The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-12-09

Shah Of Persia has expressed bis gratihca-
tion that a Charge d'Afiairs will shortly be
sent 10 that country, where the rights of
our citizens have been hitherto courteously
regarded by the representatives Of Great
Britain. The President again recommends
legislation in harmony with other Powers
to prevent collisions at sen; and that con-
ference be held TO determine upon a com.
mon prime meridian. He expresses approv-
al Of the project TO reorganize the diplomatic
and consular service. leaving fees 10 ipure
to the benefit OF the Treasury.
The President favors legislation with res
pect to International rules for the preyen-
tion Of collisions at sea; favors the reorgan-
izstiOn Of the consular and diplomatic serv-
ice on plan 10 bo submitted 10 Congress
BY the Secretary Of State, and then takes
up the finances. He copies the figures sub
mitted by the Secretary of the Treasury in
his report, agrees with the Secretary that il
is not deeirable 10 continue the coinage of
the silver dollar, now so enormously in ex-
cess Of the demand, and continues
heartily approve tho Secretary's recon-
mendation Of immediate and extensive re-
ductions in the annual revenues of the gov.
ernment. II is one of the tritest maxims
Of political economy that all taxes are burd-
ensome. OF late the public revenues have
far exceeded this limit, and unless checked
by appropriate legislation such excess will
continue from year to year. For the fiseal
year ended June 80, 1881, the surplus reye.
nue. amounted to $I0O, 900 900; for the fiscal
year ended the 30th of June last the surplus
was more than $l45, ,000, 900. The report Of
the Secretary shows what disposition has
been made Of these moneys. They have
not only answered the requirements of the
sinking fund, but have afforded large bal.
ance applicable to other reductions Of the
public debt. But renew the expression OF
my conviction that such rapid extinguish-
nent of the national Indebtedness as is now
taking place is by no means a cause for con-
graduation. II is q cause rather for serious
apprehension. II il continues IL must be
speedily followed by one Of the evil results
so clearly set forth in the report of the Sec
retary. Either the surplus must lie idle in
the Treasury or the government will be
forced to buy at market rates its bonds not
then redOemable, and which under such
circumstances cannot fail 10 command an
enormous premium, or the swollen revenues
Will be devoted to extravagant expenditure,
which, as experience has taught, is ever the
bane of an overlooking Treasury.
Upon the showing of our financial con-
dition at tho close Of the last year felt JUS
tilted in recommending to Congress the ab-
clifton of all interual revenue taxes, except
those upsn tobacco in its various forms and
upon distilled spirits and fermentated Ii
quors and wine, except also the special tax
upon the manufactures Of all liquors in such
articles. | venture now to suggest that un
less it shall be ascertained that the probable
expenditures OF the govern ment ler the en-
suing year have been underestimatcd, all
internal taxes, save those which relate to
distilled spirits, can be prudently abrogated.
Such course, if companied by a simpli-
fication Of the machinery of collection,
which would then be easy OF accomplish
ment, might reasonably be expected to re
suit in diminishing the cost OF such collec-
ton by at least $2,500,000, and in the re-
tirement from Office of from 1900 to 1000
persons. The system OF excise duties has
never commended itself to the favor OF the
American people,and has meyer been resort
ed to except for supplying deficiencies in
the Treasury when, by reason ofspecial ex-
lgencies, the duties on imports have proved
Inadequate for the needs of the government.
The sentiment of the country doubtless de-
mands that the present excise tax shall be
abolished as soon as such a course can be
safely pursued. 1t seems, however, that for
various reasons so sweeping measure as
the total abolition of internal taxes would
Tor the present be an unwise step. Two Of
these reasons are deserving Of special men
ton. First. II is by no means clear that
even II the existing system oil duties on i'm
ports is continued without modification
those duties alone will yield sufficient reve-
nue. for all the needs of the government. II
is estimated that 800, 900, coo will be re-
quired for pensions during the coming year
and j. may well he doubted if the maximum
annual demand for that object has yet been
reached. Uncertainty upon this question
would alone justify, in my judgment, the
retention for the present Of that portion OF
the system of internal revenue which is
least Objectionable 10 the people, Second.
total abolition of excise tax would almost
inevitably prove serious, if not AN insur-
mountable, obstacle 10 thorough revision OF
the tariff and to any considerable reduction
in import duties"
The President next discusses the tariff.
The present system, he says, is in many re-
sPects unjust. II makes unequal dIstribu-
ton by reason of its burdens and its bene-
fits. This fact was practically recognized
by majority OF each House of Congress in
the passage of the act creating the Tariff
Commission. The report of that commission
will be placed before you at the beginning
of this .ession aud will, trust, afford you
such information as to the condition and
prospects OF the various commercial, agri.
cultural, manufacturing, mining and other
interests of the country and contain such
suggestions for statutory revision as will
practically aid your action upon this i'm
portant subject. The revenue from customs
Tor the fiscal year ending June 80, 1879,
amounted TO $l37OO0,O00. It has 10 the
three succeeding years reached, first, $780,
00,000, then, $l9s, 900, and, finally,
S220,000,000. The income from this source
for tine fiscal year which will end on June
80, 1888, will doubtless be considerably in
excess of the sum last mentioned. If the
tax on domestic spirits is 10 be retained it is
plain, therefore, that large reductions from
the customs revenue are entirely feasible.
While recommending this reduction, am
far from advising the abandonment Of the
policy of so discriminating in the adjust
ment of duties. But the present system
should be SO revised as to equalize the pub
lie burden among all classes and occupa-
tons and bring it into closer harmony with
the present need Of industry. Without en- =
tering into minute details, which under
picScub CliCuhlotauCeo 10 qulIo unnecessary
| recommend an enlargement of the free
list so as to include within il the numerous
articles which yield inconsderable revenue;
amPlifisation of the complex and inconsis-
tent schedule of duties upon certain manu-
factures, particularly those Of cotton, iron
and steel, and a substantial reduction of the
duties upon these articles, and upon sugar,
molasses, silk, wool and wooden goods II a
general revision Of the tariff shall be found
TO be impTacticabl BILE at this session, express
the hope that at least some of the more con
spieuous inequalities Of the present law may
be corrected before your final adjournment
One of them is specially referred to by the
Secretary. In view Of recent decision OF
the Supreme Court, the necessity of amend
ing the law by which the Dutch standard
Of color is adopted as the test Of the sac,
charine strength of sugar is too obvious to
require comment.
The President calls attention to the weak
stats Oi our sea coast defenses, invites the at
tenlion of Congress TO the propriety Of max,
ing more adequate provisions for arming
snd equipping the militia aud then takes
up the river and harbor appropriations.
The greater portion Of the sum appropriat
ed for the various items specified in that
act remains unexpended. The available
balance is $l7,734 ,944, and it is apparent
that, so for as il concerns most Of the items
tn which the act of August 2 1892 relates