The Portland daily press., 1871-12-05

IS not too much to hope that the government
II Brazil may, hereafter, find it for its inter-
est, as well as intrinsically right to advance to-
ward entire emancipation more rapidly than
The present act contemplates. The true pros
perity and greatness of nation is to be found
the elevation and education of its laborers.
THE SPANISH COLONIES.
1t is a subject for regret that the reforms in
this direction, which were voluntarily promised
by the statesmen of Spain have not been car
ried out in its West India colonies. The laws
and regulations for the apparent abolition of
slavery in Cuba and Porto Rico leave most of
the laborers in bondage, with no hope of re-
lease, until their lives became burden to their
employees.
desire your attention to the fact that the
citizens of the United States, or persons claim
ing to be citizens of the United States, are large
holders in foreign lands, of this species of prop
.erty, forbidden by the fundamental law of their
alleged country. l recommend to Congress to
provide, by stringent legislation, suitable rem
edy against the holding, owning or dealing in
slaves or being interested in slave property in
foreign lands, either as owners, hirers or mort
gagees, by citizens of the United States.
1t is to be regretted that the disturbed condi-
ton of the Island of Cuba continues to be
source of annoyance and of anxiety. The exist
ence of protracted struggle, in close proxim-
ity to our own territory, without any apparent
prospect of an early termination, cannot be 9TH
er than an object of concern to people, who,
while abstaining from interference in the af-
fairs of other powers naturally desire to see ev-
cry country in the undsturbed enjoyment of
peace, liberty and the blessings of free insttu-
lions Our naval commanders in Cuban waters
have been instructed, in case it should become
necessary to spare no effort to protect the lives
and property of bona tide American citizens and
to maintain the dignity of the flag. 1t is hoped
that all pending questions with Spain, growing
out of affairs in Cuba, may be adjusted in the
spirit of peace and Cancellation which has hlth-
erto guided the two powers in their treatment
of such questions.
THE EDUCATION OF YOUTHS IN DIPLOMATIC
DUTIES.
To give Importance and to add to the efficl-
encv of our diplomatic relations with Japan
! and China and to further aid in retaining the
| good opinion of those people and to secure
| 70 the United States its share of the
commerce designed to flow between these ma
| tions and the balance of the commercial world
| [ earnestly recommend that an appropriation
| be made to support at least, four American
youths in each of those countries to serve as a
part of the official families of our ministers
there Our representatives would not even then
be placed npon an equality with the represent
tatives of Great Britain and of some other
powers. AS now situated, our representatives
in Japan and China have to depend for inter
prefers and translators upon the natives of those
countries, who know our language Imperfectly
or procure for the occasion, the services OF EN-
plOyees in foreign business houses or the inter
prefers to other foreign ministers. would also
recommend liberal measures for the purpose OF
fostering the American lines of steamers, now
plying between San Francisco and Japan and
China land the Australian lines; almost our
only remaining lines of ocean steamers, and of
increasing their services.
FINANCIAL MATTERS.
The national debt has been reduced to the ex-
tent of $s6,O57, 1875 so during the year, and, by
the negotiations 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 ST.
100000 less than on the first of March, 1869. 1t
was highly desirable that this rapid diminution
should take place, both to strengthen the credit
of the country and to convince it's citizens of
their entire ability to meet every dollar of the
liability without bankrupting them. But in
view of the accomplishment of these desirable
ends, of the rapid development of the resources
of the country, it's increasing ability to meet
the large demands and the amount of the debt
already paid it is not desirable that the present
resources of the country should continue this
rapid payment.
REDUCTION OF TAXATION.
therefore recommend modification of both
the tariff and internal tax laws.
INTERNAL TAXES.
recommend that all taxes from internal ser
vice be abolished, except those collected from
SplrlCuOuS V1nOuS ana 1nalC liquors IN Inc Varl-
GUS forms and from stamps.
MODIFICATION OF TARIFF.
In readjusting the tariff, I suggest that a
careful estimate be made of the amount of sur
plus revenue collected under the present laws,
after providing for the current expenses of the
government, the interest account and the sink
| ing fund and the business surplus be reduced in
such a manner as will afford the greatest relief
to the greatest number. There are many arti-
cles, not producefat home, but which enter
largely into general consumption through
articles which are manufactured at home, such
as medicines, compound, ETC., etc, ETC., from
which very little revenue is derived, but which
enter into general use. All such articles, re-
commend to be placed on the free list. If a
further reduction should prove advisable, I
would recommend then, that it be made upon
those articles which can best bear it without
disturbing home production or reducing the
wages of American Labor l have not entered
into figures, because to do so, would be to re-
peat what will be laid before you in the report
of the Secretary of the Treasury.
CHANGE RECOMMENDED IN THE MANNER OF
PAYING CUSTOMS COLLECTORS
The present laws for collecting the revenues
pay Collectors small salaries but provide for
moieties, shares in all seizures, which, at the
principal ports of entry practically raise the
pensatiOn of those officials to large sum. 1t
has always seemed to me as if this system must,
at times work perniciously. 1t holds out an
lnuuCou1cnU 10 ulSDOueSU luGu, SHOulQ SUCH R0G
possession. of those offices, to be lax in their
scrutiny of goods entered to enable them final
ly to make large seizures Your attention is
respectfully invited to this subject.
SPECIE PAYMENT.
The continued fuctuation in the value of gold
as compared with the national currency, has a
most damaging effect on the increase and
prices of all articles necessary i'll every day life.
1t fosters spirit of gambling, prejudicial
alike to national morals and the national finan-
ces. Ii the question can be met as to how to
get fixed value to our currency, that value
constantly and uniformly approaching par with
specie,--a 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 Department,
L refer you to the accompanying report of the
Secretary of War. call your attention to the
provisions of the act OF Congress approved
March 3, 1869, which discontinues promotions
in the staff corps of the army until provided
for by law. 1 recommend that the number of
officers in said grade of the staff corps be fixed
and that whenever the number in any grade
falls below the number so tixed that the vacan-
cy may be filled by promotion from the grade
below. l also recommend that when the office
of chief of a corps becomes vacant the place
which the 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 it. This is due to
the policy which has been adopted and is be-
ing extended as fast as our material will ad-
NIT OF using smaller vessels as cruisers on the
several stations. BY this means, we are enabled
to occupy, at once, larger extent of cruising
ground, to visit more frequently the ports where
the presence OF our flag is desirable and gem
orally to discharge more efficiently the appro-
pirate duties of the navy in time of peace. with
out exceeding the number of men or the ey
penditures authorized by law During the
past year the navy has, in addition to the reg1l
lar service, supplied the men and officers for
the vessels of the Coast SURVEY which has com
pleted the surveys authorized by Congress on
the Isthmus OF Darien, and Tehuantepec and
under like authority, has sent cut an expedi
ton, completely furnished and equipped, to ex-
plOre the unknown ocean of the North.
The suggestion of the report as to the neces
sity for increasing and improving the material
of the navy and the plan recommended for re-
ducing the personel of the service to a peace
standard, by the gradual abolition of certain
grades of officers, reduction of Others and the
employ ment of some in the commercial marine
are well considered and deserve the thoughtful at
tention of Congress. 1t also recommends that
Ill r--g-r.e.; :. II. alAA4 lA--aAl of
Captain, be by selection instead 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
compared with that of the preceding year and
the estimates for the ensuing year are contain
ed in the accompanying report of the Secretary
of the Navy.
POSTAL DEPARTMENT.
The enlarged receipts of the Post-Ofice De-