The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-12-16


may prove an inadequate pittance in distant
lands. where the better part OF a years pay
dntv cop ana IA t leacnlng tae p.st OF
civilized existence can only be obtained with
difficulty and at exorbitant cost. l trust that,
in considering the submitted schedule, no mis-
taken theory OF economy will perpetuate n sys-
tenn which in the past has virtually clos cd To
deserving talent many offices whore capacity
and attachments OF n high order are indi spen-
sable ana in not n few instances has brought
discredit on our national character and entailed
embarrassment and even suffering ON those de-
ruted 20 uphold our dignity and interests abroad.
In connection with this subject, l earnestly
rsiterate the practical necessity OF supplying
some mode of trustworthy inspection and report
OF the manner In which the consulates are con-
Quoted. In the absence OF such reliable in
formation, efficiency can scarcely be rewarded
or its opposite corrected.
Increasing competition I'm trade has directed
attention u the value OF tho consular reports
printed by the Department OF State, and the eff
forts OF the Government To extend the practical
usefulness OF these reports have ere ated wider
demand for them az home and spirit of emu
lation abroad. Constituting n record of the
changes occurring in trude, and OF the progress
OF the arts and inventions in foreign countries,
| they are much sought for by all Interested in
the subjects which they embrace.
NATIONAL FINANCES
The report OF the Secretary OF the Treasury
exhibits in detail the condition OF the publ ic
| finances and of the several branches OF the Gov
ernnent related 70 his department. especially
direct the attention OF Congress to the recon-
mendations contained in this aud the last pre-
cedng report of the secretary touching the
pllhcatiOn and amen lment OF the laws relating ,
u the collection of our revenues. and in the in
tertst OF economy and justice 20 the Govern
ment hope they may be adopted by appropri-
ate legislation The ordinary receipts OF tho
Government for the fiscal year ended June 3 ,
1886 We're 1886 439, 721 06. OF this amount Sl9l-
9O5, OBJ Al was received from customs, and SllG,-
oOo,936 4o from internal revenue, while tho total
receipts as here stated Sl3, ,020.GS
| greater than for tho previous year, the
| increase from customs was but Sl1 43i OSi 10
d. ffnoE iFnu
gain in these items for the last year of SIS SAL
2N5.Oi, falling of in other resources reducing
the total increase to the smaller amount men
toned The expense ut tho different custom
hous- s OF collecting this increased customs rev.
enue was less than the expense attending the
collection of such revenue for the preceding
year by Si9O,6-S, and the increased re-
ceipts OF internal revenue were collected ut
II cost 10 the Internal Revenue Bureau Of Sl5j,-
| 9l4 30 less than the expense OF such collection
for the previous year. The total ordinary ex-
penses of the Government for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1S,6 were sap, 4S3, 1873 so being
less by Sl77SS,797 than such expendi-
lures for the year preceding and leav-
! ing n surplus in the treasury Mt the
close OF the las. fiscal year of S93,oj6,5Ss 81,
previous year, being an increase in such sur
plus OF - i492, sl7.2). The expenditures COM
pare with those of the preceding fiscal year. and
classified, are as follows: For civil expenses,
year ending June 30, 1856, S2l,9jJ,G 4.0i /;
year ending June 30, 1885, S23,S2i,9i2 IL.
For foreign intercourse, 1856, s33, 232 0ss 1885,
I
1885, sos, go 263. For pensions, 1886, $685. 40i-
S54.O3; 1885,. $50, l02, ~. For military in
Guiding river and hlrbor Improvements and
arsenals, 1886. S3i,3 l5l74 1855. si26IO578 AZ.
For the navy, including vessels, machinery
and improvements OF navy yards, 1886, Sl3 9O7,-
SS7.7f; 1855 Sl6,02i O01.B3 For interest on pub
lie dobt 1886 SjO,5s) 1l497; 1885, Sji $50 256 A.
For the District OF Columbia, 1885, - SJ2 81 50 ;
1885, 50 4i9, 4jD.9j Miscellaneous expenditures
including public buildings, lighthouses, and
collecting the revenue, 1885, So, osG, 5S304 1885,
S5I, 72S 0jG.2l
For the current year, to end Juno 30, 1887, the
ascertained receipts up to October l. 1885, with
such receipts up 70 October l, 1886, with such
receipts estimated for the remainder OF the
year, amount 70 S3Jj,OO)OOO. The eXren-
rhe same period are s26j,OOlOJO,
indicated IN anticipated surplus at the close OF
the year OF s9O,OO)O1O.
EXPORTS.
The total value Of the exports from the United
States 90 foreign countries during the fiscal year
is stated and compared with the preceding year
| rs follows:
For the year ending
June 3D. 1886 June So 1895.
Domestic merchandise. sG6j 69i, 500 s126G.2 9i6
. Foreign merchandise. 13,56),301 15,5)6,SO9
Gold. Observation-Disclosures. 42,913, III 3,4iISJ9
Silver. .......... 295l1, 2l9 80 7j3.G33
The value OF some OF our leading exports dur
ing the last fiscal year, as compared with the
value Of the same for the year imm adately pre-
ceding. is here given and furnishes information
both interesting and suggestive:
For the year ending June 81, 1885. June 30. 1885.
Cotton and cotton man
ufactures $3.50. s2l9,Ol5,576 s213,79o.Oi
if fSctGro a4a -. .i.a ao42ioos 2l7o7
Breadstuffs. .....,...... 12jsi6,5js 1GO,37o. s22
Provisions. GOG25,2l6 lO7 1872, 4j6
IMPORTS.
Our imports during the last fiscal year as
compared with the previous year, were as fol-
lows:
1886. 1887.
Merchandise. $685. 436, 1856 500, ojLs0
Gold ................ 2l74],340 2),G9l, G96. 90
Silver. II sjO,3O7 l6,55O627.OO
REDUCTION OF THE REVENUE.
In my last annual MESSAGE t. the Congress
attention was directed 10 the fact that tho
revenue of the Government exceed its actual
needs, and il was gsested that legs-
lative action should be 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, l deem il 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 the payment OF
such portion Of tho public debt is at
our option, subject 90 extinguishment if
continued at the rate which has late
ly prevailed, would retire that class
OF Indebtedness within less than one year from
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 DO confronted with vast quantity OF
money, the circulating medium of the people,
boarded in the Treasury when it should be in
full public extravag ance with all the corrupting
national decentralization which follows in its
train.
THE SURPLUS.
But it is not the simple existence OF this and
! its attendant evils which furnish the strongest
argument against our present scale Of federal
taxation. Its worst phase is the eXHction of
such a surplus through perversion Of the rela-
tions between the people and their Government
IA 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
every person within its borders, with the great
est liberty consistent with the good
] of the country, and his perfect
security I'm the enjoyment of his
earnings, with the least possible diminuton
! for public needs. When more of the peoples
! sustenance is extracted through the form of
taxation than is necessary 10 meet the just
obligations of the Government and the expense
Of its economical administration, such action
becomes ruthless extortion and n violation Of
the fundamental principles OF free Govern
exactions are made has tendency 10 con-
, ceal their true character and their extent.
But we have arrived at n stage of supernuous
revenue which has aroused the people g
realization OF the fact that the amount
| raised professedly for the support Of the Gov
eminent, is paid by tn I'm MS absolutely, IL added
TO the price of the things which supply their dali
" wants, as if il paid at fixed periods into
the hands Of the tax-gatherer Those who toll
| for daily wages are beginning 20 understand that