The morning call., 1892-12-08
THE COUNTRY Is PROSPEROUS
But There Is No Telling What May
Follow Radical Change in the
Revenue System.
Special to THE MoRNISe CALL


Compared with the fiscal year 1891, the
receipts have fallen off So. 675. .972. the prin-
cipai losses being customs receipts
S42,eos,24l, and in profits of coinage $685.
479.
On the other hand there was gain of
-, ,SsS. $50 In internal revenue receipts, S2,-
AZ. 744 in salesof District OF Columbia bonds $
and other matters, which make up the diff
ference.
The interest on the public debt was de-
creased S14. 169.019.
For the present fiscal year the revenues
are estimated as fOllows: From customs,
100000; internal revenue, $4,000 600 /;
miscellaneous. $50. GOO. 900; postal service,
$50, ,336. $780, Total, s463 $50. $50.
The expenditures will be as follows: Civil
establishment, SloS 0Oo. 600; military estab-
lishment, S49.e00.000; naval establishment,
S31. .000,0 600; Indian service. 5000. 600; PEN
sons, Sl5S. COZ. coo; interest on public debt,
s26 600; postal service. $40, 1886. $50. Total,
S4Ol, 80. $50, leaving the estimated surplus
for the year, s2.O0o,0oo
The available cash balance in the treas
ury at Tie end of the fiscal year was s120. :
992, ,373
The revenues for the fiscal year 1894 are
estimated at S49l .I2l, 365; appropriations re-
Quired, S457 2S4, ,333, exclusive of sinking
fund or estimated surplus, S22, 500, ,O3O,
which, with the cash balance above the gold
reserve would make an available balance of
S53. So. 4G7. Deducting the aeeraing obli-
gallons II would leave s47. So, ,407. Charge
able against this are the unexpended river
and harbor and ordnance appropriations.
S44, .0000. and no account is taken OF The
sinking fund requirements. amounting to
S4s, 100000, beyond redemption estimated
at s5,UOo.0O0.
On the subject of customs the Secretary
recommends the abolition of fees and the
establishment OF a fixed salary for colec-
tors and surveyors, the consolidation of Gus
toms districts and leaving the Secretary
with power to abolish districts and discon-
tinue minor ports. He suggests the revision
and modification OF the customs and nayi-
cation laws, and recommends the ap point
ment OF commission for the purpose. He
gives statistics of American commerce and
American ships, and suggests q continuance
Of the policy OF encouraging American ship
building against subsidized foreign ships,
with the ultimate view Of their being used
as naval auxiliarles.
The Secretary recommends a change in
the methods of disbursing public moneys
and the settlement OF public accounts by
-ssfttifg the eatise matter of their control
and audit under the direction of the Con-
troller- General, with the Chief Controller
of the treasury at the head Of the Board of
Audit.
The Secretary says the estimated receipts
are based on conditions prevailing prior to
the late election. Public opinion having
decTeed a changed policy in the tariff laws,
the altered conditions render it impossible
now to estimate the annual income with
any degree Of accuracy, and impossible to
predict the effect of the proposed radical
changes on future revenues. But the inev-
liable result of tariff reduction agitation
would be falling of In importations aud
revenue. He says facts fully justify the
opinion that the large increase in receipts
ascribed to the marvellous prosperity of the
country under the present revenue system
would. If continued. enable the department
during the coming fiscal year to meet all
obligations without impairment of its cash,
and thereafter continue 10 show material
Improvement in its condition. The sinking
fund shows $500, ,6S1 more than required
by law is credited to it. He recommends
the repeal OF the act of 1881. au-
thorizing the application OF the sur
plus money to the purchase of United
States bonds In view of the large
decrease in the national debt and the prob
able future condition of the finances. The
treasury has difficulty when the limited
amount OF cash on hand is not above $780,
100000 in the redemption fund to keep
sufficient stock of gold. and if the shipments
continue as large as during the past two
years the gold in the treasury will be dimin-
ished below the reserve line.
The maintenance OF silver at par has also
increased the possible charge upon the gold
reserve. The Secretary therefore suggests
the redemption of Government obligations
should be increased to at least 20 per cent
oil the amount of treasury notes issued, or
to be issued. under the act of July IA. 1890.
In view of the probable falling off In re-
ceipts. he thinks the revenue should be in
creased to enable the treasury to maintain
gold reserve Of not less than SIPS, 900, 900.
lie suggests an additional tax on whisky as
an easy method of increasing the revenue.
The Secretary says Whatever may be the
outcome of the International Monetary Con-
ference, 1t will give clearer idea of the
views and purposes OF the countries repre-
sented. In passing, the Secretary says a
good word for reciprocity.
clearly of the opinion that only by rigid ex-
animation made at the place of departure
was the prohibitive feature of the law exc
cuted with any considerable degree of eff
cheney. The remedy for the evils of immi-
grafton. the Secretary says, is within the
control of Congress. The Secretary recon-
mends an increase If the head tax. As a
measure to determine what this tax should
e.. hat ba ah ha tlal
as will eaualize the cost 10 immigrants to
reach South America or Australia.
Speaking of Chinese exclusion, the Secre-
tary says that withstanding the sever
ity Of the law many Chinese get into the
country, chiefly through Canada. He
thinks 1t probable that a large number Of
Chinese laborers will enter the United
States under the provisions for the adms-
sion OF Chinese exhibitors at the Worlds
Fair and their employees.
The Secretary renews the recommends
fion made In his last annual report that
early action be taken by Congress toward
such legislation as will make the use of the
metric system Of weights and measures
obligatory in all transactions st Custom
houses on and after the first day Of Janu-
ary, 1896.
On the subject Of seal fisheries he says
'Ihe number of seals on the breeding
grounds on the islands is found to be
smaller this year than last"
The Secretary calls attention to the activ-
lily at the Marine Hospital Bureau the past
summer. and ali owing to the thrcate d
invasion OF cholera. 1t is proposed to keep
In force the twenty-day restriction until
Congress has an opportunity to express its
will In the matter or until the danger which
prompted it has disappeared. Where rail-
roads cross from Canada into the United