The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-12-11

frlou0lV intoTCOurAo Win Brazil mas, tnefoIOfe,
suffered no interruption. Our Minister has
been further instructed 90 extend on the part OF
this Government formal ana cordial rtcogni-
ton OF the new republic as as the majority
OF the people have signihed their assent To its
establishment and maintenance.
Affairs at Home.
Within our own borders general condition
OF prosperity prevails. The harvests OF the last
summer We're exceptionally abundant, and the
trade conditions now prevailing seem TO prom
Use a successful season TO the merchant and the
manufactures, and general employment to our
The report OF the Secretary Of the Treasury
has been prepared and will DO presented 20
Congress. IL presents with clearness the fiscal
operations OF the Government and L avail my
self OF il TO obtain some facts for use here.
The aggregate receipts from all sources for
the year were 1887 $50 O5Ss 81 derived as follows
From customs, S22i S32, 74169; from internal
revenue, $50 Ssl, 5l392; from miscellaneous
sources, SO, 1886 5O3.23.
Tho ordinary expenditures for the same
period were S2sl ,096 CISCO, and tho total OK
penditures, including the sinking fund, were
1920 579, 92925. The excess Of receipts over ex-
penditures was, after providing for the sinking
fund S57 ,470,l 1888
For the current fiscal year the total revenues
actual and estimated, are $3.50 ,OOO,0 600 and the
ordinary expenditures, actual and estimated
are S293, 100000, making, with the sinking fund,
total expenditure of S3i1 ,32l 1869, leaving an
estimated surplus Of S4s3, G7s SS3.O1.
The revenues for the fiscal year ending June
30, 1891, are estimated by the Treasury Depart
ment at S3S5, 000OOO. ard the expenditures Tor
the same period, including the sinking fund, mt
S341 ,43O, 1910. This shows an estimated sur
plus for that year Of 1860 522.3d, which is
more likely 10 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
attention OF Congress- with Wow 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 a surplus In the public vaults is a disturb
ing Z lemCnt In the conduct OF IrtVute DuRtnoHs
We should not collect revenue for the purpose
OF anticipating our bonds, beyond the require
ments of the sinking fund, but any unappropr1-
ated surplus in the treasury should be so used,
rs there is no other lawful way Of returning the
money to circulation, and the profit realized by
the Government offers u substantial advantage.
The loaning OF public funds To tho banks
without interest, upon the security OF Govern
mont bonds, regard "a an unauthorized and
dangerous eNpedient. II results i'm temporary
and unnatural increase OF he banking capital
OF favored localities, and cOmpos II 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 10 the purchase of bonds.
Such legislation should be promptly, but very
considerably, enacted.
Tariff Revision Recommended.
recommend a revision of our tariff law, both
I'm its administrative features and in the sched-
ules. The need of the former is generally con-
eeded, and an agreement upon the evils aud in
conveniences to be remedicd, and the best
methods for their correction, will probably not
be difficult Uniformity OF valuation at all our
ports IL essential, and effective measures
should be taken to secure it,. 1t is equally de-
sirable that questions affecting sales and clas-
sifications should be promptly decided.
The preparation OF u new schedule OF cl's-
toms duties Is matter OF great delicacy, be-
cause OF its direct effect upon the business or
the country. Some disturbances OF business may
perhaps result from the consideration of this
subject by Congress, but this temporary ill
of vii Ia rgiucol tia min imum bV
prompt action aud by the assurance
which the country already enjoys that
as not 10 impair the just and
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 well as OF our shops. These duties
neces sariIy have relations TO other things be
sides the public revenues. We cannot limit
their effects by fixing our eyes ON the public
treasury alone. They have direct relation u
home production to work, 90 wages, aud 20 the
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
| the smaller burden moro onerOus than the larger
| by reason Of tho disabilities and limitations
| which the reduction puts upon both capital and
| labor.
The free list can very safely bo extended by
placing thereon articles that do not offer injuri-
| Gus competition TO such domestic products as
| our homo labor can supply.
The Tobacco and Liquor Tax.
The removal Of the internal tax upon tobacco
| would relieve an important agricultural product
! from burden which was imposed only because
/ our revenue from customs duties was INSULT
cient for public needs. II 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 unobjcctionable method of
| reducing the surplus.
table presented 10y the Secretary OF the
| Treasury, showing the amount OF money of all
| kinds i'm circulation each year from 1873 TO the
! present time, is OF interest II appears that
| the amount of national-bauk notes in circula-
tion has decreased during that period Slli, 100,
729 of which s7 7g1 229 is chargeable TO the last
| year. But while this withdrawal OF bank notes
has been goingon, there has been large increase