Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-12-13

fiscal year are $2ss, ,25O,ooo. 1t appears from
the report that during the last fiscal year the
revenues of the government, compared with
the previous year, have largely decreased.
This decrease, amounting to the sum of S1S,'
4Sl, ,452 81, was mainly on customs duties,
caused partly by large falling off in the
amount of imported dutiable goods, and part
" by the general fall Of prices in the markets
of production of such articles as pay ad valoren'
taxes. While this is felt injuriously in the
diminution of the revenue, it has been accom-
panied with a very large increase of exporta-
tions. The total exports during the last fis'
cal year, including coin, have been $65S, ,637 ;
457, and the imports have been 492,097 $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. The estimated
revenue for the next fiscal year will impose
upon Congress the duty of strictly limiting
appropriations, including the requisite sun,
for the maintenance of the sinking fund with
in the aggregate estimated receipts. While
the aggregate of taxes should be increased,
amendments might be made to the revenue
laws that would, without diminishing the rev.
enue, relieve the people from unnecessary bur.
dens.
TEA AND COFFEE.
A tax on tea and coffee is shown by the ex.
perience not only of our own country, but OF
other countries, to be easily collected without
loss by under-valuation or fraud, and is large
ly borne in the country of production. A tax
Of ten cents pound on tea, and two cents a
pound on coffee, would produce revenue ex-
ceeding $12,0O0,0OO, and thus enable Con.
gress to repeal multitude of annoying taxes
Yielding revenue not exceeding that sum.
The internal revenue system grew out of the
necessities of the war, and most of the legs.
lation 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under this system, has been repealed.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forms of internal taxation may be repealed.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, spirits, tobacco and
beer.
THE PUBLIC CREDIT.
It is a matter of congratulation, that not
withstanding the severe burdens caused by
the war; the public faith, with all creditors,
has been preserved, and that, as the result of
this policy, the public credit has continuously
advanced, and our public securities are re.
garded with the highest favor in the markets
of the world. trust that no act of the gov
ernment will cast shadow upon its credit.
The progress of refunding the public debt has
been rapid and satisfactory. Under the con-
tract existing when entered upon the dis.
: charge of the duties of my Office, bonds bear.
ing interest at the rate of four and half per
cent were being rapidly sold, and within three
months the aggregate sales of these bonds
had reached the sum of $200,000,000. With
my sanction, the secretary of the treasury en-
tered into new contract for the sale of per
cent bonds and within thirty days after the
popular subscription for such bonds was
opened, subscriptions were had amounting
to $75, 1896, $50, which were paid for within
Dinety days after the date of subscription
By this process, within but little more than
one year, the annual interest on the public
debt was reduced in the sum of $3,775,OOO.
recommend that suitable provisions be
made to enable the people to easily convert
their savings into government securities, as
the best mode in which small savings may be
we'll secured, and yield a moderate interest.
1t is an object 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 return from
foreign countries caused by war or other dis
turbances beyond our limits.
THE ARMY.
The report of the secretary of war shows
that the army has been actively employed
during the year. and has rendered very i'm.
portant service in suppressing the hostilities in
the Indian country and in preserving peace
and protecting life and property in the inte'
ri"r as we'll as along the Mexican border. A
long and arduous campaign has been prose
cuted with final. complete success against
portion of the Nez Perces tribe of Indians.
A full account of this campaign will be found
in the report of the general of the army. 1t
will be seen that, in its course, several severe
battles were fought, in which q 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 pur-
suit, and in the final capture of these Indians,
the honor and praise which are so justly their
due.
The LABOR RlOlS.
The very serious riots which occurred in
several of the States in July last, rendered
necessary the employment of a considerable
portion of the army, to preserve the peace
and maintain order in the States of West Vir-
ginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Illinois
These disturbances were so formidable as to
defy the local State authorities, and the
| Mt 1ol in ho
mode provided by the Constitution and laws,
to furnish military aid. 1 am gratitied to be
able to state that 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 RIO GRANDE.
Disturbances along the Rio Grande in Tex
as, to which have already referred, have
rendered necessary the constant employment
of military force in that vicinity. A full
report of all recent military operations in that
quarter has been transmitted to the House of
Representatives, in answer to resolution of
that body, and it will, therefore, not be neces-
sary to enter into details. regret to say that
these lawless incursions into our territory, by
armed bands from the Mexican side of the
line, for the purpose of robbery. have been of
frequent occurrence, and, in spite of the most
vgilant efforts of the commander of our forces,
the marauders have generally succeeded in
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