The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-12-04

10 IS not doubted that all grounds OF
misunderstanding with Guatemala will
speedily be removed From all these
countries there are favorable indications
OF disposition on the part of their gov
ernments and people to reciprocate our
efforts in the direction of increased com
mercial intercourse.
The government of the Samoan Isl
and has sent an envoy in the person of
its Secretary of State. to invite the gov
eminent OF the United States to adyise
and protect their independence, to es-
tablish commercial relations with their
people, and to assist them in their steps.
toward a responsible and regular gov
eminent. The inhabitants of these ISL
ands having made considerable progress
in Christian civilization anG the devel-
opment of trade, are doubtful of their
ability to maintain peace and indepen-
dence without the aid of some stronger
power. The subject is deemed worthy
of respectful attention, and the claims
upon our assistance by this distant COM
munity will be carefully considered.
The long commercial depression in
the United States has directed attention
to the subject of the possible
INCREASE OF Orr FOREIGN TRNnE
and the methods for its development,
not only with Europe, but with other
countries and specially with the States
and sovereignties of the Western Hem
isphere, Instructions from the De
partment of State We're issued to the
various diplomatic and consular officers
of the government asking them to de-
vote attention to the question of meth
DDS by which trade between the respec-
tive countries of their official residences
and the United States could be most
judiciously founded. In obedience TO
the instructions, examinations and re-
ports upon this subject have been made
by many of these officers and transmit
ted to the Department, and the same are
submitted to the consideration of Con-
gress.
The annual report of the Secretary
Of the Treasury on the
STATE OF THE FINANCES
presents important questions for the
action of Congress, upon some of which
| have already remarked. The revenues
of the government during the fiscal year
ending June, 1877, were $269, 000. 5S6 50 !:
the total expenditures for the same
period were $685., $50, 00S 90, leaving a
surplus revenue of $50, 340,57T.69. This
has substantially supplied the require
ments of the sinking fund for that year.
The estimated revenues of the current
fiscal year are S265, 100000, and the esti-
mated expenditures for the same period
are 1892, 430, 64372. If these estimates
prove to be correct, there will be sur
plus revenue of $33 ,069, 356. %. an
amount nearly sufficient for the sinking
fand for that year. The estimated rev
enues for the next fiscal wear are 1860,
100000. 1t appears from the report that
during the last fiscal year the revenues
of the government compared with the
previous year have largely decreased
This decrease, amounting to the sum of
SIS, 4S1 1924, was mainly in customs
duties, caused partly by large falling
off of the amount of imported dutiable
goods, and partly by the general fall OF
prices in the markets of productions OF
such articles as pay ad valorem taxes.
Whiie this is felt injurious in the dimi-
mutton of the revenue, it has been
accompanied with very large increase
of expectations. The total exports dur
ing the last fiscal year, including coin
has been $65S, 637 ,457 and the imports
have been 1892 ,097 $40, leaving a bal
ance of trade in favor of the United
States amounting to the sum OF $166,
539,9l7, the beneficial effects of which
extend to ali branches of business. The
estimated revenue for the next fisca
year will impose upon Congress the duty
of strictly limiting appropriations, in
Gliding the requisite sum for the main
tenance of the sinking fund, within the
aggregate estimate of receipts. While
the aggregate of taxes should not bt
increased, amendments might be made
to the revenue laws that would, without
diminishing the revenues, relieve the
people from unnecessary burdens. A
tax on tea and coffee is shown by til,
experience, not only of our own country
but of other countries, to he easily col
Iected without loss by undervaluation OF
fraud, and Is largely borne in the conn
try of production. A tax of ten cents
pound on tea and two cents per poun,
on coffee would produce a revenue ex
ceeding Sl2,000,000, and thus enabl
Congress to repeal a multitude of annoy
ing taxes yielding a revenue not exceed
ing that sum.
THE INTERNAL REVENUE SYSTEM
grew out of the necessities of the wan
and most of the legislation imposing
taxes upon domestic products under thi
system have been repealed. By sub
stltutlon of tax on tea and coffee al
forms of internal taxation may be re
pealed, except that on whisky, spirits
tobacco and beer.
Attention is also called to the neces
sity of exacting more vigorous laws TO
the protection of the revenue, and TO
the punishments of frauds and smuo
CLING. All revenue laws should be sim
pie in their provisions and easily under
stood, so far as practicable The rate
of taxation should be in the form @
specific duties, and not al valorem. rt
During the Judgment OF experiences
men to ascertain values and exposin
the revenue to the temptation of fraut
My attention has been called, dur1n
the recess of Congress, to the abuse
existing in the collection of the customs
and strenuous efforts have been mad
for their correction by executive order,
The recommendations submitted to tn
Secretary of the Treasury by a commits
sion appointed to examine into the co
lection OF customs duties at the port {
New York, contain many suggestion
for the modification of the customs law
to which the attention of Congress
invited. 1T is a matter of congratulate