Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-12-05

Inc progress toward an adjustment OF pend
| ing claims between the United States and Spain
| IL not as rapid as could be desired. Questions
affecting American interests in connection with
railways constructed and operated by our citi-
Zens in Peru have claimed the attention Of this
\ government II is urged that other governments,
! In pressing Peru TO tho paying OF the claims,
have disregarded tho property rights Of Ameri-
can citizens. The matter will be carefully In
vestigRted, with a view to securing 4 proper
| and equitable adjustment
similar issue Is now pending with Portugal.
The Delagoa Bay Railroad in Africa was con-
/ structed under q concession by Portugal TO an
| American citizen. When nearly completed the
road was seized by the agents Of the Portuguese
| Government. Formal protests have been made
through our minister at Lisbon agai1st this act,
and no proper effort will be spared to secure
proper relief
In pursuance OF the charter granted by Con-
gress, and under the terms OF its contract with
the Government of Nicaragua the Interoceanic
Canal Company has begun the construction Of
the important waterway between the two
oceans which its Organization contemplates.
This Government has held itself ready to pro-
mote in every proper way the adjustment OF all
questions that might present obstacles TO the
completion OF work Of such transcendent i'm
portance to the commerce OF this country, and,
indeed, to the commercial interests Of the
world.
The Paris Exposition.
The traditional good feeling between this
country and the French republic has received
, additional testimony in the participation of
| our Government and people in the Interna-
| tional Exposition at Paris during the past
| Summer. The success OF our exhibitors has
| been gratifying. The report of the commission
| will be laid before Congress in due season.
This Government has accepted, under proper
to its policy in foreign territories the
| invitation of the Government Of Belgium to
| tnke part in an international congress- which
! opened at Brussels on the 10th Of November, for
| thepurpcse of devising measures to promote the
abolition OF the slave trade in Africa, and to
prevent the shipment of slaves by sea. Our in
terest in the extinction of this crime agains
humanity, in the regions where it yet survives,
has been increased by the results Of efnancipa-
tion within our own borders.
With Germany the most cordial relations con-
| tinue. The questions arising from the return to
the Empire of Germans naturalized in this coun-
try are considered and disposed OF in temper
ate spirit to the entire satisfaction of both Gov
ernments.
1t is a source of great satisfaction that the in
ternal disturbances OF the Republic of Hayti are
Mt last happily ended and that an apparently
staple government has been constituted. 1t has
been duly recognized by the United States.
Japan.
The advancement of tire Empire OF Japan has
been evidenced by the recent PRONUNCIATION of q
new Constitution, containing valuable guaran-
tees of liberty, and providing for responsible
Ministry to conduct the Government.
1t is earnestly recommended that our judicial
rights and processes in Corea be established on
firm basis, by providing the machinery neces-
sary to carry out the treaty stpulations in that
| regard.
Questions continue to arise in our relations
with several countries in respect to the rights
of naturalized citizens Especially is this the
case with France, Italy, Russia and Turkey, and
to less extent with Switzerland. From time
to time earnest efforts have been made to regu-
late this subject by conventions with those
countries. An improper use of naturalization
should not be permitted, but it Is most import
ant that those who have been duly naturaized
should everywhere be accorded recognition of
the rights pertaining to the citizenship of the
ann n q o.
the difficulties which now arise in our relations
with other countries on the same subject should
be similarly adjusted
The recent revolution in Brazil in favor of the
establishment Of a republican form Of govern
ment is an event of great interest to the United
States. Our Minister at Rio de Janeiro was at
at once instructed to maintain friendly diplo-
matte relations with the Provisional Govern
ment and tho Brazilian representatives at this
capital were instructed by the Provincial Gov
ernment to continue their functions. Our
friendly intercourse with Brazil has, therefore,
suffered no interruption. Our Minister has
been further instructed to extend on the part of
this Government formal and cordial recogn1-
tion of the new republic as soon as the majority
of the people have signihed their assent to its
establishment and maintenance.
Affairs at Home.
Within our own borders a general condition
of prosperity prevails. The harvest5 of the last
summer were exceptionally abundant, and the
trade conditions now prevailing seem to prom
1S6 u BuCCeSSIul s6HbOQ 10 Inc anu bIl6
manufacturer, and general employment to our
working people
The report of the Secretary of the Treasury
has been prepared and will be presented to
Congress. 1t presents with clearness the fiscal
operations of the Government, and avail my
self q it to obtain some facts for use here.
The aggregate receipts from all sources for
the year were $367, ,050 O58S4 derived as follows:
From customs, 1928 S32, ,74169; from internal
revenue, $130, ,S91, ,513. .92 from miscellaneous
sources, $32, 335, ,S0323
The ordinary expenditures for the same
| period were 1891 ,996, ,61560 and the total ex-
penditures, including the sinking fund, were
1929, ,579 929.25 The excess of receipts over ex
penditures was, after providing for the sinking
| fund, S57, ,470, 1889.
For the current fiscal year the total revenues,
actual and estimated, are 1896 900 900, and the
| ordinary expenditures, actual and estimated,
are 1928 OOO 900 makng with tn, the 81 sinking fund,
total expenditure of $341 32 1859, leaving an
| estimated surplus of $4s3. .67S, ,8S301
The revenues for the fiscal year ending June
| 80, 1891, are estimated by the Treasury Depart
| ment at 1885, 600 GOO, and the expenditures for
the same period, including the sinking fund, ut
| $341, ,430, ALTO. This shows an estimated sur
| plus for that year of $43 $50, 2.36, which is
more likely to be increased than reduced when
| the actual transactions are written up.
The existence OF SO large ON actual and an
| tcipated surplus should have the immediate
| attention of Congress, with view to reducing
the receipts of the treasury to the needs of the
| Government. The collection of moneys not
| needed for public uses imposes an unnecessary
| burden upon our people, and the presence of so
| large surplus in the public vaults is disturb
| ing clement in the conduct of private business.
| We should not collect revenue for the purpose
! of anticipating our bonds beyond the require
ments of the sinking fund, but any unappropri-
| ated surplus in the treasury should be SO used,
| as there is no other lawful way of returning the
money to circulation, and the profit realized by
| the Government offers substantial advantage.
| The loaning OF public funds to the banks
| without interest, upon the security OF Govern
| ment bonds, 1 regard az an unauthorized and
| dangerous eXpedient. 1t results in q temporary
| and unnatural increase of the banking capital
| of favored localities, and compels O cautious
| and gradual recall of the deposits to avoid in
| jury to the commercial interests. No further
| use should be made of this method of getting
| the surplus into circulation, and the deposits
| now outstanding should be gradually with
| drawn and applied to the purchase OF bonds.
| Such legislation should be promptly but very
| CONSIDERABLY, enacted.
Tariff Revision Recommended.
1 recommend a revision of our tariff law, both
in its administrative features and in the sched-
ules. The need of the former is generally con-
| ceded, and an agreement upon the evils and in
| conveniences to be remedied, and the best
methods for their correction will probably not
be difficult. Uniformity Of valuation at all our
pors is essential, and effective measures
should be taken to secure it. 1t is equally de-
sirable that questions affecting sales and clas-
sifcations should be promptly decided.
The preparation OF o new schedule of GUS
toms duties is n matter OF great delicacy, be.
the country Some disturbances Of business may
| perhaps result from the consideration of this
subject by Congress- but this temporary ill,
effect will be reduced to the minimum by
which the country already enjoys that
! any necessary changes will be SO made
as not to impair the just and
reasonable protection Of our home industries