The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-12-07

Of the machinery OF collection, which would then
be easy of accomplishment, might reasonably be
expected to result in diminishing the cost Of such
collection by at least two millions and half OF dol
lars, and in the retirement 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
never been resorted to, except for supplying dec.
fences in the Treasury when, by reason of special
exigencies the duties on Imports have proved mad
equate for the needs Of the government. The SEN
ttment Of the country doubtless demands that the
present excise tax shall be abolished as soon as
such course can be safely pursued.
1t seems to me- however, that for various reasons,
SO sweeping measure as the total abolition OF In
ternal taxes would for the present be an unwise
step. M ...~
Two of these reasons are deserving of special
mention
First, 1t Is by no means clear that even If the ex-
listing system of duties imports Is continued
without modification, those duties alone will yield
SUFFICIENT revenue for all the needs Of the govern
ment. 1t is estimated that one hundred millions
of dollars will be required for pensions during the
coming year, and 1t may well be doubted whether
the maximum annual demand for that object has
yet been reached. Uncertainty upon this question
would aloue justify, In my Judgment the retention
for the present of that portion of the system Of
Internal revenue which is least Objectionable to the
people. t.e3
Second, total abolition of excise taxes woult
almost inevitably prove serious II not. an 1nsur
m0untable obstacle to q thorough revision OF tht
tariff and to any considerable reduction On 1mpor
duties
ust, 1t makes unequal distributions, both of its
burdens and Its benefits. This fact practically
recognized by majority OF each House Of Con
In the passage OF the act creating the Tariff
Commission. The report Of that commission vii
be placed before you at the beginning OF this ses
sion and will, trust, afford you such Information
as to the condition and prospects OF the various
commercial, agricultural, manufacturing, mining
and other interests OF the country, and contain
ouch suggestions for statutory revision will prac
tically aid your action upon this. important sub
1ect.
The revenue from customs for the fiscal yea
ended June 80, 1879, amounted to $131, OOO, 200.
It has In the three succeeding years reached
FIRST s1s6, OOO then $685. 900; and finally,
has been already stated, $500, 900, 600.
The income from this source for the hstal yea
which will end on June 80, 1888, Will doubtless b.
considerable in excess Of the sum last mentioned
II the tax on domestic spirits is to. be retained
1t Is plain therefore that large reductions from
the custom revenue are entirely feasible. Will
recommending this reduction am far from advts
ing the abandonment OF the policy of so discrimI
mating in the adjustment of duties as to afford all
system should be so revised as to equalize tn
public burden among all classes and occupations
and bring It into closer harmony with the presen
Without entering into minute detail, which, un
deg present circumstances, is quite Unnecessary
rbcoulmend an enlargement OF the free list a
include within 1t the numerous articles which yelt
1nconstderable revenus, a Simplihcation" Of tn
complex and Inconsistent schedule of duties upol
certain manufactures particularly those OF cotton
iron; and steel, and substantial reduction OF tn
duties upon these articles; and upon sugar, mo
AeAooOo,
II general revision OF the tariff shall be fount
to be 1mpracticable at this session, 1 express tn
hope that at least some Of the more conspicuou
inequalities Of the present law may be corrected
before your final adjournment. One of them 4
specially referred to by the Secretary. In view o
recent decision Of the Supreme Court, the neces
stty OF amending the law by which the ,Dutcl
| standard Of color is adopted as the test of tn
sacchar1ne strength OF sugars Is too obvious to
quire comment. .- -,
From the report of the Secretary of War 1t ar
pears that the only outbreak OF Indians during tn
OHN In Art To-.
western part of New Mexico. They were prompt
quelled, and the quiet which has prevailed In al
addition to be made to the military force in the
gfon endangered by the Apaches that there Is littl
| reason to apprehend trouble In the future
Those parts of the Secretarys report which relat
10 our sea coast defenceS and their armament sue
gestthe gravest reflections. Our existing fortified
lions are VIGOROUSLY INADEQUATE to the defense O
the great harbors and cities for whose protectio
| they were built ~.
The question Of providing an armament suited
our present necessities has been the subject Of
sideration by Board, whose report was transmit
| ted to Congress at the last session. Pending tn
consideration of that report the War Department
has taken no steps for the manufacture or CONVEX
sion OF any heavy cannon, but the Secretary OF
presses the nope that authority and means to beg
that important work will be soon provided. Il IL
vite the attention Of Congress to the propriety
| making more adequate provision for arming an
equipping the militia than is afforded by the act
| 1903, which is still upon the statute book. Th
matter has already been the subject of discussio
In the Senate, and bill which seeks to supply tn
dencenc1eS OF existing laws is now upon Its caller
dar.
| The Secretary Of War calls attention to the fac
that an embarrassment growing out of the recent &C
Of Congress making the retirement Of officers of tn
| army compulsory at the age OF sixty-four The &C
the number of those who can be retired for disabi
| ity or upon their own application. The two acts
when construed together seem to forbid the relie1
ing even for absolute fncapacity, or officers who
not fall within the purview OF the later statute
save at such times as there chance to be less tina
| four hundred names on the retired list. There ar
| hundred and twenty n kel "a
| Congress intended this result, and concur wit
the Secretary, that the law ought to be amended
| The grounds that 1mpelled me to withhold m
signature from the bill entitled IAN act making az
preparations for the construction, repair, and pre-
servat1on OF certain works on rivers and harbOrs.
which became law near the close Of your last Sc,
sion, prompt me to express the hope that no simia
| measures will be deemed necessary during tn
| present session OF Congress. Indeed, such q mea
ure would now be open to serious objection in az
dition to that which was lately urged upon your al
| tention. am informed by the Secretary Of Wa
that the greater portion Of the sum appropriate
for the various Items specified In that act remain
4 unex pended.
OF the new works which 1t authorized, expense
| haFe been incurred upon two only, for which tn
total appropriation was $4,000. The preseI
available balance.is disclosed by the follewin
Amount of appropriation by'act Of August u
Af$ount ofappropriation BY act Of june S'''''''
Amount Of appropriation for payments
to j. B. Eads.. ..................... 3O4,0(
IiUnexpended baiance:of former appropr1-
stions. 4,73s,2
tfk 2s,791,1 j;
tIess amount drawn from Treasury be-
Il tween July l, 1882, and November 30,
1882. .................... 6,O56,1s
$I7,734,9
1t is apparent by this exhibit that so far as col
Germs most Of the items to which the act Of Angus
1882 relates, there can be no need OF further al
propriations until after the close of the present sci
sion. IT, however, any action should seem to b
4 noc n narticular will
entirely feasible to provide for these objects by
propriate legislation. It is possible, for example
that delay until the assembling Of the mex
Congress to make additional provision for the Mis-
| sissippt River improvements smight be attends
with serious consequences. II such should appea
to be the case, Just bill relating to that subiee
| would command my approval.
This leads me to offer suggestion, which trus
will commend itself to the wisdom OF Congress,
1t not advisable that grants of considerable sums
money for diverse and Independents schemes of IL
ternal improvements should be made the subjects c
separate and distinct Legislative enactment? 1t vii
scarcely be gainsatd, even by those who favor tn
mostlliberal expenditures for such purposes as ar
| sought to be accomplished by what Is commonI
called the river and harbor bil that the practic
of grouping In such bill appropriatiopsfora grea
their nature in the locality with which they ar
concerned, or in both, is one which is much to b
deprecated unless 1t is irremediable. 1t inevitabl
tends secure the success of the bill Is whole
though many of the items, tfseparately considered
could scarcely fail Of rejection. By the adoption
Iithe course have recommended, every member O
Congress, whenever opportunity should arise 70
giving his influence and vote for meritOrious an
Preparations, would be enabled to do without be
ing called upon to sanction others undeseryine hi
approval So also would the executive he afrorde,
thereby full opportunity to exercise constitutions
perogative Of opposing whatever appropriation
seemed him Objectionable, without fmperfling tn
| success of others which commended themselves 4
| his judgment.
It may be urged In opposition to these suggestion
| that the number Of works Of internal improvement
which are justly entitled to governmental aid is s.
great as to render impractcable separate appropri
alton bills therefor, even for such comparattyely
| limited number make disposition of large sum
| of money. This objection may be we'll founded
would be likely to ensue from the adoption of tn,
course have recommended may perhaps be NOR,
effectually attained by another, which respect
fully submit to Congress as an alternative proposi
| ton.
| tits provided by the constitution Of fourteen O
our States that the executive may disapprove any
item items of bill appropriating money; where
uIon the part of the bill approved shall be law, ant
the part disapproved shall fail to become law
repassed according to the provisions prescribed
the passage of bills the veto of the Executive
The States wherein some such provision the fore
bauaa California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Lou
isiRna Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New jersey
NV York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia
Enpmmend to your careful consideration the cues
dHhwhether an amendment Of the Federal Consti-
lon In the particular indicated would not afford
tin best remedy for what is often grave barass
mfnt both to members OF Congress an to the Exec
uGve, and s sometimes serious public mischief
The report of the Secretary Of the Navy states the
movements of the various squadrons during the
and seamen, with such ships as we possess, have
continued to illustratehe high character and excel
lent discipline of the naval organization.
On the 2ist of December. 1885, Information was re-