Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-06

under the support and recognition OF the con-
sular representative OF the United States, Great
Britain and Germany, seems to have given
peace and tranquility to the Islands. While IL
does not appear desirable to adopt as a whole
the scheme OF tripartite local government.
which has been proposed, the common inter-
harmony in their relations TO the native frame
OF government, and this may be best secured
them. 1t would be wei If the consular Juris-
diCtfon OF our representative at Apia Were H.
creased in extent and Importance so as 10
guard American Interests IN the surrounding
and outlying islands of 0ceanica-
The obelsk, generously presented by the
Khedive OF Egypt to the city OF New York, has
erected In that metropolis. A commission for
the liquidation OF the Egyptian debt has lately
concluded its work, and this government, az
the earnest solicitation Of the Khedive, has
acceded to the provisions adopted by it. which
will be laid before Congress for its Information.
commission for the revision OF the judicial
code of the reform tribunal OF Egypt is now in
session In Cairo. Mr.. Farman, consul general
and j. NJ. Batchelder. esq.,, have been appointed
as commissioners 70 participate in this work.
The organization OF the reform tribunals Will
five years.
In pursuance OF the act passed at the last
session or Congress, invitations have been eX-
tended to foreign maritime states to Join in
sanitary conference in Washington. beginning
the first OF January. The acceptance OF this
!nIlallon by many prominent powers give
piCEHSt VI SuCCPSS LII lllS important measure,
designed TO establish a system OF international
NOTIFICATION by which the spread CT infectious
or epiceinic diseases may be moro effectively
cheCked OF prevented. The attention OF Con.
gres8 Is Invited to The necessary appropriations
Ior CARRYING into effect the provisions OF the act
referred to.
The efforts OF the Department Of State 10 en-
large the trade and commerce OF the Lnited
states, through the active agency OF consular
officers and through the dissemination Of infor-
nation obtained from them, have been unre-
| laXed.
The prosperous energies OF Our domestic IN
0uslffes, aid their immense production OF the
subjects OF foreign commerce. invite. and even
require an active development OF the wishes
ard interests OF our people in that direction.
Espf cialy important is Ii that our commercial
relations with the Atlantic and Pacific coasts OF
south America, with the West Indies and the
Gulf or Mexico should be direct, and not through
the circuit OF European systems, and should be
carried On in our own bottoms The full appre-
C1a1ion OF tie opportunities which our front on
Ie racine ocean gives 10 commerce with Japan.
China, and the East Indies. with Australia and
island groups which lie along these routes OF
naTlgatlon; 1i shouid lnsp re equal efforts 10 ap-
ploprlate to our own shipping, and to admin
lstcr by our own capital, a due proportion OF
ihiS trade. Whatever notifications OF our regu-
laIions OF trade and navigation may be necas-
SaTy or useful TO meet and direct these impulses
10 the enlargement OF our exchanges and OF
our carrying trade, | dm sure the wisdom OF
congress viii be ready TO supply. One initial
measure, however. seems TO NE so clearly use
fui and efficient that venture to press II upon
your earnest attention. 1t seems to be very
EVIDENT that the provision of regular steam
postal communication, by aid from government
mas been the forerunner OF the commercial pre-
dominance OF Great Britain On all these coasts
and seas. greater share In whose trade is now
the desire and the intent OF our people 1t is
also manifest that the efforts OF other European
nations to contend with Great Britain for a
snare or this commerce have been successful in
proportion with their adoption or re- ular steam
postal communication with the markets whose
trade they sought. Mexico and the states OF
south America are anxious TO receive sucn
poS1al communications with this country and
10 aid In their development Similar co.opera-
tion may be looked for. In due time, from the
eastern nations and from Australia. Ii is diff
1Icuit TO see how the lead in this movement can
be expected from private interests. In respect
OF foreign commerce, quite as much as In inter
nal trade, postal communication seems neces-
sailiy a matter Of common ard public admins
lration, and thus pertaining to government
| respectfully recommend to your prompt at
lentlon such just and efficient measures as may
conduce TO the development OF Our foreign COM
mel cial exchanges and the building UP OF our
carrying trade.
In this connection | desire also to suggest the
very great service which might be expected In
enlarglng ana facilitating Our commerce on tie
Pacific ocean, where a tranSrnaline cable lad
from San Francisco to the Sandwich Islands
ahu lhehce 10 Japan al the north and Australia
al the south.
An additional, and not unfmport an. although
secondary, reason for fostering and enlargtng
the navy may be found In the unquesttonaba
otlNlCS 10 tl4t expansion or our commerce
which would be rendered by the frequent circu-
laion OF naval ships In the seas and ports of ALI
quarters Of the globe.
The condition OF the financial affairs OF the
government, as shown by the report OF the SEQ
retary or the Treasury, is very satisfactory. IT.
is believed that the present financial situation
OF the United states, whether considered with
respect 10 trade currency. credit growing
wealth, or the extent and variety OF our rs,
sources, Is more favorable than that OF any
otner country OF our time and has never bApn
surpassed by that Of any country at auy period
OF Its history. All our industries are thriving
lhe rate or interest is low; new railroads are
oelng constructed; vast immigration Is In
creas1ng our population, capital and labor new
enterprises in great number are in progress;
ala Cur commercial relations With other coun-
Tiles are improving.
The amount cue the sinking fund for this
year was S37,93l ,G43.55. There was applied
thereto the sum OF So, ,9ei 6l1.4l being S55 az
1856 In excess OF the actua! requirements for
the year.
The aggregate OF the revenues from all sources
during the fiscal year ended June -. 1850 was
500 526, ,6i0.9s an increase over the preceding
year or S59. .6!9 i2G 62. The receipts thus far OF
The current year, together With the estimated
receipts for the remainder or the year amount
TO S350, CO., which will be sufficient to meet
the estimated expenditures Of The year. and
leave surplus or s90,000,0D0.
II Is fortunate that this large surplus revenue
occurs at period when 1t may be directly ap-
pied 10 The payment OF the public debt soon TO
be redeemable. No public duty has been more
constantly cherished in the United States than
the policy OF paying the nation debt as rapidly
as possible.
The debt OF the United States, less cash In the
treasury and exclusive OF accruing interest.
attained It's maximum OF 81 ,oi. .43l As In Au-
gust. 1865, ard has since that time been re-
duced 10 s., ,eo6,0l9. .504G5. or the principal OF
The debt SOS, I5S, 100 has been paid Since March
|, 1877. efecting an annual saving OF interest of
50, 10. ,593. The burden OF interest has also been
diminished by the sale Of bonds bearing A low
rate OF interest," and the application OF the pro.
ceeds TO the redemption of bo.ds bearing
higher rate. The annual saving thus secured
since March /. 1871, is 81. 300, 1850.
Within short period over six hundred mil
lions or i've and six per cent bonds will become
redeemable. This presents a very favorable op-
poftunlty not only TO further reduce the princI-
PAL OF the DEBT, but also &c reduce the rate OF
interest on that which will remain unpaid /
call the attention or Congress to the views eX-
pressed on this subject by the Secretary OF the
treasury IN his annual report, and recommend
prompt legislation, TO enable the Treasury de-
paftmeDt TO complete the refunding Of the debt
Which Is about to mature.
The continuance OF specie payments has not
neen interrupted or endangered since the date
OF resumption. 1t has contributed greatly to
tne revival OF business and to our remarkable
prosperity. The fears that preceded and ac-
compsn1ed resumption have proved grOundleSS.
NO considerable amount OF United States notes
have been presented for redemption. While very
large sums OF gold bullion, both domestic and
imported are taken TO the mints and exchanged