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

over-estimated. I hope that the Secretary
suggestions respecting the withdrawal from
circulation of the 81 and So notes will receive
your approval. 1t Is likely that a considerable
vaults of the Treasury might thus find its way
into the currency. While trade dollars have
ceased, for the present at least, to be an ele'
ment of active disturbance in our cnrren'
made for their surrender to the. Gov,
eminent. In view. of the circum-
the fact that they have never had legal tender
quality, there should be offered for them only a
slight advance over their bullion value. The
Secretary, in the course of his report, considers
the propriety Of identifying the designs Of our
subsidiary silver coins. and of SO increasing
their weight that they may bear their due ratio
Of value to the standard dollar. His conclusions
in this regard are cordially approved.
In my annual message Of 1882 recommended
the abolition Of all excise taxes except those
relating to distilled spirits. This recommended
ton is now renewed. In case these taxes shall
be abolished, the revenues that will still remain
to the Government will, in my opinion, not
only suffice to meet it's reasonable expenditures,
but will afford surplus large enough to permit
such tariff reduction as may seem DO be advis-
able when the results Of recent revenue laws
and commercial treaties shall have shown in
what quarters these reductions can be most
''lO OUR FOREIGN TRADE
One OF the gravest Of the problems which
appeal to the wisdom of Congress for solution
is the ascertainment of the most effective means
of increasing our foreign trade, and thus re-
lieving the depression under which our ind s.,
tries are now languishing, The Secretary of
the Treasury advises that the duty of inves-
tigating this subject be intrusted in
the first instance to q competent commission.
While fully recognizing the considerations that
may be urged against this course, am never
theess OF the opinion that, upon the whole, no
other would be likely to affect speedier or better
SHIPPING INTERESTS.
That portion of the Secretary's report which
concerns the condition of our shipping interests
emphatically recommends that as an incentive
to the investment of American capital in Ameri-
can steamships, the Government shall, by lib
eral payments for mail transportation or other
wise, lend its active assistance to Individual en-
terprise, and declares his belief that unless
that course be pursued our foreign carrying
trade must remain as it is-almost exclusively
this. subject is now especially prominent.
in view of the repeal by the act of June 26, 1884,
Of all salutary provisions arbitrarily compelling
American vessels to carry the mails to and from
the United States. AS it is necessary to make
provision to compensate the owners of such YES
sells for performing that service after April, 1885,
it is hoped that the whole subject will receive
early consideration that will lead to the enact
ment Of such measures for the revival of our
merchant marine as the wisdom of Congress
THE NATIONAL BANKS.
The per cent. bonds Of the Government, to
the amount of more than 500 000, 900, have,
since my last annual message, been redeemed
outstanding amount to little more than $780,
100000, about one-fourth of which will be re-
tired through the operations Of the sinking fund
continue the chief basis for the circulation Of
the national banks, the question how to avert
the contraction of the currency caused by their
retirement is one OF constantly increasing i'm
portance.
: It seems to be generally conceded that the
law governing this matter exacts from the banks
excessive security, and that upon their present
bond deposits larger circulation than is now
allowed may be granted with safety. I hope
that the bill which passed the Senate at the last
the face value Of deposited bonds will commend
itself to the approval Of the House Of Repre-
sentatives.
WAR DEPARTMENT EXPENSES.
In the expenses of the War Department the
Secretary reports q decrease Of more than So
00O 600, Of which reduction S. 900 was effected
in the expenditures for rivers and harbors. and
50, zoe, 900 in the expenditures for the Quarter
masters Department.. Outside of that depart
ment the annual expenses Of all the Army
Bureaus proper Except possibly the Ordnance
Bureau are substantially fixed charges which
can not be materially diminished without
change in the numerical strength Of the army.
The expenditures in the Quartermasters de-
tratye discretion, and it is reported by the Secre
tary of War that as result of exercising such
discretion in reducing the number of draught
anu PACK auludIS Ill dEmf, bue duuustl COSL
Of supplying and caring for such animals is now
81, los, 0S5. 80 less than it was In 1882.
THE INDIANS.
The reports of military commanders show
that the last year has been notable for it's
defiance Of the Presidents proclamation of
July /, 1884, certain intruders sought to make
in the Indian Territory. They were
promptly removed by detachment of troops.
During the past session of Congress, a bill to
provide suitable freproof building for
r, THE ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM
and the library of the Surgeon Generals Office
received the approval Of the Senate. A similar
bill. reported favorabiy to the House of Repre-
sentatives by one OF Its is still pend
the coming session the measure may become
q law, and thereafter immediate steps may be
taken to secure a place OF safe deposit for these
valuable collections now In state OF Insecurity.
. INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS
The funds with which the works for the i'm
provement of rivers and harbors were prosecut-
ed during the last year We're derived from the
of August 2. 1882, together with
such few balances as were on hand from pre-
vious appropriations. The balance in the Treas
nry subject to acquisition July 1, 1883, was So
tho The sc., amount gsr
s1 SIS, ss4,s27, and the amount drawn
rom the Treasury during the fiscal year was
sS, 22S, 70354, leaving balance of 49, $780, 60
n the Treasury subject to requisition July l,
The Secretary of War submits the report of
ihe Chief of Engineers as to the practicability
If protecting our important cities on the sea-
BOARD by
FoRTIFICATIoNS AND OTHER DEFENsES
lble to repel modern methods of attack. The |
lime has now come when such defenses can be |
with confidence that they will not |
prove abortive and, when the possible result of |
1elay in making such preparation Is seriously |
considered, delay seems inexcusable. For the !
most important cities, those whose destruction |
,r capture would be a national humiliation ade- |
luate defenses, inclusive of guns. may be made |
3y the gradual expenditure of $4,000. 000 a sum
much less than victorious enemy could levy as |
contribution. An appropriation of about one |
enth of that amount is asked to begin the work, |
md concur with the Secretary Of War in urg- |
ng that it be granted. The War Department is |
with the conversion Of ten-inch |
mooth- bore guns into eight-incn rifles by |
lining the former with tubes of forged or |
" coiled wrought iron. Fifty guns will be |
hus converted within the year. This, however, |
loes not obviate the necessity Of providing |
means for the construction Of guns of the high
st power, both for the purposes Of coast de- |
ense and for the armament Of war vessels.
MANUFACTURE OF ORDNANCE.
The report Of the Gun Foundry Board, ap- |
pointed April 2, 1888, in pursuance Of the act of
Iarch, 1888, was transmitted to Congress in |
pecial message Of Feb. 8, 1884. In my message |
# March &c, 1884, I called attention to the recon-
of the board that the Government |
hould encourage the production by private steel |
10 81