The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-12-14


except also the special tax upon the
manufactures of and dealers in such
articles. The retention Of the latter
tax is desirable as afiording the Off
GERS of the government q proper
supervision of these articles for the
prevention OF fraud.
agree With the Secretary of the
Treasury that the law imposing a
stamp tax on matches, proprietary
articles. playing cards, checks and
drafts, may with propriety be re-
peaied, and the law also by which
banks and bankers are assessed upon
their capital and deposits. There
seems to be general sentiment in
favor OF this course. In the present
condition Of our revenues the tax on
deposits is especially unjust. 1t
was never imposed in this country
I'LL it was demanded by the necessi-
ties OF war and was never exacted,
| believe, ia any other country, even
IL is greatest exigencies. Bankers
are requ red to secure their circula-
ton by pledging with the Treasurer
OF the United States bonds of the
General Government. The interest
upon these bonds, which at the time
when the tax was imposed, was 6
per cent, is now in most instances
, per cent. Beside the entire cir
culation was limited by law, and
no increase was allowable. When
the existing banks had practically q
monopoly Of the business there was
force IN the suggestion that Tor the
I franchise to be favored grantees the
Government might very properly
Iexact u tax on circulation, but for
years the system has been free, and
the amount Of circulation regulated
by the public demand. The reten-
ton OF this tax mas been suggested
as means OF reimJursing the Gov
eYnment for the expense OF printing
and furnishing the circulating notes.
4 Ii the tax should be repealed, it
certainly would seem proper to re-
quire the national banks to pay the
amount OF such expense to the
Comptroller Of the Currency. 1t is,
perhaps, doubtful whether the I'M
mediate reduction of the rate of tax
levied upon liquors and tobacco is
advisable, especially in view of the
/ dram upon the Treasury which
must attend the payment Of arrears
of pensions. 4 comparison, how
ever, Of the amount OF taxes collect
ed under the varying rates of taxa
ton which have at different times
prevailed, suggests the intimation
that some reduction may soon be
made. without material diminution Of
/ the revenue. The tariff laws also
need revision, but that a due regard
may be paid the conflicting interest
OF our citizens, important changes
+ ishoald be made with caution. Ii q
carelGi revision cannot be made at
T. this session 4 commission such as
was lstelE approved by the Senate,
aud Is ow recommended by the Sec
Iretery . the Treasury, gould doubt-
/ less = ,hten the labors OF Congress
whenever this subject shall be
brought 30 It's consideration.
AK 1XcREAsE OF THE ARMY RECON-
MESDED.
/ The accompanying report of the
Secretary OF War viii make known
the operations Of that department
for the past year. He suggests
measures for promoting the efiicien-
cg of the army without adding to
| the number of its officers, and rec
comends the legislation Necessary to
increase the number enlisted of men
to thirty thousand, the maximum al
lowed by law. This hedeems neeessa-
Try to maintain quietness on our ever
ishifting frontiers to preserve peace
and suppress disorder and maraud-
ing in new settlements; TO protect
settlers and their property against
Indians and Indians against the en-
croachments of intrnders, and to en-
able peaceable immigrants to estab-
lish homes Ia the most remote parts
Of our country. The army is now
necessarily scattered over such vast
extent of territory that whenever an
outbreak occurs reiniorcements must
be hurried from many quarters over
great distances and always at heavy
cost for transportation OF men,
/, horses, wagons and supplies. | con-
eur in the recommendations of the
Secretary for Increasing the army to
the strength of 10000 enlisted men.
Il appears by the Secretary's report
that III the absence OF disturbances
ion the frontier the troops have been
actively employed in collecting In
dians hitherto hostile and locating
them en- the proper reservations.
that Sitting Bull and his aGherents
are now prisoners at Fort Randall,
that the Utes have been moved on
their new reservation in Utah, that
| during the recent outbreak of the
! Apaches it was necessary to rein
| force gaTrisons in Arizona by troops
Withdrawn from New Mexico, and
that some ADaches are now held
prisoners for trial. While some
! have escaped, the majority of the
( tribe are now on their reservation.
There is need OF legislation to pre-
vent intrusion upon the lands set
apart for the Indians. \ large mill
itarv force, at great expense, is now
required to patrol the boundary line
| between Kansas and the Indian
| Territory The only punishment
that can at present be inflicted is
| the forcible removal of the intruder
land the imposition of pecuniary
| fine. which in most cases it is i'm
possible to collect. There should be
a penalty by Imprisonment in such
eases.
THE SIGNAL SERVICE
The separate organization OF the
signal service is urged by the Secre-
! tary of War, and full statement OF
the advantages of such permanent
organization is presented in the re-
port of the Chief Signal Officer. A
/ detailed account OF the useful work
performed by the Signal Corps, and
| in the Weather Bureau, is also given