Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-12-08

view OF the accomplishment OF these deslra-
bic ends, Of the rapid development OF the
resources Of the country, its increasing abll-
ity to meet large demands and the amount
already paid, it is not desirable that the
present resources of the country should con-
tinue to be taxed 10 order to continue this
rapid payment I therefore recommend
modification Of both the tariff aud internal
tax laws I recommend that all taxes from
internal sources be abolished, except those
collected from spurious, vinous and malt
liquors, tobacco in its various forms, aud
from stamps.
In read yusting the tariff, I suggest that
careful estimate he made Of the amount OF
surplus revenue collected uuder the present
laws after providing for the current expenses
of the government, the interest account and
sinking fund, and that this surplus be
reduced in such a manner as to afford the
greatest relief to she greatest number
There are many articles not produced at
home, but which enter largely into general
consumption. Through articles which are
ina, uiactured at home, such as medicines
compounded, &C., from which very little
revenue is derived. bat which enter into
general use, ell such articles | recommend
to be placed on the ''free list" Should
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. have not en-
tered 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 Tor collecting the revenue
pay cob ctors Of customs small salaries, but
provide for noieties shares in all seizures,
which at principal ports Of entry particular
| ly raise the pensation of these officials to
| large sum, it has always seemed to nae as
il this system must at times work pernIcious-
| ly. It holds out an inducement to dishon-
I est 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 attention is respectfully in
vited to this subject
Continued fluctuations in the value Of
gold as compared with the national currency
has most damaging effect upon the in
crease and development of the country in
keeping up prices Of all articles necessary
in everyday life. 1t fosters spirit of gamb-
ling, prejudicial alike to national morals and
the national finances. If the question can
be met as to how to give fixed value to
our currency, that value constantly and un-
iformly approaching par with specie, very
desirable object will be gained
For the operations of the army in the
past year, the expense Of maintaining it..
the estimates for the ensuing year and for
continuing sea- coast and other improvements
conducted under the supervision Of the War
Department, refer you to the accompany
ing report Of the Secretary of War.
l call your attention to the provisions of
the act Of Congress approved March 3,
1869, which discon'inues promotions in the
staff corps of the army until provided for by
law. recommend that the number of
! officers in each grade in the staff corps be
| fixed, and that whenever the number in any
one grade falls below the number so fixed
shat the vacancy may be filed by promotion
from the grade below. also recommend
that when the Office Of chief of corps be-
comes vacant the place may be filled by
selection from the corps in which the va
cancy exists.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
shows an improvement in the number and
efficiency of :he naval force without materi
al increase in the expense Of supporting It.
This is due to the policy which has been
adopted, aud il being extended 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 oc-
cupy at once larger extent of cruising
ground-to visit more frequently the posts
where the presence Of our flag is desirable,
and generally to discharge more efficiently
the appropriate duties of the navy in time
of peace without exceeding the number of
men or the expenditure authorized by law.
During the past year the navy has, in ad-
dition to its regular service, supplied the
men and officers for the vessels OF the coast
survey, and has completed the surveys au-
thorzed by Congress of the Isthmus of Da-
rien and Tehuantepec and under like au-
thority has sent out an expedition COM
| plete.y furnished al equipped to explore
the unknown ocean of the North. The
suggestions of the report as to the necessity
for increasing and improving the material
of the navy and the plan recommended for
reducing the personnel Of the service to a
peace standard by the gradual abolition Of
certain grades of officers, the reduction Of
others and the employment of some in the
service of the commercial marine, are well
considered, and deserve the thoughtful at
tention Of Congress. l also recommend
| LOO ,,rorootsooc hoy, = ,oL
of 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 inn
prove themselves in the knowledge of their
profession. The present cost of maintaining
the navy, its cost compared with that Of the
preceding year sod the estimates for the
ensuing year, are contained in the accom-,
panying report Of the Secretary of the Ma
Wy.
The enlarged receipts of the Postofiee
Department, as shown by the accompany
ing report Of the Postmaster General, ex-
hibits gratifying increase in that branch
Of the public service. It is the index Of
the growth Of education and Of the prosper
ity of the people-two elements highly cons
ducive to the vigor and stability Of repub-
lies.
With vast territory like ours, much Of
it sparsely populated but all requiring the
services Of the mail, it is not at present to
be expected that this department can be
made self sustaining But a gradual ap-
proach to this end, from year to year, is
confidently relied on, and the day is not far
distant when the Postofice Department Of
the Government will prove much greater
blessing to the whole people than it ia now
The suggestions Of Postmaster General, for