The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-12-12

pOpuiat lceliup anu mieC1anCcS Oh
actions which are naturally unfavor-
able to complete amity. Firmly de.
termined that nothing shall be want
ing on my part TO promote a coed
understanding between the two ma
tions, yet must ask the attention Of
Congress to the actual occurrences
on the border, that the lives and
property Of on; citizens may be ade.
quatelyprotected and peace preserved.
CUBA.
Another year has passed without
bringing to close the protracted
contest between the Spanish Govern
mentsnd the einsurrectionon the island
of Cuba. While the United States has
seduiousl, abstained from any inter
vention in. this contest, it is impossi-
bic not TO feel that ii Is attended with
incidents affecting the rights and in
terests of American citizens. Apart
from the effect of the hostilities on
trade between the United States and
Cuba, their progress is inevitably
accompanied by complaints, having
more or less foundation, of searches,
arrests, embargoes and oppressive
taxes upon the property of American
residents, and of unprovoked inter
ference with Amerieao vessels and
commerce. IL is due To tue Govern
ment of Spain TO say tnat during the
past year it has promptly disavOwed
and offered reparation tor any unal-
thorized acts of unduly Jealous sub
ordinates whenever such acts have
been brought to its attention. New
ertheless, such occurrences cannot
but tend to excite feelings of annoy
ance, suspicisn and resentment, which
are greatly to be deprecated, between
the respective subjects and citizens
Of the two friendly powers.
Much delay consequent upon accu-
sstions offraud in some ofthe awards
has occurred in respect to the dlstri-
button of the limited amounts re-
ceived from Venezuela, under the
treaty of April 25, 1866, applicable
to the awards of The Joint Comnis-
sion created BY that treaty. So long
as these matters are pending in Con-
gress the Executive cannot assume
either to pass upon the questions
presented or to distribute the fund
received. 1t Is eminently desirable
thst definite legislative action should
be taken either affirming the awards
to be final or providing some method
for the REORGANIZATION of the claims.
Our relations with the Republics
of Central and South America, and
with the Empire of Brazil, have con
tinued without serious change, fur
ther than the temporary interruption
of diplomatic intercourse with Vene-
zuels and with Guatemala. Amicabla
relations have already been ftlly res
tored with Venezuela, and it is not
DOUBTED that all grounds OF misun-
derstanding with Guatemala will
speedily be removed. From all these
countries there are favorable indica-
tlons of a disposition on the part Of
their Governments and people TO
reciprocate our efforts in the diree-
tiOn of increased commercial inter
course.
The Government of the Samoan
Islands has sent an envoy in the
person of It's Secretary of State 10
invite the Government of the United
States TO recognize and protect their
independence, to establish CONNER
cial relations with their people, and
TO assist them in their steps toward a
regulated and responsible govern
ment. The inhabitants of these
islands having made considerable
progress in Christian civilization and
the Development of trade, are doubt
tul of their ability to maintain peace
and independence without the aid of
some strange power. The subject
is deemed worthy Of respectful atten-
tion, and the claims upon our assist
snce by this distant community will
be carefully considered.
The long commercial depression
in the United STATES has directed at
tention TO the subject of the possible
increase of our foreign trade and the
methods for its development, not
only with Europe, but with other
countries, especially with the States
and Sovereignties of the Western
Hemisphere. Instructions from the
Department Of State were issued to
the various diplomatic and consular
officers of the Government, asking
them to devote attention TO the ques-
tion of methods by which trade be-
tween the respective countries of
their official residence and the United
States could be most judiciously fos-
tered. In obedience to these in
slructions examinations and reports
upon this subject have been made by
many of these officers, and transmit
ted to the departments, and the same
are submitted to the consideration Of
Congress.
THE TREASURY REPORT.
The annual report Of the Secretary
of the Tresury on the state of finance
presents an important question for
the action of Congress, upon some of
which / have already remarked.
The Government receipts during the
fiscal year ending June so, 1877,
were s269, ,O0O,5s6 62. The total
expenditures for che same period
$23s, ,6OO,OOS 90, leaving surplus
revenue of $50, O,340,577 SO. This has
substantially supplied the require
ments of the si.king fund for that
year. The estimated revenues of the
current fiscal year are 1865, 500, 900,
and the estimated expenditures for
the same period are S232, ,43O,G43 y.
If these estimates prove TO be correct,
there will be a surplus revenue of
S33, ,069, 1856 %, aD amount nearly
sufficient for the sinking fund for that
year. The estimated revenues for
the next fiscal year are 1859, $50, 900.
1t appears from the report that dur
ing the last fiscal year the revenues
of the Government compared with the
previous year have largely decreased.
This decrease, amounting to the sum
of SlS,4Sl, ,452 %, was mainly iD