The record-union., 1892-12-08
special to the REconp-uNIox.


Foster shows the Government revenues
from all sources during the past fiscal
year were 1925, ,S5S, ,260; expenditures,
SIS, 500, leaving a surplus of 59,6l4, ,453,
which, with a cash balance of the Ma
tional Bank redemption fund and few
small items added, gives a surplus OF
$40, $50. .46S, which was applied to the pay
ment Of the public debt.
Compared with the fiscal year Of 1891,
the receipts have fallen off S32, ,675, ,972, the
principal losses being customs receipts.
Ss20G9, ,24l, and in profits of coinage, So,
6SI, 40.
On the other hand, there was a gain OF
Si,99S,690 in internal revenues receipts,
S2,4l2, 744 in sales of District of Columbia
bonds and other matters, which make up
the difference.
The interest on the public debt was de-
creased Sl4, ,l69,Ol9.
For the present fiscal year the revenues
are estimated as follows: From customs,
SlgS, ,000,000: internal revenue. SlG5, 900;
miscellaneous, 81, ,000, 900; postal service
SO, ,356, 800; total, S463, 1856, $50.
The expenditures were as follows: Civil
establishment, sos, 200; military es-
tablishment, S49,0O0,0 900; naval establish
ment, S3l ,000,00 Indian service, So
100000; pensions, Sl5S. .000, 600; interest on
public debt, 5000, 600: postal service
S20,3}6, $50; total, S40l ,536, $50 leaving the
estimated surplus for the year $1,000, 600.
The available cash balance in the Treas
ury at the end of the fiscal year was $780,
992, ,373.
The revenues for the fiscal year 1894 are
estimated at $49l ,l2l, ,365; appropriations
required, S457, ,2S4 1913, exclusive of sink
ing fund or estimated surplus, So, SCI, ,030,
which, with the cash balance above the
gold reserve would make an available
balance of S53. So, ,407. Deducting the ac-
cruing obligations it would leave 81, ,S5Z,-
407. Chargeable against this are the un-
expended river and harbor and ordnance
appropriations, 81, 900, and no ac-
count is taken of the sinking fund re-
quirements, amounting to S4S, 100000, be-
yOnd a redemption estimated at s., 100000.
On the subject OF customs the Secretary
recommends the abolition of fees and the
establishment of fixed salary for col
lCctors and surveyors, the consolidation
OF customs districts and leaving the Sec
retary with power TO abolish districts and
discontinue minor ports. He suggests
FAe revision and modification of the GUS
toms and navigation laws, and recon-
mends the appointment of a commission
for the purpose. He gives statistics Of
American commerce and American ships
and sugge ests a continuance of the policy
of encouraging American shipbuilding
against subsidized foreign ships. with the
ultimate view OF their being used as naval
auXiliarieS.
The Secretary recommends change in
the methods of disbursing public moneys
and the settlement of public accounts by
putting the entire 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 Office.
The Secretary says the estimated re-
ceipts are based on conditions prevailing
prior to the late election. Public opinion
having decreed 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 pro-
posed radical changes on future revenues.
But the inevitable result of tariff reduc-
tion agitation would be falling-offi in inn
portatiOns and revenue. He says facts
fully justify the opinion that the large in
crease in receipts ascribed TO the marvel
Gus prosperity of the country under the
present revenue system, would, If con-
tinued, enabled the department during
the coming fiscal year TO meet all obliga-
tons without impairment of its cash, and
thereafter continue to show material inn
prOVement in its condition. The sinking
fund shows 990,5l0,6Sl more than re-
Quired bv law is credited to it.
He recommends the repeal of the Act
OF 1901. dutliOIlNlliS lub lielltdtIOH Oh tHe
surplus money to the purchase of United
States bonds. in view of the large de-
crease 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
0O,000.000 in the redemption fund, to
keep "A sufficient stock OF gold. and if the
shipments continue as large as during the
past two years the gold in the Treasury
would be diminished below the reserve
line.
The maintenance of silver at par has
also increased the possible charge upon
the gold reserve. Tho Secretary therefore
suggests the redemption of Government
obligations should be indreased 10 at least
~ per cent. of the amount Of Treasury
notes issued, or To be issued, under the
Act of July IA. 1880. In view of the prob
able falling of in receipts, he thinks the
revenue should oe increased TO enable the
Treasury to maintain a gold reserve of
not less than slZ5,UOO,000. BE suggests an
additional tax on whisky as an easy
method of increasing the revenue.
The Secretary says whatever NAV he
the outcome OF the international None
tarv Conference, ii will give clearer idea
OF The views and purposes of the coun-
tries represented. In passing, the Secre-
tary says a good word tor reciprocity.
Snealking OF immigration, the Secretary
is clearly of the opinion that only bv
rigid examination made at the place Of
departure was the prohibitive feature OF
the law executed with any considerable
degree of efficiency. The remedy Tor the
evils of immigration, the Secretary says,
is within control of Congress. The Sec
retary recommends an increase of the
head tax. AS measure to determine
what this tax should be he suggests that
the sum shoGld be such as will eaualize
the cost to immigrants to reach South
America or Australia.
Speaking of Chinese exclusion, the Sec
retary says that Notwithstanding the
severity of the law many Chinese get into
the country, chiefly through Canada. He
THINKS probably large number of Chi
nese laoorers Will enter the United States
under the provisions for admission of
Chinese exhibitors at the Worlds Fair
and their employees
The secretary renews the recommended
ton III 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 Transactions at Custom-.
houses on and alter the first day of Janu-
ary. 1885.
On the subject of the seal fisheries. he
eays: "The number OF seals on the breed
ing grounds on the island are found TO be
smaller this year than last"