Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-12-12

veA - I"piuiy !ucfca6lns,, such coinage will
at once M furnish market for the raw material
ana facilitate commerce between the United
states and China. 1t is no exaggeration to
say that necessity exists for new issue Of
national bank notes. The reasons for such
Issue were given in my last annual report.
ExBEzzLExENrs.
The Secretary renews his recommendation
for the passage Of law relieving the Treasury
from responsibility for the embezzlements of
clerks johnson and Wortlen, amountiu
to s4O,635. He also recommends the passage
OF law relieving Assistant Treasurer Hill
house, at New York, from responsibility for the
embezzlement OF James I. johnson in the
stamp department, as the business of keeping
and selling stamps was not properly part OF
the duties pertaining to the Office of Assistant
Treasurer, and as he would be entitled to
more than halt million dollars commission
II he had been allowed the same rates as are
allowed to outsiders.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The Secretary says that large sums will be
needed for the completion of the buildings al.
ready begun, and he advises that no new ones
be undertaken beyond the erection of pavil-
ion hospital aud building for the accommoda-
ton Of the department of engraving and
printing, and the storage of books and papers.
As buildings were burned off OF the east
side OF the square on which is the site of the
new posto6ice in Boston, he recommends that
the remainder be purchased by the govern
ment.
The cost of proposed sites for the projected
new government buildings in Philadelphia and
Cincinnati the Secretary funds will be so mucl,
that the appropriations will not cover it and
erect the buildings in the style designed, there
fore he has not proceeded with them.
THE REVENUE MARINE.
The operations OF the Coast Survey, az well
those OF the Light House Board, appear ia
be economically and efficiently managed. The
revenue marine consists of ~ steam and
six sailing vessels, carrying As guns and
manned by 1893 officers and $50 men This
service has constantly improved in efficiency
and in the economy Of IT'S management since
the summer Of 1869. At that time q commits
sion was appointed for the general and pro-
fessional examination OF ali the officers en-
ployed. and upon their report 50 were dis
charged, and those who were approved were
assigned to duty and given rank according to
merits. From that time to the present, yacan-
cies in the service have been filled after an ex-
animation and by those found to be best auali-
fed. At the same time commission was ap-
pointed for the entire revision OF the service.
Measures have been taken, says the Secre-
tary, which will reduce the tonnage from .208
tons to 1919.
The cost Of maintaining the revenue marine
has been reduced from $129, ,366, ,167 in 1868 to
$50, o., ,981 for the year ending June 3Oth.
1877. A statistical table prepared from thu,
returns shows the essential particulars Of a..
sistance rendered to vessels, the seizures
made, the number OF vessels examined, and
the number OF lives saved upon the ocean and
lakes. The work performed during the last
fiscal year is nearly twice rs great as the aver
age OF the ten preceding years.
The Secretary recommends that, on account
Of the hazardous nature of the revenue SER
vice, from the frequent calls that are made
upon it to rescue lite and property during
storms, the navy pension laws be'made appIi-
cable to the officers and marines of this ser.
vice.
The benefits resulting from the appropria-
tion for more effectually securing life and
property on the coast Of New Jersey, by the
repair and construction OF lie saving stations
are recounted, and the extension of the meas
ure southwark on tho coast is recommended.
The condition OF the hospitals and certain
recommendations OF minor character, occu-
py paragraph in tho report. The act to pro-
vide for the better security Of life on board Of
steam vessels is commended, though it has
not been in operation long enough thoroughly
to test its value.
THE CUSTOM LAWS.
I'm TIM 0Ck1, il, oRN T =
to Congress bin entitled "a bin to amend
and consolidate the navigation and custom
laws Of the United States" together with 4
communication explaining tile character aud
purpose OF the measure, Ex. Doc. go, Forty
second Congress, second session. I respect
fully ask the attention of Congress to the bill,
and the reasons for it.. The attention Of the
financial policy must rest upon the past and
the present. The war caused three great
changes in business and financial affairs that
nave received the caceful consideration of the
American people.
First, the country was compelled to impose
without general observation and without ar.
gument on the principles involved, the ma
ton entered upon broad system of protec,
ton.
Second, the Government issued treasury
notes for general circulation a. currency, and
o"INS VI 16StlO Nv STATE 00tnOflCy.
Third, system of national banks was es-
tab!ished, and their circulation protected by
national credit. The wisdom of the measures.
speaking generally, has been established, and
subject to such changes as the changing con-
dit,on and opinions Of the country and people
may demand, they will remain q part Of our
pubic policy until the financial consequences
Of the war disappears.
THE PROTECTIVE POLICY.
The weight of the national debt has baen 80
great that Tor more than ten years there ha
sion Of t6e doctrines Of projection and irs tree
trade, and in that long period Of unchanged
protective policy incident TO the burdens Of
the war, the nation has advanced rapidly and
safely in the development of its national
resources. Anticipating q. condition of
peace we may also anticipate q gen:
customs duties. This reduction, however,
should not be measured solely by tho wants OF
the Treasury, but regard should b. had, also,
to the condition of the various branches of in
dustry in which the people are engaged. In
presence of the fact that tho leading pursuits
Ct the country arc stronger than ever before in
ply OF intelligent laborers, there may be
moderate reduction from time to time in tho
rate Of duties as the diminishing expenses Of
the Government shall permit, without alarm
ing capital or injuring labor.
For the purposes Of government, the prin-
cip'rs Of political economy are national, and
not cosmopolitan: nation that can produce
. given article ut less cost than it can be pro-
duced elsewhere may wisely accept frec trade
in it, but nation having natural advantages
for its production, yet destitute of skill in the
incident art 0t trade, must wait for the OppOr-
tunity that sometimes comes from the cafam-
ity of war, or secure more economical and q
more constant support in the policy Of its
government. II average natural facilities cx-
ist, the period of necessary protection is q
short tme compared with tho lifetime OF q
nation, while the advantages gained can
never be wholly lost; but if reasonable natural
facilities do not exist, then a system Of duties
for protection is u present and future burden
without adequate compensation So varied
and rich, however, are tho natural resources
OF the Unite'l States, that we either are or may
soon be in suc 'cssiul comp hitiOn with tL.
"lurr and more experienced countries Of the
world in the production Of the chief IL t,clcs ut
ncrsonai necessity. comfort and luxury, an.l of
the machinery by which these articles are ur,
tlll".,t or ultuiulJl Herein a sufficient I'M,