Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-12-02

Twenty-Five vessels have been wrecked on
the coasts Of Long Island and New Jersey since
July i, 1871, valued, with their cargoee at over
500 ,oco, on which the loss was about 5000 ,cOD.
The officers and crews numbered two hundred
and SIX persons, all Of whom were saved, and
mainly, It is believed, through the agency of
the Ife-eaving stations.
respectfully recommend the extension of the
teras.
From the report of the Supervising Surgeon
OF the pubic service is in a satisfactory condi1
ton.
During the last fiscal year l3, 156 patients were
treated in the several hospitals of the country
at an average cost OF about 81 cents each per
day, or q total expenditure of 1896 2SS IL against
a total expenditure for the preceding year of
sl53 ,0s2 ~, or an average cost per patient of
sl.04 per day.
The increased receipts and diminished ex-
Penses for the last fiscal year, as compared with
the year next preceding, show net gain to the
Government of S56,s19.3l.
During the same period the number of dis
tIicts IN which relief was furnished was greater
than ever before, and the salaries of medical
officers at several Of the principal ports were in
creased.
The financial improvement shown is due
largely TO more careful scrutiny of the appli-
Giants tor relief, to the rejection OF those who
were not entitled under the law, and also TO
greater vigilance in collecting the hos pital dues
The law limits the charge for relief to seamen
belonging to foreign vessels to seventy-fve
cents a day. while the actual cost lie nearly one
dollar. Authority should be given to the Sec
retaTy OF the Treasury to fix the charge within
certain limits, according to the expenses incur
red at the hospitals where relief is furnished.
renew the Recommendation heretofore made
for the erection of pavilion hospitals at New
York, San Francisco, and Pittsburg. The in
crease of railway and general business in the
vicinity of the hospital at Pittsburg has rem
deTed ii unfit for further use.
The Supervising Surgeon recommends the
erection in future of pavilion hospitals of wood,
with the understanding that after ten or fifteen
years use they are to be destroyed and new ones
built in their stead. This recommendatiop an
pears to be wise, being at once economical for
the government and advantageous to the pa
tients.
The act of February 2s, 1871, to provide for
the better security OF lite on board vessels pro-
PEELED in whole or in part by steam, has not been
in operation sufficient time to test its value in
all respects but the result in the main is salts
factory. The Supervising Inspector General,
In his annual report, recommends several alter
atoms In the law, not affecting its character
materially. A bill will be prepared providing
for such alterations as, upon further considers.
ton. shall seem expedient
On the 18th day Of May, 1872, transmitted to
Congress q bill entitled "a bill to amend and
consolidate the navigation and customs collec-
ton laws of the United States" together with a
communication explaining the character and
q 9ssSscfT Ask tSe o 42d
of Congress to the bill and the reasons for its
passage.
The time has come when the attention of the
public Is turned naturally to the future fnan-
cial policy OF the country. That policy must
rest upon the past and the present.
The war caused three great changes in bust
ness and financial affairs that have received the
careful consideration of the American people.
L. The country was compelled to impose heavy
customs duties upon merchandise, and thus,
without general observation and without argu-
ment upon the principles involved, the nation
entered upon broad system of protection.
III. The Government issued Treasury notes
for general circulation as currency, and pro-
hibited banks of issue by State authority.
III. A system of national banks was estab-
lished, and their circulation protected by the
national credit.
The wisdom of these measures, speaking gem
orally, has been established; and, subject to
such changes as the changing condition and
opinions of the country and people may d.
mand, they will remain part Of our public
war disappear. The weight of the national
debt has been so great that for more than ten
years there has been no opportunity for the
practical discussion of the doctrines Of protec-
ton and Tree trade, and in that long period of
an unchanged protective policy incident to the
burdens OF the war the nation has advanced
rapidly and safely In the Development of its
natural resources.
Anticipating a condition of peace we may
also anticipate general reduction in the per-
centage Of customs duties. This reduction
however, should not be measured solely by the
wants of the Treasury but regard should be
had also to the condition of the various branches
In presence of the fact that the leading pursuits
of the country are stronger than ever before in
the possession Of adequate capital and a supply
OF intelligent laborers, there may be moder-
ate reduction from time to time in the rate OF
duties, as the diminishing expenses of the Gov
eminent shall permit, without either alarming
capital or injuring labor.
For the purposes OF government, the prin-
ciples OF political economy are national, and
rot cosmopolitan. A nation that can produce
given article at less cost than 1t can be pro-
q IN harn mia mi Sc
in II but nation having natural advantages
for its production yet destitute of skill in the
incident art or trade, must wait for the oppor-
tunity that sometimes comes from the calam-
ity of war, or secure a more economical and a
more constant support in the policy Of its Gov
eminent. II average natural facilities exist,
the period OF necessary protection is q short
one compared with the lifetime Of nation
while the advantages gained can never be
wholly lost. But If reasonable natural facil-
tiles dc not exist, then q system of duties for
protection IL present and future burden with
out adequate compensation. So varied and
rich, however, are the natural resources of the
United States, that we either are or may soon
be In successful competition with the older and
more experienced countries Of the world in the
production OF the chief articles of personal ne
cessity, comfort, aud luxury, and Of the ma
chinery BY, which these articles are produced
Herein is q sufficient justification for the ex-
listing protective system, and for its continuance
during the transition period.
y
competition with other countries disturbed by
the Circumstance that the wages OF labor are
higher in this country than in those. If, ten
years since, 1t was the thought Of any that the
only way to q successful contest with Europe
was In the reduction of the wages of labor to the
European standard, that thought has disappear
ed, probably, in presence of the fact that high
wages on this side OF the Atlantic have stimu-
lated emigration, until there is a near approach
to equality in the cost OF labor, and of the cock
listing fact that the addition thus made to the
number Of lab0rers has only aided in the devel-
Opement OF our resources, without yielding in
any quarter an excess Of products, or retarding
In any degree the prosperity of the laboring
population.
This prosperity on their part is associated
with higher and constantly improving intel
lectual and social culture and condition. 1t
being given that An intelligent person has all
the special knowledge of an art or trade pos
sessed by the most experienced and best-trained
operative, who, outside of this special training
and experance, is an ignorant person, and equal
advantages of capital and machinery being
given also, the intelligent person proceeds to
improve and simplify methods OF production TO
such extent that an addition to his wages of
OF even hundred per cent. represents but a
small part of the advantage gained.
let the special training and knowledge of
the ignorant man Is the basis of the improve
ment made. This truth considered first with
reference to q single American laborer and then
multiplied many hundred thousand times, rep