The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-12-10

may prove an inadequate pittance In distant
lands, where the bstter part OF years pay
duty and whore the comforts Of ordinary
civilized existence can only be obtained with
difficulty; o. and at exorbitsnt. cost trsst that,
taken theory % economy will perpetuate sys-
tsm which In the past has virtually closed to
deserving talent many Offices where capacity
and attainments of high order are indispen.
sable aud in not u few instances has brought
ctscredit on our national character and entailed
embarrassment and even suffering ON those de-
puted to uphold our dignity and interests abroad
In connection with this subject. earnestly
roiteraso the practical necessity OF supplying
some mode ot trustworthy inspection and report
OF tho manner In which the cons ulates are con-
Quoted. In the absence OF such reliable in
to-::iat,cn eftciency can scarcely DO rewarded
Increasing competition In trade has directed
attention to the value OF the consular reports
printed by tho Department OF State, and the Of
forts OF the Government to exleud the practical
usefulness OF these reports have ere led a wide-
demand for them at home and a spirit of emu
lat.on abroad. Constituting record OF tho
changes occurring In trade and OF the progress
OF the arts and inventions In foreign countries
they are much sought for by oil Interested in
tho subjects which thsy embrace.
NATIONAL FINANcEs.
The report OF the Secretary OF tho Treasury
exhibits in detail tho condition OF the public
finances and OF the severll branches OF the Gov
ernment related to his department.. especially
dirsct tho attention OF Congress TO tho recon-
foundations coutainc1 in this and the last pre-
plihcation and amendment OF ths laws relating
to the coll action OF our revenues, and in the in-
Ter sc OF economy and justice to the Govern
ment hope they may be adopted by appropri-
ate Legislation. The ordinary recelpts of the
Government for the fiscal year ended June 81,
1885 were 1886 i39. 06. or this amount S102,-
yO5,02j4l was received from customs, and S116,-
,035 4S from internal revenue. while the total
recsipts as here stated were S13, 740, 020.69
creator than for the previous year, tho
increase from customs was but S11. 434, 0Si. 10,
and from internal revenues 81, i07, 2l09i. making
gain in these items for the last year of SIS 84l-
2s5.04, a falling of in other resources reducing
the total increase to the smaller amount men,
toned. The expense at the different custom
houses Of collecting this increased customs rev.
collection OF such revenue for the preceding
year by S400.6J8, and the increased re-
cepts OF internal revenue were collected at
q coat to the Internal Revenue Bureau of $685.
9449o less than tho expense OF such collection
for the previous year. The total ordinary ex-
penses Of the Government for the fiscal year
less by s17.7s5,797 thsn such expendi-
ing a surplus in the treasury at the
against $685. 1884, 7l2l at the close Of the
previous year, being an increase in such sur
plus of ss '.4s2sl7.so. The expenditures COM
pare with those OF the preceding fiscal year, and
classified, are as follows: For civil expenses.
year ending june -, 1885. $2l,9J5,6 400;
E EssT tors snaas ySns io 1851
S543,9J0,01l. For Indians, 1886, e609. 9l5. 617
1885. $685., 263. For pensions, 1896, S63, 404-
654.03; 1887. $50, 10, 267. 49, For military, In
Guiding river and harbor improvements and
arsenas, 1885, S34, 80 ,15274 1885, $40 670 57s AZ.
For the navy, including vessels, machinery
8s774; 1885 SIS, OIL 900 49, For intere st ON pub
lie debt, 1886, $50 $50 l4497: 1885, $5l 1885, Az
For the District OF Columbia 1885, 50. 49, 321. 80
1885, $40, 4509j. Miscellaneous expenditures.
including public buildings, lighthouses, and
collecting the revenue, 1856, s67 9s6 1894, 1885,
For the current year, to end June 30, 1887. the
ascertained receipts up to October 1, 1886, with
such receipts up to October /, 1885, with such
receipts estimated for the remainder OF the
ditures ascertained and estimated for
indicated an anticipated surplus at the close OF
The total value of the exports from the United
ia stated and compared with the preceding year
as follows:
For the year ending
June 80, 1886. June 80, 1885.
Domestic merchandise. $66j, 694529 $726. 6s2,9 46
Foreign merchandise. 1s,560.s0l 1880 500
Gold. ................... s2,95s,l9l BAT, s92
The value OF some OF our leading exports dur
ing tho last fiscal year, as compared with the
value OF the same for tle year Immediately pre-
ceding, 10 here given and furnishes information
both interesting and suggestive:
Foi the year ending June 81, 1885, Juns 80. 1885.
ufsctures . .......... sno,o,5Ge sa1s. .ois
facture ............. aO,42ico3 2l,7e7, 3o5
Breadstuns. ............ Aso'Sf,,5S 10Y, Sa0,szs
froVisions. ......'.... CU'ozo,sto iVi ,oSz, zoo
Our imports during the last fiscal year, az
compared with the previous year were rs fol-
lows:
Merchandise :. -. .s635, 436, i36 $40 $50, 80
Gold..,........,.... so,1f3,S4? 2tO9lb90.Ol
REDUCTION or THE REVENUE.
In my last annual MESSAGE t. the Congress
attention was erected to the fact that the
revenues of tho Government exceed its actual
needs, and it was suggested that legis-
lative action should DO taken to relieve
the people from the unnecessary burden Of tax
alton thus made apparent In view OF the press
ing importance OF the subject, Ideem it my duty
to again urge its consideration. The income OF
the Government, with its increased volume and
through economies in its collection, is now more
than ever in excess Of public necessities. The
application OF the surplus to ths payment Of
such portion OF the public debt Is now at
our option, subject to extinguishment, IL
continued at the rate which has late
Of indebtedness within less than one year from
this date. Thus continuation OF our present
revenue would soon result in the receipt OF an
annual income much greater than necessary to
meet Government expenses, with no indebted.
ness upon which IL could be applied. We should
then be confronted with u vast quantity OF
money, the circulating medium OF the people.
boarded In tho Treasury when it should be IN
their hands, or we should be drawn into waste
full public extravaganza with all the corrupting
national decentralization which follows in it's
train.
THE aURPLUs.
But it IL not tee simple existence OF this and
its attendant evils which furnish the strongest
argument against our present scale OF federal
taxation. Its worst phasb is the exaction OF
such surplus through u peryersion OF the rela-
tions between the people and their Government
"A dangerous departure from the rules which
limit the right OF federal taxation. Good gov
eminent, Of which every American citizen
boasts. has for its objects the protection Of
e.ory person within it's borlers, with the great.
o,. liberty consisten, with the good
of the country, and his perfect
security in the enjoyment of his
earnings, with the least possible diminuton
for public needs. When more OF the peoples
sustenance Ia extracted through the form Of
taxation than is necessary to meet the just
obligations of the Government aud the expense
Of its economical administration, such action
becomes ruthless extortion AMI n violation OF
the fundamental principles of n free Govern
ment The indirect manner in which these
exactions are made has tendency To con-
ceal their true character and their extent.
But have arrived at a stage of superhuous
revenue which has aroused tho people 70 a
realisation OF the fact that the amour.
raised professedly for the support of the Gov
eminent, is paid by them rs absolutely II added
to the price Of the things which supply their dali
ly wants, as IL 1t was paid at fixed periods into
the hands Of the tax-gstherer. Those who toll