Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-04

sum Of e5,7O4, 223, 81. The treaty made
With Hawaii has improved our trade With that
government, and the carrying business has
been an advantage to American vessels.
Fixed salaries for custom officers are recon-
mended also the consolidation and reduction
Of districts and diminution Of ports Of entry
where little or no business il done. The
operation of the tariff act of last March has
beenyery satisfactory.
The increase of revenue from spirits during
the las. fiscal year was "a. 495 1861 OF; from
fermented liquors was STAG. 695. 80; the de-
crease from tobacco, s. 257, 739. IL; and from
banks and bankers, 81, 5O4. 463 81. The total
decrease of internal revenue from all sources
up to June 30. 1883. was 81 1863 .925-s6. The
cost Of collecting the internal revenue for the
fiscal year was IS, liz, 734 So. The estimated
cost for the same work for the current year
Is "a. 999, 100.
IL is recommended that taxation be reduced
in order to reduce the revenue Of the govern
ment, and that the reduction be made on ar
ticles entering into general consumption ~
sugar, molasses and the like, rather than upon
luxuries. An immediate revision OF the
tariff act il not recommended.
In foreign commerce the value Of our ex-
ports still exceeds the value of our imports
There was an increase in the excess Of the
value Of exports over imports during the last
wear as compared with the year before. The
number Of documented vessels built the last
year va. less than the year before, but there
vas an increase of the enrolled and registered
tonnage OF the combined imports and ex-
ports Of merchandise Is 81 per cent was con-
yeyed in American and 81 .35 per cent in for
eign vessels. 1t is suggested that the aboli-
ton of the tonnage tax and the removal OF
some Of the bardens Of piiotage would be
relief to our shipping. and that our foreign
shipping might be increased by subsidies and
allowing the free purchase OF foreign ships.
The regulations for the quarantine Of im-
ported neat cattle are well spoken Of. also
the further recommendations Of the Cattle
Commission, one of which is a provision for
the previous domestic inspection Of cattle
exported from this country to Great Britain.
The revenue marine service has performed
satisfactory work during the year; also the
life saving service. The Light house estab-
ii.hment continues to be improved. The
coast and geodrtic survey has been efficient
and successful. The success OF national
quarantine has been shown during the past
two years.
During the last year, work has been in
progress upon twenty-seven buildings, under
direction Of the Supervising Architect, OF
which number ten have been commenced and
four completed, and two OF the largest Gov
eminent buildings, those at Philadelphia and
St Louis, are practically completed. The
expenditures during the year for work on all
new buildings, including sites, have amounted
to SO, 700, 4GS. Is; for repairs and preservation
of public buildings, SlGS, 476 70; for heating
apparatus, and repairs to same, elevators,
vaults, safes, locks, storage of silver dollars.
SC, Sl44, $50 76.
Amendments to the immigrant act are
recommended. In 1888 the arrivals OF
immigrants in this country were 603, 1922; in
1882 the arrivals were 7S5 ,992.
A statute of Limitation of claims against
the government is advised. Difficulties have
arisen between the Treasury department and
the Pacific Railroads to which the attention
of Congress is invited. The report closes
with a recommendation for the establishment
of civil government in Alaska. and sug-
gestion that the importance and value Of that
country as commercial adjunct have been
overlooked.