Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-12-07

ject for regret that the reforms in
this direction which were voluntar-
lily promised by the statesmen of
Spain have not been carried 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 labor
ers in bondage with no hope or re-
lease until their lives become bur-
den to their employers.
AMERICAN CITIZENS OWNING SLAVES
ABROAD.
l desire to direct your attention
to the fact that citizens of the Uni
ted States, or person claiming to
be citizens of the United States, are
large holders in foreign lands of
this species of property, forbidden
by fundamental law of their alleged
country. 1 recommend to Congress
to provide by stringent legislation a
suitable remedy against the holding,
owning or dealing in slaves or being
interested in slave property in for
eign lands, either as owners, heirs
or mortgages by citizens of the Uni
ted States.
THE CUBAN INsURRECTIoN.
It is to be regretted that the dis
turbed condition of the Island of
Cuba continues to be a source of
annoyance and of anxiety. The ex-
istence of protracted., struggle in
such close proximity TO our own ter
ritory, without apparent prospect of
an early termination, cannot be 9th
er than an object of concern to a
people who, while abstaining from
interference in the affairs OF other
powers, naturally desire to see every
country in the undisturbed enjoy
ment of peace, prosperity and the
blessings of free institutions. 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 .tfde American cit
izens, and to maintain the dignity
of the flag. 1t is hoped that all
pending questions with Spain grow
ing out of the affairs in Cuba may
be adjusted in the spirit of peace
and condition which has hitherto
Iguided the two powers in their treat
ment OF such questions.
EDUCATION OF AMERICAN YOUTH FOR
DIPLOMATIC SERVICE IN CHINA AND
JAPAN RECOMMENDED.
To give Importance and to add to
the efficiency OF our diplomatic re-
lations with Japan and China, and
to further aid in retaining the good
opinion of these people, and to Sc
cure to the United States its share
of the commerce destined to flow
between those nations and the bal
ance of the commercial world, ]
earnestly recommend that an appro-
priation be maze to support at least
four American youths in each OF
these countries, to serve as a part OF
the official family of our ministers
there. Our representatives would
not even then be placed upon an
equality with the representatives Of
Great Britain and of some other
powers. AS now situated, our rep
resentatives in Japan and China
have to depend for Interpreters, who
know our language imperfectly, OF
procure for the occasion the services
of employees in foreign business
houses, or the Interpreters to other
foreign Ministers. l would also
recommend liberal measures for the
purpose Of supporting the American
lines of steamers now plying be-
tween San Francisco and Japan and
China, and the Australian line, al
most our only remaining lines Of
ocean steamers, and of increasing
their services.
THE NATIONAL DEBT
Has been reduced to the extent of
eighty-six millions, fifty-seven thou
sand, one hundred and twenty six
dollars and eighty cents during the
year, and by the negotiation of ma
tional bonds at a lower rate of in
terest, the interest on the public
debt has beeu so far diminished
that now the sum to be raised for
interest account is nearly seventeen
millions of dollars less than on the
first Of March, 1869. 1t was highly
desirable that the rapid diminution
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 liza
bilities without bankrupting them.
DIMINUTIoN OF THE BURDENS OF
TAXATION,
| But in view of the accomplish.
ment, of these desirable ends, OF
the rapid development of the re-
sources of the country, its increas-
ing ability to meet large demands
and the amount already paid, it is
not desirable that the present re.
sources of the country should con.
tinue this rapid payment. ! recon
mend that all taxes from internal
sources be abolished, except those
collected from spurious, vinous and
malt liquors, tobacco in its various
forms, and for stamps. There are
many articles not produced at home
but which enter largely into general
consumption, through articles which
are manufactured at home, such as
medicines, compounded, &C., from
which very little revenue is derived,
but which enter into general use
All such articles 1 recommend to
be placed on the free list. 1 have
not entered 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.
SALARIES OF COLLECTORS OF CUSTOMS.
The present laws for collecting
the revenues pay collectors of Gus
toms small salaries, but provide for
moieties or shares in all seizures,
which, at the principal, ports of en-
try particularly, raise the compensa-
tion of these officers to a large sum
1t holds out an inducement to dis
honest men, should such get posses
sion of these offices, to be lax in
their scrutiny Of goods entered, to