The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-12-08

ests of our own people may require the
adoption of measures of restriction,
but they should not tolerate the oppres-
sion of individuals of special race"
After reference to foreign matters
of minor interest, the fisheries troubles
are considered. d" The questions in
volved are of long standing, of grave
consequence, and from time to time for
nearly three-quarters of century have
given rise to earnest international dis
cussion, not unaccompanied by irrita-
ton. Temporary arrangements by
treaties have served to allay friction,
which, however, has revived as each
treaty was terminated. After briefly
reviewing the history of the troubles,
the President says:
The terms and conditions of intercourse
and commerce between the United States
and their neighbors along a frontier of over
$500 miles the propinquity, community of
language and occupation, and similarity of
political and social institutions indicate the
practicabiity ard obvious wisdom of main
tanning mutually beneficial and friendly re-
lations. Whilst | am unfeignedly DESTROYS
that such relations should exist between us
and the inhabitants of Canada, yet the ac-
ton of their officials during the past sea-
sons toward our fishermen has been such as
to seriously jeopardize their continuance.
Although disappointed in any efforts to Sc
cure a satisfactory settlement OF the fishery
question, negotiations are still pending, with
reasonable hope that before the close of the
present session of congress announcement
may be made that an acceptable conclusion
has been reached.
The President renews his recon-
mendation for a settlement of the boun-
Diary line between Alaska and British
Columbia and an extension of the ex-
isting treaty with the Sandwich Islands !;
refers to the eXtradtion treaty lately
concluded with Japan; insists upon the
moral duty of the United States to as
sist in all proper ways the republic of
Liberia to maintain her sovereignty
from outside encroachment; recon-
mends legislation to carry into effect
the reciprocity commercial convention
with Mexico, and then reviews the
Cutting affair at some length. After a
statement of the facts, the President
complains of the Mexican statute en-
forced in this case as dangerous to our
citizens in foreign lands, and suggests
that its modification is necessary to pre-
vent danger to the peace of the two
countries. The improved treatment of
American missionaries in Turkey is
noted. The President renews his
recommendation for the revision of the
laws relating to citizenship, naturaliza-
ton and extradition. He favors the
demands for international copyright
and the abolition of the tariff on works
of art.
The message summarizes the report
of the secretary of the treasury The
ordinary receipts of the government for
the fiscal year ended June 80, 1886,
were 1886 ,439 ,727.06. OF this amount,
1912 ,905 ,O23.4l was received from GUS
toms and $116,S05 ,936.4S from internal
revenue. The total receipts as here
stated were BIAS, 020.6S greater than
for the previous year, but the increase
from customs was Sl1 ,434 ,0S4 10, and
from internal revenue $40, 721 ,094 ,
making a gain in these items for the
last year of 81 ,5S4 100, 504, falling off
in other resources, reducing the total
increase to the smaller amount men
toned. The total ordinary expenses
of the government were S242 ,4S3, 13S. 80,
being less by S17,7SS,797 than such ex-
penditures for the year preceding, and
leaving a surplus in the treasury at the
close of the last fiscal year of S93 ,956,-
SO, as against $63 ,463, 1927 at the
close of the previous year, being an in
crease in such surplus of $50 ,492 ,S17 20.
The figures given of the value of eX-
ports and imports for the fiscal year
show the balance of trade largely in
favor of the United States.
The President next discusses the
reduction of taxation" at much
length. He claims that the revenues of
the government exceed its actual needs.
He says, among other things
The application of the surplus to the pay
ment of such portion of the public debt as is
now at our option subject to extinguish-
ment, if continued at the rate which has
lately prevailed, would retire the class of in
debtedness within less than one year from
this date. Thus continuation of our pres
ent revenue system would result in the
receipt of an annual income much greater
than necessary to meet government eX-
penses, with no Indebtedness upon which it
could be applied. When more OF
the peoples substance is exacted through
the form of taxation than is necessary to
the just obligation of the government and
the expense of its economical administration
such eXaction becomes ruthless eXtortion
and violation of the fundamental princi-
pies of free government The indirect
manner in which these exactions are made
has tendency to conceal their true charac.
ter and their extent. But we have arrived
| at stage of superuous revenue which has