The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-12-06

ezuela may be adjusted amicaby aud IN strict hc-
cordnnce with the historic title Of the parties
The advancement Of the empire Of Japan has
been evidenced by the recent PRONUNCIATION OF
new constitution, containing valuable guarantees
of liberty and providing for responsible ministry
TO conduct the government.
II Is earnestly recommended that our judicial
rights and processes in Corea be established on
a firm basis, by providing the machinery neces-
sary to carry out treaty stipulotions In that re-
gard
The friendlness of the Persian government con
tinues to be shown by its generous treatment OF
Americans engaged IN missionary labors, and by
the cordial disposition of the shah 10 encourage
the enterprise Of our citizens in the development
OF Persian resources.
A discussion is In progress touching the juris
dctiOnal treaty rights of the United States in
Turkey. An earnest effort will be made to define
those rights TO the satisfaction OF both govern
ments.
Naturalized Citizens.
Questions continue to arise in our relations with
several countries ia respect to the rights of nat
uralized citizens Especially Is this the case with
France, Italy, Russia and Turkey, and 10 a less
extent with Switzerland. From time to time
earnest efforts have been made 10 regulate this
subject by conventions with those countries. An
improper use of naturalization should not be per-
mitted, but 1t is most important that those who
have been duly naturalized should everywhere be
accorded recognition of the rights pertaining to
the citizenship of the country of their adoption
The appropriateness OF special conventions for
that purpose u recognized In treaties which this
government has concluded with a number Of
European states and 1t is advisable that the difl-
culties which now arise In relations with other
countries on the same subject should be similarly
adjusted.
The Brazilian Revolution.
The recent revolution in Brazil in favor Of the
establishment of republican form of govern
ment is an event Of great interest TO the United
States Our minister at Rio de Janero at
instructed to maintain friendly diplomatic
relations with the provisional government, and
the Brazilian representatives at this capital were
instructed by the provisional government to con-
tinue their functions Our friendly intercourse
with Brazil has, therefore, suffered no Interrupt
tion.
Our minister has been further instructed to ex-
tend on the part Of this government formal and
cordial recognition Of the new republic soon as
the ma ajority of the people Of Brazil shall have
| signifed their assent to its establishment and
maintenance
Within our own borders general condition Of
| prosperity prevails. The harvests OF the last
summer exceptionally abundant, and the
trade conditions now prevailing seem TO promise
| successful season to the merchant and the man
ufacturer and general employment to our work
Ing people.
! Our Financial Condition.
The report OF the secretary Of the treasury for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1889, has been pre-
pared, and will be presented to congress 1t pre-
sents with clearness the fiscal operations of the
/ government, and avail myself of 1t to obtain
some facts for use here.
, The aggregate receipts from all sources for the
year were s3S7, $50 O5s. 81, derived as follows:
From customs. S223 s32 741 90
From internal revenue ........... l3o, SSl, ,5I392
From miscellaneous sources ...... 80, 335, ,So3 g
The ordinary expenditures for the same period
were S2s1, 1896 615. go and the total expenditures
including the sinking fund, were S329, ,579, 929 %.
The excess of receipts expenditures was,
after providing for the sinking fund s57 40 1e9 So
Al.
actual and estimated 1886 600 600, and the or
| binary expenditures, actual and estimated, are
S293, 10000, making with the sinking fund q
total expenditure Of s341, 1921, 1862 leaving an
estimated surplus of SI3 67S, Ss3.01.
Purchase of Bonds.
During the fiscal year there was applied to the
purchase Of bonds in addition to those for the
sinking fund.- 800 $50 l72 IS, and during the first
quarter Of the current year the sum of S37 $685.
937.77, all Of which were credited to the sinking
fund. The revenues for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1891, estimated by the treasury de-
partment at $3s5 900, 600, and the expenditures
for the period, including the sinking fund
at S34l, ,43O,47 mo. This shows estimated sur.
plus for that year of S43 5G9 522 30 which is more
| likely to be increased than reduced when the
actual transactions written up.
| The existence OF SO large an actual and antici-
pated surplus should have the immediate atten-
tion Of congress, with view to reducing the re-
cepts Of the treasury to the needs of the govern.
ment 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 surplus in the public vaults
| Is a disturbing element in the conduct of private
business. 1t has called into use expedents for
putting it into circulation of very questionable
| propriety. We should not collect revenue for
the purpose of anticipating our bonds beyond
the requirements of the sinking fund, but any
unapproprated surplus in the treasury should be
| 30 used, there is no other lawful way of re-
turning the money to circulation, and the profit
realized by the government offers a substantial
advantage.
Loaning Public Funds to Banks.
The loanng of public funds to the banks with
out interest, upon the security of government
bonds regard as an unauthorized and dangerous
eXpedient. 1t results in a temporary and un-
natural increase of the banking capital of favored
localities, and compels a cautious and gradual re-
call of the deposits to avoid injury to the COM
mercal 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 high
ly beneficial arrangement is continued. They now
practically get interest both upon the bonds and
their proceeds. No further should be made
of this method of getting the surplus into circua-
ton, and the deposits now outstanding should be
gradually withdrawn and applied TO the purchase
of bonds 1t is fortunate that such use can be
made of the existing surplus, and for some time
to come of any casual surplus that may exist
after congress has taken the necessary steps for
reduction of the revenue Such legislation should
be promptly, but very considerably, enacted.
Tariff Revision Recomm ended.
recommend revision of our tariff law both in
| its administrative features and in the schedules
The need of the former is generally conceded
| and an agreement upon the evils aud inconven
fences to be remeded and the best methods fol-
their correction will probably not be difficult
| Uniformity Of valuation at all our ports is essen
tial, and effective measures should be taken u
| secure IL. Ii is equally desirable that questions
affecting rates and classificatons should b
promptly decided.
The preparation of a schedule of customs
duties is a matter of great delicacy because of IL
direct effect upon the business OF the country,
of great difficulty by reason of the wide diver
gence of opinion as to the objects that may prop
turbanoe Of business may perhaps result from ths
consideration Of this subject by congress- but thi
temporary I'll effect will he reduced TO the mini
mum by prompt action and by the assurance which
the country already enjoys that any necessary
changes will be 30 made as not to impair the JUS
and reasonable protection of our home Industries
The inequalities of the law should be adjusted
but the protective principle should be maintained
and fairly applied TO the products of our farms a
well u of our shops. These duties necessarily
have relation 10 other things besides the publi
revenues. We not limit their effects by hxnl
our eyes on the public treasury alone, They hav
direct relation 10 home production, TO work, u
wages and to the commercial Independence Of ou
country, and the wise and patriotic legislato
should enlarge the field Of his vision TO include a
of these
Removal of the Tobacco Tax.
The necessary reduction in our public revenue
can, | am sure, be made without making tn
smaller burden more onerous than the larger b.
reason OF the disabilities and limitations whic
, the process of reduction puts upon both capitg
and labor The free list can be very safely eN
, tended by placing thereon articles that do nc
oner injurious competition to such domestic pre-
ducts as our home labor can supply The removi
OF the Internal tax upon tobacco would relieve a
Important agricultural product from a burde
which was imposed only because our revenu
p from customs duties was insufficient for the pul
lie needs, II safe provision against fraud can /
devised, the removal of the tax upon spirits use
In the arts and In manufactures would also of,
D an unobjectionable method of reducing the su
: plus,
. CThe president here refers to the amount
0 money in circulation at some lengthy
b The law requiring the purchase, by the trea
. ury, of two million dollars worth Of silver bl
a lion each month"; 10 be coined into silver dolla
4 OF four hundred and twelve and one-haf grain
has been observed by the department. but Meth
the present secretary nor any of his predecesso
has deemed IL safe to exercise the discretion Civ,