River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-12-06


pealed. By substitution Of the tax on tea and
eoffees, all forms of internal taxation may be
repealed except that on whiskey, spirits,tob
co and bee.
SMUGGLING.
Attention Is also called to the necessity 81
enac ding more vigorous laws for the protection
OF the revenue and for the punishment Of
frauds and smuggling. This can be
that will induce The disclosure of attempted
fraud by differentiation and smuggling. All
revenue laws should be simple in their pro-
visions and easily understood. So far as
practicable the rates Of taxation sh ould be in
the form OF specific duties rot ad yalerem, re-
curing the judgment of experienced men 10
ascertain the values aid Exposing the revenue
10 the temptation of fraDd.
My attention has been called, during the
recess of Congress. to abuses existing in the
collection OF the customs, and strenuous efforts
Raye been made for their correction BY execu-
tive orders. The recommendations submitted
to the Secretary Of the Treasury9by CON-
mission appointed TO examine into the collee-
ton of customs duties of the port OF New
York, contain many suggestions for the m0di.
hcations of custom laws, to which the atten-
ton Of Congress is invited,
1t Is matter ofcongratulatioB that, nOtwith-
standing the severe burdens caused by the war
the public faith with allcreditors has been pre-
public credit has continuously adyanC ed and
our public securities are regarded with the
highest favor in the markets of the world |
trust that no act OF the govern
ment will cast shadow upon it,
credit. The progress OF refundinS 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 Al per
cent.
WE'RE BEING RAPIDLY SOLD,
and within three months the aggregate sales
of these bonds had raised a sum OF two hun-
bred million dollars. With my sanction, the
secretary of the treasury entered into new
contract for the sale " per cents. and within
thirty days after the popular subscription for
such bonds was opened subscriptions were
had amounting to $50, which were
paid for within ninety days after date Of
subscription. BY this process, in bat little
more than one year, the annual interest on
the public debt was reduced in the sum of 3d.
$4,000 | recommend that suitable provision
be made TO enable the people TO easily
convert their savings into government Sc
curities as the best mode IN which small saw
ings may be well secured and yield moder-
ate interest. 1t is an object for public policy
to retain anon our own people the securities
Of the United States. In this way our country
is guarded against their sudden return from
foreign countries caused by war or other dis
turbances beyond our limits.
COMMERCE
The commerce of the United States with
foreign nations aud especially the export of
domestic productions Oflate wears has largely
Increased, but the greater portion of this
trade Is conducted in foreign vessels.
The Importance OF charging our foreign
trade, and especially by direct and speedy IN
terchange with countries on this continent
cannot be oyerestimated, and 1t Is matter Of
great moment that our shipping interest
should receive the most practical extension for
the benefit of our commerce with other lands.
These considerations are forcibly urged by all
the large commercial cities OF the copntry and
public attention Is generally and wisely at
tracted to the solution of the probleuf they
present. 1t is not doubted that congress will
take them up in the broadcast spirit OF liberal
ity, and respond to the public demand by
practicable legislation upon this subject.
THE wAB DEPARTMENT.
The report Of the secretary of war shows
that the army has been actively employed dur
ing the year, end has rendered very impor-
tant service in REFRESHING hostilitles in the In
dian country, and preserving peace, and pro-
tecting life and property in the interior as well
as along the Mexican border. A long and
arduous campaign has been prosecuted with
final complete success against portion of
the Nez Perces tribe of Indians. A full ac-
count of this campaign will be found
in the report OF the general OF the army. 1t
will be seen that in ITS course, several bat
ties were fought in which number Of
gallant officers and men lost their lives.
| 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 of these Indians the hOsDr and praise
which is so justly their due.
The very serious riots which occurred in
several Of the States in July last, rendered nee
essary the employment Of a considerable por-
ton OF the army 10 preserve peace and man
tain order. In the States OF West Virginia,
Maryland, Pennsylvania and Illinois these
disturbances were so formidable rs 10 defy
the local and State authorities and the ma
tional executive was called upon in the
mode provided by the constitution
and laws to furnish military aid am CRATE
full to be able 10 state the troops sent in re-
Spouse to these calls for aid in 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 del
icate and important duty. both officers and
men acted with great prudence and courage
and for their services deserve the thanks of
the country. Disturbances along the Rio
Grande in Texas, to which have already re
ferred have rendered necessary the constant
employment Of a military force in that
vicinity. full report of all recent
operations in that quarter has been transmit
ted to the House of Representatives in answer
to a resolution OF that body, and it will not
therefore, be necessary TO enter into details
l regret to say that these lawless incursions
into our territory b7k rTtd bands from the
Mexican eide Of theme for the purpose of /
have been of frequent occurrence, and +
In spite Of the most vigorous efforts Of the /
of our forces, the marauders I
have generally succeeded in escaping /
into Mexico with their plumber. In May I
last / gave orders for the exer else i
of the utmost vigilance on the part 4
Of our troops for the suppression OF these |
raids and the punishment Of the guilty par
ties, as well as the recapture OF the property
stolen BY them. Gen. Ord, commanding in
Texas, was directed to invite the cooperation
Of the Mexican authorities in efforts to this
end, and assure them that / was anxious to
avert giving the least offense to Mexico. At
the same time he was directed to give notice
Of my determination 10 put an end 10 the in
yasion Of our territory by lawless bands, with
the intention of plundering our peaceful cit-
zens, even if the effectual punishment of the
outlaws should make the crossing Of the bOr-
der by our troops in their pursuit necessary
II is believed that this policy has had
The effect to check somewhat these depreda-
TONS and that with a considerable increase
Of our force upon that frontier, and the estab-
shment of additional military posts along
he Rio Grande, go as more efectually To
guard that extensive border, peace may be
preserved, and the lives and property OF citi-
Gems in Texas fully protected.
Prior to the first day OF July last the army
vas. in accordance with law, reduced to
he maximum Of $4,000 enlisted men being a
-eduetion Of $500 below the force previously
authorized This reduction was made, as
-equired by law, entirely from the infan-
nv and artillery branches Of the service,
without any reduction of the cavalry. Under
he law as il now stands, IL is necessary that
he cavalry regiments be recruited TO one
hundred men in each company for service on
he Mexican and Indian frontiers. The neces-
AIRY effect of this legislation is TO reduce the
infantry and artillery arms Of the service be
ow the number required for efficiency, and ] I
oncur with the secretary Of war in recon- I
nending that authority be given to {
ecruit all companies Of infantry TO at I
east fifty men, and all batteries Of J
rtilerS to at least seventy-tive men, with
,ower, in case of emergency, to increase the
ormer to 100 and the latter TO l25 men each.
invite your special attention to the follow I
"a, racoIo mandatious If the secretary OF war. I