Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-05

ncsS VI natloa Is 10 De IOunu IN the ele- |
walton and education of its laborers.
II is subject for regret that the reforms
in this direction, which were voluuta-
rly promised by the ssatesmen of Spain
have not been carried ont in its West To-
dian colonies. The laws and regulations
for the apparent abolition of slavery in |
Cuba ard Porto Rico leave most OF the |
laborers in bondage, with no hope of re- |
lease until tkeir lives become a burden TO |
their employers. l desire to direct your
| attention TO the fact that citizens of the |
United States are largely holders. in for
| eign lands, of this species of property for
| 5idden by the fundamental law Of their
alleged country.
| LAW AGAINST sLAvs-HoLDIE0
recommend to Congress to provide by
stringent legislation suitable remedy
against the holding, owning or deal ng in
slaves or beit e interested in slave proper
ty in foreign lands as either owners,
hirers or mortga2ers by persons of the
/ United States.
DISTURBANCES IN CUBA.
1t is to be regretted tina. the disturbed
condition of the Island of Cuba CONTINUES
to be source of annoyance and anxiety
as the existence of q pro.racted struggle
in such close proximity to our own terri
tory, without apparent prospect OF an carly
termination, cannot be other than an OBJ
ject Of concern to people who, while
sustaining from Interference IN The affairs
IF o:htr powers, naturally desire TO see
every country in the urdisturbed enjoy
mept Of peace, liber y rn1 the blessings Of
free institutions
Oar naval commanders in Cuban wsteis
have been instructed, in case it should be-
come necessary, to spare no effort to pro-
tect the lives and property of bona fide
American citizens, and TO maintain the
e dignity of the flag. 1t is hoped that all
pending questions with Spain growing cut
of the affairs in Cuba may be adjusted in
the spirit of peace and CANCELLATION which
has hitherto guided the two powers IN
their treatment of such questions.
REPRESENTATION IN CHINA AND JAPAN.
To give importance and to add - the
I efficiency of cur diplomatic relations with
: Japan and China, to further retaining
; the good opinion of these people, and to
secure TO the United States its share of The
commerce destined to flow between those
! nations and the balance of the commercial
{ | world, l earnestly recommend that AL
appropriation be made to support at least
, four American youths in each of those
} countries, to serve "a a part of the othcla
% families Of our mini te-s there. Our rep
resentatIves would net even then be placed
J upon an equality with the representative
! of Great Britain and some ether powers
Az now situated, our Representatives
e in Japan and China have to de
: pend for interpreters and translator
i upon natives of those countries, wht
io know our language imperfectly, or pro
cure for the occasion the services of EN-
ployes Of foreign business HOUSES, or tn
interpreters to other foreign ministers.
= would also recommend liberal meas
- ures for the purpose of supporting tn
u American lines of steamers now plyin!
between San Francitco and Japan ar'
China, and the Australian line, almost on
n. only remaining lines of ocean steamers
i. and Of increasing their service.
s. THE NATIONAL DEBT
le has been reduced to the extent OF sS6
y O57, 1876 so during the year, and by th
4 negotiation of national bonds at lowe
= rate, the interest on the public det ha
le been so far diminished that the sum TO i
n' raised for interest account is nearly sever
~ teen million dollars less than On tie /,
~ of March, 1869. TWAS highly desirsbI
VI that this rapid diminution should tax
"a place, both to strengthen the credit {
la the country and to convince its citizens {
10 their entire ability TO meet every dollar
VI their liability without bankrupting then
But in view OF the accomplishment of thei
desirable ends, and of the rapid develop
to ment of resources of the country its increl
lp- ing ability to meet large demands and Il
in amount already paid, it is not desirsb
'or that the present resources Of the countl
for should continue TO be taxed in order
INT continue this rapid payment. Their
Tas fore, | recommend u modification Cf Il
fl tariff. AMI that the internal revenue tax
cd. be abolished except those on wines, spi
on ituous and malt liquors and tobacco
sly its various forms. In
op REApJUsTING'TnR TARIFF,
A l suggest that careful estimate be MAJ
a. of the amount of surplus revenue collects
nj, under the present laws, after provIdir
M for the current expenses of the COVER
tIv ment the interest account and a sinkil
~ fund, and that this surplu, be reduced
IN such manner as to sff1rd the greatest !
ox lief to the greatest number. There q
hIe many articles not produced at home, fu
N. as medicines compounded, and sourC
e. from which very little revenue is derive
otto but which enter into general use.
ect sucu "l''I!es ieSoni'n'-hc W pe Pleeeu
10 the Tree list on"ulo lu''heF reouc'i
prove advisable, would then recomme
that it be made on those articles viii
can bear it without disturbing home pI
,e' duction or reducing the wages of Anne
one Sa,,ros hooa,,so o, A. =, ,,o,,I4 10 80
peat all that is laid before you in the
anu port of the Secretary of the Treasu
oe The present laws for collecting reven
'ne pay collectors of customs small salsri
oPe but provide for shares in all aeizu
eve which at the principal pc
>p' of entry particularly raise
compensation of those ofici
IRIS to a larger sum. II has always seemed
lies me as if this system must at times WI
nue., perniciously. Itholds out an inducem,
and to dishonest men. should such get poss
by sion of those Offices, to be lacking in tn
stall scrutiny of goods entered to enable th
uela finally to make large seizures Your
rnal tention is respectfully invited to this 9
ents ject
t to The continual fluctuations in the
The VALUE CT GOLD
'i'n compared with the rational currency,
most damaging effect upen the incre
and development of the country in Ike
that ing up tie prices Of all articles necess
the In every DAY life. 1t fosters Q spirit
n of grumoilng pre)uolclal alike to nstio
pire morals an national finances. II the %
y be ton can De met ~ 10 how to get . d.
too value to our currency With that value G
1t of ssantly and uniformly approaching
-ssA