The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1877-12-06

either deciding the award to be paid, or
providing SOME method for the re-cxamin-
alton OF claims.
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA.
Our relations with the republics of Cen
trail and South America, anI with the en-
pire OF Brszil, have continued without seri-
Gus charge, further than the temporary in
nrruplion OF diplomatic intercourse with
Venezuela and with Guatemala AmIcable
relations have already been fully restored
with Venezuela. and II Is not doubted that
all grounds of misunderstanding with
Guatemala will speedily be removed From
ail those couutfie, there are favorable nd-
cations OF disposition on the part OF their
governments and people to rccIprocaie our
efforts III the direction of increased COM
mercial intercourse.
SAMOAN ISLANDS
The government OF the Samoan Islands
has seni All envoy, in the person OF its sec
retay OF state, u invite the government of
the United States to advise and project their
independence, to establish commercial rela-
tions with their people and To assist them
III this step towards a responsible and reg
ular governmen The authorities of those
islands having made considerable progress
in Christian civilization and the develop
ment OF trade, are doubtful of their ability
to maintain peace and independence with
out the aid OF some stronger power The
subject is deemed worthy of respectful at
tentlon, and the claim upon our assistance
by this distant community will be carefully
considered
oUR FOREIGN TRADE.
The long commercial depression in the
United States has directed attention to Tie
subject OF the possible increase of our for
eign trade, and the methods for Its develop
ment, not only with Europe, but with
other countries, especially with the states
and sovereignties of the western hemi-
sphere. instructions from the department
OF state were issued to the various diplo-
matte and consular officers of the govern
ment, ASKING them to devote attention u
the question of methods by which they
could bring the respective countries OF
their official residences, and the United
States INTO closer commercial relations La
obedience to these Instructions, exalnina-
tons and reports upon Inc subject have
been male by these officers and transmit
ted To the department, and some are sub
mitted TO congress.
FINANCES
The annual report OF The secretary of the
treasury on the stale of the finances PIE
SCENTS important questions for the action If
congress, upon some of winch | have /
already remarked. The receipts OF the |
government during the fiscal year ending |
June 80, 1877. were S259, 0J0, 5o6,62; the |
total expenditures for the same period |
were SIS, 500, O0o.93, leaving surplus |
revenue OF S30,34o, 57769 This has sub |
stantially supplied the requirements of The |
sinking fund for that year The estimates /
Of the revenue for the current fiscal year are
$3.50, 900, and the estimated expendi-
lures for the same period are $685., 430-645.-
%. If these estimates prove to be correct,
there will be surplus revenue of $50. 1861
556.2e, an amount nearly sufficient for the
sinking fund of that wear the estimated
revenues for the next fiscal wear are $3.50
350,O0O. 1t appears from the report that
Turing the last fiscal year the revenues of
he government, compared with the previ-
,us year, have largely decreased This de-
;rease, amounting TO SiS4Sl .45254, was
merely In custom duties, caused partly by
he large falling of OF Tie imported ,luli-
sble goods. and partly 10y the general falling
If such articles as pay dd ralorem taxes
While this Is felt injuriousiy in the dunn.
itlon of the revenue, it has been accoui-
panied 10y very large
INCREASE OF ExPORrATIoNs
The total exports for the last fiscal year, in
,iuding coin, has been S6J3, 627 .aI1, and
he imports have been S492 ,O9f $40, leaving
! balance of trade in favor of the United
states amounting ~ the sum of 9l66, $780,
~. the beneficial effects of which extend
o all branches of business. The estimated
evenue for the next fiscal year will impose
lpon congress the duty of strictly limiting
appropriations, including the requisite sum
or the maintenance of the sinking fund
within the aggregate estimated receipts,
While the aggregate oftaxes should not he
Amendments might be made
D the revenue laws that would without
diminishing the revenue, relieve the peo-
'le from unnecessary burden. A tax on
ca and coffee is shown by the experience ,
ot only of our own country but OF other ,
ountries, To be easily collected, without
Dss, by under valuation or fraud are large |
y borne in the country of production. A {
AK of ten cents per pound on tea, and two ,
YER pound on coffee would produce rev
nue. exceeding Sl2,000.000. and thus ena- |
lie congress To repeal IL multitude of an I
Dying taxes, yielding revenue not exceed l
NC that sum. The internal revenue system
rev out of the necessities oi war. and +
lost OF the legislation imposing taxes upon I
omestic products under this system las ,
cen repealed by the substitution of tax on {
N and coffee. All forms of internal taxa i
ON may be repealed, except that on whis- t
v, spirits, tobacco and beer. Attention is !
$50 called to the necessity of enacting I
lore vigorous laws for the protection of I
ie revenue, and for the punishment of i
etraudcrs and smugglers. This can best j
e done by judliclous provisions that will i
lduce the disclosure of attempted fraud by v
nder valuation or smuggling All revenue
Iws should be simple in their provisions, +
nd easily understood. SO far as PRACTICAL b
le rate Of taxation should be in the form
specific goods, and not I'D uaiorem, re. ii
uiring the Judgment of experienced men o
ascertain values, and exposing the rev
Tue to the temptation of fraud. NV at Ii
ntion has been Gu He'd, during the recess ii
congress, TO the abuses existing in the
election of the customs, and strenuous o
forts have been made for their correction II
7 executive orders. The recommendations II
omitted To the secretary of the treasury g
7 commission appointed TO examine G
to the collection of custom duties al the h
UT Of New York, contain many sugges- IL
ms for the modification of custom laws, al
which the attention of congress is invited.
THE PUBLIC CREDIT II
II is a matter of conrratulation that not =,
outstanding the severe burdens caused by
[ war; the public faith with all creditors
IS been preserved. and that as the result
this policy the public credit has conIinu- III
sly advanced, and our public securities in
e regarded with the highest favor in the III
arkets of the world. | trust that no act Sc
the government will cast shadow upon p,
credit. The progress Of refunding the Il
i,iic debt has been rapid snd satisfactory. pr
lder the contract that existed when al
entered upon the discharge of the &C