Evening star., 1901-12-04

and departure of Chinese laborers and stat
ing the abuses Of the privilege of passing
through this country by excepted classes
the Secretary says:
Legislation is recommended by the COM
missioner general to define more narrowly
the term merchant" well as to pre-
scribe conditions. corresponding to those
with which this class Of Cinnamon has to
comply, for the admission of merchants
wives and minor children. For the pur-
pose Of enabling the administrative officers
to investigate thoroughly the veracity of
In China, upon which claims to admission
to this country are based, additional legis-
lation IS also recommended.
The report further shows that Chinese
persons who have been refused admission
at ports of entry on the Canadian boundary
as members of one of the excepted classes
subsequently cross the border and are ar
rested and carried before judicial officers
upon their claim Of having been born in this
country. The total number of those de-
ported during the year under judicial de-
cisions was 32S and the cost of executing
the mandates Of the courts for their de-
pOrtation amounted to $46,940.44
The laws relating to the exclusion OF
Chinese expire by limitation on May s.
1902. The re-enactment of these laws.
either as they now stand or with modifica-
tions, furnishes an important subject for
investigation and appropriate action by
Congress. If the laws should be renewed
ment would be pleased to furnish state
ment covering certain administrative bet
terments suggested by experience In their
enforcement.
OF the appropriation Of 100000 for the
administration of the Chinese exclusion
laws there was expended for salaries and
expenses Of officers $110. 1922 35: for deporta-
ton of prisoners. A; miscellaneous
expenses, 3,261 50; total, $160, 0,684.67, leav-
ing deficit Of $6S4. g.
Porto Rico's Finances.
The final reconstruction Of Porto Rico Is
reviewed In some detail and the Secretary
says:
1.-THE actual financial operations of the
island are encouraging. The treasurer of
the island reports that during the fiscal
year ended June 80, 1901, the total ex-
penditures aggregated 81. 101 BASS. The
funds actually received by the treasurer
in this period were 81 357, ,335.O3 and the
excess Of receipts over expenditures was
1856, 6,O20.15 OF the total receipts. the net
sum Of $4S9. .019. Ii is charged as trust funds,
thus making the excess Of expenditures
over receipts actually deposited in the in
expenditures 1922 99S 9S The amount of
revenue collected during the fiscal year in
the United States upon exports from Porto
Rico and held under the terms of congress
sional legislation as fund for the gov
ernment and benefit of Porto Rico
was 5000. 733. The ordinary expenditures
of the island during the first fiscal year of
civil government were accordingly S376-
93S.3 less than the revenues actually avail
able.
For the fiscal year ending June 80. 1902.
the outlook is no less satisfactory. AS re-
ported by the treasurer, the estimated ex-
penditures Of the island during this period
aggregate $1.976, ,S02. p. The estimated reve-
nues for the same period are s., 600, 49, or
S23,315.79 in excess of authorized expendi-
lures. In reality, however, the condition
of the insular treasury is much more IA
vcrable by reason Of the existence Of ex-
traordinary reserve funds, aggregating
more than one and a half million dollars
OF these. $642, ,619. 80 represent revenue COL
lected upon imports into the United. States
from Porto Rico from May 1, 1900, to July
%, 1901, designed in aid of current expendi-
lures during that period, but left absolute
ly intact by virtue of the careful financial
policy pursued. The remaining amount is
the unexpended portion Of the customs re-
fund subject to allotment by the Presi-
dent of the United States for use and. bene-
fit Of the people of Porto Rico 1t has
been fundamental policy Of the insular ad-
ministration to reserve these funds for
emergency expenditures and for public i'm
provements not properly chargeable to cur
rent revenue. But their mere availability
In aid of expenses of maintenance should
the extraordinary occasion therefor arise,
constitutes an element Of great strength in
the financial future Of the island.
Without dollar of funded or floating in
debtedness. with current income estfmat-
ed as sufficient to meet the ordinary ex-
penses of government with large reserve
funds to provide for unforeseen or extra
ordinary contingencies and with lighter
burden of taxation upon the real economic
life of the island than at any time in it's
history, there seems every reason for re-
garding the financial future Of Porto Rico
as bright and auspictous."
The collector OF customs reports that dur
ing the first year OF civil government in
Porto Rico. from May 1. 1900. to April 30,
1.W1, the total value of imports was 80 65S
497. Of which s.. .7O6.95O represented products
OF the United States. leaving those Of adj
other countries valued at 81 ,951 ,547
The total value OF exports was s., ,1SO 400
to the United States, s., ,2S3 311, and to all
other countries, s.. .S97 ,098.
The Hawaiian Debt.
OF the total Hawaiian debt Of $2247, ,3s1
the treasury has redeemed all but 81 ,O19-
4S9. of which 81 .012 900 is in bonds held in
London. which cannot be redeemed until
January l, 1902.
Five steerage stewards employed by one
of the transatlantic lines were arrested in
Hoboken for smuggling in leaf Sumatra
tobacco.