Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-12-06


commerce. 1t is due to the govern
ment of Spain to say that during the
past year it has promptly disavowed
and offered reparation for any unauthor-
lied acts of jealous subordinates when
ever such acts have been brought to its
attention. Nevertheless, such occur
rences cannot but tend to excite feelings
of annoyance, suspicion and resent
ment, which ARE greatly to be depre-
Gated between the respective subjects
and citizens of two friendly powers.
THE VENEZUELA TREATY.
Much delay, consequent on accusa-
tons of fraud in some of the awards,
has occurred in respect to the distribu-
ton Of the limited amounts received
from Venezuela under the treaty of
April %, 1866, applicable to the awards
OF the joint commission created by that
treaty. So long as these matters are
pending III congress, the executive cam
not assume to pass upon the questions
presented or to distribute the funds re-
ceived. 1t is eminently desirable that
definite legislative action should be
taken either deciding the awards to be
final or providing some method for re-
examination of the claims.
OUR RELATIONS WITH THE REPUBLICS
of Central and South America and with
the Empire of Brazil have continued
without serious change further than the
temporary interruption of diplomatic
intercourse with Venezuela and with
Gautamala. Amicable relations have
already been restored with Venezuela
and it is not doubted that all grounds
of misunderstanding with Guatemala
will speedily be removed. From all
these countries there are favorable in
dications of disposition on
the part of these governments and
people to reciprocate our efforts in the
direction of increased commercial in
tercourse.
THE SAMOAN ISLANDS.
The government of the Samoan Is
lands has sent an envoy in the person
of its secretary of state, to invite the
government of the United States to adj
wise and protect their independence, to
establish commercial relations with
their people, and to assist them in their
steps towards a responsible and regula-
ted government. The inhabitants of
these islands, having made considerable
progress in Christian civilization, and
the development of trade. are doubt
full of their ability to maintain peace
and independence, without the aid of
some stronger power. The subject is
deemed worthy of respectful attention
and the claims upon our assistance by
this independent community will care
fully be considered.
OUR COMMERCIAL RELATIONS.
The long commercial depression in
the United States has directed attention
to the subject Of the possible increase
of our foreign trade, and the methods
for its development, not only with
Europe, but with other countries, and
especially with the states and sovereign
ties of the western hemisphere In
structions from the department of
state were issued to the various diplo-
matte and consular officers of the gov
eminent, asking them to devote atten-
ton to the question of methods, by
which trade between the respective
countries of their official residences
and the United States, could be most
judiciously founded. In obedience to
these instructions, examinations and
reports upon this subject have been
made by many of these officers and
transmitted to the departments, and
the same are submitted to the consider
alton of congress.
THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE SECRETARY
OF THE TREASURY
on the state of the finances, presents
important questions for the action of
congress, upon some of which | have
already remarked. The revenues of the
government dnring the fiscal year end
ing June 30th, 1877, were 5000, O0O,596.-
GO the total expenditures for the same
period were $23S, 660,00S. 90, leaving
surplus revenue of $50, $40, SIT so. This
has substantially supplied the require
ments of the sinking fund for that
year. The estimated revenue of the
current fiscal year are $265, 500, 900, and
the estimated expenditures for the same
period are $3.50. 430, 64372. If these
estimates prove to be correct, there will
be surplus revenue of $33 069, 356. 2S, |
sinking fund for that year. The esti-
mated revenues for the next fiscal year
are $269, 100000. 1t appears from the
report that during the last fiscal year
the revenues of the government, COM
pared with the previous year, have
largely decreased. This decrease, /
to the sum Of SIS, 4S1 ASP. "a. |
was mainly in custom duties caused |
partly by Il large falling off of the
amount Of imported dutiable goods, |
and partly by the general fall of prices
in the markets and of the productions
of such articles as pay yalorem taxes. /
While this is felt injurious, the dimlnu-
ton or the revenue has been accom-
panied with very large increase Of
expectations The total exports during
the last fiscal year, including coin, has
been S65S, 637 ,457 and the imports
have been $492, 097 $40, leaving bal
ance of trade in favor of the United |
States amounting to the sum of $780,
539.917, 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 appropria-
tons. including the requisite sum for
the maintenance Of the sinking fund, |
within the aggregate estimate of re-
ceipts, while the aggregate of taxes
should not be Increased.
THE REVENUE.
Amendments might be made to the |
revenue laws that would, without di /
mIOiShIn0 the revenue ro1iava tb q MOO