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

CUSTOM FRAUDS.
My attention has been called, during
the recess of congress, to abuses exist
ing in the collection of the customs, and
strenuous efforts have been made for
their correction by executive orders.
The recommendation submitted to the
secretary of the treasury by commits
sion appointed to examine into the col
lection of custom duties at the port of
New York, contains many suggestions
for the modification of the customs
laws, to which the attention of congress
is invited.
THE PUBLIC FAITH.
1t is matter of eongratulation, that
Notwithstanding the severe burdens
caused by the war, the public faith with
all creditors has been preserved, and as
the result of this policy, the public
credit has continuously advanced, and
our public securities are regarded with
the highest favor in the markets of the
world. l trust that no act of the gov
eminent will cast a shadow upon its
credit. The progress of refunding the
public debt has been rapid and salts
factory Under the contract existing
when I entered upon the discharge of
the duties of my Office, bonds bearing
interest at the rate of four and a half
per cent. were being rapidly sold, and
within three months the aggregate sales
of these bonds had reached the sum of
two hundred million dollars With my
sanction, the secretary of the treasury
entered into a new contract for the sale
of four per cents, and within thirty
days after the popular subscription for
such bonds was opened, subscriptions
were had amounting to $75,496, $50,
which were paid for within 80 days after
the date of subscription. By this pro-
cess, within but little more than one
year, the annual interest on the public
debt was reduced in the sum of 3,775,-
600.
A SAVINGS BOND.
[ recommend that suitable provision
be made to enable the people to easily
convert their savings into government
securities as the best mode in which
small savings may be well secured and
yield moderate interest. 1t is an OBJ
ject for 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 disturbances beyond our limits.
The COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES
with foreign countries, and especially
the export of domestic productions, has
of late years largely increased, but the
greater portion of this trade is con-
Quoted in foreign vessels. The import
ance of charging our foreign trade, and
especially by the direct and speedy in
terchange with countries on this CONT
nent, cannot be overestimated, and it is
matter of great moment that our
shipping interest should receive to the
utmost practical extent the benefit of
our commerce with other lands. These
considerations are forcibly urged by all
the large commercial cities of the coun-
try and public attention is generally
well and wisely attracted to the solution
of the problems they present. 1t is not
doubted that congress will take them up
in the broadest spirit of liberality and
respond to the public demand, by prac-
ticable legislation upon this subject.
THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR
shows that the army has been actively
employed during the year and has
rendered very important service in re-
pressing hostilities in the Indian country
and preserving peace and protecting
life and property in the linterior as
we'll as along the Mexican border and
an arduous campaign has been prosecut-
ed with final, complete success against
a portion of the Nez Perzes tribe of
Indians. A full account of this cam
paign will be found in the report of the
general of the army. 1t will be seen
that in its course several battles were
fought in which a number of gallant
officers and men lost their lives. / join
with the secretary of war and the gen.
eral of the army in awarding to the of
ficers and men employed in the long
and toilsome pursuit and in the final
capture of those Indians, the honor and
praise which is so justly their due.
THE VERY SERIOUS RIOTS
which occurred in several of the states
in July last, rendered necessary the en-
ployment of a considerable portion of
the army to preserve peace and maintain
order in the states of West Virginia,
Pennsylvania and Illinois.
These disturbances were so formidable
as to defy the local and state authorities,
and the national executive was called
upon III the mode provided by the con-
and laws to furnish military,
and | am gratified to be able to state
that the troops sent in response to these
calls for aid in suppression of domestic
were enabled by the influence
Of their presence in the disturbed re-
gions, 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
their country.
DISTURBANCES ALONG THE RIO GEANDE
in Texas, to which I have already re-
ferred, have rendered necessary the
employment of a 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 not,
therefore, be necessary to enter into the
details. l regret to say that these law
less excursions 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 vigorous efforts of
5he commander of our forces, the
have generally succeeded
IN escaping into Mexico with their
plunder. In May last gave orders for
10 oyoroISo of lo ,,ty,nct ~,