Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-12-11
our Foreign Commerce.

Tho long commercial depression N the
I United States has directed attention 20 the
subject of the possible increase of our for-
eigu trade, and the methods for its develop
ment. not only with Europe but with other
countries, and especially with the states and
soytreigutits Of the western hemisphere.
. Instructions from the department Of state
were issued 20 various diplomatic and consul
| lar officers OF the government asking them
+ % devote attention 90 the question of meth
DDS bv which trade betWeen the respective
countries Of their official residence and the
/ [ uiled States could be most Jud!ciOusly iOs-
! tered. 10 obedience 20 these instructions,
examinations and reports upon tins subject
I have been made by many Of there officers
and transmit 2 q the department and the
same are submitted 80 the consideration Of
Congress.
The Revenue Bnd the Revenue Law,
The annual report Of the Secretary Of the
Treasury on the state OF the finances present
important questions Tor the action OF Con-
gress, upon some Of which | hsye already
remarked. Tse revenues of the government
during the fiscal year ending June 50;h,
1877. were Se51.QJ0. jSj.G2 The total eX-
Veniitures for the same period were S23o,-
100000 yt. leaving a surplus of S3o,3i0, 5...-
$50. Ta,. las substantially supplied the re-
uui-emcuts Of Oh. sinking fund for that year
The estimated revenues OF the current fiscal
year are 500. sol. $50. and the estimated eX-
pcnliturcs for taC same period are S23e, 49,
ffj.I2. IL these estimates prove 20 be cor
rec, there NIL bee a surplus revenue OF So
o63.SiC.2>. 4n amount nearly sufficient for
the sinking fund l1- lha, wear. The e.t,-
mated revenues for tic next fiscal year are
~-6t, 100000 IL appears from tAe report
that during the las; dsca. year the revenues
~ the slyernIaeDt compared with the PIE
yiOus year have largely decreased
This decrease amounting 10 the sum 81 : =
Iij ASP. wl,mainly IN customs duties, caused
partly by q large falling % Of the amount
" imported lUtab,c goods. and partly by =
general fall ot p-icy in the markets of prOduc-
lion OF such articles rs pay adval0rcm taxes.
While this is felt iniuriJusly in ;he diminu-
ton ~ tie revenue, it has been accompanied
with very large increase Of expectations.
The total exports during the last fiscal year,
including coin. have been Sjjo, G57, 10, aud
the imports have been $40, 097.j4O, leay-
ing balance OF trade IN favor Of the United
States amounting 90 the SUN Of SlG6, l59, 81,
the beneficial! effects Of which extend 10 all
branches OF business. The estimated reye-
nue. for the next fiscal wear viii impose upon
Congress the duty Of strictly limiting sppro-
pr;a,ions, including the requisite sum for the
maintenance OF the sinking fund within the
aggregate estimated receipts.
While the aggregate Of taxes should not be
Increased. amendments might be made 10 the
revenue laws that would. without diminish
ing the revenue, relieve the people from un-
necessary burdens. A tax on tea and coffee
Is shown by the experience not only of our
own country hug Of other countries TO be
easily collected without loss by under-valu-
alton or fraud, and largely 10y the country Of
production. \ t8N Of ten cents a pound on
tea and two cents pound ON coffee would
produce q revenue exceeding $1,000 900,
and u.us enable Congress to repeal q multi
tute OF annoying taxes yielding revenue
not exceeding that sum. The internal reve-
nue. system grew out OF the necessities OF the
war, and most OF the legislation imposing a
TAX upon domestic products has been repeal
ed. By the substitution OF tax on tea and
coffee all forms of internal taxation may be
repealed except that Of whiSkey, spirits, to
baccO AMI beer.
Attention Is also called 70 the necessity Of
making more vigorous laws for protection for
the revenue and for the punishment Of frauds
dlu smuggling. 1lls can De btel uoht uN Ju-
dicious provisions that will induce the dis
closure % attempted fraud by differentiation
and smuggling. AL revenue Laws should be
simple in their provisions and easily under
stood. So far Is practicable, the rates OF
taxation should be in the form % specific du-
ties and not al valorem. requiring the judy
ment Of experienced men 10 ascertain val !
ues and exposing ,he revenue 10 the tempta-
ton Of fraud
Ny attention has been called during tue re-
cess of. Congress 10 abuses existing in the |
collection OF customs, and strenuous efforts !
have been made for their correction by exc |
cutiye orders. The recommendations sub I
nitted to the Secretary OF the Treasury by .
commission appointed to examine into the
OF customs duties at the port
Of New York. contain many suggestions
for the modification Of the customs laws,