The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-12-08

checks ivatohese cosmetics and ,druRs,
aud to meet this loss that an additional
tax OF ten cents per gallon be imposed
on swhiskey. j This will raise arevenue
q little greater than is now received
from the articles enumerated. The
praettcalfworking Of putting tea and
coffee on the free list has been fulty
examined by the Treasury Depart.
ment. Carefully prepared tables OF
prices In foreign markets and prices to
oustomers for period snbsequcnt to
taking of the tax. show that while
there was decrease in revenue ON
this account, the removal os the tax
simply added to tho price in foreign
markets, and has not benefited con.
sumers here in the least. The Secre.
tary recommends the restoration oi
this tax.
WASHINGTON, December I'll P. Nj.
The Senate and House ore quite full.
The usual committees were appointed,
when the President was informed OF
their readiness to hear from him.
The President, in his mesaage, says:
Our relations with all tho foreign pow.
ers are friendly and without disturb
ance, though there is an nueettled
question with Venezuela, which has
not yet paid the awards of the joint
commission under the convention of
1866. Congress-, it will be recollected,
strongly expressed it's sense on this
subject in February. 1873 The Pre-
sident, in his message OF last Decem-
Der, said: There was reason to be-
lieve the hesitancy OF that Republic in
recognizing the claims sprung in part
at least from real difficulty in disohnrg-
ing them in connection with its obi
CATIONS to other governments, and,
therefore, the e1pediency of further
forbearance on the part OF oar Go
vernment was believed 10 be worthy
OF the consideration of Congress In
addition to Venezuela, We have unset
questions with Spain, growing out of
the affair Of the Virginius and other
grlevlsus transactions on the part OF
the Spanish authorities in connection
with events in Cuba. The magnitude
OF the offences has not been reduced
since the Presidents previous message
a year ago. AS this unsettled oondi-
ton of affairs in Cuba cannot long
continue. it may become necessary for
other nations. with our own, to inter.
fere to terminate the insurreotion
which has 80 long prevailed, the Spa
nlsh Government having unsucoess-
fully attempted to suppress it. In the
meantime. the commerce of all coun.
tries. and especially that of the United
States. suffers; the flags OF the United
States and England having been in
suited. The President, in conversa-
ton, although he does not state the
fact ID his message. sage the United
States purchase about eighty per cent.
of Cuban exports, and therefore the
duties paid by American citizens oon-
ntitute to this extent in helping Spain
to continue the war against ths iusur-
gents. The President had hoped that
by the meeting Of Congress the pre-
sent negotiations with Spain would
have besn ended, but in thi. he has
been disappointed. He, therefore,
says little or nothing about the in
demnity pending the negotiations, but
at somo future time will present tho
subject to the special consideration of
Congress. The position of the Presi-
dent on the financial question is posi-
lively Us follows: Notwithstanding for
meg srecc!stions Of those Who spoke
without authority, lie desires and will
recommend the resumption OF specie
payments at the earliest practicable
day, but he does not believe this can
be reached as soon as the frst Of Janu.
airy. 1876. He does not name any dav.
leaving Congress to devise 70 ans TO
secure this desired end. it being the
duty of Congress to do so. The legal
tender clause of the Currency Act
should be repealed, to take efr.cl Al, to
made after tho day .;xed by
law for its repeal; power should be
given to the Secretary of the Treasury
to obtain gold from and after tho date
fixed for the resumption Of specie pay
mcnts, by the issuance of bouds; III
addition to thie, the revenues Of the
Government should be in excess OF
expenditures, to support the rcsnmp-
ton; greater economy should he prac.
ticed in all departments OF the Go.
vcrnment, and, if necessary, tho Gus.
toms and internal revenue laws should
be changed in order to secure "A larger
amount Of revenue. With tho return
OF specie payments banking should be
free. The bill-holders should continue
to be protected as ct present, under
the banking law. There should bo no
limitation to tho volume of currency,
as the community itself should deter.
mine what amount is required for