Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-12-07

He deyotes paragraph to our relations
with Venezuela, which are reported IN
SATISFACTORY condition, and passed to the
consideration Of the .
Chinese Treaties,
which were lately negotiated and nave
been duly ratified by both governments,
and suggests that the prompt compliance
with the notifications asked by the unlted
States should secure careful regard lot the
interests and susceptibllitles OF thR gov
eminent in the encroachment OF any legis-
IatiOn in regard to Chinese immigration.
He calls special attention to the opium
trade and hopes that the needed Legislation
will be had to abolish that demorallzlng
and destructive trsthc.
He congratulateS the country that by the
good offices of our minister at Buenos
Ayres the Yexed Patagonia boundary ques-
ton has been finally settled and peace, be
tween Chill and the Argentine RepuDlic
secured. Our relations
with Japan
are next referred to, and are reported to be
of the most cordial character. He also an
nOuuces that the Emperor of that country
has summoned a parliamentary congress
for the purpose of establishing constltu-
tional government. which cannot fail TO
bring us into closer and. more benehclai
relations with that power. The case OF
Ross, the Englishman, who while serving
ON an American vessel was convicted oil
crime before the American Consular Court
at Yokahoma, is referred to, and the posi-
tion taken, that he was, so long as employed
on an American vessel, subject to our laws
maintained. He also reviews the recon-
mendation that after the deduction OF such
amounts as may be found due to American
citizens. the balance OF the indemnity fund
heretofore obtained from China and japan
be returned TO those governments.
King Of the Cannibal Isles.
He then refers to the visit of the King OF
Hawaii and the relations which exist Win
that country, and fears that the continued
diminutiOn in population may tend 10 I'M
pair the independence OF those islands, un-
less something is done TO counteract the
present tendency.
Relations Of unimpaired, unity have been
maintained throughout the year with the
respective governments OF Austria, Hun
gary. Belgium, Denmark, Haytl, Paraguay,
Uruguay Portugal, Sweden and Norway.
This may also be said OF Greece and Equa-
dor although our relations with these
States have for some years been severed by
the Withdrawal of the appropriations Tor
diplomatic representatives at Athens. II
| seems eypcdicnt tn restore these missions.
even on a reduced scale. and decidedly
recommend such a course with respect 10
Ecuador, which is. likely, within the near
future. To play an important part among
the nations OF the Southern Pacific.
The Geneva Convention.
He then proposes to the consideration ot
the Geneva Convention for the relief ol
| those wounded in war, and cordially recO.h-
mcndS the adhesion of the United States I"
! that humane and commendahle engage
! mCnt.
! He then recommends the adoption Of
! new code OF international rules for the pre-
! yention of collisions at sea, and that the
| same be eNtended.tO our town waters. lie
| also recommends the publication, by the
| State Department of the trade and manu-,
! featuring statistics Of foreign CountrleSahd
such an appropriation aS may be necessary
| for this purpose.
He then refers. briefly To the lnterna-
| tional Sanitary Convention and then passes
| 10 the consideration of the
National Board OfHealth,
which he thinks has done much to prevent
the introduction and spread OF contagious
| and infectious diseases aS well rs arrest
the progress oi epidcmiCS. The lnterna-
tiUnal Sanitary Conference bill i'll relation
to vessels seeking To enter our port IS ap-
| proved, and Congress is recommended TO
adopt such legislation rs is needed To rem
der its observance compulsory.
Finances.
| He then proceeds to give synopsis nt
| the report of the Secretary OF the Treasury,
showing the receipts aed disbursements for
the fiscal, which appears III another col,
| umn. the receipts being 500, 2,2G %, and
the expenditures $500. .7l2, SS1 80, being q
| surplus of $lOO. .O69, ,4O4 9S. which was ap-
piled to the redemption of bonds for the
sinking fund S94 81 300; fractional cur
rencv. s., ,O9O. .O10.O5; loan of 1861, S7,4lS,-
UGO: lO-IOO of '64. S276.ljO: j-2" OF 62.
SIS 800: 5-2O3 OF 81, $3.4OO; 300 of 90,
s., 800; COnSnls OF g, $l,i3l, 300; conSolS
6I, A.9j9ljO; COnSUlS oil 6S, S'j. ,+OO;
Texan Indemnity, $1,000; old demand ana
other notes. $lS.33O, and To increase OF cash
in Treasury $l4, ,637 ,023 total. 100, O69, 4O49S.
The Revenue.
The increase of revenue for 1881 over the
| previous wear, was S29, 3D. 9Ol 20, 1t iS in
timatcd that the receipts during the present
fiscal year will reach SiOO,OOO,NO and the
expenditures S25O,OUO,O0O, leaving large
surplus applicable to the sinking fund, and
he approves OF Secretary Folger's recon-
mendation that provision be- made for
the early retirement ot silver Certiti-
| Gates and that the act requiring
their issue bc repealed.
Tbs silver Dollar.
He SAYS that there has been already
coined Sl02. .O0,OO0 of which but $j4, 10000
are in circulation. and ConcurS in Secretary
FOlgerS recommendation that the provision
for the coinage of fixed amount he repeal
ed. and that hereafter only sO much be
coined as will satisfy the demand lie also
endorses the SccrCtarys recommendation
that national banks be prohibited from
Surrcndcring their circulation until certain
notice he given, and the dropping uf the
| 4 - .,ff al p1trr
from the debt statement rs il has probably
been lost or destroyed.
Revenue Collections.
He then summarizes the receipts OF Gus
toms duties, which amount Ia Sl9N. lj9. .6I6-
u2 an increase over last year of Sll.G3I,-
6llG2. The expenses of collection were
So 49, -. an increase of S}S7. 4l00t, and
then proceeds To an analysis of the imports
and exports. showing an increase of S66,-
SS,tiSS in the latter, and decrease in the
former OF So, ,29O,llS The total value Of
| the merchandise exported in lSS0 was SSSj-
! .2I,9is, an increase over 1870 OF 80 per
cent. while the imports increased. during
the same period, but Il per cent.
Refunding Operations.
He then reCitc> the refunding operations
! by which the five and six per cent. bonds
were continued at 81 per cent. aud states
the total saving and reduction of debt to be
! Sl6. SO 292. ~ He endorses the recommend
alton OF the Secretary, that ~ the 81 per
cent. bonds are redecmablc at the pleasure
OF the government, no legislation is needed
on TIE subject.
Internal Revenue Taxes.
In view OF the unparalleled increase OF
our wealth and population. it is submitted
I that the entire debt could be paid Otfin ten
| wears, at the present rate OF taxation, in
/ view ot which the question OF a reduction
in the rate is commended to the con>idcra-
ton oi Congress. eveH If it should delay
the payment oi the debt for time. He
! ther reasons that the time has arrived
: when the people can justly demand relief,
! .l,G recommends the abolition ot ali inter
! nat revenue taVcs eNcept those upon to-
tacco in its various forms. and upon
I. distilled and iermcnted liquors and
! the tax upon manufacturers OF and dealers
/ in these articles He also recommends the