Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-12-05

secure to the United States its share of COM
merce, destined TO flow between these iiatlOns
and the balance of the commercial world,
earnestly recommend that an appropriation be
made to support at least four American youths
| in each of these countries, to serve NJ Il part OF
the official family OF our ministers thefe. Oul
| representatives would not, even then, be placed
upon an equality with the representatives Of
| Great Britain and of some other powers. As
| now situated, our representatives In Japan and
| China have TO depend for Interpreters and trans
| latorS upon natives of those countries, who
know our language impericctly, or procure fol
| the occasion the services of employees IN foreign
| business houses or the Interpreters to Other
| foreign ministers. ] would also recommend
liberal measures for the purpose of supporting
| the American lines of steamers now plying be
| tween San Francisco and Japan and China, and
| the Australian lines, almost our only remaining
lines of ocean steamers, and Of increasing theil
services.
NATIONAL FINANCES
| The national debt has been reduced TO the eN.
| tent of eghty-sX millions ifty-seycn thousand
| one hundred and twenty.siX dollars and eighty
cents during the year. and by the negotiation OF
| national bonds at Il lower rate of interest, the
interest on the public debt has been so far dimin-
| ished that now the sum to be raised for the in
| terest account Is nearly seventeen million dol
| lars less than on the first of March, 1869 1t was
| highly desirable that this rapid dminutiOn
| should take place both TO strengthen the credit OF
tue country hHu " tut NitlhClie VI luNl
| entire ability to meet every dollar of liability
| without bankruptng them; but, in view of the
accomplishment OF these desirable ends, of the
rapid development Of the resorccs of the country,
| its increasing ability 10 meet large demands,
| and the amount already paid, il is not desirable
that the present resources of the country should
continue to be taxed in order TO continue this
rapid payment
REDUCTION OF REVENUE.
| therefore recommend modification of
both the tariff and internal tax laws. ] recon-
mend that all taxes from internal sources be
abolished except those collected form spiritnouS,
oniOuS and malt liquors, tobacco in its vari-
GUS forms and from stamps; in readjuSting the
tariff, suggest that careful estimate be made
of the amount OF surplus revenue collected I'M
der the present laws, alter proyidinr the current
expenses of the government the interest ac-
count and a 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, but which enter largely into general
consumption through articles which are manu-
| featured at home, such as medicines compound
| ed, &c, &C., from which very lirtle revenue is
derived, but which erter into general use. All
such articles recommend TO be placed on the
free list. Should further reduction prove nd.
visable, would then recommend that it I've
made up on those articles which can best bear
it, without disturbing home production, or re-
ducing the wages Of American labor ] have
not entered into figures, because to do go would
be to repeat what will be laid before you in the
report of the secretary of the treasury
SALARIES NOT PERQUIsITEs.
The present laws for collecting the revenues pay
collectors of CustOms.small salaries, but provide
for notifies of shares in all seizures, which, at
the principal ports of entry particularly, raise
the compensation of those officials 20 a large
sum. Ii has always seemed to me rs il this Sys-
TEN must, at times, work perniciOusly. 1t holds
pnt an ind d, .lisI,p
such get possession Of those offices, to be lax in
their scrutiny Of those offices, to enable them
finally to make large seizures Your attention
is respectfully directed to this subject.
DEFECTS OF THE CURRENCY.
Continued fluctuations in the value Of gold as
| compared with the national currency, has Il
most damaging effect upon the increase and de
| yelOpment of the country, in keeping up prices
| of all articles necessary in everyday life. 1t
| fosters spirit of gambling prGiudicial alike to
national morals and the national finances. If
| the question can he met as to how to get fixed
value to our currency, that value constantly and
| uniformly approaching par with specie, II very
desirable object will be gained.
THE ARMY.
For the operations of the army in the past
year, the expense OF maintaining it, the esti-
| mates for the ensuing year, and for continuing
Sea-coast and other Improvements conducted
| under the supervision of the war depart
| ment, refer you 10 the accompanying report OF
the secretary OF war. | call your attention to
| the provisions of the act of congress approved
| March 3, 1863, which discOntinUes promotions
| in the staff corps Of the army, until provided
for by law | recommend that the number of
officers in each grade of the staff corps be fixed
| and that whenever the number in each grade
| falls below the number so fixed, that the vacan-
| cY be filled by promotion from the grade below.
also recommend that when the office Of chief
| of corps becomes vacant the place may be
| filled nv selection from flp i'm which tho
| vacancy exists.
THE NAVY,
| The report OF the secretary Of the navy shows
| an improvement in the number and efficiency of
| the naval force without material increase in the
| expense of supporting il. This is due to the
| policy, which has been adopted and is being eX-
| tended as fast as our material will admit, of
| using smaller vessels as cruisers on the several
| stations. BY this means we have been enabled
| TO occupy at once longer extent of cruising
ground, 10 visit more frequently the posts where
the presence of our flag is desirable, and gcner-
ally to discharge more efficiently the appropriate
| dufes OF the navy in time oil peace without eN-
| ceedng the number of men or the expenditures
| authorized by law. During the past year the
navy has, in addition to its regular service, sup.
pied the men and officers for vessels of the coast
survey, and has completed the surveys author
red by congress of the Sthmus of Daricn and
Iehuantepec, and, under like authority, has sent
out an expedition, completely furnished and
| equipped, to explore the unknown ocean of the
| north Ine suggestions of the report as to the
| necessity for increasing and improving the ma
| terlal OF the navy, and the plan recommended
| for reducing the pcrsonGl Of the service to a
| peace standard, by the gradual abolition
Of certain grades Of officers, the re-
| ductiOn of others, and the employment of
| some in the service of the commercial marine,
| are well considered aad deserve the thoughtful
| attention OF congress / also recommend that
! n 40 oh tItt .s,ytl- 81
| captain, be by selection instead Of by seniority
| This course will secure in the higher grades
| greater efficiency, and hold out an incentive to
| young officers to improve themselves in the
| knowledge of their profession. The present
| cost of maintaining the navy, its cost compared
| with that of the preceding year, the estimates
| Tor the ensuing year, are contained in the aC.
| companyng report Of the secretary of the
| navy.
POST OFFICE.
| The enlarged receipts of the post Office depart
| ment as shown by the accompanying report Of
| the post master general, exhibit gratifying
| increase IN this branch of that public service Ii
is an index OF the growth of education and of
| the prosperity Of the people, two elements high
| ly conducive to the yigor and stability of re-
| publies. With vast territory, like onrs, much
OF 1t sparsely populated, but all requiring the
service of the mail, it is not at present to be
| expected that this department can be made self
sustaining, but gradual approach to this end,
from year to year, is confidently relied on, and
the day is not far distant, when the post office
| department of the government will
| prove much greater blessing TO the
whole people than it is now.
| POSTAL TELEGRAPH
Thesuggesons of the post master general for
| Improvements in the department presided over
| by him, are earnestly recommended to yourspe-
cial attention Especially do recommend favor
able consideration of the plan for uniting the
| telegraph system Of the United States with the
| postal system. 1t is believed that, by such
course, the cost of teeplaphng could be much
| reduced and the service as we'll, if not better,
| rendered. 1t would secure the further adyau-
| ta9e OfeNtendng the telegraph through portions
Of the country, where private enterprise will not
construct il; commerce, trade, and above all, the
| efforts to bring people widely separated, into
| community Of interest, are always benefited
| by rapid REORGANIZATION. Education, the
| groundwork OF republican institutions, is en-
couraged by increasing the facilities to gather
| speedy news from all parts of the country The
| desire TO reap the benefit Of sncl improvements
| wlll stimulate education. | refer You to the re-
| port OF the acknowledgement for full details
OF the operations of last year and for compare
i've statement otresut with former years
THE KUKLUX LAW.
| There has been imposed mp the executive
| branch Of the government. the execution of the
| act of congress aUDroVp6 Auru On 1874 a,1