Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1872-12-05

SJU, ,o44, ,49l Is. On the OASIS OF the
last table, the statements show re-
duction of the public debt from the
1st of March, 1869, to the present
time, as follows. From March l,
1869, to March,, 1870, $S7,13s, 772-
"a: from March l, 1870, to March l,
1S71,$117,619,66 ,66O %, from March l
1871, to March l 1872, $94, ,S94,34S,
94:from March l 1872, to November
l 1872, (eight months 1851 ,047 ,237 S4
toal. 1868, 696, 99S, 81. With the
great reduction of taxation by acts
of Congress at its last session, the
expenditure of the government in
collecting the revenue will be much
reduced for the next fiscal year. 1t
is very doubtful however whether
any further reduction Of so vexatious
a burden upon the people will be
practicable for the present. At all
events,as a measure ofjustice to the
holders of the nations certificate of
Indebtedness, l would recommend
that no more legislation be had on
the subject,unless it be to correct
errors of omission OF commission
in the present laws until sufficient
time has elapsed to prove that it
can be done, and still have suffici
ent revenue to meet current expen
ses of government, pay interest on
the public debt, and provide for the
sinking fund established by law.
The preservation of our national
credit is of the highest Importance.
Next in Importance to this, comes a
solemn duty to provide a national
currency of fixed, unvarying value,
as compared with gold, land as soon
as practicable, having due regard for
the interest of the debtor class and
the vicis situdes of trade and COM
merce, convertible into gold at par
Our treaty with Japan remains
unchanged. An imposing embassy
from that interesting and progr ess
i've nation visited this country du
ring the year that is passing, but be-
ing unprovided with power for the
signing of a convention in this coun
try, no conclusion in that direction
was reached. 1t is hoped, however
that the interchange of opinions
which took place during their stay
in this country has led to mutual
appreciation of the interests which
may be prompted when the revision
of the existing treaty shall be un-
dertaken. In this connection re-
new my recommendation of one
year ago that to give importance,
and to add to the efficiency of our
diplomatic relations with Japan and
China, and to further aid in retain
ing the good opinion of those peo-
pie, and to secure to the United
States its snare of the commerce
that is destined to flow between
those nations and the balance of the
commercial world, an appropriation
be made to support at least four
American youths in ease of the
countries to serve as 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 representatives
in Japan and China have to depend
for interpreters and translators upon
the natives of those countries who
know our language imperfectly, or
procure for the occasion the en-
ployees in foreign business houses
or the interpreters to other foreign
ministers.
Congress, from the beginning of
the government, has wisely made
provision for the relief of distressed
seamen in foreign countries. No
similar provision, however, has hith
erto been made for the relief of cit
izers in distress abroad, other than
seamen. 1t is understood to be GUS
tomary with other governments to
authorize Consuls to extend such
relief to their citizens or subjects in
certain cases. A similar authority,
and on appropriation to carry it in
to effect, are recommended in the
case of citizens of the United States
destitute or sick under such circum-
stances. 1t is well known that such
citizens report to foreign consuls,
and in great numbers, and though
most of them are able to bear the
expenses Incidental to locomotion,
there are some who through acci-
dent, or otherwise. become penniless
having no friends at home able to
succor them. Persons in this situ-
alton must either perish or cast
themselves upon the charity of for
eigners, or be relieved by the
private charity Of our own officers,
who usually, even with the most be-
nevolent dispositions, have nothing
to spare for such purposes. Should
the authority and appropriation ask
ed for be granted, care will betaken
to carry the beneficence of Congress
into effect, that it shall not be nee
essarily or unworthily bestowed.
Since your last session, the President
of the Mexican Republic, distinguished
by his character and by his services to
his country, has died. His temporary
successor has now been elected with
great unanimity by the people, proof
of confidence on their part in his pat
riotism, and wisdom, which, it is be-
lieved, will be confirmed by the results
of his administration. tits particular
ly desirable that nothing should be left
undone by the government of either re-
public to strengthen their relations as
neighbors and friends. 1t is much to
be regretted that many lawless acts
continue to disturb the quiet of the set
tlement on the border between ours and
that of Mexico, and that complaints of
wrongs to American citizens in various
parts of the country are made. The
revolutionary condition in which the
neighboring republic has SO long been
involved, has in some degree contribu-
ted to this disturbance. 1t is to be hop
ed that with more settled rule of Or
der through the republic, which may
be expected from the present govern
ment, the acts of which just complaint
is made will cease. The proceedings of
the commission, under the convention
with Mexico OF the 4th of July, 1868,
on the subject of claims, have unfOrtu-
nately been checked by ali obstacle, for
the removal of which measures have
been taken by the two governments
which, it is believed, will prove success
full. The commission appointed pursu-
ant to the joint resolution of Congress
of the 7th of May last, to inquire into
the depredations OH the Texan from
iier have diligently made investigation
to that quarter. Their report upon the
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