Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-12-10

ieVlv"l Vi tr&ue ana prosperity, which
IS earnestly hoped may prove wei
founded. Numerous claims of Ameri
can citizens for relief for injuries or re
storation OF property have been anon,
the Incidents of the long continued hos
tiilties. Some of these claims are il
process OF adjustment by Spain, and tn
otners are promised early and careful
consideration.
The treaty made with Italy, in regart
to reciprocal consular privileges. ha
oeen duiy ratified and proclaimed.
arisen with any other of the Euronear
powers.
The Japanese Government has beer
desirous of a revision of such parts of il,
treaties with foreign powers as relate ta
commerce. and, tits understood. has ad
dressed to each of the treaty powers S
request to open negotiations with tha1
view. The United States Government
has been lnclinedto regard the matter
fav0rabiy. Whatever restrictions upon
trade with Japan are found Injurious tt
that people cannot but affect injuriously
nations holding commercial intercourse
with them. Japan, after long period
OF seclusiOn, has within the past few
years made rapid strides in the path Of
enlightenment and progress, and not un.
reasonably, is looking forward to the
time when her relations with the nations
of Europe and America shall be assimi-
lated to those which they hold with each
other. A treaty looking to this end has
been made, which will be submitted fol
the consi deration of the Senate.
After an interval of several years, the
Chinese Government has again sent
ENJOYS to the United States. They
have been received, and a permanent
legation is now established here bv that
Government. 1t is not doubted that
this step will be of advantage to both
nations in promoting friendly relations
and removing causes of difference. The
treaty with the Samoan Islands, having
peen duly ratified and accepted on the
part of both Governments. is now in
operation. and survey and soundinps
of the harbor of Pago Pago have been
made by naval vessel of tho United
States, with view of its occupation as
naval station, if found desirable to the
service.
Since the resumption of diplomatic
relations with Mexico, correspondence
has been opened and still continues be-
tween the two Governments upon the
'oiiooS NuCSGiOnS WHICH ut OQ0 Clmo
seemed to endanger their relations
While no formal agreement has been
reached as to the troubles on the border,
much has been done to repress and di-.
niinish them. The effective force of the
United States troops on the Rio Grande,
by strict and faithful compliance with
instructions, has done much to remove
| the sources of dispute, and it is now un-
derstood that like force of Mexican
troops on the other side of the river is
also making an energetic movement
against the marauding Indian tribes
This Government looks with the great
est satisfaction upon every evidence of
strength in the national authority of
Mexico, and upon every effort put forth
to prevent or to punish incursiOns upon
our territory. Reluctant to assume any
action or attitude in the control of these
incursions, by military movements
across the border. not imperatively de-
manded for the protection of the lives
and property of our own citizens, I
shall take the earliest opportunity, con-
sistent with the proper discharge of this
plain duty, to recognize the ability of
the Mexican Government to restrain
effectively violations of our territorv.--
1t is proposed to hold next year an In
ternational Exhibition in Mexico, and
it is believed that the display Of the az
ricnltural and manufacturing products
of the two nations will tend to better
understanding and increased CONNER
cial intercourse between their people.
With Brazil, and the Republics of
Central and South America. some steps
have been taken toward the develop
ment of closer commercial Intercourse
Diplomatic relations have been resumed
with Colombia and with Bolivia. A
boundary question between the Argen
tine Republic and Paraguay has been
submitted by those Governments for ar
bitration to the President of the United
States, and l have. after careful exami-
nation, given a decision upon it.
A naval expedition up the Amazon
and Madeira rivers has brought back in
formation valuable both for scientific
and commercial purposes. A like expe-
dition is about visiting the coast of At
rica and the Indian ocean. The reports
of diplomatic and consular officers in
relation to the development of our for
eign commerce have furnished many
facts that have proved of public interest,
and have stimulated to practical exer-
tion the enterprise of our people.
The report of the Secretary of the
Treasury furnishes detailed statement
of the operation of that department of
the Government, and of the condition
of the public finances.
The ordinary revenues from all sources
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1877.
were $257, 763, ,S78. 20; the ordinary ex-
penditures for the same period were
$236, 1854. 326. 26.S0-leaving surplus reve-
nue. for the year of $50, 799, ,551 80.
The receipts for the present fiscal wear
ending June 80, 1872 actual an estimat-
ed, are as follows: Actual receipts for
the first quarter, commencing July /,
1878, S73. .3S9, 743 43; estimated receipts
for the remaining three quarters of the
year, $l91, ITO, ,256.57; total receipts for
the current fiscal year, actual and esti-
mated, S264, 100000 The expenditures
for the same period will be, actual and
estimated. as follows: For the quarter
commencing July 1, 1873, actual expen-
ditures, $73, ,344. .573 81; and for the re-
naming three quarters of the year the
expenditures are estimated at $166, ,755,
426 49, making the total expenditures
S24O, lOO,0O and leaving an estimated
surplus revenue for the year, ending
June 80, 1879. of $24, 400 OOO
The total receipts during the next fis-
mated according to existing laws,
will be 1884 500 600; and the estimated
ordinary expenditures, for the same Pc
riod will be 1926, 800. .412Gs leaving q
sarplus of $2S, l79, ,5a7. 80 for that year.
In the foregoing statements of expen-
ditures, actual and estimated, no
amount is allowed for the sinking fund
provided for by the act approved Feb
ruary 25, 1862, which requires that one
per cent. of the entire debt of the Unit
ed States shall be purchased or paid
within each fiscal year. to be set apart
as sinking fund. There has been,
however. a substantial compliance with
the conditions of the law. By its terms,
the public debt should have been re
duced between 1862 and the close of the
last fiscal year, $5ls, ,361 ,S06 2S the ac-
tual reduction Of the ascertained debt,
in that period. has been $720. 644, 739. 81 !:
being in excess of the reduction required
by the sinking fund ;ct-S202, 252, ,933 33.
The anlsunt of public debt. less cash
in the Treasury, November 1, 1878, was
So, 024, 200 0S3. I5--a reduction. since the
same date last year. Ct $23, 150, ,617.39