Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-12-08

should manifest disposition to Adhere 70 &
: obligations OF treaties and International frien
has been deferred by the occurrences on the II
drande border, the records Of which have ,
ready been communicated to each House
Congress, In answer to their respective res
lutions OF inquiry. Assurances have bes
received that the authorities Of the seat Of u
Mexican government have both the dispositit
and the power to prevent and punish sus
earnestly TO b hoped that events may pro,
theso assurances to be well founded. The be
interests Of both countries fequirc the mali
tcnance OF peace np0n tho border aud the d,
velopusent OF commerce between tho two I,
pubiics. II Ia gratifying 70 add that tlii
temporary interruption OF official relation
has not prevented due attention by the reprs
sentatives Of the United States In Mexico 10 th
protection Of American citizens as far as pract
cable Nor has Il interfered with the promp
payment OF tho amounts due from Moxic
to the United States under tho treaty OF Jul
I, 1868, and the award Of the joint commits
sion. While do not anticipate an interruption
OF friendly relations with Mexico, yet canno
but look with some solicitude upon q continu
ancc Of border disorders ~ exposing the tw,
countries to limitations Of popular feeling an,
mischances OF action which are naturally un
favorable to complete amity. Firmly de
termined that nothing shall be wanting on nj,
part TO promote good understanding between
the two nations, yet must ask the atten
on the borders, 10 that the lives and propert,
Of our citizens may be adequately protrctc,
aud peace preserved.
SPAIN, CUBA AND THE UNITED STATES.
Another year has passed without bringing IL
close tho protracted contest between tht
spanish government and the lnspirection In the
island OF Cuba. While the United States have
sedulously abstained from any intervention in
this contest, II 10 impossible not to feel II i,
attended BY incidents affecting the rights OF
American citizens. Apart from the effect OF
States and Cuba, their progress Is inevitably
accompanied by oomplaints, having more or
less foundation, OF searches arrests, embar-
Yoes and oppressive taxes upon the property
OF American residents, and Of unprovoked in
reference with American vessels and COM
merce. 1t is due to the government Of Spain
to say that, during the past year, 1t has prompt.
unauthorized acts Of unduly jealous SUBJ
Ordinates, whenever such acts have been
brought to its attention. Nevertheless, such
occurrences cannot but tend to excite feelings
OF annoyance, suspicion and resentment, which
are greatly to be deprecated between the re-
spective subjects and citizens Of two friendly
powers. ..... .t",..-..
THE VENEZUELA AWARD.
anch delay, consequent upon accusations Of
fraud in some Of the awards, has occurred in
respect to the distribution Of the limited
amounts received from Venezuela under the
treaty Of April 25, 1865, applicable to the
awards Of the joint commission created by that
treaty. 30 long as these matters are pending
in Congress, the executive cannot assume
either to pass upon the questions presented or
to distribute the fund received. It IL enlinently
desirable that definite legislative action should
be taken, either affirming the awards to be
fnal, or providing some method fer re-examin-
alton Of the claims.
GENERAL RELATIONS WITH SOUTH AMERICA.
Our relations with the republics of Central
and South America, and with the empire OF
Brazil, have continued without serious change,
diplomatic intercourse with Venezuela and With
Guatamela. Amicable relations havo already
been fully restored with Venezuela, and 1t is
not doubted that all grounds Of misunder-
standing with Guatamela will speedily be re-
moved; From 81 these countries there are are
favorable indications of disposition on tho
part Of their governments and people to re-
ciprocate our efforts in the direction Of in-
creased commercial intercourse. The govern
ment of the Samoan Islands has sent an envoy
in the person of its secretary Of state TO invite
the government Of the United States to rec
ognize and protect their independence, to es-
and to assist them in their steps toward re-
sponsihle and regulated government. The in
habitants Of these islands having made consid-
erable progress in Christian civilization and
the development Of trade, are doubtful OF
their ability to maintain peace and indepen-
dence without the aid Of some stronger power.
The subject is deemed worthy Of respectful at
tention, and the claims upon our assistance by
This distant community will be carefully con-
sidered
Tho long commercial depression in the United
States has directed attention to the subject Of
he possible increase Of our foreign trade and
The methods for its development, not only with
Europe, but with other countries, and especial
y with the states and sovereignties OF the west
.rn hemisphere. Instructions from the depart
nent Of state were ishned to the various diplo-
natic and consular officers of the government
,sking them to devote attention to the question
II methods by which trade between the respec-
i've countries Of their official residence and the
United States could be most judiciously foster
I'd. In obedience to these instructions, exam
nations and reports upon this subject have
been made by many of these officers and trans
nitted to the department, and the same are
unlimited to the consideration Of Congress.
The annual report Of the secretary of the
ressury on the state Of the finances, presents
important questions for the action Of Congress,
,pon some Of which l have already remarked.
The revenues Of the government during the fs-
al year ending June 30, 1877, were &269, 1000
i86.82. The total expenditures for the same
,eriUd were e238, $3.50, 008. .93, leaving . surplus
evenue of $50, $40, 577.69. This has substan-
tally supplied the requirements Of the sinking
und for that year. The estimated revenues OF
'stimated expenditures for the same period are
1922, 430, ,643.72. lfthese estimateslprove to be
olrect, there will be . surplus revenue Of $33- |
69, 356.28. an amount nearly sufficient for the |
linking fund for that year. The estimated rev. |
nues for the ne1tfscal year are &269 25O, 900. 1t
ppears from the report that during the last fis- |
al year the revenues Of the government, COM
reased. This decrease, amounting to the snm
Il 418, ,4Sl, 452. 81. was mainly in customs duties
aused, partly, by a large falling off of the |
mount Of imported dutiAble goods and partly |
y the general fall Of prices in the markets Of
Of such articles as pay dd ralorem |
axes. While this is felt injuriously in the
iminution Of the revenue, 1t has been accom-
anied with very large increase Of exporta-
ions.
The total exports during the last fiscal year,
,cluding coin, have been $659 ,637, ,457, and
he imports have been &492, ,097 $40, leaving |
balance of trade in favor of the United States
to the sum Of &166 539, 81 the bene-
usiness. The estimated revenue for the next
seal year will impose upon Congress the duty
I strictly limiting appropriations, including the
equisite sum for the maintenance of the sink-
1g fund within the aggregate estimate receipts
'hile the aggregate of taxes should not be in
reased. Amendments might be made to reve-
ne laws, that would, without diminish
,g the revenue, relieve the people from un-
ecessary burdens. A tax on tea and coffee is
hown by the experience not only Of our own
ountry but Of other countries to be easily COL
scted without loss by differentiation or fraud,
nd largely borne in the country Of production.
tax Of ten cents pound on tea and two
ents pound on coffee would produce . reve-
ne exceeding e12, ,000, 900, and thus enable
congress to repeal . multitude Of annoying
lxes yielding revenue not exceeding that
am. The internal revenue system grew out of
be necessities OF the war, and most of the leg
lation imposing taxes upon domestic products
nder this system has been repealed. By the
nbstitution Of . tax on tea and coffee all forms
internal taxation may be repealed, except
nat on whisky, spirits, tobacco and beer. At
,ntion 10 also called to the necessity OF enact
lg more vigorous laws for the protection Of
1e revenue and for the punishment Of frauds
nd smuggling. This can best be done by ju-
icious provisions that will induce the disclos-
ne Of attempted fraud by differentiation and
All revenue laws should be simple
! their provisions and easily understood. So
" - practicable the rates Of taxation should
e IN the form Of specific duties, and not dd
aloren,, requiring the judgment Of experienced
len TO ascertain values, and exposing the reye-
ne officers to the temptation Of fraud.