on the first
of March, 1869. It was highly desi,
rable that this rapid diminution
should take place both to strengthen
the credit of the country, and to con,
vince its citizens of their entire abil,
ity to meet every dollar of liability
without bankrupting them but in
view of the accomplishment of these
desirable ends of the rapid develop.
ment of the resources OF the country,
it's increasing ability to meet the
large demands and the amount al
ready paid, it is not desirable that
the present resources of the country
should continue to be taxed in order
to continue this rapid payment.
TARIFF AND INTERNAL TAX LAWS.
[, therefore, recommend modifi.
cation of both the tariff and internal
tax laws. | recommend that all taxes
from internal sources be abolished,
except those collected from spiritu.
GUS, vinous and malt liquors, tobac.
co ill it's various forms, and from
stamps. In readjusting the tariff,
suggest that careful estimate be
made of the amount Of surplus reve,
nue. collected under the present laws,
after providing for the current ex:
penses of the Government, the inte-
rest account and sinking fund, and
that this surplus be reduced in such
a manner as to afford the greatest
relief to the greatest number. There
are many articles not produced at
home which enter largely into gene,
raj consumption through articles
which are manufactured at home.
such as medicines compounded, ETC.,
ETC., from which very little revenue
is derived, but which enter into gen
eral use. All such articles I recon,
mend to be placed on the "free list
Should a further reduction prove
advisable, [ would then recommend
that it be made upon those articles
which can best bear it without dis.
turbing home production or reducing
the wages of American labor. I have
not entered into figures, because to
do so would be to repeat what will
be laid before you in the report OF
the Secretary Of the Treasury. The
present laws for collecting the reve-
nue. pay collectors of customs small
salaries, but provide for moieties.
Shares in all seizures which, at prin.
cipal ports ofentry particularly, raise
the compensation of those officials to
a large sum. 1t has always seemed
to me as if this system must at times
work perniciously. 1t holds out an
inducement 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.
ton is respectfully invited to this
subject.
THE CURRENCY.
Continued fluctuations in the value
of gold as compared with the national
currency, hasa most damaging effect
upon the increase and development
of the country in keeping up prices
of all articles necessary in every day
life. 1t fosters a spirit of gambling,
prejudical alike to national morals
and the national finances. If the
question can be met as to how to
give a fixed valuaSto our currency
that value constantly and uniformly
approaching par with specie, a very
desirable object will be gained.
THE ARMY.
For the operations of the army in
the past year, the expense of main
tanning it, the estimates for the en-
suing year, and for continuing sea
coast and other Improvements con
Quoted under the supervision of the
War Department, [ refer you to tht
accompanying report Of the Secreta
ry of War. | call your attention tt
the provisions Of the Act of Congress:
approved March Sd, 1869, which dis
continues promotions in the stat
corps of the army until provided fo1
by law. recommend that the mum
Der of officers in each grade in th'
staff corps be fixed, and that when
ever the number in one grade fall
below the Humber so fixed, that th'
vacancy may be filled by promotion
from the grade below. Ialso recon-
mend that when the office of chief o
corps becomes vacant, the vacan
place may be filled by selection from
the corps in which the vacancy exists
THE NAVY.
The report Of the Secretary Of tn
Navy shows an improvement in th
number and efficiency of the nava
force without material increase in th
expense Of supporting it. This j
due to the policy which has bee