The Portland daily press., 1877-12-04


question OF methods by which trada between
Tue respective countries of their official resi-
9ence and the United States could bA most ju-
u.oIou'sy Iostered. In obedience to these in-
stTucGlons' examinations and reports upon this
SUBJECT nave been made by many of these Off
GERS and transmitted to the department and the
same are submitted to the consideration of
Congress.
The Revenue aud the Revenue Laws.
The annual report of the Secretary of tha
treasury on the state of the fuances present
important questions for the action of Congress.
upon some OF which have already remarked
f6e revenues of the government during the is-
cSI Cal year ending June 30, 1877, were S269, ,O00,-
ooo,6z. The total expenditures for the same
period were $23S, $3.50, ,0O09 SO, leaving surplus
OF $50, $40 577.69 This has substantially sup-
piled the requirements of the sinking fund for
tnat year; The estimated revenues Of the cur
rent hscal year ere $265, 100000 and the esti-
mated expenditures for the same perjod are
S232 43O, ,643.72 If these estimates prove to be
correct there will be a surplus revenue of S33-
O69. 3462 Is, an amount nearly sufficient for the
SINKING tand for that year. The estimated
revenues for the next fiscal year are 1868 250-
0UO. 1t appears from the report that during the
last hScal year the revenues of the government
compared with the previous year have largely
decreased This decrease amounting TO the
sum of SIS, ,452, was mainly in customs du.
ues, caused partly by a large falling
on OF the amount of imported dutiable goods
and partly by general fall of price ia the
markets OF production of such articles az ray ad
valorem taxes. While this is felt iniuriously
III the diminution of the revenue, it has been
accompanied with very large increase of ex-
portations. The total exports during the last
fiscal year, including coin, have been S65S, ,637,-
457. and the imports have been S492 O97, $40
leaving balance of trade in favor of the
United States amounting to the sum Of 1885,
539.9l7, the beneficial effects of which extend
to all branches of business Tue estimated
upon Congress the duty of strictly limiting an
propriattons, including the requisite sum for
the maintenance of the sinking fund within
the aggregate estimated receipts.
While the aggregate of taxes should not ba
increased, amendments might be made to the
revenue laws that would without llminis hiug
the revenue, relieve the people from uuneces-
sary BURDENS A tax on tea and coffee is shown
Dy the experience not only of our own country
Dot OF other countries to be easily collected
without loss bv differentiation or fraud and
largely borne in the country of production A
tax OF ten cents pound on tea and two cents
pound oD coffee would produce revenue ex-
ceedlng 12,000, 600, and thus enable Congress
to repeal multitude of annoying taxes Weld
ing revenue not exceeding that sum. The
internal revenue system grew out Of the neces-
SUES OF the war, and most of the legislation
imposing tax upon domestic products under
this system has been repealed By the substi-
tution OF tax on tea and coffee all forms of
internal taxation may be repealed except that
on whlskey, spirits, tobacco aud beer
Attention Is also called to the necessity OF
making more vigorous laws for protection for
the revenue and for the punishment Of frauds
and smuggling. This can be- best done by in
dclous provisions that will Induce the dis ,los-
ure of attempted fraud by differentiation and
smuggling. All revenue laws should be simple
10 their provisions and easily understood So
far as practicable, the rates of taxation should
oe IN the form of specific duties aud not ad va
lorem requiring the judgment Of experienced
men to ascertain values and exposing tho reve-
nus to the temptation of fraud
My attention has been called during the re-
cess OF Congress 10 abuses existing ia the col
lection of customs, and strenuous efforts have
been made for their correction BY executive or.
ders Thereco concentrations submitted to the &c
retary Of the Treasury by a commission appoint-
ed to examine into the collection of customs
duties at the port of New York, contain MANY
suggestions for the modification of the customs
laws, to which the attention of Congress is in.
vited.
The Pnblic Credit
Il is matter of congratulaton that, notwith-
standing the severe burdens caused By the war.
the public faith with all creditors has been pre-
served, and that as the result of this policy the
public credit has continuously advanced and
our public securities are regarded with th, bigh-
est favors in the markets of the world L trust
hat no act OF the government will cast q
shadow upon its credit The progress of re-
funding the public debt has been rapid and sat-
lsfActory. Under the contract existing when
entered upon the discharge Of the duties of my
office, bonds bearing interest at the rate of Al
per cent were being rapidly sold, and within
three months the aggregate sales of these bonds
had reached the sum of $200,000,0O0. With nv
sanction the Secretary of tbe Treasury entered
into new contract for the sale of per ceat
bonds, aud within thirty days after the popular
subscription for such bonds was opened sub
scriptions were had amounting to S75 496 $50,
which were paid for within ninety days after
date of subscription. By this process within
but little more than one year, the annual inter
nUhlio dol vuaa ro6n aa1 =, &I&o
of $3,775,000.
L recommend that suitable provision be made
to euabl5 the people to easily convert their saw
ing isto government securities as the best mode
In which small savings may be well preserved
aud yield moderate interest 1t is an obi.ct
of public policy to retain among our own peOple
the securities of the United States. In this way
our country IS guarded against their sudden re-
turn from foreign countries caused by war or
other disturbances beyond our limits.
Our shipping Interesis.
The commerce of the United States with
fOreig0 nations, and especially the export of
domestic productions, has of late years largely
Increased, but the greater portion of this trade
is conducted in foleign vessels. The import
ance of enlarging our foreign trade and es-
pecially by direct aud speedy interchange with
countries on this continent cannot be over es-
tlmated, and it is a matter of great moment
that our own shipping interest should receive
10 the utmost practical extent the benefit of
These
slderations are foreibly urged by all the large
commercial cities of the country, aud public
attention is generally aud wisely attracted 10
TO the solution of the problems they present. 1t
Is not doubted that Conpress will take them up
10 the broadcast spirit of iberality and respcnd to
the public demand 6y practical Legislation upon
this important subject,
The Army and its Work.
The report of the Secretary of War shows
that the army has been actively employed dur
log the year and has rendered very important
service in suppressipg hosiilities in the Indian
country and in preserving peace and protecting
fe and property in the interior as well as along
the Mexican border. A long and arduous cam
paign has been prosecuted with final
complete success against a portion of
the Nez Perces tribe of Indians. A full ac-
count Of this campaign will be found in the
reoort Of the General Of the Army. IL will be
seen that in its course several battles were
fought, IN which number of gallant officers
and men lost their lives. join With the Sec
retary Of War and the General of the Army in
awarding to the officers and men employed in
the long and toilsome pursuit and in the final
capture of these Indians the honor and praise
which is so justly their due.
The very serious riots which occurred in
several of the states, July last, rendered neces-
ssry the employ ment of q considerable portion
Vt the army to preserve the peace and maintain
order IN the states of West Virginia, Mary
land, Pennsy lvania and Illinois. These dig
turbances were so formidable as to DEFY the
local and state authorities, aud the national
executive was called upon in the mode pre-
scrbed by the constitution and laws to furnish
military aid. am gratified to be able to state
that the troops sent in response to these calls to
ai1 in the suppression of domestic violence
| were able by the influence of their presence in
the disturbed regions to preserve the peace aud
restore order without the use Of force. In the
discharge of this delicate and important duty
both officers and men acted with great pro-
dence and courage, aud for their services de-
serve the thanks of the couEtrv.
Disturbances along the Rio Grande in Texas,
to which have already referred, have already
rendered necessary the constant employment Of
a militsry force that vicinity. A full report
of all recent military operations n that quarter
has been transmitted to the House Of Repre-
sentatives n answer to a resolution Of that body
aud it will not therefore be necessary to enter
INTO details. regret to say that these lawless
incursons toto our territory by armed bands
from the Mexican side of the line for the pur-
pose of robbery, have been of frequent occur
renee, and in spite of the most vigorous efforts
of the commander of our forces the marauders
have generally succeeded 10 escaping into Mex.
'co with their punder. In May last gave or
dtr5 for the exercise of the utmost velatce on
the part Of our troops for the suppression Of