Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-09

March 3, 1891, with Belgium, France, Great
Britain and the British possessions, and Switz-
erland, the laws of those countries permitting
to our citizens the benefit OF copyright on sub
stautially the same basis as to their own citi-
Zens subjects. With Germany special
convention has been negotiated upon this sub
iect, which VIII bring that country within the
reciprocal benefits OF our legislation.
The Treasury Department
The general interest III the operations Of the
Treasury Department has been much aug
mented during the last year by reason of the
conflicting predictions, which accompanied
and followed the tariff and other legislation
of the last Congress affecting the revenues. as
to the results of this legislation upon the
Treasury and upon the country. On the one
hand 1t was conteuded that imports would so
fall of as to leave the Treasury bankrupt and
that the prices of articles entering into the liv-
ing OF the people would be so enhanced as to
disastrously affect their comfort and happi-
ness, while or the other it was argued tia. The
loss to the revenue. largely the result OF plac-
ing sugar on the free list, would be a direct
gain to the people; that the prices
OF the uecessaries of lie, in
Guiding those most highly protected would not
be enhanced; that labor would have a larger
market and the products of the farm advanced
prices; while the Treasury surplus and receipts
would be adequate to meet the appropria-
lions, including the large exceptional expendI-
lures tor the refunding TO the states of the di-
rect tax and the redemption Of the AZ per
cent bonds.
1t is not my purpose to enter at any
length into discussion of the effects of the
legislation to which i have referred; but a
prlef examination Of the statistics of the Treas
ury and general glance at the state of bust
ness throughout the country will. l think, sat-
lsfy any impartial inquirer that its results
have disappointed the evil prophecies of its
opponents ana in a large measure realized the
hopeful predictions of lis friends. Rarely. if
ever before, In the history of the country has
there been time when the proceeds of one
day labor or the product of one iarmed acre
would purchase SO large an amount of those
things that enter into the living of the masses
OF the people. believe that full test will
develop the fact that the tariff act OF the Fifty
nrst Congress Is very favorable in lis average
effect upon the prices of articles entering into
common use.
OUR FOREIGN TRADE
During the twelve months from October 1,
1880. to September so, 1884, the total value OF
our foreign commerce Imports and exports
combinedD WAS S1,747, 800, 406. which was the
largest OF any year in the history of the United
States The largest in any previous year was
IN $50. when our commerce amounted to 81,
64I, l39. O93. and the last year exceeds this enor
nous aggregate by over one hundred millions
1t is interesting, and to some will be surpris-
ing, To know that during the year ending Sep
TENDER 10. 1881. our imports OF merchapdise
amounted 30 SS24, 715. 270, which was an in
cease OF more than eleven million dollars over
the value Of the imports Of the corresponding