The Portland daily press., 1895-12-04
PARVUN IN MULTO.
Continued from Second Page.


particulars in which the order already
issued may be amended and demonstrate
that. for the best results, appropriate leg.
islation by Congress is imreratively re
CURED.
In any event these efforts to improve
the consular service ought to be imme-
diately supplemented by legislation pro-
viding for consular inspe ction. This has
frequently been subject of executive
recommendation and urge such action by
Congress as will permit the frequent and
thorough inspection of consulates by
officers appointed for that purpose or by
persons already in the diplomatic or con-
such plan would be insignificant COM
pared with its usefulness, and hope
the legislation necessary to set it on foot
will be speedily forthcoming.
RESIDENCES FOR MINISTER'S.
am thoroughly convinced that in ad-
dition to their salaries, our ambassadors
and ministers at foreign courts should be
provided by the government with official
residences. The salaries of these off Gals
are comparatively small and in most
cases insufficient to pay, with other
necessary expenses, the cost of maintain
ing household establishments in keeping
with their important and delicate func-
tions. The usefulness of a nations di-
plomatic representative undeniably de-
ponds much upon the appropriateness OF
the surroundings, AID a country like ours,
while avoiding unnecessary glitter
and show, should be certain
that tn roa IT Goes not foTes suffer paton n
through parsimony aud shabbiness in it's
diplomatic outfit. These considerations
and the other advantages of having fixed
and somewhat permanent locations for
our embassies would abundantly justify
the moderate expenditure necessary to
carry out this suggestion.
OUR FINANCIAL SITUATION.
AS we turn from review of our for
eign relations to the contemplation of
our national financial situation we are
Immediately aware that we approach a
subject of domestic concern more import
ant than any other that can engage our
attention, and one at present i'll such
a perplexing and delicate predicament as
to require prompt and wise treatment.
We may well be encouraged to extend
effort in this direction when we recall the
steps already taken toward improving
our economic and financial situation.
ana when we appreciate how we'll the
way has been prepared for further
progress by an aroused and Intelligent
popular interest in this subject. By
command of the people customs reve
nue. system, designed for the protection
and benefit of favored classes at the ex-
pense of the great mass Of our country
men, and which, while inefficient for the
purpose OF revenue. curtailed our trade
ana impeded our entrance into the mar
kets of the world. has been superseded
by bought policy which in principle
is based upon a denial of the right of
the government to obstruot the avenues
to our people. cheaper living or lessen
their comforts, and contentment for the
sake of according especial advantages to
favorites. and which, while encouraging
our intercourse with other countries
recognizes the fact that American self
reliance, thrift and ingenuity can build
up our country's Industries and develop
its resources more surely than eneryating
paternalism. The compulsory purchase
and coinage of silver by the government,
unchecked and unregulated by busin ess
conditions and needless of our currency
needs which for more than fifteen years
diluted the circulating medium, under
mined confidence abroad. in our fnan
cial ability. and at last eliminated in
distress and panic at home, has been
recently stopped by the repeal of the
laws which forced this reckless scheme
upon the country.
The things thus accomplished nOtwith-
standing their extreme importance and
beneficent effecus. fall far short of curing
the monetary evils from which we suffer
as result Of long indulgence in ILL.,
advised financial expedients.
The currency denominated United
States notes and commonly known as
greenbacks was issued in large volume
during the late civil war; and was in
tended originally to meet the exigencles
of that period. 1t will be seen by a refer
ence to the debates in Congress at the
time the laws were passed authorizing
fhnGn dun
Gates declared they were intended for only
temporary use and to meet the emer-
gency of war In almost, il not all the
laws relating to them some provision was
made contemplating tn ir voluntary OF
compulsory retirement. large guam
tity OF them, however, were kept Oh foot
ana mingled with the currency of the
country so that at the close of the year
1874 they amounted to S331, 922. 075. I'm
mediately after that date and in January
1915. law was passed providing for the
resumption fsSDecie payments. by which
the Secretary of the Treasury was re-
quired, whenever additional circulation
was issued to national banks to retire
U. S. Notes equal in amount to 81
per cent. of such additional national bank
circulation until such notes were reduced
to $500. 600. 900. This law further pro-
vided that on ana after the 1st day OF
January, 1879, the Z. S. Notes then cut
SuOUlu ISu60llbu III COlI, auu
in order to provide and prepare for such
redemption the Secretary of the Treasury
was authorized not only to use any sur
plus revenues of the government, but to
issue bonds of the UnitedStates and dispose
of them for coin. and to use the proceeds
for the purpose contemplated by the
statute.
In NAV, 1878. and before the date thus
appointed for the redemption and retire
ment of these notes. another statute was
passed forbidding their further cancella.
tion and retirement Some of them had,
however. been previously redeemed and
cancelled upon the issue of additional
bank national bank circulation, as per
mitted by the law of 1875, so that the
amount outstanding at the time of the
passage of the act forbidding their further
retirement was 1885, 6S1, DIG.
The law of 1878 did not stop at distinct
prohibition, but contained in addition,
the following express provision:
And when any of said notes may be
redeemed or be received into the Treas
ury. under any law. from any source
whatever, and shall belong to the United
States, they shall not be retired, can.
celled or destroyed but they shall be re-
issued and paid out again and kept In