The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-12-05

menu tnal speclai appropriation be made at
the earliest day practicable to enable the Com
missioners on the of part the United States to
return to their labors Without delay.
THE CONDITION OF CUBA.
1t is with regret that have again to announce
a continuance of the disturbed condition of the
Island of Cuba. No advance toward the pacili-
cation of the discontinued part of the popua-
ton has been made; while the instruction has
gained no advantages, and exhibits no more of
the elements of power or Of the prospects of
ultimate success than were exhibited a year
ago. Spain, on the other hand, has not sue
ceeded in IFS impression, and the parties stand
apparently in the same relative attitude which
they have occupied for long time past. This
contest has lasted now for more than four
years Were it seen at Il distance from our
neighborhood, we might be Indifferent to its
result. although humanity could not be UNI
might occur. 1t is, however, at our door.
SPAIN AND CUBAN SLAVERY.
l cannot doubt that the continued mainten-
| ance of slavery in Cuba, is among the strongest
inducements to the continuance of the strife. A
terrible wrong is the natural cause of terrible
evil. The abolition of slavery and the intro
ductlon OF other reforms, in the administration
OF Government in Cuba, could not fail to adj
vance the restoration of peace and order. 1t is
especially to be hoped, that the present liberal
Government of Spain will eventually adopt this
view. The law OF emancipation which passed
more IMAM TWO years since, mas renamed UNI
executed in the absence OF some regulation for
its enfOt cement. 1t was but feeble step toward
| emancipation, but it was the recognition of
right, and was hailed as such and exhibited
Spain in harmony with the sentiments of hui
mainly and Justice, and in sympathy with the
others ofChrstian and civilized world. Within
the past few weeks the regulations for carrying
out the law of emancipation have been an
nounced, giving evidence of the sincerity of the
intention of the present Government to carry
into off,, Low 90 r..
urge the consideration of the wisdom, the policy
and the justice of a more effective system for
the abolition of the great evil which Expresses
a race and continues a bloody and destructive
contest close to our borders, as well as the eX-
pediency and the justice of conceding reforms
of which the proprlety is not questioned.
AMERICANS HOLDING SLAVES.
Deeply impressed with the conviction that
the continuance of slavery is one Of the most
active causes of the continuance of the unhappy
condition in Cuba, .egret to believe that cit-
zens of the United States, or those claiming to
be such, are large holders in Cuba of what is
there claimed as propertynRut which is forbid
den and denounced by thSUhws of the United
States. They are thus in defiance of the spirit
OF our own laws. contributing to the continu-
ance OF this distressing and sckening contest.
In my last annual message l referred to this
subject and again recommend such legislation
as may be proper to denounce, and if not to
prevent. at least to discourage American citi-
zens from holding or dealing in slaves.
The armistice between Spain and the Re-
publics of the Pacific is alluded to, and attention
called to the unpaid debt due this country from
Venezuela. The relations with Japan and
China are in good condition.
AID FOR CITIZENS IN DISTRESS ABROAD.
Congress from the beginning of the Govern
ment has wisely made provisions for the relief
of distressed seamen in foreign countries. No
similar provision has, however, hitherto been
made for the relief of citizens in distress abroad
other than seamen. 1t is understood to be
customary with other governments to authorize
consulS to extend such relief to their citizens or
subjects in certain cases. A similar authority
and an appropriation are commended in the
case Of citizens of the United States destitute
SICK. Under such circumstances it is well
known that such citizens resort to foreign
countries in great numbers and though most of
them are able to bear the expenses incident to
locomotlon, there are some who through acct
dent or otherwise become penniless and have
no friends at home able to succor them. Per-
sons in this situation must either perish, cast
themselves upon the charity of foreigners, or
be relieved at the private charge 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 asked for be granted care will be
| taken to so carry the beneficence of Congress
into effect that it shall not be unnecessarily or
unworthily bestowed.
THE NATIONAL FINANCEs-RECEIPTs.
The moneys received and conveyed into the
Treasury during the fiscal year ending June
80 1872 We're From customs, S216. $50. IT;
from sales of Public Lands. 50, ia 10; from
Inter nal Revenue, S130,642 ,177.71: from Tax
on National Bank Circulation, &c. Sc ,523 1885,
30; from Pacific Railway Companies, S149 ,S61.-
81; from Customs Fines, Sc, 81 1856 442 "a
from Fees-Consuar Patent, Land, &c, 81
2sf, 095.92; from miscellaneous sources. 4,412,-
24.I Total ordinary receipts, S464 1914 2299l.
From Premiums Oh sales Of Coin, 50 Az, 637 50.
Total net Receipts, 1914, LOG S67.56. Balance in
the Treasury, June Both, 1871 300 ,935. 705. %
including SlS22S.35 received from "unavail-
able" Total available cash, S4S4 ,042 ,573 -.
EXPENDITURES.
The net expenditures by warrants during the
same period, Were: For civil expenses. &c.
lS9,o59.l0; for foreign intercourse, 81 $50 3G9,
IA Indians, S6,06l, 72S.S2 Pensions. $2S 5}3,-
402.16; for military establishments, including
tortiications, river. harbor improvements and
arsenals. $50 15l 20; for naval establish
ments, including vessels, machinery and i'm
provements at navy yards, S21 ,249 ,S09.99; for
miscellaneous civil, including public buildings,
lighthouses and collecting revenue. S42 ,95S, 329,-
0S; interest the public debt, S117 ,357 s39. ~
Total, exclusive of principal and premium ON
public debt s270, $50 1881. For premium on
bonds purchased. S6.95S 70; for reduction
of public debt, 1893, sec, 253A. Total. $l06,91
62o.30. Total net disbursements, S377,41S, 216,-
u. Balance in the Treasury June Goth, 1872,
S1S, 564, 1864 Total, S4S4 ,042 ,5773.15.
REDUCTION OF THE DEBT.
From the foregoing statement, it appears that
the net reduction of the principal of the debt
during the fiscal year ending June Both, 1872
was $4,000 ,253.54. The source of the reduce
ton is As follows: net ordinary receipts during
the year, 1864 ,694 ,229.91; net ordinary expen-
diures, including interest on the public debt
5 270,5596 95,9l total, 1914 ,134 ,534.OO. Add
amount received from premiums paid on bonds
purchased, s. .454 $40 50; add amount of the re-
duction of cash balance at the close of the year
AS compared with the same at the commence
ment of the year, 1881 1865; total, $99, $780,
252.54.
This statement treats solely of the principal
of the public debt By the monthly statement
of the public debt which adds together the
principal and interest due and unpaid and
interest accrued 10 date due, and deducts the
cash in the Treasury as ascertained on the day
of publication, the reduction was 300 544 ,491.-
%. The source of this reduction was as fol-
lows: reduction in principal account, $99,960,-
003.34; reduction in unpaid interest account,
$3.50, 952 90; total, S103 .29O. $780, Reduction
491 Is.
On the basis of the last table the statements
show reduction of the public debt from the
first of March 1869 to March 1st 1870, 1877 1884,
-S2. 81; from March LIST 1870 to March LIST 1871,
S117 $40 .630.25: from March 1st 1871, to March
1St 1872, 1914 800 34S.9 "a; from March 1st 1872,
to November list 1872. (eight months) $64 ,047,-
237.S+. Total, 1868. 696, 099.S7.
THE REDUCTION OF TAXES-NATIONAL CUR
RENCY.
With the great reduction of taxation by the
acts of Congress at its last session, the expen-
dtures of the Government in collecting the
revenue will be much reduced by the next fis-
cal year. 1t is very doubtful, however, whe-
ther any further reduction of 50 vexatious Il
burthen upon any people, will be practicable
fol the present. At all events, as a measure of
justice to the holders of the Nations certificates
of Indebtedness, | would recommend that no
more legislation be had Oh this subject, unless
it be to correct errors of omission or commits
sion in the present laws, until sufficient time
has elapsed to prove that it can be done, and
still leave sufficient revenue to meet the cur
rent expenses of the 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 solemn duty
to provide National currency of fixed, I'M
varying value rs compared with gold, and so
soon as practicable. having due regard for the
interests of the debtor class and the viclssitudes
of trade and commerce, convertible into gold at