The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-12-03
HARRISON'S MESSAGE.
Delivered to Congress To
day--Its Salient Points.
special 70 the Jerseu citu Netes.


fully preparing.
The message of the President to Com
gress, after few lines of introduction,
deals with foreign relations In this
connection the President says pleasant
word about the visitors from other
American nations, and expresses his be-
lief that one of the best results of their
visit will come from their observation of
the cordiality of their reception.
Somoan affairs are found to be en-
couraging. A word is said about the re-
striction of Chinese immigration, to the
effect that while Chinese laborers must be
kept out, it must be done in way not to
offend China's new Emperor. "a just
and acceptable enlargement of the list of
offences for which eXtradition may be
claimed and granted" is recommended
between this country and Great Britain.
BRAZILIAN AFFAIRS
The following is the only reference TO
the Brazilian revolution
The recent revolution in Brazil in favor of the
establishment of a republican form of govern
ment is an eveut of great interest to the United
States. Our minister at Rio de Janeiro was at
once 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 inter-
ruption.
Our minister has been further instructed to
extend on the part'of this government q formal
and cordial recognition of the new Republic so
as the majority of the people of Brazil shall
have signided their assent to its establishment
and maintenance.
FINANCES
From the report of the Secretary of the
Treasury to he presented to Congress, the
President gets the following facts for his
meSSage:-~
The aggregate receipts from all sources for
the year were:
From customs 1928 S32, 741 80
From internal revenue ....-...... 100 S8l, ,5l3.92
From miscellaneous sources :. 30 1886, sos. %
The ordinary expenditures for the same period
were 1921 1896, 61560, and the total expenditures,
including the sinking fund, S329 SIS, rs.
The excess OF receipts over expenditures was,
after providing for the sinking fund, S57,470,-
129.59.
For the current fiscal year the total revenues,
actual and estimated, are 1886, COO, and the
are $293, 100000, making, with the sinking fund,
a total expenditure of $341, ,321 1862, leaving an
estimated surplus of S4S, ,878, ,S83O1
The revenues for the fiscal year ending June
30 1891 are estimated by the Treasury Depart
ment at 1886, ,000, ,0O0 and the expenditures for
the same period, including the sinking fund, at
$341, ,430 Alto. This shows an estimated surplus
for that year of $43, 569, 80, which is more
likely to be increased than reduced when the ac-
tual transactions are written up.
The existence of so large an actual and antici-
pated surplus should have the immediate atten-
tion of Congress, with view 10 reducing the re-
ceipts of the Treasury to the needs of the Gov
ernment 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 surplus in the public
vaults is a disturbing element in the conduct
into use expedients 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 unappropriated
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 with
out interest," upon the security of Government
bonds, regard as an unauthorized and danger
Gus expedient. 1t results in temporary and
unnatural increase of the banking capital of
favored localities, and conlpels cautious and
gradual recall of the deposits to avoid injury to
the commercial interests.
THE TARIFF.
In relation to the tariff the President
says
recommend 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
Inconvenience to be remedied and the best
methods for their correction will probably not
be difficult. Uniformity of valuation at all our
ports is essential, and effective measures should
be taken to secure it. 1t is equally desirable that
questions affecting rates and classihcations
should be promptly decided.
The preparation of new schedule of custom
duties is a matter of great delicacy because of
its direct effect upon the business of the coun-
try and of great difficulty by reason of the wide
divergence 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 Con-
gress, but this temporary ill effect will be re-
duced to the minimum by prompt action and by
the assurance 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. The inequal-
tiles of the law should be adjusted, but the pro
tectve principle should be maintained and fairly
applied to the products of our farms as well as
of our Shops These duties necessarily have
relation to other things besides the public reve-
nues. We cannot limit their effects by fixing
our eyes on the public treasury alone. They
have a direct relation to home production, to
work. to wages, and to the commercial indie
pendence of our 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 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 arti-
cles that do not offer injurious competition to
such domestic products as our home labor can
supply. Removal of the internal tax upon tobac-
co would feleVe an important AGRICULTURAL pro-
duct from a burden which was imposed only be-
cause our revenue from customs dutieswas INSULT
cient for the public needs. If safe provision
against fraud can be devised. the removal of the
tax upon spirits used in the arts and in manu-
features would also offer an unobjectionable
method of reducing the surplus.
The President, speaking of the coinage
silver says that he has always been an
advocate of the use of silver in our cur
rency. We are large producers of that
metal, and should not discredit it." He
has given only a hasty examination to
the plan pHsposed by the Secretary of the
Treasury for the issuance Of notes or GER
tificates upon the deposit of silver bullion
communicate with Congress on this sub
ject, later.
COAST DEFENCES.
Judged by modern standards, we are prac-
tically without coast defenses Many of the
structures we have would enhance rather than
diminish the perils of their garrsons If subjected
to the fire of improved guns; and very few are
SO located as to give full effect to the greater
range of such guns as we are now making for
had consideration in Congress for some years,
and the appropriation for the construction of
large rif3ed guns, made one year ago, was, am
sure the expression of purpose to provide
suitable works in which these guns might be
mounted, An appropriation now made for that
purpose would not advance the completion of
the completion of the work bsyond our ability
to supply them with fairly effective guns.
The security of our coast cities against foreign
attack should not rest altogether in the friendly
disposition Of other nations. There should be
second line wholly IN our own keeping livery
urgently recommend an appropriation at this
session for the construction of such works in our
most exposed harbors.