Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1877-12-07
YICKSBURG WEEKLY HERALD. FRIDAY. DECEMBER !. 1877

/ VI lNN GluAHMh ~ A~AkNARaAAaA ny GlA-
plants, having more or less foundation, Of
searches, arrests, embargOes and 0ppres-
slVe taxes on the property NJ American
residents, AMI Of u%nprOV0ked Interference
Of American vessels and commerce. IL is
due N the Government Of Spain 10 say
that during the past year. II has promptly
dlsaT0Wed and offered Teparali0n Tor any
unauthorized acts Of unduly jealous Gu
bans wherever such acts have been
brought 10 It's attention. Nevertheless
such occurrences cannot but tend to eX.
cite feelings oil annoyance AAd resentment
which are GTeatly to be deprecated be.
tween the respective subjects and citizens
OF " friendly powers.
VENEZUELA AWARDS.
Much delay consequent upon the accu.
saiion OF fraud In some Of the awards has
occurred In respect TO the distribution OF
the limited amounts received from Vene.
ZuelA under the treaty Of April q, 1883,
applicable 10 the Joint Commission ere.
Gted by that treaty. SO long as these mat
terra are pending 10 Congress, the Execu-
tive cannot assume TO pass on the Ques-
tlOns presented or TO distribute the funds
received, II lie eminently desirable that
detoite legislative action should be taken,
either affirming the awards as final or pro.
vidlng some method Of rec K aminatiOns OF
claims,
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN REPUB.
LICB, AND BRAZIL.
Our relations with the Republics Of
Cen raj aud south America, aud the r m.
pire OF Brazil, have continued without Sc.
TiOus exchange further than the temporary
Interruption Of dip omatic intercourse
with Venezuela and with Guatemala.
Amiable relations have already been fully
restored with Venezuela, n IL 10 not
doubts d all & ounds OF Misunderstanding
with Guatemala will soon be reno, ed,
From oil these countries there are faVOra
BILE indications Of a disposition on the part
OF their Governments to recipr0cate our
efforts In the direction 4 Increased 20 ..
mcrclal intercourse.
n SAMOAN IsLANDs.
The Government OF the samoan Islands
has sent an Envoy 10 the person OF It's
Secretary VI state, to invite the Govern.
mCnt VI the United States 10 recOgnize and
protect their independence, to establish
COZ mercIal relations with them, and to
assist them in their efforts toward rog-
ular and responsible government. The
Inhabitants Of these Islands have made
considerable progress In civilization and
the development OF trade, but are doubt
full Of heir ability TO maintain peace and
indie eGdence without the aid Of some
strong power. The subject Is deemed
worthy Of attention, and the claims on our
assistance By this distant community will
be carefully considered.
INCREASE oT FOREIGN TRADE.
The long commercial depression Of the
United States has directed attention 10 the
subject Of The increase OF our foreign trade,
and methods for its development, not only
with Europe, but with other countries, and
especially with the States and sovercignties
Of the Western Hemisphere. Instructions
from the Department OF State were Issued
to various diplomatic and consular Offices Of
the Government asking them to devote at.
t%ention 10 the methods by which trade be-
tween tho respective countries Of their off,
cial residence and the United States could
be most j~udlciously fostered. In obedience
to these Instructions, examinations and re-
ports on tho subject have been made by
many Of these officers and 10 the Department,
and the same are submitted TO the considera-
ton Of Congress.
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF II SECRETARY
OF TREASURY
on the state Of finance, presents important
questions Tor tho action VI Congress, on
some Of which have already remarked.
Tue revenues OF the Government dur.
ing the fiscal year ~endlngJune %,
1877, were S2B9,1OO, jS3 "; The total
expenditures tor the same period were
f23S. $780, 0s 30, leaving q surplus revenue Of
$50, JiD,517.B9. This has substantially sup.
piled the requirements OF the sinking fund
tor that year, The estimated revenue Of
the current fiscal car Is $685., $4,000, and
the estimated expenditures are $23I.
40. Gi3. - II these estimates prove cor.
rect there will be a surplus revenue (
S33 go 3jL9s, and amount TO nearly SUI.
tcient Tor tue sinking fund for that year.
The CstimA Cd revenues for the n xt fiscal
year are $780, $50 ,0JU. II appears IRON the
report, tual during last year the
revenues Ut the Government, com.
pared with mo previous } ear, have largely
decreased. Tnis decrease amUuHts to the
SUN II SIS 4Sl, 1924, and was mainly in
Customs da les, caused partly by a large
failing oil uG the amount Ut imported duIi.
able gUpd-, and partly by q large falling
Cd Of prices In the markets OF productions
OF sucn ar lcles us pay ad valOrem. While
this j. tn ujuriously In tho diminutiOn
4 toe revenue, 1t has been accompanied
vita Il very large increase Interpretations.
rae total exports during the last t,cal
year, incluting corn, have been i05s,637,I 57
and the imports have been 1892 l07, 80
leaving a balance OF trade "
favor Of tue United states avn unlpg
10 s vi, i59,0l7, the beneficial effects Of
which extend u all branches VI busiaess.
While the aggregate Of taxes should not
be increased, amendment might be made
10 L." revenue laws that would, without
diminishing the revenue, relieve the PEG.
pie lrum unnecessary burdens. A lax on
tea ami c'fee Is shown by the experience
not Oplv Of rur own cOuntr! but oil other
countries, ~ be easily collected, without
loss, ~ under valuation, VI fraud, and
largely noTne in The cOu1try Of produc-
ton. \ tax Of len cents a pound % Tea,
and ~ ~ cents i pound on coffee, would
produce u revenue OF exceeding 81. O.V00,
and this would enable congress 10 repeat
q multitude u annoying taxes, yicldu . 4
revenue not exceeding that sum.
II INTERNAL EgyxNUE srsIEM
grew out otthe necessities uf the war, and
most Of the legislation imposing taxes ON
domestic predicts under THIS system
,hnuld g repealed. u ne substitution
Of Il ;aA On tea and coffee all forms OF in
ternll taXa,ion may be repealed except
that ~ Nht,ky, spirits. tobacco and beer.
lttcnli n Is called ~ the necessity OF
cnaeling more vigorous laws for the
protection If revenues, aud Tor the punish.
men. -, rauds and smugglings. All
rcyenU. laws should BE- simple 10 their
provisions and easily understood. SO far
as practicable the rale of taxation should
he In Tue form Of specific duties and not
adj valnrem, requiring the judgment Of ex.
ptri.uc.d persons to ascertain values, and
exposing tue rev nue. 10 the temptat on Of
lruil.