Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-08

Treasury were contemplated Moreover, en-
barrassing questions would have arisen under
the lavOred-natiOn clauses OF treaties with other
nations,
AS further objection, it is evident that tariff
pendent control over its own revenues which is
essential for the safety and welfare of any gov
ernment Emergency calling for an increase of
taxation may at any time arise, and no engage
ment with foreign power should exist to
hamper the action OF the Government
annyo sne @ section OF the shipping act
contingent exemptions from tonnage dues were
made as to vessels entering ports of the United
trail America, the West India Islands, the Bahia
mas and Bermudas, Mexico, and the Isthmus
as far as Aspinwall and Panama. The Govern
mems or Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Portu-
gai and Sweden and Norway have asserted,
under the favOred-nation clause In their treaties
with Will, tn United States, CLAIM to like treat,
ment In respect of vessels coming to the United
States from their home ports. This Govern
ment. however, holds that the privileges granted
any vessel of Ony foreign power that may
choose to engage in traffic between this country
and any port within the defined zone, and no
warrant exists under the most favored nation
clause for the extension of the privileges in
question to vessels sailing to this country from
ports outside the Limitation of the act.
Undoubtedly the relations of commerce with
our near neighbours whose territories form SO
long frontier line difficult To be guarded and
who find In our country, and equally offer to
u.s. natural markets, demand special and con-
siderate treatment. 1t rests with Congress to
, increase
facilities OF intercourse which cOntiguity makes
natural and desirable.
REFORM IN THE DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR
SERVICE.
earnestly urge that Congress recast the ap-
preparations tor the maintenance of the diplo-
matte and consular service OH a footing COM
mensurate with the importance of our national
interests. At every post where a representa-
tive is necessary the salary should be so graded
as TO permit him to live with comfort. With
the assignment of adequate salaries the so
called notarial extra-offlcial fees, which our
officers abroad are now permitted to treat as
personal perquisites, should be done away
with. Every act requiring the certification and
seal OF the officer should be taxable at schedule
rates, and the fee therefor returned to the
Treasury. BY restoring these revenues to The
pubilc use the consular service would be self.
supporting, even with IA liberal increase of the
present low salaries
In further prevention OF abuses, a system of
consular inspection should be instituted.
The appointment OF limited number of sec
taries OF legation at large, to be assigned to duty
Wherever necessary, and in particular for tenn
porary service at missions which Tor any cause
may be without head, should also be author
lied.
favor also, authorization for the detail of
officers OF the regular service military or ma
val attaches at legations.
some foreign governments do not recognize
the union of consular with diplomatic functions.
Italy and Venezuela will only receive the :t,,-
pOlntee In one OF his two capacities. but this
does not prevent the requirement of bond and
submission 10 the responsibilities of office
whose duties he cannot discharge. The super
added title OF conSul-ycneral should be ai,an-
doned at all missions.
deem it eXpedient that a well devised meas
IRE Tor the reorganization oil the eXtraterrito-
rial courts in Oriental countries should replace
the present system, which labors under the dis
advantage OF combining judicial and executive
functions III the same office.
In several Oriental countries generous offers
have been made OF premises for housing the
legations of the United States. \ grant OF land
tor that purpose was made some years since by
Japan. and has been referred TO III the annual
messages OF my predecessor. The .;iamese
Government has made a gift to the United
STATES OF conmOdhOuS quarters in Bangkok. In
CoEea the late minister was permitted to pur-
chase building from the government for legal
ton tise In China, the premises rented for the
legation are favored to local charges At
Tangier, the house occupied by our repretenta-
tive has been for many years the property OF
purpose in 1922 by the Sultan OF Morocco. 1
approve the suggestion heretofore made, that
In view of the conditions OF life and admins
tratlOn in the Eastern countries, the legation
buildings in China, Japan, Corea, Siam and
perhaps Persia, should be owned and furnished
by the Government, with view to perma-
nency and security. To this end recon men .
that authority be given to accept the gifts adj
verted to in Japan and Siam and to purchase
In the other countries named, with provision
for furniture and repairs. A considerable saving
in rentals would result.
The World S Industrial Exposition, held at
New Orleans last winter with the assistance of
the Federal Government, attracted Il large
number of foreign exhibits, and proved OF great
value In spreading among the cOncOurSe Of
visitors from Mexico and Central and South
America wider knowledge of the varied
manufactures and productions OF this country
and their availability in exchange for the
productions of those regions
Past Congresses have had under consideration
the ACCESSIBILITY Of aboishilts the discrimina-
ton made by the tariff laws in favor of the
works OF American artists The Odium of the
poiicy which subjects to hig, rate OF duty tlie
paintings OF foreign artists and exempts the
productions of American artists residing
| abroad. and who receive gratutously advan-
tageS and instruction, is visited upon our eli j.
| Zens engaged in art culture in Europe, and has
caused them, with practical unanimty, to
favor the abolition of such an ungracions dis
obvious reasons. strongly recommend il.
THE rUBLIC FINANCES.
The report OF the Secretary of the Treasury
fully exhibits the condition of the public
finances and of the several branches of the
Government connected with his Department
The suggestions Of the Secretary relating to the
practical operations of this important Depart
| ment, and his recommendations in the direc.
ton Of simplifcation and economy, particu-
Iarly in the work of collecting customs duties,
are especially urged upon the attention of Con-
gress.
The ordinary receipts from all sources tor the
fiscal year ended June 80, 1885, were S322-
900, 7O6.3S. OF this sum $1S1 AZ l ,939.:4 was
received from customs and Sll2,l9s, 725.54
given above, We're S24, S29, 1854 less than
those for the year ended June 30, 1854. This
diminution embraces a falling Off OF $13,595,-
550.42 in the receipts from customs and
$685., 34697 in the receipts from internal
revenue.
The total ordinary expenditures of the Gov
eminent for the fiscal year were $500, 226,-
$3.50, leaving surplus in the Treasury at
the close of the year Of $63, 463.77I.27. This
is $4O,929, S54.32 less than the surplus re-
ported at the close OF the previous year.
The expenditures are classified rs follows:
For civil expenses...............$ 23 500 9i2 IL
For foreign intercourse 5,439,6O9 IL
For Indians 6,552,494 ti3
Fpr pensions. ST, 1O2 267 40
Fol- the military, including
river and harbor improve
ments and arsenals... 42,67O57S Al
For the Navy, including YES
sells, machinery, and i'm
provementS of navy-yards.. 1G.O21 ,O79 80
For interest on the puiAic debt 81 1886 256 AZ
For the District of Columbia...- ), 400 $50 81
For miscellaneous expendi-
lures, including public build
ings lighthouses, ard col
lecting the enue .... 5472SO56 81
The amount paid on the public debt during
the fiscal year ended Juue 30, 1885, was $45,-
g93, 235. 43; and there has been paid since that
date ana up to November 1, 1855, the sum o.
$360,S2S, leaving the amount of the debt at th,s
!ast-nalned date 81 ,514 ,475, S6O.47. There -
however, At that time in the Treasury, app
cable 70 the general purposes OF the Govern
ment, the sum CT S66, g. la, 29l.38.
Inc total receipts for the current fiscal year,
ending June 80, 1886, ascertained to October 1,
1850, anu eSttma ted for the remainder OF the