Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-12-15

Of other nations In rivalry of theil
own trade, and are without means q
extend our commerce even where the
doors are wide open and our goods
| desired. Such a situation is not Il
be endured. II is of capital import
| ance not only that the United States
should be its own carrier on the seas
and enjoy the economic independence
which only an adequate merchant ma
rine would give it. but also that the
American hemisphere as a whole
should enjoy like independence and
self-sufflciency. II it is not to be drawn
into the taugle of European affairs.
Without such independence the whole
question of our political unity and
self-determination IS very seriously
clouded and complicated indeed.
Moreover, we can develop no true
or effective American policy without
ships OF our own--not ships of war,
but ships of peace. carrying goods and
carrying much more; creating friend
ships and rendering indispensable
services to all interests on this side
the water.
Must Provide Ships.
With a view to meeting these
pressing necessities OF our commerce
and availing ourselves at the earliest
possible moment of the present I'M
paralleled opportunity Of linking the
two Americas together in bonds of mu-
tual interest and service. an 3oppor-
tunity which may never return again
il we miss it now, proposals will be
made to the present congress for the
purchase or construction of ships to
he owned and directed by the govern
ment similar to those made to the last
congress. but modified in some essen
t5al particulars. l recommend these
proposals to you for your prompt &C
ceptance with the more confidence
because every month that has elapsed
since the former proposals were made
has made the necessity for such action
more and more manlfessly imperative.
That need was then foreseen; il is
now acutely felt and everywhere real
ICED by those for whom trade is wait.
ing but who can find no conveyance
for their goods. I am not so much in
terested in the particulars of the Fro
gram as am IN taking immediate adj
vantage 81 the great opportunity which
awaits Us II we will but act in this
emergency.
The plans for the armed forces OF
the nation which / have outlined. and
for the general policy of adequate
preparation for mobilization and de-
Tense, involve Of course very large adj
ditional expenditures Of money-ex-
penditures which will considerably ex-
government 1t Is made my duty by
law, wheusver the estimates OF ex-
penditure exceed the estimates OF
revenue, tn call the attention of the
congress 10 the fact and suggest any
means Of meeting the deficiency that
it may be wise OK possible for me to
suggest. am ready to believe that it
would be mg duty TO do so in any case;
and | feel particularly bound to speak
OF the matter when it appears that the
deficiency will arise directly out OF
the adoption by the congress of meas
ures which myself urge it to- adopt.
Allow me, therefore, to speak briefly
OF the present state of the treasury
and of the fiscal problems which the
next year win probably disclose.
State of the Finances.
On the thirtieth of June last there
was an available balance in the gem
eral fund Of the treasury OF $104.170.-
105.7S. The total estimated receipts
for the year 1916, on the assumption
that the emergency revenue measure
passed by the last congress Will not be
extended beyond its present limit, the
| thirty-first of December. 1915, and
| that the present duty of one cent per
pound on sugar will be discontinued
! after the first OF May. 1916, viii be
| $67a,365,500. The balance Of June last
and these estimated revenues come.
/ therefore, TO a grand total of STA
| 435.6O5.7S. The total estimated dis
bursements for the present fiscal year,
| including SIS. 1000, 600 for the Panama
canal. S12,000.000 for probable de
/ RONf
| 900 for miscellaneous debt redemp-
lions. viii be s753,S91, 600; and
the balance in the general fund OF the
treasury will be reduced to $20,644.
605.7S. The emergency revenue act, II
continued beyond its present time linn
itation. would produce. during the hall
year then remaining. about $4,000.
600. The duty of one cent per pound
on sugar, II continued. would produce
during the two months of the fiscal
year remaining after the first OF May
about 100000 These two sums
amounting together to $56,O0o,000. Il
added to the revenues of the second
half of the fiscal year, would yield this
treasury at the end of the year al
available balance of $76.644.605.7S.
The additional revenues required
to carry out the program of military
and naval preparation of which have
| spoken, would, as at present estimated
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