The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-12-06

STATES 10 ADVISE anu pro ect tnelr mdepenQeuCei
TO establish commercial relations with their
people, and 10 assist them In their steps towards
responsible and regular government The lnnab-
mants OF these Islands having made considerable
progress 10 Christian civilization ana the develop
meht OF trade, are doubtful OF their ability 10
MAINTAIN peace and Independence without the ala
deemed worthy of respectful attention,
and the claims upon our assistance by this
distant community will be carefully considered.
FOREIGN COMMERCE.
The long commercial depression IN the United
states has directed attention 10 the subject OF the
possible increase OF our foreign trade and the
methods for ITS deyelOpmeDt,DOt only With Europe,
but with other countries, especially with the
isphere. Instructions from tue Department OF
State were issued 10 various diplomatic aud con-
sular officers OF tue Government asking them to
devote. attention 10 the questions and
methods by which increased trade between the
respective countries OF their official residences
ana the United States could be most ludiclOnsly
founded. In obedience 10 these instructions eX-
aminations and reports upon this subject have
been made by MANY OF these, officers and trans
milted 10 the Department, and the same are sub
United 10 the consideration OF Congress.
CONDITION OF THE FINANCES.
The annual report OF the Secretary OF the Treas
ury ON tho state OF the finances presents import
ant questions for tue action OF Congress, upon
some OF whion ] have already remarked.
Tue revenues Of the Government during
the fiscal year ending June 80. 1871.
lures for the same period were s23s.6GO. O0s SO. leay-
lug a surplus revenue Of S0,34O.577 90. This has
substantially supplied the requirements Of the
Sinking Fund for that year. The estimates OF the
revenue OF the current fiscal year are S265, 100000,
and the estimated expenditures for the same
period are S2S2, 430.643 ~. II these estimates prove
TO he correct there Will be a surplus revenue OF
S33. O69,356 2S-an amount nearly sufficient for
the Sinking Fund for that year. The estimated
revenues FOR tho next fiscal year are s269, 2j0.OO0.
II appears from the report that during the last
hacal year the revenues OF the Government com
pared with The previous year have largely de-
| prAuann Tnta nlprnaan nmnuntIuu IN fhn gum lf
Sl3,4Sl,4J2 "a, was malnly IN customs duties, caused
partly by y large falling off in the amount Of i'm
reLeTa! i faII Of p pgSes' par ny markets. Dg ens
aud OF the production OF such articles as pay
I'd Udlorem taxes. While this is felt lnjuriOnslYi In
the dlminutiOn OF the revenue, II has been accom-
panied with a very large increase OF eX pOrtatiOns.
The total exports during the last fiscal year, IN
GLIDING coin, has heen SG53,6 37.457 and the imports
have been SA2,097 $40, leaving O balance OF trace
IN favor OF the United States amounting TO the
sum OF S1G6,539,gl7 the beneficial effects Of which
extend 10 all branches OF business,
fiscal year will impose upon Congress
the duty OF strictly limiting the appro-
p%riations, including the requisite sum for the
maintenance OF the Sinking Fnnd, within the
aggregate estimate receipts. while the aggregate
Of taxes should not be increased. Amendments
might be made TO the Revenue Laws that would,
without diminishing the revenue, relieve the ppO-
pie from unnecessary burden. A tax on tea and
coffee IS shown, by the experience not only OF our
own country, but OF other countries, TO be easily col
lecied without loss by differentiation or fraud, and
largely borne in the country of production. A tax
OF ten cents q pound on tea and two cents a pound
on coffee. would produce a revenue exceeding So.
100000. and thus enable Congress 10 repeal a multi
tude OF annoying taxes yielding revenue not eX-
ceedlng that sun. The Internal Revenue system
grew out of the necessities OF war, and most OF the
legislation imposing taxes npOu domestic products
under this system has been repealed. BY the sub
stitutiOu Of q tax on tea aud coffee all forms Of in
ternal taxation may be repealed except that on
whisky, spirits, tobacco and beer. Attention is also
called to the necessity OF e~nacting more vigorous
laws for 1le nFOtpptiOn of the TpVeuua. and for The
punishment Of frauds and smuggling. This can
best be done by JhdiciOus provisions that will
induce the disclosure Of III fraud by UNI
LIBERALIZATION and smuggling. All revenue laws
should be simple 10 their provisions and easily un-
d%erst0od. So far as practicable the rates OF taxa
ton should be IN the form Of the specific goods.
and not Gd U~GiOreDl, requiring the Judgment Of
experienced men TO ascertain values, and
exposing the revenue to the temptation OF fraud.
CUSTOMS ABUSES.
NV attention has been called during the recess
OF Congress to abuses existing in the collection of
the customs, and strenuous efforts have been made
for their correction by Executive orders. The re-
concentrations submitted to the Secretary OF the
Treasury bY a Commission appointed to examine
into the collection OF customs duties at the port of
New York contain many suggestions for the modI-
tcation OF customs laws to which the attention Of
Congress is invited.
REFUSDING THE PUBLIC DEBT.
IL is a matter OF cOngratulation that
Notwithstanding the severe burdens caused
by the war, the public faith by which
our credits has been preserved, and thai, as
the result Of this policy, the public credit has con
tinuously advanced, and our public securities are
regarded with the highest favor in the markets OF
the world, | trust that no act Of the Government
Will east o shadow upon its credit. Tue progress
of refuDding the public debt has been rapid and
satisfactory. Under the contract existing when |
entered upon the discharge of the duties
of my office, bonds bearing interest at
the rate OF AZ per cent. were being
aggregate sale Of these bonds bad reached the sum
o: 500, 100000. wit, my sanction the Secretary of
tile Treasury entered into a new contract for tho
sale of rOur.per.cant. bonds, and within thirty
days after the popular subscription for such bonds
was opened subscriptions were bad amount.
ing to S75.496,550 which were paid for within
ninety DAYS after the date of subscription. With
this process, within but little more than one year,
the annual interest on the public debt
600. l recommend that suitable provision be
made to enable the p%eopleto convert their savings
INTO Government s~pcuIitles as the best mode in
which small savings may be well secured and
Weld interest. II IL the object of the public policy
TO retain among our own people the securities OF
the United States. In this way our country II
guarded against their sudden return from foreign
countries caused by war or other disturbances be
yond our Limits,
FOREIGN EXPORTS.
The OF the United States with for
eign Nations, and especially the export Of
doCestic productions, has of late years largely
increased, but the greater portion of this trade is
conducted 10 foreign vessels. The importance of
enlarging our foreign TT abe, and especially bv di-
rect and speedy Interchange with countries on
lUlS NOUllItnlt chl IDl ~ ONeIthllUDtltu, anu " Is
n matter OF great moment that our own shipping
interest should receive, TO the utmost practical
extent. the benefit or our m with other
lands. These considerations are fOrcibly urged by
all toe large commercial cities OF The country, and
public attention is generally and wisely at
they present. 1t is not doubted that
CONGRESS will take them up IN the broadcast spirit
OF 1beTality, and respond TO the public demand by
pra~ ctloaDle legislation upon this subject.
THE ARMY.
The report OF the Secretary Of War shows that
The army has been actively employed during the
year. ana has rendered very important service in
depressing hOstilItiPs In the Indian country, ana
preserving peace and protecting life and property
III the interior, as well as along the Mexican Dor.
dor. A long and arduOus campaign has
cess, against o portion OF the Nez
Perces tribe Of Indians. A full account OF this
campaign will be found In the report OF the Gen.
eral OF the Army. 1t will be seen that in it's course
several battles were fought, IN which n number of
gallant officers aud men lost their lives. / join
Army IN awarding to the officers and men EN-
ployed IN the long and tOilsOme pursuit and in the
final Oapture of these Indians the honor and
praise which is 80 Justly their due.
The very serious riots which occurred In
several OF the States in July last,
a considerable portion OF the army TO preserve
peace ana maintain order. In the States Of West
Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Illinois
these disturbances were 80 formidable as TO defy
the local and State authorities, and the National
Executive was called upon in the mode provided
and 1 am gratlfed to be able to state TINT he
troops sent in response to these calls
for aid in the suppression of do.
nestle violence, were able by the influence their