The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-12-15

ury to accumulate 8Oid LOT hhat IT,
demption, either by increasing reve.
nue., curtailing expenses or both.
1t is preferable to do both-and I re
commend, that reduction Of expendi-
lures be made wherever 1t can be
done without impairing Government
obligations or crippling the due exc
cution thereof. One measure for in
creasing the revenue, and the only
one l think of is the restoration OF
the duty on tea and coffee. These
duties would add probably SIS, 0oo,-
600 to the present amount received
from imports and would in no way
increase the prices paid for these ar
ticles by the consumers. These ar.
ticles are the products Of countries
collecting revenue from exports and
as we-the largest consumers-re-
duce the duties they proportionally
increase them.
THE CENTENNIAL.
The board heretofore appointed to
take charge Of the articles and mate
rails pertaining to the war, the navy,
the treasury, the interior and the
post Office department, and the de:
partment ofagriculture, the Smith.
sonian Institution, and the commits
sion Of food fishes to be contributed
under the Legislation Of last session
to the international exhibition, to be
held at Philadelphia during the Cen
tennial year 1876, has been diligent
in the discharge of the duties which
have devolved upon it and the prepa-
lions 80 far made with the means at
command, give assurance that the
governmental contribution will be
made one of the marked characters.
tics of the exhibition. The board
has observed commendable economy
in the matter of the erection Of q
building for the governmental exhib-
1t, the expense Of which it is estima-
ted will not exceed say @90, 0O0.-
This amount has been withdrawn
under the law from the appropria
tions of Ave Of the principal depart
ments, which leaves some Of those
departments without sufficient means
to render their respective practical
exhibits complete and satisfactory.
The exhibition being an information
al one, and the Government being a
voluntary contributor, it is my opin-
ion that its contribution should be Of
a character, in quality and extent, to
sustain the dignity and credit Of SC
distinguished contributor. The
advantages to the country of credi-
table display are, in an international
point of view, of the first importance,
while an Indifferent or incrctiitable
participation by the Government
would be humiliating to the patriotic
feelings Of our people themselves. ]
commend the estimates of the Board
for the necessary additional appropri-
ations to the favorable consideration
Of Congress. The powers of Europe,
almost without exception, many of
the South American States, and even
the more distant Eastern powers have
manifested their friendly sentiments
toward the United States and the in
terest Of the world in our progress by
taking steps to join with us in cele-
brating the Centennial of the nation,
and I strongly recommend that a
more national Importance be given to
this exhibition by such legislation
and by such appropriation as will in.
sure it's success. Its value in bring
ing to our shores innumerable useful
works of art and skill, the comming-
ling of the citizens Of foreign coun-
tries and our own: and the inter
change of ideas and manufactures
will far exceed any pecuniary outlay
We may make.
EIREWORKS.-A FULL SUPPLY
Il Of these goods are offered for sale
by FERGUSON e. SCHNACK.
~--..~U>.~----
STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS at one time
thought himself near enough to the
Presidency to promise his friends Of
fees. A correspondent Of the Chica
go Times gives au account. Of a din
ner where there was a generous dis
tributinn of this kind. When thu
list had been nearly exhausted Mr.
Douglas noticed that one of thu
guests, Beverly Tucker by name, hai
not asked for an Office. Turning t.
him he requested him to state wha'
position he desired. The man re