Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-12-14


! foreign powers continue to be friendly. =
The year has been an eventual one, in wit'
Messing two great nations, speaking. one
language and having one lineage, settling,
| by peaceful arbitrations. disputes. of long
| standing, and liable, at any time, to bring
those nations into bloody conflicts. An
example has thus been set which, if suc-
cessful in Its final issue, may be followed
by other civilized nations, and be the final
means of returning to productive industry
millions of men now maintained, TO settle
the. disputes of nationsby the bayonet and
broadsword. I transmit herewith copy
of the treaty alluded to, which has been
concluded since the adjournment of Con-
gress, with her Britainic Majesty, and a
copy of the protocol of the conferences of
the Commissioners by whom it was nego-
tiated. This treaty provides methods for
adjusting the questions pending between
the two nations. The various questions
are to be adjusted by arbitrations. -
THE NATIONAL DEBT
has been reduced to the extent Of eighty
six millions ffty-seven thousand one hum
dred and twenty-six dollars and eighty
cents during the year, and by the negoti-
alton of national bonds at lower rate of
interest, the interest on the public 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. 1t was
highly desirable that this rapid dimuniton
should take place, both to strengthen the
credit of the country, and convince its ci-
tizens of their entire ability to meet every
dollar OF liability without bankrupting
them. But in view of the accomplish
ment of these desirable ends and of the
rapid development of the resources of the
country, its increasing ability to meet
large demands and the amount already
paid, it is 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;
[ would recommend that all taxes from
internal sources be abolished, except those
on spirituous, yinous and malt liquors,
and tobacco in its various forms from
stamps. In readjusting the tariff / sug-
gest that careful estimate be made of
the amount of surplus revenue collected
under the present laws, after providing for
the current expenses of the government,
the interest account and sinking fund,
and that this as surplus be reduced in
such manner as 70 afford the greatest re-
lief to the greatest number. There are
many articles not produced at home. such
as medicines and compounded essences,
from which very little revenue is derived,
but which enter into general use. All
such articles recommend to be placed
on the free list. Should further redue-
ton prove advisable, would then recon-
mend that it be made on those articles
which it can, without disturbing home pro-, J,
duction, or reducing the wages of Ameri7l
can labor. / have not entered into fig 4
ures, because to do so would be to repeat
all that is laid before you in the. report Of
the Secretary of the Treasury. esasf. lxsa
REVENUE COLLECTORS. sf'3 /
The present laws for collecting reven-
ue pay collectors of customs small salaries
but provide for shares in all seizures,
which, at the principal ports Of entry
particularly. raise the Compensation Of
these officials to large sums. 1t has aiT.,
ways seemed to me as if the system must
at times work perniciously. 1t holdsout
an inducement to dishonest men, Should
such get possession of those officers, to be
lax in their scrutiny of goods entered, to
enable them finally to make large seiz
urcs. Your attention is respectfully in
vited to this subject. r1t-
.,. PAPER AND GOLD. p - '-iH
Continued fluctuations in the Value OF
gold, as compared with the national cur
rency, has most damaging effect upon
the increase and Development of the coun-.
try in keeping up prices of all articles ne
cessary in everyday life. 1t fosters
spirit of grumbling. and the national f.
nanees, if the Question can be met as to
how to get a fixed value to our currency,
that value constantly and uniformly ap-e
preaching parwith specie, very desira4'
bic object will be gained. yba4slodi 2G
- THE KUKLUX LAW. if-z9 3as1.
There has been imposed upon the Exc
cutive branch of the Government the exc.
cution of the act of Congress, approved
April 20th, 1871, and commonly known
as the Kuklnx law. In a portion Of the
State af South Carolina the necessity Of
the course pursued will be demonstrated !
by the report of the committee to investi-
gate Southern outrages Under the pro-
visions of the above act /. issued a procla-'
nation calling the attention of the people
Of the United States to the same and de. .
claring my reluctance to exercise any of
the extraordinary powers thereby confer
red upon me except in case of imperative
necessity, bv making known my purpose
to exercise such powers whenever at should
become necessary to do so for the purpose
of securing to all citizens of the United
States the peaceful enjoyment of the
rights guaranteed to them by the CDnsti7
tuition and the laws. Afterthe passage of
this law information was received from
time to time that combination of the
character referred to in this law existed
and we're powerful in many parts of the
Southern States, particularly in certain,
counties in the State of South Carolina.
A careful investigation was made, and
it was ascertained that in nine counties of
that State such combinations were active
and powerful, embracing sufficient per-
ton of the citizens to control the local au-
thorities. and having, among other things,
the object of depriring the emancipateds
class of the substantial benefits of freedom
and preventing the free political action Of
those citizens who did not sympathize
with their own views. Among their OPP.
erations were frequent scourgings and oc1
casional assassiuations, generally perpe1l
trated at night by disguised persons,T the.