The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-12-04

promptly ultaYoWou ana offered fepArA
ton Tor any unauthorized acts Of undull
jealous aubOrdinaies, whenever such act
have been brought 10 its attention; never
theless such occurrences cannot but tent
TO excite feelings 1oi annoyance, SUSPECT
cion and resentment, which are greatly I,
be deprecated between the respective sub
jects and the citizens OF the two friendly
powers. Much delay consequent upoi
the accusation OF frand in some Of III
awards has occurred In respect TO the dis
lributiOn Of the limited amounts receive,
from Venezuela under the treaty o
April 25Lh, 1855, applicable TO the award
OF the Joint Commission created by tha
treaty. So long a. these matters ar
pending In Congress the Executive can
not assume either TO pass upon the gues
tions presented or to distribute the fund
received. II Is eminently desirable thu
definite legislative action should be takel
either affirming the awards to be final o
providing some method for the re.exami
nation Of the claims,
SOUTH AMERICAN sTATEs.
Our relations with the Republics a
Central and South America, and with III
Empire Of Brazil have continued withOu
serious change, further than the tempo
rary interruption OF intercourse viii
Venezuela and with Guatamala. Amic
able relations have already been fully re
stored with Venezuela, and II Il no
doubted that oil the grounds OF ulisnn
derstanding with Guatemala willspeedil,
be removed. From all these Countrie
there arc favorable Indications Of dis
position, on the part Of their govern
mCnts and people, to reciproCate our ei
forts in the direction Of increased Com
mercial intercourse.
The governments OF the Samoan Island
has sent an envoy in the persons OF ii
Secretary Of State to invite the govern
ment Of the United States 10 recognize AM
protect their Independence; to establish
commercial relations with their people
and TO assist them 10 their stepa lowar,
a we'll regulated and responsible govern
ment. The inhabitants Of these Island
having made considerable progress il
Christian civilization and the develope.
ment Of trade, are doubtful OF their Abil
ity oil maintaining peace and independ
ence without the aid oil some stronger
power. The subject is deemed worth,
Of respectful attention, and the claim
npOn our assistance by this distant CON
munity will be carefully considered.
F0HElGN TRADE,
The long commercial depression in tn
United States has directed attention I,
the subject Of the possible increase OF on
foreign trade, aud the methods for il
development, not only with Europe bu
with other countries, especially will
states and Soyereignties OF the Westerl
Hemisphere. Instructions from the De,
par.ment Of State were Issued to the va
riouS Diplomatic and Consular officer
oil the Government asking them to devot,
attention to the question Of methods BY
which trade between the respective coun
tries Of their official residence and til,
United States could be most judicion.l |,
tostered. 10 obedience TO these instruc
ttonS, examinations and reports upon thi
subj scthave been made by many Of thes,
officers and transmitted to the Depart
ments, and the same are submitted 10 tn
consideration Of Congress.
The annual report Of the Secretary o
the Treasury on the state Of the finance
presents important questions for the &C.
ton Of Congress, upon some OF which
have already remarked.
REVENUES OF THE GOVERNMENT.
The revenues Of the Government
during the fiscal year ending Juul
3OIh, 1877, we're $269,OOO,5S6 SO; III,
total expenditures for the same periot
were S236, ,OO8 90, being a surplus o
revenue Of $32,SiO,577 60. This hal
substantially supplied tho requirement.
Of the sinking fund for that year. Thu
estimated revenues OF the current fsca
year are S2C5, $780, 600 aud the estimated
expenditures for the same period ART
$2S!, 1870, 64S72. lithese estimates prov
to be correct there will be a surplus rev
enne OF SSS,0O9, $3.50 %, an amount nearly
sufficient for the sinking fund for tha
year. The estimated revenues for III,
next +i.cal year are $3.50, 10000. 1t ap
pears from the report that during thu
last liIcal year the revenues of the Gov
eminent compared with the preyiou,
year have largely decreaeed this de-
crease amounting TO the sum Of SlS,4Sl,
49, 81, was mainly in customs dutiei
caused partly by large falling of o.
the amount Of imported dutyabie good,
partly by the general fall OF prices 10 the
markets Of production OF such articles ~
pay AL valorem taxes. While this fell in
inriOnSly in the diminuIion OF revenue, Il
has been accompanied with very large
increase Of expectation. The total ex
ports during the Last fiscal year, including
coin, have been $G5S ,637, 4G7, and the I'M
ports have been S492, 097,54O, leaving 4
balance Of trade ia favor Of the United
States amounting to the sum OF $lGG,
$50. 9IT, the beneficial effects Of which ex
tend TO all branches Of business
The estimated revenue for the next lis.
cal year will impose upon Congress- the
duty Of strictly limiting the appropria
tons, including the requisite cum for the
maintenance Of the sinking fund, within
the estimated receipts. While the aggre'
gate Of taxes should not be increased
amendments might be made Ia
the revenue laws that wonld, with.
out diminishing the revenue, relieve
the people from unnecessary bur.
denl. A lax on tea and coffee ia shown
by the experience OF not only our own
country but Of other countries, to he cas-.
ly collected without loss by undervalua.
ton or fraud. and largely borne in
the country OF production. A tax
Of ten cents pound on tea and two cents
a pound on coffee would produce rev.
enue exceeding $l2,0O0,00O, and thus
enable Congress to repeal multitude Of
annoying taxes yielding a revenue not
exceeding that sum. The Internal Rev.
enue System grew ont OF the necessities
OF the war, and most Of the legislation
imposing a tax on domestic products
under this system has been repealed, BY
the snbStitntion OF u tax on tea and coffee,
all forms oil internal taxation may be
repealed, except that on whisky, spirits,
tobacco and beer.
Attention Is also called to The necessity
ofvnaG,ing more vigorous lava for the
protection Of the revenue and for the
punishment Of frauds and smuggling.
This can be done by judicious provisions
that will induce the disclosure Of attempt
ed fraud by differentiation and snug.
Cling. All revenue lava should be sim.
Pile in their proviaiona and ea.iIy under.