The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-12-05


contracting parties, though without in
fringing OH the reserved home coasting
trade; the removal or reduction OF bur-
dens on the exported products of those
countries coming within the benefits
of the treaties and the avoidance or
the technical restrictions and penalties
by which our intercourse with those
countries is at present hampered.
Secondly, the establishment of the
consular service Of the United States
on salaried footing 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 mantle.
nance of Il steam-carrying marine UNI
der the flag of the United States.
Fourthly, the establishment Of q
uniform currency basis for the coun-
tries of America, so that the coined
products of our mines may circulate
on equal terms throughout the whole
system of commonwealth. This would
revive Il monetary union OF America
whereby the output OF the bulliOn-pro-
ducing countries and the circulation OF
those which yield neither gold nor sill
yer could be adjusted in conformity
with the population, wealth and COM
mercial needs of each. AS many Of
the countries furnish no bullion to the
common stock, the surplus production
of our mines and minis might thus be
utilized, and u step taken toward the
general reconciliation of silver. TOthe
accomplishment of these ends, so far
us can be attained by separate treaties,
nnOOtlnf1OnS lIrn06V
and now III progress have been direct
ed and the favor with which this en-
larged policy has thus far been re-
ceived, warrants the belief that all its
operations will ere long embrace all, or
nearly all the countries of this hemis-
phere.
1t is by no means desirable, however,
that the policy under consideration
should be applied to those countries
alone. The healthful enlargement
of our trade with Europe, Asia and
Africa should be sought by reducing
tariff burdens on such of their wares
as neither we nor the other American
States are fitted to produce, and thus
enabling ourselves to obtain in return
better market for our supplies of
food, of raw materials and of the man
ufactures in which we excel.
1t seems to me that many of the en-
barrassing elements in the great ma
tional conflict between protection and
free trade may thus be turned to good
account, that the revenue may be re-
duced so as no longer to overtaX the
people, that protective duties may be
retained without becoming burden
some, that our shipping interests may
be judiciously weighed, the currency
fixed on firm basis, and above all such
annuity of interests established among
the states Of the American system, as
will be of great and of ever-increaSing
advantage to them all. All treaties in
the line of this policy which have been
negotiated, or in process OF negotla-
ton, contain a provision deemed to be
requisite under the clause Of the Con-
resentatives the authority to originate
bills for raising revenue.
CIVIL SERVICE.
On the Goth of February last. /
transmitted to the Congress the first
annual report of the Civil-service
Commission, together with commune
cations from the heads of several eX-
ecutive departments of the Govern
ings of the law under which the
commission had been acting. The
good results therein foreshadowed have
been more than realized. The system
has fully answered the anticipations of
its friends in securing competent and
faithful public servants, and in pro-
tecting the appointing officers Of the
Government from the pressure of per-
sonal importantly, and from the labor
of examining the claims and preten-
tons of rival candidates for public
employment. The law has the unqual-
fed support of the President and Of
the heads Of the several departments,
and the members of the Commission
have performed their duties with zeal
and fidelity. Their report will shortly
be submitted, and will be accompanied
by such recommendations for enlarg-
ing the scope of the existing statute as
shall commend themselves to the Ex-
ecutive and the Commissioners charged
with its administration.
A NATIONAL BANKRUPT LAW.
In view of the general and persistent
demand throughout the commercial
community for national bankrupt
law, hope that the differences of sem
timent which have hitherto prevented
its enactment may not outlast the pres
ent session.
THE CHOLERA.
The pestilence which has for the
past two years been raging in the
countries Of the East recently made
its appearance in European ports
with which we are in communication
The then Secretary of the Treasury,
in pursuance of a proclamation of the
President, issued certain regulations
restricting and, for time, prohibiting
the importation of rags and the adj
mission OF baggage of immigrants 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 rec
ommend the immediate adoption of
such measures as will be likely to ward
off the dreaded epidemic and to miti-
gate its severity in caseit shall unhapi-
ly extend to our shores.
TIE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The annual report of the Commits
sioners of the District of Columbia re-
yipyyS fhp onpratiopc nf tha Il