Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-12-10


The Presidents message to Congress
is . comprehensive paper. discussing
with special earuestnssa and force the
leading questions Of the day. such as the
necessity OF tariff reform, the interests
of labor as affected by existing federal
taxation, and the suspension Of the coin
age of silver. After adverting to our
peaceful relations with foreign coun-
tries, the Chinese question, the bene.
fetal change effected by the Columbian
government In erecting Panama into a
federal district, the unsettled state Of
the Canadian fisheries question, the
propriety of strengthening our intima-
cy with Hawaii by renewing the exist
ing treaty, our moral right and duty to
assist Liberia In conserving Its intesri-
ty, the Issue of extra territorial jurisdic-
ton raised by the action of Mexico In
the Cutting case, the complaint OF the
government OF the Netherlands In re-
gard to our special tariff impost upon
Sumatra tobacco, the Samoan Islands
protectorate, our commercial relation
with the Spanish Antilles, the interna-
tional copyright question, and the re-
vision of laws affecting the consular SER
vice, the President proceeds to the dis
cussion of our several national prob
lens. The revenues of the year ended
June 80. 1886, shows an increase OF $751;
74O, 020.6S over last year, there being an
increase of 81 ,434, 0S4.l0 from customs
and of 81, 4O7 .2l9 "a from internal reve-
nue., and a falling off in other receipts
OF $1,000, 274.36. The expense of coli
lecting both customs and internal rev.
enue have been $646, 900. The total or
binary receipts were 1886, 439, 727.O6,
and the total ordinary expenditures
$242, 4S4, l3S 80. The expenses were
Sl7, 7SS. 797 less than the preceding year,
and the surplus was 500, 1856, 5SS. Sc, an
increase over the year ended June 30,
1885, of $50, 492, Sl7.29. For the current
wear the estimated surplus will be
ninety millions. The income Of the
government is declared to be now more
than ever in excess Of public necessi-
ties. The application of the surplus to
the extinguishment of the public debt
would retire all the public Indebtedness
which can be now called in in less than
a year. When this is done, either the
surplus must be Withdrawn from circu-
laton and boarded Ia the treasury or we
must engage in wasteful public extrav-
agance. The worst phase Of the existing
system is the perversion of the relations
between the people and the govern
menf. When more than is needed to
psy the debts Of the government and to
provide for its economical administra-
ton is collected, "such exaction becomes
ruthless extortion and violation of the
Fundamental principles of free govern
ment." The President says that those
who toll for daily wages are beginning
to understand that capital is sluggish
till it springs into activity touched by
the hand Of labor, and gains the value
which enables it to bear the burden Of
federal taxation, aud they have begun
to thoughtfully inquire whether in these
circumstances, and considering the
tribute they constantly pay into the
public treasury, they receive their fair
share of advantages. There is also a
suspicion abroad, adds the President,
that the surplus indicates abnormal bus
imess profits, which. under the system
which produces such surplus, increase,
without corresponding to the people
at large, great fortunes which are
not the natural growth Of ii
steady, plain and industrious republic.
The burden to which the agricultural
interest, the most important of AL in the
country, is subjected by the increased
cost of living caused by the tariff, while
it's products have to compete abroa.
with crops raised by less expensive
methods, is pointed out. The laborer
will gain by every reduction in the cost
Of living which does not involve IA re.
duction In the amount of work or rate
of wages. The larger part f our reve-
nues will have to be collected from Gus
toms. Keeping in view all these consid-
erations, the President recommends
that the increasing and unnecessary
surplus of the national Income annually
accommodating be released TO the people
by an amendment 10 our revenue laws,
which shall cheaper the price Of the
necessaries of life and give freer entrance
to such imported materials as by Amer
lean labor may be manufactured into
marketable commodities. The total coin-
age of silver dollars since the passage of
the Bland bill has been s247 ,13l $40. or
this amount at the present time the peo
pie hold either in coin or silver certifi
Gates $l66, s73,04l. The recommends
ton of last year that the coinage be
suspended is renewed upon all the
grounds there set forth, reinforced
by the significant increase in our gold
expectations. III treating of army anG
navy affairs the President reiterates the
absolute necessity of better harbor de-
lenses, and the hope is expressed that
effective steps will be taken in that direc-
ton Immediately. 1t is also suggested
that the army and navy contracts might
he so united as to give encouragement
to domestic manufacturers to enter the
business Of producing gun steel and
armor plates. The reports of the Post
office Department show that the present
rates of postage will ultimately sutfice