The Leavenworth weekly times., 1877-12-06

been accompanied with very large in
crease OF expectations. The total exports
during the last fiscal year, including coin,
have been sos. So .457, and the imports
have been sIg2, ,U97 80, leaving a balance
of trade in favor OF the United States
amounting To the sum of slot. $50 9i7, tine
benehcSal effects OF which extend TO all
branches OF business. The estimated reye-
nCe for the next fiscal year will impose
upon Congress the duty Of strictly limiting ap-
propriaiion-, including the requisite sum for
/ the maintenance OF the sinking fund within
| the aggregate estimate OF 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 people from an unnec-
! essary burden. A tax on tea and cotiee is
shown by the experience, not only Of our
/ own country, but of other countries, to be
easily collected, without loss by under-valu-
alton or fraud, and largely borne in the
country OF production. A tax of ten cents a
I pound on tea and = cents pound on coffee,
( would produce revenue of $4,000 900.
I and thus enable Congress to repeal multi
/ tude of annoying taxes yielding a revenue
not exceeding that sum.
| THE INTERNAL REVENUE SYSTEM
grew out of the necessity of war and most
of the legislation imposing taxes upon
domestic products under this system has
been repealed by the substitution of tax
| on tea and coffee. All forms of internal
taxation may be repealed except that ON
whisky, tobacco and beer. Attention is also
called to the necessity OF enacting more
vigorous laws for the protection of the reve-
nue. and for the punishment of frauds and
smuggling. This can best be done BY iudici-
Gus provisions that will induce the disclosure
of attempted fraud by under-valuation
and smuggling. All revenue laws should
be simple and easily understood, 50 far as
practicable The rates of taxation should
be in favor of specific goods and not
ad valorem, requiring the judgment OF ex-
perienced men 10 ascertain values and ex-
posing the revenue To the temptation OF
fraud. My attention has been called dur
ing the recess of Congress to the abuses
existing in the collection of the GUS
toms, and strenuous efforts have been made
for their correction by executive orders. The
recommendations submitted TO the ;. creta-
~ OF the Treasury by commission ap
pointed 10 examine into the collection OF
customs duties at the ri of New York,
contain many suggestions Tor the modifica-
ton OF the customs laws to VIII ch the atten-
ton OF Congress is invited.
MATTER OF GENERALIZATION.
1t is a matter of congratulation that not
withstanding the severe burdens caused by
the war, the public faith with all
creditors / as been preserved, and that as
the result OF this policy the public credit
has continually 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 cast a shadow
upon its credit. The progress of refunding
the public debt has been rapid and satisfac-
tory under the contract existing When
entered upon the discharge of the duties OF
my Office, bonds bearing interest at the rate
OF four and one-half per cent. were being
rapidly sold and within three months the
aggregate sales of these bonds had reached
the sum of S2O0,OO0,O0O. With my
sanction the Secretary of the Treasury
entered into new contract for the sale OF
four per cent. bonds, and within thirty DAYS
after the popular subscription for such
4 bonds was opened subscriptions were had
amounting 10 s75, ,496, $50 which were paid
for within ninetv days after the date of sub
scription. BY this process, within but little
more than one year, the annual interest on
| the public debt was reduced in the sum OF
| S3,115,U00. | recommend that a suitable
provision be made 10 enable the people to
convert their savings into government Sc
curities as the best mode in viii h small
savings NAV be well secured and yield
interest. 1t is the object OF the public pol
| icy 10 retain among ouI own people the Sc
curities of the United States. In this way
our country is guarded against their sud-
den return from foreign countries, caused
by war or other disturbances beyond our
limits.
OUR FOREIGN TRADE.
| The currency OF the United States with
| foreign nations and especially the exports
| of domestic productions has of late years
largely increased, but the greater portion
of this trade Is conducted ia foreign vessels.
| The importance of enlar.ihg our fore ign
trade, and especially by direct and speedy
interchange with the countries on this CON
tiDent, cannot be over-eStimatei and it is a
matter OF great moment that our own ship
| ping interests should receive TO the utmost
practical exten, the benefit ofour commerce
with other lands. These considerations are
forcibIy urged by ali the large commercial
cities of the country and the public atten-
ton is generally and wisely attracted to the
salvation OF the problems they present 1t
is not doubted that congress will take them
up in the broadest spirit OF liberality and
respond to the public demand by practical
bic legislation.
| OUR ARMY.
| Upon this subject the report of the Secre-
tary OF War shows that the army has been
actively employed during the year, and has
| rendered very important service in repiess-
ing hostiliti,s in the Indian country, pre-
serving the peace and protecting life and
property in the interior as well as along the
Mexican border. A long, arduous cam
paign has been prosecuted with final COM
plete success against portion of the Nez
Perces tribe of Indians. A full account of
this camgaign will be found in the report of
the General of the Army. 1t will be seen
that in its course several battles were
fought in which number Of gallant officers
| and men lost their lives. 1 Join with the
Secretary 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 40 justly their
due.
| SERIOUS RIOTS
| occurred in several of the states in July last
which rendered necessary the employment
of considerable portion Of the army to
preserve the peace and maintain order in the
states of West Virginia, Maryland, Penn
| sylvania and Illinois. These disturbances
| were so formidable as to defy the local and
state authorities and the national executive
was called upon, the mode provided by the
| Constitution and laws, to furnish military,
and am gratifed to be able to state that
the troops sent in response to these calls for
aid in the suppression OF domestic violence
were able by the influence of their presence
in the disturbed regions to preserve the
peace and restore order without the use OF
force. In the discharge Of this delicate and
important duty both officers and men acted
with great prudence and courage, and for
| their services deserve the thanks of the
| country.
THE MEXICAN TROUBLES.
! The disturbances along the Rio Grande
in Texas to which have already referred
have rendered necessary the constant em-
| ployment OF a military force in that country.
A full report OF all recent military opera
tions in that quarter has been transmitted
to the House OF Representatives in answer
to a resolution of that body, and it will not
| therefore be necessary TO enter into details.
| / regret to say that these lawless incursions
into our territory by armed bands from the
Mexican tide of the line for the purpose Of
| har If nj