Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-09

welfare of any government. An emerge N
calling for an increase Of taxation may s. '."f
time arise, and no engagement with "a t9i l.- i
power should exist 10 hamper me Sol.p. T..
The government. BY the tourteenth SECTION
OF the shipping ACT approved June - iecf,
certain reductions and contingent exemptions
from tonnage dues were maue Is 20 Neseels
entering ports Of the United states from any
forei ~ port in North and Central America,
the West India Islands the Bahamas ana Der
mudas. Mexico and the lsthmus rs Tar as As
pinWall and Panama
LIKE TREATMENT CLAIMED.
The governments of Belgium, Denmark.
Germany, Portugal. and sweden, and Nor
WAY. have asserted under the favored natlon
clause IN their treaties with the United
states a claim to ike treatment IN respect OF
vessels coming TO the United states from their
home ports Tbs government, however,
holds that the privileges granted by the act
are purely geographical enurlng to any
vessel OF any foreign power that may choose
to engage In traffic between this country ana
any port within the defined zone, and no
warrant exists under the most favored nation
clause for extension Of the privileges III ques-
ton to vessels sailing 10 this cSuntry from
ports outside of the limitation OF the act.
Undoubtedly the relations OF commerce with
our near nelghbors whose territories form 90
long a frontier line difficult to be guarded,
and who find IN our country and equally oner
"a us natural markets, demand special ana
considerate treatment: IL rests WIN Con-
gress To consider what legislative action may
increase the facilities of intercourse which
contiguity makes natural and desirable.
THE CONSULAR SERVICE.
earnestly urge that Congress recast tho
appropriations for the maintenance Of the
Diplomatic ana consular service on footing
commensurate with the Importance OF our
national interests. At every post where
representative IS necessary the salary should
be 50 graded as to permit him TO i've with
comfort. With the assignment OF adequate
salaries the so-called notarlai extra official
fees hitch our officers abroad are now per-
rnitted to treat as personal perquisltes should
be done away with. Every act requiring the
fertilization and seal OF the officer should he
taxable at schedule rates, and the fee there
for returned to the treasury. By restoring
these revenues to the public use the consular
service would be self supporting. even WIFE
liberal increase OF ths present low salaries
In further prevention OF abuses. system OF
consular inspection should be instituted.
The appointment of a limited numOerof sec
retar1es of legation at large to be assigned to
iuty wherever necessary, and II particular
FOR temporary service st missions which for
any cause may be without head, should also
he authorized. / favor, also, authorization
for the detail of officers OF the regular service
as military or naval attaches at legations.
sUPERFLUOUs TITLES.
Some foreign governments do not recognize
the union OF consular with diplomatic func-
lions. Italy and Venezuela Will only receive
the appOlntee in one of his-two capacities, but
this does not prevent the requirement of a
ar Office whose duties he cannot discharge.
The superadded title OF Consul General
should be abandoned al all missions.
/ deem it expedlent that wei devised
measure for the reOrg 3nicatlOn Of the extra
territorial courts in oriental countries should
replace the present system, which labors un-
der the disadvantage OF combining Judicial
and executive functions in the same office.
In several oriental countries generous
offers have been made Of premises for housing
the legations of the United states. A grant
Of land for that purpose was mace come years
since by Japan, and has been referred to IN
the annual message of my predecf ssor.
The Siamese government has made
gift to the United States OF cOmmodlOus
quarters in Bangkok. In Corea. the late
minister as permitted to purchase build
ing from the government for legation use. In
China. the premises rented for the legation
are favored as 10 local charges At Tangiers,
The house occupied by our representative has
been for many years the property of this gov
eminent, having been given for that purpose
in 1872 by the Sultan Of Morocco.
ACCEPTANCE URGED.
approve the suggestion heretofore made,
that IN view OF the conditions OF life. and ad-
ministration in the Eastern countries. the le-
CATION buildings in China, Japan, Corea. Siam
and perhaps Persia, should be owned and fur
nished by the government, with a view to per-
manency and security. To this end, |
recommend that authority be given to
accent the gifts adverted to in Japan and
siam, and to purchase in the other countries
PANIED. with provision for furniture and re-
pairs. considerable saving in rentals would
result.
New Orleans last winter, with the assistance
OF the Federal government. attracted large
number OF foreign exhibits, ana proved Of
great value IN spreading among the concourse
Of visitors from Mexico and Central and South
America q wider knowledge of the varied
manufactures and productions of this country
and their availability IN exchange for produc-
tons Of those regions.
DUTIES ON ART WORKS.
Past Congresses have had under considera-
ton the advisability OF abolishing the dis
elimination made by the tariff laws IN favor
OF the works OF American artists. The odium
OF the policy which subjects to a high rate OF
duty the paintings OF foreign artists and ex-
empts the productions Of American artists
residing abroad. and who receive gratuitously
advantages and instruction is visited upon
our citizens engaged in art culture in Europe,
and has caused them with practical unan-
unity 70 favor the abolition of such an I'M
gracious distinction and their interest, and
Tor other obvious reasons commend It.
SECRETARY MANNING's SHOWING.
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 de-
partment and his recommendations in the
OlleCLlO0 OF klulpllnCdlton anu economy. par
tieularly in the work of collecting customs
duties, are especially urged upon the atten-
ton Of Congress.
The ordinary receipts from all sources for
the fiscal year ended June 80. 1855, were
$50. $50, 106 %, OF this sum SlSl.47l,939 "a was
received from customs ana SIZE, 4aS .725 81 from
internal revenue. The total receipts as given
above were S2i,s2e, 1853 % less than those for
the year ended June 30, 1854. This diminution
embraces falling on Of Sl3.595.b50 ~
IN the receipts from customs and 500, 34.697
in the receipts from internal revenue. The
total ordinary expenditures OF the govern
ment FOR the fiscal year were $500 22G, 1888 80.
leaving a surplus in the Treasury az the close
Of the year Of S6S.i6S,17 q. This is Sl0,929-
s54 - less than the surplus reported at the
close OF the previous year. The expenditures
are classified a. follows: For civil expenses,
SO ,s26,a2 il; for foreign intercourse, $3.50
sos II: for Indians, 1852, l9i rs; for pensions.
S66, l02, 26I ~: for the military, including
river aud haroor improvements and arsenals,
Al,b50,b1s ~; Tor the navy, including vessels,
machinery and Improvement OF the
navy yards, Sl6.02l,07o 60: for in
terest on the public debt. S5l. Ss8 256 AZ:
for the District Of Columbia s.. agg. $50 a5, for
miscelane expenditures, including public
buildings. light houses and collecting tie rev
enue. S54. ~. 056 II. The amount paid on the
public debt during the fiscal year ouded June
20. 1855. was Sf5. e93 23j 80. and there has been
paid since that date and mp TO Nov. 7, 1855,
the sum OF $500. s2S. leaving the amount Of the
debt at the last named date Sl,5l4.i75S60 81.
There was, however, ~ that time In the
treasury applicable TO the general purposes OF
the government the sum OF 366, SIS. 292 IS. The
total receipts for the current fiscal year end
ing june 90, 1850, ascertaincd to Oct /. 1855.
and estimated for the remainder Of the