Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-12-07
DECEMBER z, 1881.
Is not the part Of wisdom to reduce the revenues
even II we delay little the payment OF the debt.


their present onerous burden, and that by due
economy In the various branches OF the public
service this may readily be afforded. therefore
concur with the secretary in recommending the
abolition Of all internal revenue taxes except
those upon tobacco in its various forms and upon
distilled spirits and fermented liquors. and except
also the special tax upon the manufacturers
and dealers In such articles The retention Of the
latter is desirable, affording the officers of the
government proper supervision Of these articles
for the prevention OF fraud.
REPEAL OF TAXES
agree with the secretary OF the Treasury that
the law imposing a stamp tax upon matches, pro-
pretary articles, playing cards, checks and drafts
may with propriety be repealed, and the law also
by which banks and bankers are assessed upon
their capital and deposits. There seems to be a
general sentiment in favor OF this course. In the
present condition Of our revenues the tax upon
deposits Is especially unjust. IL was never I'M
posed in this country until 1t was demanded by
the necessities OF war, and was never exacted, |
believe, in any other country in its greatest
exigencies. Banks are required to secure their
circulation by pledging with the treasurer Of
the United States bonds of the general govern
ment. The interest upon these bonds, which at
the time when the tax was imposed was six per
cent is now. in most instances, three and half
per cent. Besides, the entire circulation was
originally limited by law, and no increase was
allowable. When the existing banks had practi-
cally monopoly Of the business there was force
in tho suggestion that for the franchise TO the
properly exact a tax on circulation, but for years
the system has been free and the amount Of cir
culation regulated by the public demand. The
retention Of this tax has been suggested as a
means OF reimbursing the government for the ex-
pense OF printing aud furnishing the circulating
notes. II the tax should be repealed it would
certainly seem proper to require the national
banks to pay the amount of such expense to the
comptroller of the currency. 1t is perhaps doubt
fu whether the immediate reduction of the rate
oil taxation upon liquors and tobacco is advisable,
especially in view of the drain upon the treasury
which must attend the payment of arrears Of
pensions. A Acomparison, however, of the amount
of taxes collected under the varying rates Of tax
alton which have at different times prevailed,
suggests the intimation that some reduction may
soon be made without material diminution of the
revenue.
REVISION OF THE TARIFF.
The tariff laws need revision but that due
regard may be paid to the conflicting interests Of
our citizens important changes should be made
with caution. II a careful revision cannot be
made at this session commission such as was
lately approved by the senate and Is now recon-
mended by the secretary of the treasury, would
doubtless tighten the labors of congress when
this subject shall be brought to its considera
tion.
THE WAR DEBT AND THE ARMY.
The report Of the secretary of war will make
known the operations Of that department for the
past year He suggests measures for promoting
the efficiency of the army without adding to the
number of its officers and recommends the legis-
laton necessary to increase the number of enlisted
men to 10000, the maximum allowed by law
This he deems necessary to maintain quietness
on our ever-shifting frontier to preserve peace
and suppress disorder and marauding in new set
Elements to protect settlers and their property
against Indians and Indians against the encroach-
ments Of intruders, and to enable peaceable i'm
migrants to establish homes in the most remote
parts OF our country.
THE SIGNAL SERVICE.
| The separate organization of the signal service
is used by the secretary of war, and full state
ment of the advantages Of such permanent
ganization Is presented in the report of the chief
signal officer. detailed account of the useful
work performed by the signal corps and the
weather bureau is also given in that report.
SUPPORT OF INDIANS.
ask attention to the statements of the secre-
| tary of war regarding the requistions frequently
made by the Indian bureau upon the subsistence
department of the army for the casual support of
bands and tribes of Indians whose appropriations
are exhausted. The war department should not
be left by reason of inadequate provision for the
Indian bureau to contribute for the maintenance
of Indians.
| IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBoRs.
The report of the chief OF engineers furnishes a
| detailed account of the operations for the i'm
provement Of rivers and harbors | commend to
your attention the suggestions contained in this
report In regard to the condition of our fortiica-
| tions, especially our coast defences and recon-
mend an increase of the strength OF the engineer
battalion by which the efficiency OF our torpedo
system would be improved. also call your at
| tention to the remarks upon the improvement OF
the South Pass of the Mississippi river the pro-
posed free bridge over the Potomac river at
| Georgetown, the importance of completing at an
early day the north wing of the department build
| ing and other recommendations Of the secretary
OF war, which appears in his report the actual
expenditures Of this department for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1881, were Si2l2 go 139. The
appropriations for the year 1882 were 81 ass 972,
5i2. The estimates for 1888 are 81 45i l27 ,69l.
OUR LITTLE NAVY.
The report OF the secretary of the navy exhib-
its the condition of that branch of the service and
presents valuable suggestions for its improve
ment. call your especial attention also to the
appended report Of the advisory board which he
convened to devise suitable measures for ncreas-
ing the efficiency of the navy and particularly to
the report as TO the character and number of YES
sells necessary to place il upon a footing commen-
surate with the necessities OF the government,
cannot too strongly urge upon you my conviction
that every consideration of national safety, econ
omy and honor imperatively demands thorough
rehabilitation OF our navy, with full appreca-
ton OF the fact that compliance with the sug-
gestions OF the head of that department and OF
the advisory board must involve a large expend-
iture Of the public moneys. / earnestly recon-
mend such appropriations as will accomplish
an end which seems TO me so desirable.
Nothing can be more inconsistent with true
public economy than withholding the means
necessary to accomplish the objects intrusted
by the constitution to the national legisa-
ture One OF those objects and one which is
of paramount Importance is declared by our
fundamental law to be the provision for the 'com-
mon defence" Surely nothing is more essential to
the defence of the United States and OF all our
people than the efficiency of our navy. We have
for many years maintained with foreign govern
ments the relations OF honorable peace and that
such relations may be permanent is desired by
every patriotic citizen Of the republic But il we
read the teachings lof history we shall not forget
that in the life OF every nation emergencies may
arise when resort to arms can alone save 1t from
dishoDor. No danger from abroad now threatens
this people, nor have we any cause to distrust the
friendly professions of other governments but for
avoiding as well as for repelling danger that may
threaten us In the future we must be prepared To
enforce any means which we think wise to adopt.
We must be ready to defend our harbors against