Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1896-12-08

from the United States but residing In foreign
countries at the close Of the late fiscal year
was 3,7si and the amount paid to them during
the year S5S2, ,7353S.
The sum appropriated for the payment OF
pensions for the current fiscal year ending
June 30, 1879, is $40. 10000, and for the sue
ceeding year it Is estimated that the same
amount will be necessary.
The commissioner of pensions reports that
during the last fiscal year $50 Indictments
laws. Upon these indictments 1877 convictions
resulted
In my opinion, based upon such statements
as these and such other information and OBJ
servations, the abuses which have been al
lowed to creep into our pension system have
done incalculable harm in demoralizing our
people and undermining good citizenship.
have cadcavored within my sphere of official
duty to protect our pension roll and make IL
what 1t should be, u roll Of honor, containing
the names Of those disabled in our country's
service and worthyof their country S nifec tion-
ate remembrance.
Agricultural Department.
The department. Of agriculture is so inti-
mately related to tho welfare OF our people
and the pros perity of cur tion that 1t should
constantly receive the care and encourage
ment Of the government. Largo sums
Of money are annually appropriated for the
maintenance of this department, and 1t must
be confessed that tho legislation relating to it
has not always been directly in the interest of
practical farming or properly guarded ag ainst
waste and extravaganza So far, however, as
public money has been appro opriated fairly
and sensibly to help those who actually till
the soil, no expenditure has been NOR profit
ably made or more generally approved by tho
people.
Under the present management of the de-
partment its usefulness has been enhanced In
every direction, and at the same time strict
nDnr hna haa IN tn thn ,tttr nv
tent permitted by congressional action. From
the report OF the secretary 1t appears that
through careful and prudent financial man
agement he has annually saved largo sum
from his appropriations, aggregating during
his incumbency and up to tho close OF the
present fiscal year one-fifth Of the entire
amount appropriated
Farm Product Export.
The secretiry reports that the value OF our
exports during the fiscal year amounted to
$50 000 COO, increase of Sl7 COO, 900 over the
year Immediately preceding
This statement is not the less welcome be-
cause of the fact that, notwithstand-
ing such increase, the proportion Of
exported agricultural products to our
total exports of all descriptions fell off during
tn year, The benefits of an increase in ag-
ricultural exports being assured the decrease
in its proportion to our total exports is the
more gratifying when we consider that it is
the year increased more than i75, 600, QUO.
The large and increasing expectation of our
agricultural products suggests the great USE
fulness of the organization lately established
In the department for the purpose of giving to
those engaged in farming purs uits reliable in
formation concerning the condition. needs and
advantages OF different foreign markets
The Present Tarin Law.
l desire to recur to the statements else
where made concerning the governments re-
ccipts and expenditures for the purpose of
vcnturing upon some suggestions touching
our present tariff law and it's operation
This statute took effect on the 2sth day OF
August, 1894 Whatever may be its Short
comings 4 complete measure OF tariff re-
form, it must be conceded that it has opened
the way to a freer and greater exchange of
commodities between us and other countries,
and thus furnished wider market for our
products and manufactures.
The only entire fiscal year during which
this law has been in force ended on the 30th
day of June, 1885, In that year our impo rts
increased over those OF the previous year
more than S6,500,000,.w the value OF the do
mestic products we exported and which found
markets abroad, was nearly $4,000 QUO more
than during the preceding year
Those who insist that the cost to our people
OF articles coming to them from abroad for
their necdful use should only be increased
through tariff charges to an extent necessary
20 meet tne expenses OF tne government,
well as those who claim that tariff charges
may be laid upon such articles beyond the me-
cessities of government revenue, and with the
additional purpose Of 5 o increasing their price
in our markets us TO give American manufac-
turers and producers better and more profita-
bic opportunities, must agree that our tariff
laws are primarily justified as sources Of rev.
enue to enable the government to meet the
necessary expenses of its maintenance. Con-
sidered as to its sufticiency in this aspect the
present law can by no means fall under just
condemnation
believe our present tariff law, if allowed a
fair opportunity, will in the near future yield
revenue which with reasonably economical
expenditures, will overcome all deficiencies
The Deficit Need Not Disturb Us.
In the meantime deficit that has oc-
Cured or may occur need excite or dis.
turb US.
To meet any such deficit we have in the
treasury, in addition to gold reserve of one
hundred millions surplus of more than one
hundred and twenty-eight millions OF dollars
applicable to the payment OF the expenses Of
the government and which must. unless eS-
pended for that purpose remain unless
hoard, or, If not eXtravagantly wasted, must
IN any event be perverted from the pur pose Of
its eNaction from our people.
Monetary Reform.
am more convinced than ever that we can
have no assured financial peace and safety
until the government currency obligations
upon which gold may be demanded from the
treasury are Withdrawn from circulation and
cancelled. This might be done, as has been
heretofore recommended, by their exc change
for long-term bonds bearing low rate Of in-
terest or by their redemption with the pro-
ceeds Of such bonds.
Even If tie United States notes known as
greenbacks we're thus retired. 1t is probably
that the treasury notes issued in payment of
silver purchases under the act OF July H. 1890,
now paid in gold when demanded, would not
create much disturbances, as they might
from time 70 time, when received in the treas
ury by redemption in gold or otherwise be
gradually and prudently replaced by silver
coin.
This plan Of issuing bonds for the purpose
Of redemption certainly appears to be the most
effective and direct path to the needed re-
form.
In default Of this however, IL would be a step
in the right direction If currency obligations
redeemable in gold, whenever so redeemed,
should be cancelled Instead of being re- issued.
This operation would be a slow remedy, but it
would improve present conditions
National banks should redeem their own
notes They should be allowed to issue circu-
lation to tie par value of bonds deposited as
security for its redemption and the tax on
their circulation should be reduced to one.