Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-12-14

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and China, and to furthep in retaining the
good opinion of those people and to secure to
the United States its share of the commerce
destined to flow between these nations and the
balance of the commercial world, earnestly
recommend tAat an appropriation be made to
support, at least, four American youths
, IN each of these countries to severe
in the official family of our minister there.
Our representative would then be placed on
an equality with the representatives of Great
Britain, and several other powers. AS now
situated, our representatives in China and
Japan have to depend for interpreters and
translators upon the natives of these coun-
tries, who know our language imperfectly, or
procure for he occasion the services of en-
p|oyes of foreign business houses, or the in
terpretors to other foreign ministers.
Pacific Steamship Lines.
I would also recommend liberal measures
for the purpose OF parting the American line
of steamers now plying between San Fran
cisco and Japan and China and the Austral-
ian line, at most our only remaining lines of
ocean steamers, and of increasing their ser
vice
The Tariff on Taxes.
recommend that all taxes from internal
sources be abolished, except those on splrltu-
Gus, yinous and malt liquors. and tobacco in
its various forms, from stamps. In read
iusting the tariff. | suggest that careful es-
innate be made of the amount of surplus rev
enue collected, under the present laws, after
providing for the current expenses of the
government, the internal account and sink
ing fund; and, that this surplus be reduced
III such manner as to afford the greatest reve-
nue..
There are many articles not produced at home
such az medicines and compounded essences,
from which but little revenue is derived, but
which enter into general use Such articles |
rpp DrfAr,, IA mis- a trpp list
Should further reduction prove advisable, |
wonld then recommend that it be made up on
articles which can boar it without disturbing
home productions, or reducing the wages of
American labor.
| have not entered INTO figures because to
do SO would be to repeat all that is laid before
YOU III the report of the Secretary of the
Treasury. The present laws for collecting
revenues pay collectors too small salaries, but
provide for shares in all seizures, which, at
principal ports of entry particularly raise the
compensation of these officials to a large sum.
1t has always seemed to me as II this system
must at times work perniciously,
1t holds out an inducement to dishonest men,
should such get possession of these offices, to
be lax in their scrutiny of goods entered, to
enable them finally TO make large seizures
Your attention Ii respectfully invited to this
SUBJECT.
The National Debt.
The national debt has been reduced to the
extent of $3.50, 057 1876. so during the year. and
by the negotiation of national bonds at lower
rate of interest the interest of the public
debt has been so far diminished that now the
sum to be raised for interest account is nearly
Tl7, 0O0. 900 less than on the LIST of March,
1869.
1t was highly desirable that this rapid diminu-
ton should take place. both to strengthen the
credit of the country and convince its citizens
of their entire ability TO meet every dollar
of liability without bankruptcy: but
in view of the accomplishment
of these desirable ends, of the rapid develop
ment of the resources of the country, and its
increasing ability to meet the large demands.
and the amount already paid, it IL not desira
BILE that the present resources of the country
should continue to be taxed in order to con
tinue this rapid payment. l therefore recon-
mend the modification of both tariff and inter
nal tax laws.
Gold and the Currency.
Continued tluctuation III tho value of gold
compared with the national currency, has a
most damaging effect upon the increase and
development OF the country, in keeping up
prices of all the articles necessary i'm every
day life; it fosters spirit of gambling preju-
dicial alike 10 national morals and 20 national
finances. If the question can be met as to
how to get a fixed value to orr currency, that
par with specie, very desirable object will
be gained
The Army.
For the operations of the army in the past
year, the expense of maintaining estimates for
the ensuing year, and for continuing sea
coast and other improvements conducted I'M
der supervision of the War Department | refer
you to the accompanying report of the Secre
tary of War
call your attention to the provisions Of the
act of Congress, approved March ID, 1869,
which discontinues promotions in staff corps
OF the army until provided for by law. |
recommend that the number of officers in each
grade of staff corps be fixed, and that when
ever the number in any one grade falls below
the number so fixed, that the vacancy may be
filed by promotion from the grade below.
| also recommend that when the Office of
chief OF corps becomes vacant, the place may
be filled by selection from the corps in which
the vacancy exists. The report of the Secre-
tary of the Navy shows improvement in the
navy, and efficiency of the naval force, without
material increase IN expense OF supporting 1t. |
This is due to the policy which has been
adopted and is being extended as fast
our material will admit of using smaller !
vessels az cruisers on the several stations. By |
these means have been enabled /
to occupy at once larger ex-
tent 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 expenditures authorized |
by law.
During the past year, the navy has, in ad- |
dition to its regular service, supplied the men |
and officers and the vessels of tho coast sur
vey, and has completed the surveys authoriz-
ed by Congress OF the Isthmus of Darien and |
Tehanutepec; and under like authority has /
sent out an expedition completely furnished I
and equipped to explore the unknown ocean
OF the North.
The suggestions of the report as to the ne
cessty for increasing and improving the ma
terial OF the navy and the plan recommended .