West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-12-12


temporary and unnatural increase OF the
banking capital OF favored localities, and
compels a cautious and gradual recall OF the
deposits TO avoid injury 20 the commercial
interests. II is not % be expected that the
banks having these deposits win sell their
bonds % the Treasury 30 long as the present
highly beneficial arrangement Is continued
They They nov nov practically sc; interest both
No further use should be made Of
this method OF getting the surplus into
circulation, and the deposits now out
standing should be gradually withdrawn
and applied TO the purchase OF bonds. II Il
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 q
reduction of the revenue. Such legislation
should be promptly, but very considerably,
enacted.
REvIsIoN OF THE rARIFF.
recommend a 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 and inconvenience 20 be remedied
and the best methods for their correction
viii probably not be difficult. Uniformity
OF valuation at all our ports is essential, and
enective measures should be taken 20 secure
It, lt is equally desirable that questions
| anecting rates and clasSfcations should be
| promptly decided.
The preparation of n new scheduale of Gus.
| toms duties is a matter OF great delicacy be-
cause OF its direct effect upon the business OF
the country, and of great difficulty by reason
OF the wide divergence Of opinion as TO the
ooJects that may properly be promoted by
fuch legislation. Some disturbance OF bust.
| ness may perhaps result from the considera.
| ton of this subject by Congress. bat this
| temporary iii effect will be reduced To the
minimum by prompt action and by the as
mrance which the country already enjoys
.haI any necessary changes will be 40
made as not to impair the just and
reasonable protection Of our home I'm.
dustries. The inequalities of the law
should be adjusted but the protective prin.
| siple should be maintained and fairly applied
| 70 the products Of our farms as well as OF
| bur shops. These duties necessarily have
relation 20 other things besides the public
revenues. We cannot limit their effects by
liking our eyes on the public treasury alone
They have direct relation TO home pro-
auction, TO work, TO wages, and TO the COM
merclal Independence Of our country and
che wise and patriotic legislator should en-
large the field Of his vision to include all of
these.
The necessary reduction In our public reve-
nues can, l am sure, be made without making
the smaller burden more onerous than the
larger by reason of the disabilities aud limi-
tatlons which the process Of reduction puts
upon both capital and labor The free list
can very safely be extended by placing
thereon articles that do not offer injurious
competition TO such domestic products as our
nome labor can supply. The removal of the
ihternal tax upon tobacco would relieve an
important agricultural product from a bur
den which was imposed only because our
revenue from customs duties was insufficient
Tor the pnblic needs. III safe provision against
fraud can be devised the removal of the tax
upon spirits used in the arts and in manufac-
lures would also offer an unobiectionabl,
method or reducing the surplus.
THE COINAGE OF SILVER DOTrAps
The total coinage of silver dollars was. on
November /, 1889, f343, ,63s, DOL, OF which
<So5, 539, OBJ were in the Treasury vaults
and $50, O9s, $50 were in circulation OF the
amount in the vaults, $277, 319944 were
represented by outstanding silver ccrtin-
Gates, leaving $6,219,5U not in circulation
and not represented by certificates
The law requiring the purchase by the
treasury of 81, 600 worth Of silver bull
lion each month, 10 be coined into silver dol
lars Of 4121< grains, has been observed by
the department., but neither the present
secretary nor any Of his predecessors has
deemed IL safe TO exercise the discretion
gwen by law TO increase tho monthly pur-
chases 20 -, 600, 900.
have always been an advocate Of the use
or silver In our currency. Weare large pro-
ducers OF that metal, and should not dis
credit 1t. To the plan which will be pre-
sented by the Secretary Of the Treasury for
the issuance of notes or certificates upon the
deposit OF silver bullion 6t it's market value
nave been able TO give only hasty exam
nation owing 10 the press Of other matters
and TO the fact that it has been so recently
formulated. The details OF such n law re-
quire careful consideration, but the general
plan suggested by him seems 20 satisfy the
purpose-to continue the use of silver i'm con
nection with our currency, and at the same
time TO obyiate the danger Of which have
spoken. A. later day may communicate
further with Congress upon this subject.
EXCLUDING THE CHINESE.
The enforcement Of the Chinese exclusio,
act haS been found 20 be very difficult on tho
Northwestern frontier. Chinamen laudiu,
at Victoria find IL easy 10 pass our border
owing 20 the impOssibility with the force al
! the command of the customs officers Of
guarding 50 long an inland line. The Secre-
tarY Of the Treasury has authorized the ar,
plOyment Of additional officers. who win be
assigned 20 this duty, and every effort will
be made 70 enforce the law. Tho Dominion
ezacts head tax Of $50 for each Chinamau
landed, aud when these persons, in fraud OF
our law, cross into our territory and are
apprehended, our officers do not know what
70 do with them, as the Dominion authorities
viii not suffer them 10 be sent back without
second payment Of the tax. An effort will
be made TO reach an understanding that viii
remove this difficulty.
WITHOUT COAST DEFENsEs.
Judged by modern standards we are prac-
cically without coast defenses. Many OF the
structures Ne have would enhance rather.
than diminish the perils Of their garrisons in
subjected 20 the fire Of improved guns: and
very few are so located as 70 give full eject
TO the greater range Of such guns as we are
now making for coast defense uses This
general subject has had consideration i'm
Congress for some years, and the appropria-
tiOn for the construction Of large rihed guns
made one year ago was ] am sure the ex-
preston Of purpose 70 provide suitable
worksin which these guns might bo mounted
An appropriation now made for that purDo-e
would not advance the completion of the
works beyond our ability 70 mipply them
with fairly effective guns
The security " our coast cities against for
eign attack should not rest altogethcrin the
friendly disposition OF other nations. There
should be second line wholly in our own
keeping / very urgently recommend an ap-
preparation at this session for the coustruc-
ton Of such works iu our most exposed har-
b0rs
Improve the suggestion of the Secretary
War that provision be made FOR cncamu-
= companies OF the National Guard iu our
asst works for n specified time each year
II Tor their training in the use of heavy
MS His suggestion that an increase Of the
tillery force Of the army is desirable is
3isO iu this connection commended 60 the
consideration of Congress.
The Improvement Of our important rivers
| and harbors should be promoted BY the nee
essary appropriations
THE PROTECTION on FEDERtL OFFICERS