Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-12-11

, should be In the form of specific duties,
J and not ad valorum, requiring the judg-
ment of experienced men to ascertain
values and exposing the revenue to the
: temptation of fraud.
, My attention has been called during
} the recess Of Congress to abuses existing
In the collection of the customs, and
strenuous efforts have been made for
their correction by executive orders
Inc commendatiOns submitted to the
Secretary of the Treasury by commits
SION appointed to examine into the col
lection Of custom duties at the port of
New York contain many suggestions
for the modification of the custom laws,
vited. Is. 4
THE PUBLIC DEBT.
| 1t is q matter of congratulation that
notwithstanding the severe burdens
caused by the war the public faith with
all creditors has been preserved, and
that as the result of this policy the pub
lie credit has continuously advanced,
and our public securities are regarded
with the highest favor in the markets
of the world. I trust that no act of the
government will cast shadow upon its
credit, = -
The progress of refunding the public
debt has been rapid and satisfactory
Under the contract existing when en-
tered upon the discharge of the duties of
my office bonds bearing interest at the
rate OF ~ per cent. were being rapidly
sold. and within three months the ag-
gregate sales of these bonds had reached
the sum of SOC, 100000. With my sane
ton the Secretary of the Treasury en-,
tered into new contract for the sale of
hNn nd xryifh n rfx
days after the popular subscription for
such bonds was opened subscriptions
were had amounting to $75, ,496, $50,
which were paid for within ninety days
after the date of subscription. By this
process, within but little more than one
year, the annual interest on the public
debt was reduced i'm the sum of $4,775,-
900. recommend thet suitable provis-
ion be made to enable the people to easi-
ly convert their savings into govern
ment securities as the best mode in
which small savings may be well Sc
cured and yield a moderate interest. 1t
is an object of public policy to re-
tain among our own people the securi-
ties Of the United States. In this way
our country Is guarded against their
sudden return from foreign countries,
caused by war or other disturbances be-
yond our limits.
X
EDUCATION.
The wisdom of legislation upon the
part of Congress in aid of the States for
the education of the whole people in the
common schools of the country is no
longer q question. The intelligent judg-
ment of the country goes still further,
regarding it also both constitutional and
expedient for the general government
to extend to technical and higher edu-
cation such aid as is deemed essential to
the general welfare and to our due prom
inence among the enlightened and cul-
tivated nations of the world.
The ultimate settlement of all gues-
tions of the future, whether of admins
tratiOn or finance, or of true nationality
OF sentiment, depends upon the virtue
and intelligence of the people. 1t is
vain to hope for the success of a free
government without the means of insur-
ing the intelligence of these who are
the source of power. No less than one
seventh of the entire voting population
OF our country are yet unable to read and
write. 1t ia encouraging to obseryein
connection with the growth of fraternal
feeling in those States in which slavery
formerly existed evidences of increasing
interest in universal education, and /
appropriate measures which may be en-
acted by Congress for the purpose of
with national aid the To-
cal systems Of education in those States,
and all the States and having already
Invited your attention to the needs of
the District of Columbia with respect to
its public school system. here add
that believe it desirable, not 30 much
with reference to the local wants of the
District, but to the great and lasting
benefit of the entire country, that this
system should be crowned with a uni
versity In all respects in keeping with
the national capitol, and thereby realize
the cherished hopes of Washington on
this subject.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
I also earnestly commend the request
of the regents of the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition that an adequate appropriation
be made for the establishment and con-
duct of q national museum under their
supervision. The question of providing
for the preservation and growth of the
library of Congress Is also one of nation
al importance. As the depository of all
copyright publications and records this
library has outgrown the provisions for
its accommodation, and the erection on
such site as the judgment of Congress
may approve of a fireproof library build
ing, to preserve the treasures and enlarge
the usefulness of this valuable collec-
flOn, Is recommended. I recommend
also such legislation as will render avail
able and efficient for the purpose of in
structi0n, SO far as is consistent with the
public service, the cabinets or museums
OF invention, of surgery, of education
and OF agriculture, and other collections,
the property of the national government.