Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-12-17
Our RELATIONS WITH SPAIN.

|
admitted dereIiction of the Spanish authori-
ties in the Philippine Islands has been ad-
justed by arbitration and indemnity award
ed. The operation of the commercial agree
ment with Spain on January 2, and Feb.
l3, 1854. has been found inadequate TO the
commercial needs of the United States and
| Spanish Antilles and the terms of the agree
ment are subjected to conflicting interpreta-
tons in those Islands.
| Negotiations have been instituted at Ma
drid for full treaty not open 10 these OBJ
| jections and in The line Of general policy
touching neishborly intercourse Of proxi-
mate communities.
TIE COPYRIGHT LAW.
An international copyright law conference
was held at Berne, in September. The III
I terestng aud important subject of interna-
/ uonal copyright has been before YOU sever
+ al years. Action is certainly desirable to
4 effect the object in view, and while there
/ may he questions as to the relative advan-
/ tage Of treating it by legislation or by speci-
/ nc treaty. the matured views of the Berne
conference cannot fail to aid your considera-
i ton Of the subject.
fNADEQCATE NATURALIZATION LAWS.
/ The inadequacy of existing legislation
I touching citizenship and naturalization de-
/ mands your consideration While recogniz-
/ my the right o. expatriation, no statutory
{ provision exists providing means for re-
/ nouucing citizenship by an American citizen.
/ native born or na,uralized. nor for terminal
/ ing and yacatlng improper acquisition
+ of citizenship. Even a fraudulent decree of
+ naturalization cannot now be cancelled |
regard with favor the suggestions put forth
/ by one OF my predecessors, that provision
( be made for a central bureau Of record of
decrees Of naturalization granted BY various
courts throughout the United States now
invested with tina, mower.
{ Ghe commercial relation of the United
States with their immediate neighbors and
with the important areas Of traffic near our
shores suggest especially liberal intercourse
between them and Us.
WITHDRAWAL OF SPANISH TREATIES.
On taking office withdrew for re-cxam-
inauon the treaties signed with Spain and
Sanio Domingo. then pending before the
Senate. The result has been % satisfy me
of the invxpedieucv of entering into engage
ments Of this character not covering entire
traffic. These treaties contemplated the
l
rrue, for inadequate considerations. Upon
sugar alone the duties were surrendered 10
an amount far exceeding all advantages
offered, To re.irquish revenue so es
senl'a!, seemed hlEhly mpFos ldent al time
~hen new and large drains upon The treas-
ury were contemplated Moreover, embar-
ra.>Ing questions would have arisen under
the favored nation" clauses Of treaties with
other nations. As further objection It Is
evident that the tariff regulation by the
treaty dlminishes that independent control
ntrr is own revenues which is essential for
Tie safety and welfare Of any government.
REDUCTION OF TONNAGE DUES oN SHIPPING.
By the fourteenth section of the shipping
&C, approved June 26. 1854. certain reduc-
tlous and contingent exemptions from ton
mage dues were made as to vessels entering
the ports Of the United States from any for
eign port in North and Contra. America. tha
West India Islands. Bahamas and Ber-
mudas, Mexico aud the Isthmus as far as
AspinwaI and Panama. The government.
Of Belgium. Dernark, Germany, Portugal,
Sweden and NORWAY have asserted under
the favored nation" clause in their treaties
With the United States, claim TO like treat
United States from their home ports. This
government, however, holds that the privi-
eges granted BY the act are purely geo
graphical, enuring TO any vessel Of any for
elgn power that NAV choose 10 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 i'll question
g..
outside the limit shown in the act.
COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH OUR NEXT
NEIGIBoRs.
Undoubtedly the relations Of commerce
With our neighbors whose territories form so
long a frontier line. difficult 10 be- guarded
and who find in our country, and equally
+ offer to US. natural markets. demand special
and consGerate treatment. | earnestly urge
Congress TO recast the appropriations for
the maintenance Of diplomatic and consular
service on footing commensurate with the
Importance Of our national interests, hy re.
storing the consular fee revenues to public
use. The consular service would be self
supporting, even with liberia! increase Of
the present low salaries.
THE REDUCTION OF REVENUES.
The report Of the Secretary Of the Treas
ury fully exhibits the condition Of the public
finances and Of the several branches Of gov
ernment connected with his department. The
suggestions OF the Secretary relating to the
practical operations of this important de-
partment and his recommendations Of simpll-
fcation aud economy, particularly in the
work Of collecting customs dues, are espec-
ialiy urged upon the attention Of Congress.
The fact that our revenues are in excess OF
the actual needs of an economical admins
tration Of government, justiies reduction
in the amount exacted from Tie people for
lis support. The proposition with which we
have to deal is the reduction Of revenue re-
ceived by government and indirectly paid BY
people from custom duties. The question
Of free trade is not involved nor is there
now any occasion for a general discussion
of the wisdom or expediency Of the protect
i've system. Justice and fairness dictate
that in any modification of our present law.
relating to revenue, industries and interest.
which have been encouraged by such laws
and in which our citizens have large invest
ments, should not be ruthlessly injured
or destroyed. We should also deal with the
subject in such a manner as to protect the
interests of American labor which is the
capital of our workingmen. Its stability
and proper remuneration furnish most
jus,iiable pretext for protective policy.
Within these limitations certain reduction
should be made in our customs revenue
The amount of such reduction having been
determined the inquiry follows: where can i,
be remitted and what articles can best be re-
, leased from duty, in the interest of our
citizens? l think the reduction should be
made in revenue derived from tax upon
the imported necessaries of life. We thus
lessen the cost of living in every family oil
/ the land, and release to the people in every
humble home larger measure of the re.
wards of frugal industry.
: CURRENCY AND COINAGE.
Nothing more important than the presen,
!, condition of our currency and coinage car
claim your attention. Since 1878, the gov.
ernment has under compulsory provisions
of law, purchased silver bullion and coined
the same at the rate of more than two mill
ions of dollars every month. BY this pro.
cess up to the present date, 215, ,759, ,43l sill
yer dollars have been coined. The authorit,
, to coin money given to Congress by the Con.
.titution, if it permits the purchase by the
government of bullion for coinage, in an,