Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1884-12-03
establishments
than


productive establishments more than
sufficient to supply our own demands:t wages
Of labor are nowhere else so great; the scale of
living Of our artisan classes is such as tends to
secure their personal comfort and the develop
ment OF those higher morals and the intellect
nal qualities that go to the making Of a good
citizen; our system of tax and tariff legislation
is yielding revenue which is In excess of the
present needs Of the Government.
These are elements from which it is sought to
devise scheme by which, without unfaYorably
| changing the condition of the worlfngmen, our
merchant marine shall be raised from it's en-
| feebled condition and new markets provided for
| the sale beyond our borders of the manifold
fruits OF our industrial enterprises. The problem
| is complex, and can be solved by no single meas
ure OF innovation or reform. The countries
islands are for the United States the natural
market Of supply and demand 1t is from
that we should obtain what we do not produce,
or do not produce in sufficiency, and it is to
| them that the surplus productions of our fields,
our mills, and our workshops should flow, un-
der conditions that will equalize or favor them
| in comparison with foreign competition.
RECIPRoCAITY TREATIES.
-Four paths Of policy seem to point to this
end. First, series or reciprocal commercial
| treaties with the countries of America which
shall foster between us and them an unhamp-
| cred movement of trade. The conditions Of
these treaties should be the free admission of
such merchandise as this country does not
produce in return for admission free
| or under favored scheme of duties of our prod
ucts, the benefits OF such exchange to apply on
| those goods carried under-the flags of the
parties to the contract; the removal on both
sides from vessels 80 privileged of all tonnage
| dues and national imposts, SO that their
vessels may ply unhindered between our
ports and those OF other contracting par
ties, though without infringing on the re-
| served home coasting trade; the removal or
reduction OF burdens on the exported products
OF those countries coming within the benefits of
the treaties; and the avoidance Of the technical
restrictions and penalties by which our inter-
course with those countries is at present ham,
pered.
Secondly, the establishment of the consular
service OF the United States on a salaried foot
ing permitting the REIMBURSEMENT of consular
fees not only as respects vessels under the ma
tional flag but also as respects vessels Of the
treaty nations carrying goods entitled to the
benefits of the treaties.
Thirdly, the enactment of measures to favor
the construction and maintenance of steam
carrying marine under the flag of the United
States.
Fourthly, the establishment of uniform cur
rency basis for the countries of America, so
that the coined products of our mines may cir
culate on equal terms throughout the whole sys-
tenn of commonwealths. This would revive a
monetary union of America whereby the output
OF the bullion producing countries and the cir
gold nor silver could be adjusted in con-
1orm!ty with the population, wealth, and COM
merc1al needs of each; AS many of the
countries furnish no bullion to the COM
OF our mines and minis might thus be utilized,
and step taken toward the general remoneti-
zation of silver. To the accomplishment of
these ends. so far as can be attained by separate
treaties, the negotiations already concluded and
now in progress have been directed, and the
favor with which this enlarged policy has thus
far been received warrants the belief that it's
operations will ere long embrace all, or nearly
all, the countries of this hemisphere.
1t is by no means desirable, however, that the
policy under consideration should be applied
to those countries alone. The healthful en-
largement of our trade with Europe, Asia, and
Africa should be sought by reducing tariff bur-
dens ON such of their wares as neither we nor
the other American States are fitted to produce,
and thus enabling ourselves to obtain in re-
turn better market for our supplies of food,
of raw material, and of the manufactures in
which we excel.
1t seems to me that many of the embar-
RAISING elements in the great national conflict
between protection and free trade may thus
be turned to good account. that the revenue
may be reduced so as no longer to overtax
tianed without becoming burdensome, that our
shipping l, interests may be judicio9sly
weighed. the cure currency " fixed ed, on firm
of interests established among the States of the
American system, as will be of great and of
ever-increasing advantage to them all. ALI
been negotiated, or are in process of negotia-
ton, contain provision deemed to be requisite
under the clause of the Constitution limiting to
the House of Representatives the authority to
originate bills for raising revenue.
CIVIL SERVICE.
On the Goth of February last transmitted to
Congress the first annual report of the Civil
Service Commission. together with commune
cations from the heads of the several executive
departments of the Government, respecting the
practical workings of the law under which
the commission had been acting. The
good results therein foreshadowed have
been more than realized. The system
friends in securing competent and faithful pub
lie servants, and in protecting the appointing
officers of the Government from the pressure of
personal Importantly and from the labor of ex-
aiming the claims and .pretensions of rival
candidates for public employment The law has
had the unqualified support of the President
and the members of the Commission have per-
formed their duties with zeal and fidelity.
Their report will shortly be submitted, and will
be accompanied by such recommendations for
the scope Of the existing statute as
shall commend themselves to the Executive
and the Commissioners charged with its adj
A NATIONAL BANKRUPT LAW.
In view OF the general and persistent demand
throughout the commercial community for a
national bankrupt law, hope that the differ
ences of sentiment which have hitherto pre-
vented it's enactment may not outlast the pres
ent session
The pestilence which for the past two years
has been raging in the countries of the East, re-
Gently made its appearance in European ports
with which we are in constant communication.
The then Secretary of the Treasury, in pur-
suance of proclamation of the President,
issued certain regulations restricting and,
for time, prohibiting the importation Of
rags and the admission of baggage Of i'm
migrants and of travellers arriving from
infected quarters, Lest this course may have
been without strict warrant of law / approve
the recommendation of the present Secretary,
that Congress take action in the premises, and
also recommend the immediate adoption Of
such measures as will be likely to ward off the
dreaded epidemic and to mitigate its severity
in case it shall unhappily extend to our shores.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The annual report of the Commissioners of
the District of Columbia reviews the operations
of the several departments Of its municipal
Government. ask your careful consideration
OF its suggestions in respect to legislation, espe-
cially commencing such as relate
to revision of the civil and criminal code, the
performance of labor by persons sentenced to
Imprisonment in the Jail, the construction and
of wharves along the river front,and
the erection of suitable building for District
Offices
A PENSION TO GENERAL GRANT.
recommend that in recognition of the emil
nent services Of Ulysses S. Grant, late General
of the armies Of the United States. and twice
President of the nation, Congress confer on him
suitable pension
MISCELLANEOUS SUGGESTIONS.
Certain of the measures that seem to
me necessary and expedient I have
now, in obedience to the Consti-