Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1881-12-17

interest, both as regards Our home and
foreign affairs. With regards to the
Panama ranel scheme, and the relations
with Peru, Chilli, and Bolivia, he says:
! "Ihc question growing ont of the pro.
posed inter oceanic water way across
the Isthmus Of Panama, is of grave ma.
,ional Importance. This governmoh n,
has not been unmindful Of the solemn
obligations imposed upon it by its com
pact of 1916 with Columbia, as the indie.
pendent and sovereign mistress Of the
territory, crossed 10y the canal, and has
sought to render them effective by fresh
engagements with the Columbian repub
lie, looking to the practical execution
The negotiations to this end. after they
had reached what appeared to be nlatu
ally satisfactory, fore>eeing the probable
reliance of the Britis!, government on
the provisions Of the Clayton Bulwei
treaty The solutions here were met in
Columbia by lisavowal of the power,
which the envoy had assumed, and by a
proposal for renewed Negotiations on q
fortified basis. Meanwhile this govern.
ment learned that Columbia had propos-
ed tothe European powers to join guar
anty ofneutrality,a guarantywhich would
be in direct controvention Of our obliga-
tion as the sole guaranty ofthe integrity
of the Columbian territory, and of the
neutrality Of the canal itself Ny
amentcd predecessor felt it his duty to
place before the European powers the
reasons which made the prior guaranty
of the United States Indispensable, and
for which the interjcction of any foreign
guaranty might be regarded us a super
flous and unfriendly act.
This government sees with great con-
Germ the continuance of the hostile re-
lations between Chill, Bolivia and Peru
An carly peace between these republics
is much to be desired, not only that
they may themselves be spared further
misery and bloodshed, but because their
continued antagonism threatens conse-
r;.cmccs which are III my Judgment,
dangerous to the interests of the repub
iican government on this continent, and
calculated to destroy the best elements
of our own free and peaceful civiiza-
ton.
As to the present excited condition Of
popular feeling in these countries there
has been serious misrepresentation of
the position of the United States, and as
separate diplomatic intercourse with
each through independent ministers is
sometimes subject, owing TO the want Of
prompt reciprocal communication as to
temporary misunderstanding, have
deemed judicious ut the present time to
send special ENJOYS accredited to all and
each Of them. and furnished with gener-
al instructions which will, trust enable
us to bring these powers into friendly
relations"
He also proposes a reduction of the
internal revenue tax as<ollows
1T is a matter of congratulation that
the business of the country has been SO
prosperous during the past year as to
yield by taxation IA large surplus Of in
come to the government. If the revcn-
ne law remains unchanged this surplus
must increase year by year on account
of the reduction Of the public debt and
the burden of interest, and because of
The rapid increase of our population. In
1860 just prior to the institution of our
internal revenue system, our population
hut slightly exceeded 30,0OO,0OO. BY
the census of 1880 it is found to exceed
80, 100000. 1t is estimated that even if
the annual receipts and expenditures
should continue rs ut present, the entire
debt would be paid in ten years. In
view, however, of the heavy load Of tax
alton which our people have already
borne, we may well consider whether it
is not the part Of wisdom to reduce the
revenues, even if we delay little the
payment of the debt. 1t seems to me
that the time has arrived when people
may Justly demand some relief from the
present enormous burden, ana by due
economy in various branches Of the pub
lie service this may readily be afforded.
hereby concur with the secretary i'm
recommending the abolition of all in
ternal revenue taxes except those on
tobacco in it's various forms and OH dis
titled fermented liquor, and except also
the spirit tax OH the manufacturer Of
and dealer in such articles"
He also recommends that the criminal
laws Of the different states and terrific
ries in which there are Indians, be made
to extend to the punishment of the In
dians for crimes that they may commit
In the civil service he seems to favor
competitive examinations, and ask for
an appropriation of S25,o0 for the pur-
pose Of carrying on such examinations.
The tariff, he thinks, needs revision,
but makes no suggestion as to the method
or what particular changes are required