Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-06

The six per centum bonds OF the loan of Febru-
afy g. 1861, and of the oregon war debt amounting
together to $14 500, having matured during the
year. the Secretary of the Treasury gave notice of
have been presented have been paid from the sur
plus revenues. There have also been redeemed at
par 100 of the three and one-half per CEN
tum "continued" bonds, making total OF bonds
during the year, OF SI23, 1854, $50.
lie debt through these transactions is as follows:
By reduction OF interest to three and
nT 0nedna1 per cent: M Sonas AZ s5s 5 SS
The three and onehaif per centuia bonds. Being %
payable at the pleasure OF the government, are
available for the Investment of surplus revenue
without the payment Of premiums.
Unless these bonds can be funded at much
lower rate of interest than they now bear, agree
with the Secretary of the Treasury that no egsla-
| ton respecting them is desirable.
1t is matter for cOngratulatfOn that the busi-
ness Of the country has been so prosperous during
| the past year as to yield by taxation large
| surplus Of income to the government II the
revenue laws remain unchanged this surplus
must, year by year, increase, on account of the
reduction OF the public debt and its burden OF in
terest, and because OF the rapid increase of our
population. In 1850, just prior to the institution
OF our internal revenue system, our population
1880 1T is now found to exceed 50,OO0,C0 1t is
estimated that even If the aDnual receipts and ex-
d
| tire debt could be paid in ten years.
In view, however, OF the heavy load Of taxation
which our people have already borne, we may well
consider whether it is not the part OF wisdom to
reduce the revenues even II we delay a little the
| payment of the debt
1t seems to me that the time has arrived when
Cne people may justly demand some relief from
their present OnerOuS burden, and that by due
economy In the various branches of the public
sc r71ce this may readily be afforded.
| therefore concur with the Secretary in recon-
mendlng the abolition OF all internalrevenue
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 OF, and dealers in, such articles.
The retention of the latter tax is desirable as
anOrding the officers of the government a proper
supervision of these articles for the prevention of
fraud agree with the Secretary of the Treasury,
proprietary articles, playing cards, checks, and
GRATIS, may with prOpriety be repealed, and the
law also by which banks and bankers are assessed
upon their capital and deposits There seems to
De general sentiment in favor of this course.
In the present condition OF our revenues the tax
upon deposits Is especially unjust 1t was never
imposed In this country until 1t was demanded by
the necessities OF war, and was never exacted,
believe In any other country. even In its greatest
circulation by pedging with the Treasurer of the
UGtted States bonds Of the general government
The interest upon these bonds, which at the time
when the tax was imposed was per cent, is now
in most instances, 81 per cent. Besides the en-
tire circulation was originally limited by law and
n no increase was allowable. When the existing
there was force in the suggestion, that for the
franchise to the favored grantees the government
might very properly exact tax On circulation:
but for years the system has been free and the
amount OF circulation regulated by the public de-
mand.
The retention OF this tax has been suggested as
means Of reimbursfng the government for the
expense Of printing and furnishing the circula-
ting notes II the tax should be repealed it would
certainly seem proper to require the national
banks TO pay the amOuntOf such expense to the
Comptroller Of the Currency.
iS rhnrn tfr,I
reduction OF the rate of taxation upon liquors and
tobacco Is advisable, especially In view of the
drain upon the Treasury which must attend the
payment OF arrears or pensions. comparison,
however, OF the amount OF taxes collected under
the varying rates of taxation, which have at dif-
ferent 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
due regard may be paid to the conflicting inter-
ests of our citizens, important changes should be
made with caution. II a careful revision cannot
lately approved by the Senate and is now recon-
mended by the Secretary OF the Treasury would
doubtless tighten the labOrs OF Congress when
ever this subject shall be brought to its considera
ton.
- The accompanying report OF the Secretary of
War Will make known to you the operations OF
that department for the past year
He suggests measures for promoting the effici-
ency OF the Army without adding to the number
necessary to increase the number of enlisted men
to thirty thousand, the maximum allowed by law.
on our ever-shifting frontier: to preserve peace
and suppress disorder and maraudfng in new set
Elements; to protect settlers and their property
against Indians, and Indians against the encrOach
mentS Of intruderS; and to enable peaceaDle inn
migrants to establish homes in the most remote
parts OF our country.
such vast extent OF territory that, whenever an
outbreak occurs, reinforcements must be hurried
from many quarters, over great distances, and al
ways at heavy cost for transportation Of men.
horses, wagons and supplies.
concur in the recommendations of the Secre-
tary for increasing the Army to the strength OF
thirty thousand enlisted men,
1t appears by the Secretary's report that In the
absence OF disturbances on the frontier the troops
have been actively employed in collecting the III
dians hitherto hostile, and locating them on their
proper reservations; that Sitting Bull and his ad-
herentS are now prisoners at Fort Randall: that
the UteS have been moved to their new reServa-
tion IN Utah; that during the recent outbreak Of
risonS In Arizona by troops withdrawn from New
Mexico; and that some OF the Apaches are now
and the majority of the tribe are now on their res
ervatiOn.
There is need OF legislation to prevent intrusion
military force, at great expense, is now required
10 patrol the boundary line between Kansas and
cae e a h The only that
OF the intruder and the impos it1on OF pecuniary
hne, which, in most cases. it is impossible to COL
iecI , Inere should be penalty by imprisonment
The separate organization of the Signal Service
Is uIge1 Dy Lne secretary OF War, and full state
ment OF the advantages OF such permanent organi-
zatoa Is presented in the report OF the Chief Sig
nal O1cer. A detailed account of the useful work
performed by the Signal CORPS and the weather
Bureau, is also given IN that report.
o.. ask attention to the statements OF the Secre-
tary OF War regarding the acquisitions frequently
made ny 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
De left, by reason of inadequate provision for the
ladian Bureau, to contribute for the maintenance
The report Of the Chief Of Engineers furnishes a
detailed account OF the operations for the improve
ment of rivers and harbors
commend to your attention the suggestions
contained IN this report in regard to the condition
o, our Iortncatlons especially our coast defences,
ana recommend an increase OF the strength OF the
Engineer Battalion by which the efficiency OF our
toTpeao 1oo system I would be improved
also cali your attention to the remarks upon
the Improvement of the South Pass of the MiSsis-
sppi RIVER, the proposed free bridge over the Po-
tomac RIVER at Georgetown, the Importance Of
com competing at an early day the north wing Of the
tOns OF the Secretary of War which annear in his