The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-04

dlspositoL on the part OF their governments and
people rccprocatc our forts in the direction OF IN
creased commercial intercourse
The government OF the Samoan Islands has sent an
envoy in the person Of us Secretary OF STATE,
10 invite tho soyernmcnt Of the United
states 10 recognize protect their Independence,
10 establish commercial relations with their people
aud regulated government. The inhabitants OF those
Islands, having made considerable progress IN CHRIS
tian civilization and the development OF trade are
doubtful OF their ability 10 maintain peace and lnae-
pendence without tho aid oil stronger Power
The subject deemed worthy OF respectful attention.
ana The CLAIMS upon our assistance by TINS distant
community will be carefully considered.
CONSULAR TRADE REPORTS.
Tho long com mercal depression IN the United States
has directed attention TO the subject OF The possible m
OF foreign trade and the methods LOT US uo
velopment not only with Europe but with other coun
Ires and especially with the States and soyereigntes
D the Western Hemisphere Instructions from tne
Department of State were issued 70 the various
diplomatic ana consular officers oil the government
asking them TO devote their attention TO the
question OF the methods by which TRACE between
and the United States could be most ludicousy ios-
tered. In obedience 10 these lnstructiors exanina-
tons and reports upon this subject have oeen maze
by many OF these officers and transmitted TO the de-
pertinent, and The same are submitted TO the consid-
Grafton OF Congress. v,x.xcv.
The animal report OF the secretary OF the Treasury
on the OF the finances presents important ques,
tons Tor the action OF Congress, upon some OF
which / nave already remarked The revenues OF
the government during the fiscal year ending Juno
80 1917 S269, ,5o6 g. nc total expen-
atures for period were $23S, 600, COS %,
lowing surplus revenue OF $50, 34o.577 o. rms mas
TALLY supplied The requirements OF tho sinking
!und Tor that year. The estimated revenues OF tho
current nscai year $265 000 and the estimated
expenditures for the period S232 430, GAS ~.
II these estimates prove 10 be correct
there will DC surplus revenue ol
sa5,o 500 2s, an amount nearly sufficient Tor
the sinking iund Tor that year. The estimated reve-
nues the lext fiscal year are 500 $50 600 II APP
pears tho report that during the last fiscal year
previous year. largely This decrease,
nmounling 10 the sum OF SIS, 4Sl, 452 81 was mainly
Of the amount Of imported dutmbe goods and partly
by tho general fAi Of prices IN the markets
oa voIopem taxes wne TINS Is ies ,n,urousy "a
the dmnulion OF the revenue, 1t has been accom-
panied with very large increase OF explorations.
rhe total exports during tue last fiscal year. including
som, has been $685., 637, 457, and the imports have
s492 $40 leaving balance OF trade in favor
o, the United States amounting TO the sum OF
sl66 539, OIL the beneficial effects OF which extend
10 all branches oil business The estimated revenue
FOR tho next fiscal year will impose upon
Congress the duty strictly limiting nppro prations,
Including the requisite sum for the maintenance oil
the sinking fund, within the aggregate estimate
receipts While the aggregate OF taxes should not be
increased, amendments might DO made TO revenue
laws that would, without diminishing tho revenue,
relieve the people from unnecessary burdens
TEA AND COFFEE.
A tax tea anu coffee is shown by the experience,
not only OF our own out 81 o,nef oas
differentiation or fraud. and largely borne
In the country Of production Production -. TAX
Coffee would produce revenue exceeding Sl2, 900 0O0
thus enable Congress 10 repeal multitude OF an
noying taxes yielding a revenue not exceeding that
sum. The mi ernal revenue system grew out OF the
oil the war; and most OF the legislation i'm
posing upon domestic products under this sys-
lem has been repealed. BY the substitution OF TAX
on tea coffee all forms OF internal taxation may be
repealed except that on whskcy. spiris tobacco and
Deer.
Attention is also called the necessity of enacting
vigorous laws for the protection oil the revenue
for punishment oil frauds and smuggling. Tns
can best be done by Judcious provisions that VIII IN
disclosure OF attempted fraud by undervalua
lion and smuggling All revenue laws sh auld be SIM
pie IN Their provisions ana easily understood SO far
practicable the rates OF taxation should be in thu
torn OF specific duties and not ad valorcm, requiring
The judgment OF experienced men 10 ascertain values
ana exposing tho revenue 10 the temptation OF fraud
REFORMS IN CUSTOMS SERVICE.
My attention nas been called during the recess of
Congress to abuses existing IN the collection OF tho
customs, and strenuous Efforts have been made Tor
their correction by executive orders The recommen-
daons submitted to Inc Secretary OF the Treasury by
commission appointed to examine into the collection
81 customs duties at tho port OF New York conta n
many suggestions for the notification Of the
laws, to winch the attention oil Congress Is invited.
THE NATIONAL CRKDIr.
II Is matter OF congratuiation that Eotwithstand-
Ing the burdens caused by the the public
faith with all creditors has been preserved anu that as
the result oil this policy the pubic credit has contnu-
ousiy advanced ana our pubic securities are regarded
win the CHEST favor III the markets OF the world
trust that act OF the government VIII cast shadow
upon It's credit The progress oil rounding Tie public
debt has been rapid aud satisfactory. Under the
tract existing when entered upon the discharge of
tho duties Of my office bonds bearing interest at tho
rate OF Jour and hall per cent were
being rapidly sold, and within three months tho
aggregate sales OF these bonds bad reached the Of
5000, 600 600 With my sanction the Secretary OF the
Treasury entered into "A new contract for the sale OF
Tour per cent bonds aud within thirty days alter the
popular subscription Tor such bonds WAS opened sub
scrptons were had amounting to sac, $50, which
were paid Tor within ninety days after The date OF sub
Bcription. BY this process, within but little
than one year, the annual interest on
the public debt was reduced IN the sum
OF So 775 900. recommend that suitable provision DC
made 10 enable the people to easily convert thor
savings into government securities as the best mode
In which small savings may be well secured and yield
moderate interest IL is an object OF public policy
10 retain among our own people the securities OF tho
United States In this way our country is guarded
Rganst their sudden return from foreign countries
caused by o.her disturbances beyond limirs
THE COMMERCE. or THE COUNTRY.
The commerce of the United States with foreign
tons. ana especially the export OF domestic produce
lions, has Of late years largely increased but tho
greater portion OF this trade is conducted In
trade, and especially by direct and speedy in
terchanee Win countries on this CONT
neDt, cannot be oycrcstmateu, and IL Is
matter OF great moment that own
shipping interest should receive to the prac-
tIcal extent the benefit OF our commerce with other
lands These considerations are iorcbly urged by all
large commercial cities OF tho country, and public
ateLton generally anu wisely attracted to solu-
ton of tue problems they present Is not doubted
thai Congress will take them up IN the broadcast spirit
Of iberaty and respond TO the public demand by
practical legislation upon this important subject.
THE ARMY.
The report OF the Secretary OF War shows that the
army has been actively employed during the year and
has rendered very important service In supprcssing
hosttIes IN the Indian country and In prcservi 4
peace and protecting Lie and properly Ia the interior
well along The Mexican border. long
and arduous campaign has been prosecuted with
nnal ana complete success against portion Of tho
NeZ Perces tribe of Indians lnll account oil this
campaign will be found IA the report OF the General
OF the Army. !, Will be seen that In Its course sew
eral battles were fought, IN which NUMBER OF gal
liant officers ana men lost their lives. JOIN with the
Secretary OF War and General of the Army awards
ing to the officers ana employed IN the long anu
tolsone pursuit aud in the nDa capture OF tneso
Indians tho honor aud praise winch are justly
due.
The very serious riots which occurred in several OF
the States ia Jug last rendered necessary the em-
poyment OF q considerable portion OF the army TO
preserve he peace and mnntai In the States
Of West Virginia, Maryland Pennsylvania and lIinois
these disturbances were formidable to DEFY the
local ana state authorities, andth national Execu-
tive called upon, IA the mode provided by the
PROSTITUTION and laws, TO furnish mntary aid. | am
gratied TO be able TO state that the troops sent
sponsc to these calls Tor aid In the suppression
Df domestic violence were able, by tho influence OF
presence in the disturbed regions preserve
the peace restore order without the of force
In the discharge OF this delicate and portant duty
both officers and men acted with great prudence and