Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1889-12-12

at once instructed to maintain friendly dip1o-
matte relations with the Provisional Govern
capital were Instructed by the Provincial Gov
eminent 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 u formal and cordial recognt
tion of the new republic as soon as the majority
of the people have signifed their assent to It's
establishment and maintenance
Affairs at Home.
Within our own borders a general condition
OF prosperity prevails. The harvests OF the last
summer were exceptionally abundant and the
trade conditions now prevailing seem to prom
Use successful season TO the merchant and the
manufactures, and general employment TO oui
working people,
has been prepared and will be presented To
Congress. 1t presents with clearness the tsca
operations OF the Government, and avail my
self of IL to obtain some facts for use here.
The aggregate receipts from all sources fol
the year were 1887 $50 81 derived as follows
From customs 1928, $50, 74l69; from internal
revenue, S19O,SSl, 5l3.92; from miscellaneous
sources, $50 1886, 803.23.
The ordinary expenditures for the same
period were S2Sl ,996 $3.50, and the total ex'
pendituros, including the sinking fund, were
1925, $40 929.25. The excess of receipts over ex
penditures was, after providing for the sinking
fund. $57, 470, 1888.
For the current fiscal year the total revenues
actual and estimated, are 1886, 900 900, and the
ordinary expenditures, actual and estimated
are S293, 100000 making, with the sinking fund
total expenditure of S3i1 ,32l 1852 leaving an
estimated surplus of S4S3, 67S, 6S301
The revenues for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1891, are estimated by the Treasury Depart
ment at 1886, 000, 900, ard the expenditures for
the same period, including the sinking fund, at
S3il, 430, 477.70 This shows an estimated sur
plus for that year Of $500, 522.36, which is
more likely to be increased than reduced when
the actual transactions are written up.
The existence of so large an actual and an
ticipated surplus should have the immediate
fTnNN ~ NnNy IN roll Rf M
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 element 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 n substantial advantage
The loaning of public funds to the banks
without interest, upon the security of Govern
ment bonds, regard as an unauthorized and
dangerous expedtent. 1t results in temporary
and unnatural increase OF the banking capital
OF favored localities, and compels IA 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 tho deposits
now outstanding should DO gradually with
drawn and applied to the purchase of bonds
Such legislation should DO promptly, but very
CONSIDERABLY, enacted
Tariff Revision Recommended.
/ recommend revision OF our tariff law, both
in its administrative features and in the SEIZED
ules. The need of the former is generally con-
coded, 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 oul
por,s is essential, and effective measures
should be taken to secure It.. 1t is equally de
sirable that questions affecting sales and elias
Situations should be promptly decided.
The preparation OF a new schedule OF Gus
toms duties is II matter OF great delicacy be-
cause of its direct effect upon the business of
the country. Some disturbances of business may
perhaps result from tho consideration of this
subject by Congress, but this temporary ILL
effect will be reduced to the minimum by
prompt action and by the assurance
which the country already enjoys that
any necessary changes will be so made
reasonable protection Of our home industries.
The inequalities OF the law should be adjusted
but the protective principle should be main
tanned and fairly applied To the products OF our
farms as well as OF our shops These duties
necessarily have relations to other things DO
sides the public revenues We cannot limit
their effects by fixing our eyes OH the public
treasury alone. They have a direct relation TO
home production TO work, to wages, and to IL g
commercial Independence OF this country. and
the wise and patriotic legislator should enlarge
the field of his vision to include all of these.
The necessary reduction In our public reve-
nues can, am sure be made without making
by reason Of the disabilities and Limitations
which the reduction puts upon both capital and
labor.
The free list can very safely be extended by
placing thereon articles that do not offer injuri
Gus competition to such domestic products as
our home labor can supply.
The Tobacco and Liquor Tax.
The removal of the internal tax upon tobacco
would relieve au important agricultural product
from n burden which was imposed only because
our revenue from customs duties was INSULT
cient for public needs. If safe provision against
fraud can be devised the removal Of the tax upon
spirits used I'm the arts and in manufactures
would also offer an unobjectionable method OF
reducing the surplus.
A table presented by the Secretary Of the
Treasury, showing the amount of money of al
kinds in circulation each year from 1873 to the
present time, is OF interest. 1t appears that
the amount OF national-ba notes in circula-
tion has decreased during that period STA 109..
729 OF which S37 799 220 is chargeable to the last
year. But while this withdrawal of bank notes
has been going on, there has been large increase
in the amount OF gold and silver coin in circula.
tion and in the issues Of gold and silver certif.