The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-12-09

ing the treaty of 1888 with Mexico, which rested
on the basis of a reciprocal exemption from Gus
toms duties other similar treaties were initiated by
my predecessor. Recognizing the need of less OBJ
structed traffic with Cuba and Porto Rico, and
met by the desire of Spain to suecor languishing
interests in the Antilles, steps were taken to at
tain those ends by a treaty of commerce. sim
liar treaty was afteTward signed by the Dominican
Republic. Subsequently OYertures were made by
her Britannia majestys government for like mu-
tua extension OF commercial intercourse with the
British West Indian and South American depen-
denotes but without result. On taking office |
withdrew for REORGANIZATION the treaties signed
with Spain and Santo Domingo, then pendlng be
fore the Senate. The result has been 10 satisfy
me of the ineXpediency OF entering INTO engage
traffic These treaties contemplated the surren-
der by the United States of large revenues for IN
adequate considerations. Upon sugar alone dll-
ties were surrendered to an amount Tar exceeding
all the advantages offered in exchange. Even
were it intended to relieve our consumers, it was
evident that long the exemption but partial
ly covered our importation such relief would be
iuSory. To relinquiSh revenue so essential
seemed highly improvident at time when new
plated. Moreover embarrassing questions would
have arisen under the favored nations clauses Of
treaties with other nations. AS further obJec-
ton, it is evident that tariff regulation by treaty
diminishes that independent control over its own
revenues which is essential for the safety and well
fare of any government. Emergency calling for
an increase of taxation may at any time arise, and
no engagement with foreign power should exist
to hamper the action of the government. BY sec.
IA Of the shipping act, approved June 26, 1884,
pertain reductions and contingent exemptions
from tonnage dues were made as to vessels enter
ing ports Of the United States from any foreign
port in North and Central America, the West In
dia Islands, the Bahamas and Bermudas Mexico,
and the sthmus as far as Aspinwall and Panama.
The governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germa-
ny, Portugual and Sweden and Norway have as
serted under the favored nation clause i'll their
treaties with the United States, claim to like
treatment in respect to vessels coming to the Uni
ted States from their home ports. This govern
ment, however, holds that the privileges granted
by the act are purely geographical, enurlng 10 any
vessel OF any doreign power snat may choose 100 10
port within the defined Zone and no warrant ex
lists under the most favored nation clause for the
extenti0n of the privileges in question to vessels
sailing to this country from ports outside the limi
tation of the act. Undoubtedly, the relations OF
commerce with our near neighDors, whose terrific
guarded, and who find in our country and equally
offer to us, natural markets, demand special and
consider what legislative action may increase
facilities of intercourse which contiguity makes
natural and desirable.
DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE.
/ earnestly urge that Congress reeast the ap-
preparations for the maintenance of the diplomatic
and consular service on footing commensurate
with the Importance of our national interests. At
every post where representative is necessary,
the salary should be graded as to permit him to
| live with comfort. With the assignment of ade-
quate salaries the so-caled nOtarial extra official
| fees, which our officers abroad are now permitted
to treat as personal perqusities, should be done
away with. Every act requiring the certification
and seal of the officer should be taxable at Sche-
dule rates. and the fee therefor returned to the
treasury BY restoring these revenues to the
| public use, the consular service would De sell
| supporting, even with a 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
to duty wherever necessary and in particular Tor
| temporary service at missions which, for any
| cause may be without head should also be au-
| thoriZed favor. Also authorization for the de-
tail of officers of the regular service as military
| or naval attaches at legations. Some foreign
| governments do not recognize the union OF con-
| suar with diplomatic functions: Italy and vene-
two capacities but this does not prevent the re-
| quirement of bond and submission 70 the
| responsibilities OF an office whose duties he can,
not discharge The Superadded title Of consul
| general should be abandoned at all missions.
| deem it expedient that well devised measure for
the reorganization of the extra territorial courts
| in oriental countries should replace the present
| system, which lalors under the disadvantage OF
1 combining judicial and executive functions In the
| same office. In several oriental countries gener-
Gus offers have been made of premises for housing
| the legation of the United States. grant ofland
| for that purpose was made some years since by
| Japan and has been referred to in the annual
message of my predecessor. The Siamese govern
| ment has made a gift to the United States OF com
| modOus quarters in Bangkok In Corea the late
minister was permitted to purchase a building
|
| the premises rented for the legation are favored
| as to local charges. At Tangier, the house oc-
| cuped by our representative has been for many
| years the property of this government having
been given for that purpose in 1922 by the Sultan
| of Morocco. approve the suggestion heretofore
made that in view of the conditions OF life and ad
ministration in the eastern countries, the legation
| buildings in China Japan, Corea, Siam, and per-
| the government, with a view to permanency and
| security. To this end recommend that authority
| be given to accept the, gifts adverted to in Japan
Cfor aKaAf pr1ra no a in
| named, with provision for furniture and repairs.
| considerable saving in rentals would result
THE NEW ORLEANS FAIR.
| The worlds industrial exposition, held at New
| Orleans last winter, with the assistance of the
| federal government, attracted a large number of
foreign exhibits, and proved of great value in
| spreading among the concourse of visitors from
! Mexico and Central and South America a wider
| knowledge of the varied manufactures and pro-
auctions of this country and their availability in
| exchange for the productions OF those regions
DUTY ON FOREIGN ART.
| Past congresses have had under consideration
| the advisabty of abolshing the discrimination
| made by the tariff laws in favor of the works of
| American artists The odium of the policy which
| subjects to high rate of dnty the paintings of
| foreign artists and exempts the productions of
| American artists residing abroad, and who re-
| ceve gratuitously advantages and instruction, is
ViSteu upon our citizens engaged In art culture IN
| Europe, andhaS led them, with practical unanlml-
J ty to favor the abolition of such an ungracious
distinction and in their interest and for other OBJ
| vious reasons strongly recommend 1t.
| THE NATIONAL 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 re-
| atng to the practical operations of this import
/ ant department, and his recommendations in the
| direction of simplifcation and economy, particu-
| lary in the work of collecting customs dues,
| especially urged upon the attention of Congress.
Tie ordinary receipts from all sources for the hs-
i cal year ended June 80, 1885, were S322, $50,
7063s OF this sum SlS1 AZ @ l9S9;34 13 was s re,
| internal revenue, The total receipts, as given
/ above were S24 1929, 1854 less than those for
i the year ended June 80, 1884. This elimination
| embraces a falling off of S13 595, ,550.42 in the re-
| ceipts from customs and S9,6S7 ,346.97 in the
| receipts from internal revenue The total ordinary
| expenditures of the government for the fiscal
wear were $3.50, ,226 935.50, leaving a surplus in
the treasury at the close OF the year of $63, ,4G3-
| 771.27. This is S40,929,S5432 less than the
surplus reported at the close of the previous year.
| The expenditures are classified as follows:
| For iy expenses. S29, ,926, ,94211
| For foreign intercourse. 5,439,609.11
| For Indians. nS........................ 6,o0z,4J4Oo
| For pensions :..... ........-. oo,lOz'zo E4o
| For the military, including river
| and harbor Improvements and
For the navy, including vessels,
| navy wards s................... 56,O21 ,O79.69
For interest on public debt. 51,3S6, ,256.47
| For the District of Columbia 3,499,65O.9o
| For miscellaneous expenditures,
| including public buildings, light
houses and collecting revenue. 54,729,O56.21
The amount paid ON public debt during the fs
cal year ended June 80, 1885, was 40, ,993, 35.43
| and there has been paid since that date and up to
| Nov 1, 1885, the sum of $369,82S, leaving the
| amount of the debt at the last named date ST.
| 514 4475, ,S6047. There was, however, at that
time in the treasury applicable to the general pur
| poses of the government the sum of $66,S1S,-
| 292 3S. The total receipts for the current fiscal
| year ending June 80, 1885, ascertained to Oct. 1,
| 1885, and estimated for the remainder of the
| year, are $315, 100000. The expenditures esti-
mated for the same time are 245, 100000, leaving
| a surplus at the close of the year estimated at
| $70,O00,00O.
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS.
The value of the exports from the United States
to foreign countries during the last fiscal year was
as follows; Domestic merchandise, S726,6 49,
94G; foreign merchandise, S15,506,S 500; total,
| S742 1897 Gold, SS,477 ,S92; silver, $780,
753, ,63S; total, S7S4 421 ,2SO. Some of the prin-
| cpal exports, with their values and the percent
age they respectively bear to the total exportation
Per-
Articles. Value. centage.
Cotton and cotton manu-
factures. s...................S S213,799,O49 29.42