San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1877-12-15
[coYrIyurp PROM THIRD pAGE.l

.duce u revenue OF Sl2,OOO,OOO, ana tnus ell
abe Congress to repeal multitude OF an
ing that sum. The internal revenue system
grew out Of the necessities OF war, ana
most OF the legislation imposing taxes
upon domestic products under this system
has been repealed. BY the substitution OF
tax on tea and coffee all forms OF internal
taxation may be repealed, except that on
whisky, spirits, tobacco and beer.
VIOLATIONS OF REVENUE LAWS.
Attention Is also called TO the necessity OF
,enacting more vigorous laws for the tprotcc-
ton of the revenue, and for the punishment
of fraud and smuggling. This can best be
done by jlidici0us provisions that will in
duce the disclosure of attempted fraud by
UNDER valuation and smuggling. All rev.
enue laws should be simple In provision and
the rates OF taxation should be In the form
of specific taxes, and not ad valorem, re-.
quiring the judgment 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 collections Of the customs, and strenu-
GUS efforts have been made for their corree-
ton by executive orders. The recommend
atoms submitted to the Secretary. OF the
Treasury by commission appointed to ex-
anime into the collection OF customs duties
at the port of New York contain many slgs
gestions for the modification OF customs
laws, to which the attention of Congress Is
invited. ft I1.'II n Z
THE PUBLIC DEBT. ... ....
II is a matter Of congratulation that, not
withstanding 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 public credit has cOntinu-
.Ously advanced and our public securities
are regarded with the highest favor in the
markets of the world. trust that no act
of the Government will cast shadow upon
it's credit. The progress of refunding the
public debt has been rapid and satisfactory.
Under the contract existing when entered
upon the discharge of the duties OF my Of
fec, bonds bearing interest ut the
rate of 4 1-2 per cent. were being rapidly
sold, and. Within three months the
aggregate sales Of these bonds had reached
the sum of two hundred million dollars.
With my. sanction the Secretary of the
Treasury entered into new contract for the
sale of 4por cent. bonds, and within 30 days
after the popular subscription for such
bonds was opened subscriptions were had
amounting to $75, 406,55O, which were paid
for within 80 days after the date of subscrip-
tion. By this process, within but little more
than one year, the annual interest on inc
public debt was reduced IN the sum OF
/ recommend that suitable provision be
made to enable people to convert their saw
ings into Government securities. as the best
mode intwhich small savings may be well Sc.
cured and yield interest 1t Is an object of
public policy to retain among our own peO-
pie thessecurities OF the United States. In
this way our country Is guarded against the
sudden return from foreign countries,
caused by war or other disturbances beyond
our limits, of the currency of the United
States.
SHIPPING INTERESTS.
Our trade with foreign nations, and espc-
cially the export of domestic productions,
has of late years largely Increased, b,lt the
greater portion of this trade Is conducted in
foreign vessels. The Importance of enlarg-
ing our foreign trade, and especially by d.
rect and speedy interchange with countries
on this continent, can not be over-es Iimat-
ed, and 1t Is matter of great moment that
our own shipping interests should receive
the utmost practical benefit from our COM
merce with other lands. These considera-
lions are forcibly urged by the large com
mercial cities of the country, and public at
tcntiOn is generally and wisely attracted to
the solution of the problems they present.
1t is not doubted that Congress will take
them up in the broadcast spirit of liberalty
and respond to the public demand by prac-
Hcal legislation upon this subject. fi
THE WAX
The report Of the Secretary Of War shows
that the Army has been actively employed
during the year, and has rendered very i'm
portant service in depressing hOstiities in
the Indian country, to preserving peace and
protecting life and property in the interior,
a. well as along the Mexican border. A
long and arduOus campaign has been prose-
cuted with final and complete success against
a portion of the NeZ Perces tribe, of Indians.
A full account of this campaignwil be found
in the report of the General of the Army.
dG will be seen that in its course several bat
ties were fought, in whicha number of gall
liant officers and men lost their lives. join
with the Secretary of War and General OF the
Army in awarding to the officers and men
employed in the long and tOilsome pursuit,
and in the final capture of these Indians, the
honor and praise which are so justly their
due. $1,000
.--N JULY RIOTS.
The very serious riots which occurred in
several of the States of the Union in July
last, rendered necessary the employment of
considerable portion of the Army to pre-
serve peace and maintain order. In the
States of West Virginia, Maryland, Penn
sylyania and Illinois, these. disturbances
were SO formidable rs to defy the local and
State authorities, and the National Executive
was called upon, by the mode provided by
the Constitution and laws, to furnish militia
ry, and am gratified TO be able to state that
the troops sent in response to these calls for
aid in the suppression of domestic violence
were able, by the influence of their presence
in the disturbed regions, to preserve the
peace and restore order without the use OF
force. In the discharge OF this delicate and
important duty both officers and men acted
with great prudence and courage, and for
their services deserve the thanks of the
country. Hl'''
mn rpANnE TUntfUIES.