Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-12-15

for the part they took in opposition to the
| government, they might, in the Judgment of
Congress, be excluded from such an amnesty
This subject Is submitted for your careful
| consideration.
The condition of the Southern States Is, un-
happily, not such as all true patriotic citizens
would like to sec. Social Ostracism for opin-
ions sake, personal violence, or threats to-
ward persons entertaining political views OPP
posed to those entertained by the majority of
the citizens, prevent immigration and the flow
of much-needed capital into the States lately
in rebellion. II will be a happy condition Of
the country when the old citizens of these
States will take an interest in public affairs,
promulgate their ideas honestly entertained,
vote for men representing their views, and
permit the same freedom Of expression and
ballot In those entertaining different political
convictions.
IMMIGRANTS.
The number Of immigrants, ignorant of
our laws and habits, coming into our coun-
try annually, has become so great, and the
| impostiOns practiced upon them so numcr-
Gus and fragrant, that suggest COngression-
al action for their protection. II seems to
me fair subject of legislation by Congress.
] cannot now state as fully as desire the
nature Of the complaints made by emigrants
of the treatment they receive, but will en-
deavor to do so during the session of Con
gress, particularly IL the subject should
receive your attention.
NATIONAL FINANCES AND TAXATION.
The national debt has been reduced TO the
extent OF $50, 057, 1850 during the year, and
by the negotiation of national bonds at Il
lower rate of interest, the interest on the
public debt has been so far diminished that
now the sum to be raised for interest account
is nearly $4,000, 600 less than on the 1st of
March, 1863 1t was highly desirable that
this rapid dimuDition should take place, both
TO strengthen the credit of the country and
to convince its citizens of their entire ability
to meet every dollar of liability without
bankrupting them; but in view of the accom- /
plishment of these desirable ends and the |
rapid development of the resources OF the |
country, its increasing ability to meet the
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 a modification of both !
the tariff and internal tax laws. / recon-
mend that all taxes from internal sources |
be abolished, except those on spirtuous, |
vinous and malt liquors, tobacco IN its vari- |
GUS forms, and from stamps. In readjusting |
the tariff / suggest that careful estimate be |
made of the amount of surplus revenue col |
lected under the present law after providing |
for the current expenses of the Government, I
the interest account, and sinking fund, and (
that this surplus be reduced in such man |
ner as to afford the greatest relief |
to the greatest number. There are many /
articles not produced at home, such as medi- |
cines and compounded essences, from which /
very little revenue is derived but which en-
ter into general use All such articles | rec
ommend to be placed on the free list |
Should further reduction prove advisable,
! would then recommend that it be made up
on those articles which can bear it without |
disturbing home production or reducing the /
wages Of American labor. have not enter
ed into figures, because to do so would be to
repeat all that is laid before you in the re-
SnprptarV n the
COLLECTORS OF CUSTOMS.
The present laws for collecting the rev.
enues pay the Collectors of Customs small
salaries, but provide for shares in all seizures,
which, at the principal ports of entry par
teularly, raise the compensation of these
officials to n large sum. 1t has always seem
ed to me as if this system must at times
work perniciously. II holds out induce
ment to dishonest men, should such get
possession of those offices, to he lax in their
scrutiny of goods entered, to enable them
finally to make large seizures. Your atten-
tion is respectfully invited to this subject.
GOLD AND CURRENCY.
Continued fluctuations in the value of
gold, 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 gam
bling prejudicial alike to national morals
and the national finances. If the question
can be met as to how to get a fixed value to
our currency, that value const antly and uni
formly 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
estimates for the ensuing year, and for con-
tinuing 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. / call
your attention to the provisions of the act of
Congress approved March 3, 1869, which dis
continues promotions in the staff corps of the
army until provided for by law. l recon-
mend that the number of officers i'm each
grade of the staff corps be fixed, and that
whenever 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 NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
shows an Improvement in the number and
efficiency of the naval force, without materi-
al increase in the expense of supporting it.
This is due to the policy which has been
adopted and is being extended as fast as our
material will admit, of using ST. aller vessels
as cruisers on the several stations. By
these means we have been enabled to oc-
cupy at once n 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
of expenditures authorized by law, during
the past year, the navy has, in addition to its |
regular service, supplied the men and officers l
for the vessels of the Coast Survey, and has |
completed the SURVEYS authorized by Con |
nj ST nf nnrian
tepec, and under like authority, has sent |
out an expedition, completely furnished and !
equipped, to explore the unknown ocean of |
the North. The suggestions of the report |
as to the necessity for increasing and inn
proving the material of the navy, and the |
plan recommended for reducing the personne |
of the service to 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 attention of
Congress. | also recommend that all pro-
motions in the navy above the rank of Cap |
tain be by selection instead of by seniority. |
This course will sc cure, 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, its |
cost compared with that of the preceding
year, and the estimates for the ensuing year.
are contained III Ine accompanying report OF |
the Secretary of the Navy
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
1t has been the aim of the Administration |
to enforce honesty and efficiency i'm all public |
Offices Every public servant who has violated /
the trust placed in him has been proceeded |
against with all the rigor of the law. If bad |
men have secured places, it has been the |
fault of the system established by law and
custom for making appointments, or the
fault of those who recommend for Government |
positions persons not sufficiently well known |
to them personally, or who give letters in |
dorsing the character of Otfice-seel<ers, with |
out proper sense of the grave responsible |
tiles which such course devOlves upon
them, A Civil Service Reform which can cor |
rect this abuse is much desired. In mercan- |
tile pursuits the business man who gives |
letter of recommendation TO friend to en-
able him to obtain credit from stranger is
regarded as morally responsible for the integ |
rity,of his friend, and his ability to meet his !
obligations. A reformation which would en-
force this principle against all indorsers of
pargona for publiq nlupp Wnuld insure Urp0t