Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-12-12

The National debt has been reduced to the
extent Of $sG, ,057, 1850 during the year, and
by the negotiation Of National bonds at low
cr rate Of interest, the interest on tho public
debt has been so far diminished that now the
sum to he raised for the interest account is
nearly Sl7O0O,OOO less than on the first Of
March, 1869.
1t was highly desirable that this rapid di-
minulon Should take place, both to strengthen
tie credit Of Che country Rnd TO convince its
citizens Of their cEtire ability 10 NEE! every
dollar Of liability without blnkrupting them.
But in view Of the accomplishment Of these
Gesrnble pnis, of the rapid developments of
tie resources Of the country, it, increasing abiI-
ily to mrrt large demands, and the amount
already paid it is not desirable thnt the pres.
Cnt resources Of the country should continue to
lam%cd III order to continue this rapid pay
mcnt.
|, therefore recommend modification Of
both the tariff anil internal tax laws. | re-
commend that all taxes from internal revenue
sources be abolished. except those collected
from spiriuurS, viuuiS aud malt liquors, to-
lacco in its various i,rmS. nud from stamps.
In rel iu5tinI the tariff suggest u careful
estimate If tho amount Of surplus revcnne
C ertrd unlcr the present. laws, after provi-
ding for tho current expenses Of the Govern
mrnt, the interest account aud a sinking fund,
and that this surplus be reduced in such 4 man
ncr aS to afford the greatest relief to the great
est number.
There are many articles not produced Mt
home, hut which cithprentcr largely iuto gene
raj consumption through articles which arc
manufactured at home, such rs medicines, COM
pounds &C.. &C.. from which very little revc-
nue is received. hut which enter into general
use. All such articles recommend to Ge
placed on the free list.
Should . further reduction prove advisable
would then recommend that it he made upon
those articles which can best hear it without
disturbing home production, or reducing the
wages Of American labor. | have not enter
ed into figures, because to dnso world he to
repeat what will he laid before you in the re-
port Of the Secretary of the Treasury.
The present laws for collecting the revenue
pay collectors Of customs small salaries, hut
provide ior moic'irs shares in all seizures,
which, at the principal ports Of cmtry paTticn-
larIy, raise tile compensation Of those officials
to a large sum.
1t i'NS always seemed to me that tlis system
mist at times work pcrniciouSly. lth"lds ont
al iulurtnent uhishoncSt mGu, should such
get possession o' those offices. to be lax in
their scrutiny Of Gool' cu'crcd to cmh'c them
Gnay to make large seizures. Yourattention
is respectfully iRvIirl to this subject.
Continued Alrtm.inus in the valEo Of gn'i
as compared with ihe National currency hasa
most di'nHs'n& elect upon '"e Increase az"
HrHS'piS''i' ,i .. Ins somm"y . " ""rr"S ., wy
Iii. Tf"'' u "'' "''''' "'''''"'' =" '''' "''
Il fosters n spiri, of gambling rrciraicml
alike to National morals anI tho National H.
mnccs. IL rcqurs'ioo can bc net as l"how
to give fixed value t" our currency, that value
constantly and "nit"rnIy nPproa.r,i,'sMr %''n
SPECIE very Cesir"n'e "I5S' wl' We s',",' ,I
r"' 1.V "iga",M, , W. ,m,tn,,;n :" s"v o I 6s,i' @
Sa,cs 's c,r tIr cn.uiny ycsr nnI FAR continuing
sen con,ts and other improvements conducted
under tie supervision d the War Department,
refer you to the accompanying report Of tie
Secretary Of War.
call your attention 10 inc l provision ol Ionn Inc
az. & o. GEtHs nrrE i,,t ,n o r", .o"
W TI" ,, orr,y m",l mrnyi"i Gr nv w aw % Ira.
commend flat lie number of nfYiIcrs in cnrh
grade in tie staff corps he fixed, and that,
whenever tleunmUcr in any onc grade falls
below the number 5" fixed, that tho vacancy
may 6GhI'ed hy promotion from "gr'd" ~, Ne
low s aso recommend 'a, . m.yn te ",cc ,I,cc
nav % Ec GI. Sy @ Esl.r,"n fro@ NTH ,bo % corns r in
Which tllc vacancy existed.
Tbn rorn,, nt tbo socrot,rv or tba N,vv
shows m imr rovSnept in tho number api
oT;o;o,"y or iho nnySi Enron witLont mn,criJ
,nnr",so IN ,boOvnonso or snnnor,;ng Il
TL;, !, :" d"" @ =, ,Eo noI;cy rbicS I,, hOor
,1an,"d md !, hahn, o,,o,loj ns r,s, No o,,r
'"ar;nr @ viii ill ,Jm,, "i rsinr smslier ycs,cIs ms
n III" - ,nver,J .,niions Rv,Lis means
W. "i'a, Esyo bSSn @ cnnbjcJ IN ocrnny nj onre a
larger extent of cruising grounds, tn visi, more
irc,nen,Iy the po,ts where the presence Of
our 0ag il desirable, aud generally to dis,
charge more efficiently the appropriate duties
Of tho navy in time OF peace, without exceed
ing tho number of men or expenditure au.
by law.
During The past year the Navy has, in nddi
ton t, lis regular service, supplied tine men
and officers n tho vessels Of tho cons. survey,
and has completed the surveys authorized BY
Congress of the I,thmus of Daricn and Tehu
anrepos, and under ike authority has sent
nut an expedition completely furnished aud
onr,ipped ia explorc the unknown Ocean Of
the Sorth.
The suggestion of report as to the necessity
of increasing aud improving the material Of
the navy, aud the plan recommended for res
ducing the personnel of the service to peace
standard by tho gradual abolition of certain
grades of officers, the reduction OF cthcrs, and