New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-04

4 discussion is in progress touching the juris-
| dictonal treaty rights OF the United states III
Turkey. An earnest effort will be made TO define
those rights to the satisfaction Of both Govern
mente
Questions continue TO arise in our relations
with several countries in respect TO the rights of
naturalizcd citizens. Especially is this the case
with France Italy, Russia and Turkey, and to q
/ less extent with Switzerland From time TO time
| earnest efforts have been made TO regulate this
! subject by conventions with those countries. An
improper Use Of naturalization should not be per-
| mitted but IL is most important that those VINO
| have been duly naturalized should everywhere be
| accorded recognition of the rights pertaining 10
| the citizenship of the country of their adoption
The appropriateness of special conventions for
that purpoSe is recognized in treaties which this
Government has concluded with a number of
European States. and IL is advisable that the diff
culties 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 republican form OF government
is an event of great interest TO the United states
Our Minister at Rio de Janeiro was at once in
structed TO maintain friendly diplomatic relations
with the Prov isonal Government, and the Brazilian
representatives at this capital were Instructed by
the Provisional Government TO continue their iunc-
tons. Our friendly intercourse with Brazil has,
therefore suffered no interruption
Our Minister has been further instructed to ex,
tend on the part Of this Government formal
and cordial recognition OF the new Kepunnc 50
soon as the majority of the people Of Brazil shalI
have signifed their assent to Its establishment anu
maintenance
THE STATE OF THE TREASURY.
/ Within our own borders general condition OF
prosperity prevails. The harvests of the last
summer were exceptionally abundant, and the
trade conditions now prevailing seem to promise
successful season to the merchant and the manu-
facturer, and general employment to our working
people.
The report of the Secretary of the Treasury
for the fiscal year ending June 80. 1889, has been
prepared and will be presented to Congress III
presents with ccarness the fiscal operations OF the
Government, and l avail myself of it to obtain
some facts for use here.
The aggregate receipts from all sources LOT INC
year were S3S $50 OBS "a. derived as tolIoWs.
From customs 1928 49, AZ %
From internal revenue: 80 az S6$ So
The ordinary expenditures for the same period
were S2s1 S96, 6l5 60, and the total eApendtuIes'
including the sinking fund, were s329' 'VV-9 -.
The excess of receipt, over eXpendltures M's, 3IC
providing for the sinking fund, 30 ',4'o,l@D o.
For the current fiscal year the total revenues rs
actual and estimated, are $3.50, OOO,OOO, ana Ile
ordinary EXPENDITURES, actual and estimated, are
s203, 900, 900, making, with the sinking fund' a
total expenditure of s34l 1921. l6 so, leaving an
estimated surplus of SAB, 61o,oS3 Ol.
During the fiscal year there WIS appleu 10 tlc
purchase Of bonds, in addition TO those Tor the
sinking fund.- s0J,456,l72 80, and during une
first quarter Of the current year [r rcd fud 20
the sinking fund The revenues for the hscal
year ending June 80, sol. are estimated by the
Treasury Department at 3o5,O0o,oOO, ana me
expenditures for the same period including the
sinking fund at S341 ,430,477 20. This shows
an estimated surplus for that year of SAB
522 80, which is more likely TO be increased than
reduced when the actual transactions are witt
The existence of so large an actual and antici
pated surplus should have the immediate attention
of Congress- with view to reducing the receipts
of the Treasury to the needs o. the GoIe'nment
as closely as may be. The collection of moneys
not needed for public uses imposes an unnecessary
burden upon our people and the presence Of so
large a surplus in the public vaults is disturbing
element in the conduct of private business. II
has called into eXpedients for putting 1t into
circulation OF very questionable propriey. We
should not collect revenues for the purpose OF
anticipating bonds, beyond the requirements
Of the sinking fund.- but any Incorporated
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 a substantial advantage.
FAVORED BANKS.
The loaning of public funds to the banks without
interest upon the security of Government bonds
regard ss an unauthorized and dangerous eXpedi-
emit. 1t results in temporary and unnatural
increase of the banking capital Of favored local
tiles. and compels cautious and gradual re all
Of the deposits TO avoid injury TO the commercial
interests. 1t Is not TO be expected that the banks
having these deposits will sell their bonds TO the
Treasury SO long as the present highly nenchclal
arrangement is continued. They now practically get
interest both upon the bonds and their proceeds
No further use should be made of this method OF
getting the surplus into circulation, and the de-
posts outstanding should be gradually with
drawn and applied TO the purchase OF bonds. IL
Is fortunate that such a use can be made OF the
existing surplus and for some time 20 come OF
any casual surplus that may exist after Con-
greps has taken the necessary steps for reduction
Of the revenue. Such legislation should be
promptly, but very considerably, enacted
TARIFF REVISION.
recommend revision Of our tariff law, both in
It's administrative features and in the schedules
The need Of the former is generally conceded. and
an agreement upon the evils and inconvenience
to be remedied and the best method for their
correction will probably not be difficult Uni
formity Of valuation at all our ports is essential.
and effective measures should be taken to SECURE
1t. 1t is equally desirable that questions affect
ing rates and classihcations should be promptly
decided.
The preparation Of O new schedule OF customs
duties is matter of great delcacy, because of It's
direct effect upon the business OF the country
and Of great difficulty by reason OF the wide dl-
vergence of opinion as to the objects that may
properly be promoted by such legislation Some
disturbance of business may perhaps result from
the consideration Of this subject by Congress, but
this temporary i'll effect will be reduced 10 the
minimum by prompt action and by the assurance
which the country already enjoys that any neces.
sary changes will be made as not to impair the
just and reasonable protection OF our home lndus-
tries The inequalities Of the law should he al
iused, but the protective principle should De
maintained and fairly applied 10 the products
of our farms as well AS Of our shops. These
duties necessarily have relation to other things
besides the public revenues. We cannot Unit
their effects by fixing our eyes on the pupnc
treasury alone. They have a direct relation to
home production, TO work. to wages, and TO the |
commercial independence OF our country, and me |
wise and patriotic legislator should enlarge the |
field Of his vision to include all of these.
The necessary reduction in our public revenues |
can, ! am sure, be made without making The |
smaller burden more onerous than the larger by |
reason Of the disabilities and limitations which |
the process Of reduction puts upon both capital
and labor. The free list can very safely be
extended by placing thereon articles fhat 90
products our home labor supply The |
removal of the internal tax upon tobacco would