Year: 1871

4t -AO1A AA<4l11, Il L14N IN -
convince its citizens of their entire ability to
meet every dollar Of liability without bank
rupting them IN fssre


High Taxes No Longer Necessary.
But in view of the accomplishment of
these desirable ends, Of the rapid develop
ment of the resources of the country. its
increasing ability to meet large demands
and the amount already paid, it is not de-
sirable that the present resources of the
country should continue to be taxed in Or
der TO continue this rapid payment.
/ therefore recommend modification of
both the tariff and internal revenue tax
laws. / recommend that all taxes from in
ternaI sources be abolished, except those
on spirituous, vinOus and malt liquors, to-
bacco in its various forms, and from
stamps. as 1917


In readjusting the tariff, l suggest that
careful estimate be made of the amount of
surplus revenue collected under the present
laws after providing the current expenses of
the Government, the interest account and
sinking fund, and that this, as surplus, be
reduced in such a manner as to afford the
greatest relief to the greatest number.
There are many articles not produced
at home, such as medicine and compounded
essences from which very little revenue is
derived, but which enter into general use.
All such articles / recommend to be placed
on the free list. Should further reduction
prove advisable, would then recommend
that it be made on those articles which can
bear it without disturbing home production
or reducing the wages of American labor.
have not entered into figures, because TO
do SO would be to repeat all that is laid be-
fore you in the report of the Secretary of
the Treasury.


The Collector System-A Premium on


Dishonesty.


The present laws for collecting the reye-
nue. pay Collectors of Customs small salaries,
but provide for shares in all seizures, which,
at the principal ports of entry particularly,
raise the compensation of these officials to
a large sum. 1t has always seemed to me
as if this system must at times work
perniciously. II holds out an in
ducement to dishonest men, should
such get possession of those offices, 10 be
lax in their scrutiny of goods entered. to
enable them finally to make large seizures.
Your attention is respectfully invited to
this subject.


Our Unstable Currency.


The continued fuctuation in the value of
gold as compared with the National cur
rency, has most damaging effect upon the
increase and development of the country in
keeping up prices of all articles necessary in
every day life. 1t fosters spirit of gamb-
ling on the National finances. If the ques-
ton can be met as to how TO get a fixed
value to our currency, that value constantly
and uniformly approaching par with specie,
very desirable object will be gained.


The Army.


For the operations of the army in the
past year, the expense of maintaining it,
the estimates for the ensuing year, and
for continuing sea coast and other
improvements conducted under the
supervision of the War Department, 1 re-
fer you to the accompanying report Of the
Secretary of War.


| call your attention to the provisions of
the act of Congress approved March 3,lS69,
which discontinueS promotions in the staff
corps of the army until provided for by law.
L recommend that the number of officers in
each grade of the Staff Corps be fixed, and
that whenever the number in any one grade
falls below the number so fixed that the
vacancy may be filed by promotion from
the grade below. | also recommend that
when the Office of Chief of a Corps be-
comes vacant the place may be filed by Sc
lection from the Corps in which the vacancy
exists.


The Navy.


The report of the Secretary-cf the Navy
shows an improvement in the num-
Der and efficiency of the naval force,
without material increase in the expense of
supporting it. This is due to the policy
which has been adopted and is being ex-
tended as fast as our material will admit,
of using smaller vessels as cruisers on the
several stations. By these means we have
been enabled to occupy at once larger ex-
tent of cruising ground, to visit more
frequently the posts where the presence Of
our flag is desirable, and generally to dis
charge efficiently the appropriate duties of
the navy in time of peace, without exceed
ing the number of men or the expenditures
authorized by law. During the past year
this navy has, in addition to its regular
service, supplied the men and officers for the
vessels of the coast survey, and has COM
pleted the surveys authorized by Congress
of the Isthmus of Darien and Tehauntepec,
and under our authority has sent out an ex-
pedition completely furnished and equipped
to explore the unknown ocean of the North.
The suggestions of the report as to the ne
cessity for increasing and improving
the material of the navy and the
plan recommended for reducing
! the personel of the service to peace stand
ard by the gradual abolition of certain
grades of officers, the reduction of others
and the employment of some in the service
| of the commercial marine are well cOnsid-
cred, and deserve the thoughtful attention
of Congress. l also recommend that all
! promotions in the navy above captain be
by selection instead of by seniority. This
course will secure in the higher grades
greater efficiency and hold out an incentive
to young officers to improve themselves
in the knowledge of their profession. The
present cost of maintaining the navy, its
| cost compared with that of the preceding
year, and the estimates Of the ensuing year
are contained in the accompanying report
of the Secretary Of the Navy.


The POstOHice.


The enlarged receipts of the Postoffice
| Department, as shown by the accompany
ing report of the Postmaster General, ex-
hibits gratifying increase in that branch of
the public service. 1t is the index Of the
growth of education and of the prosperity
of the people, two elements highly condu-
Give to the vigor and stability of republics.
With vast territory like ours, much of it
| sparsely populated, bat all requiring the
service Of the mails, it is not, at present, to
be expected that this department can be
made self-sustaining; but gradual ap-
prOach to this end, from year to year, is
| confidently relied on, and the day is not far
distant when the Postoffice Department of
the Government will prove a much greater
blessing to the whole people than it is now.
Postal Telegraph.


The suggestions Of the Postmaster-Gen-
eral for Improvements in the department
presided over by him, are earnestly recon-
mended to your special attention, and es-
pecially the documents and favorable con-
sideration of the plan for uniting the tele
graph system of the United States with the
postal system. 1t is believed that by such
a course the cost of telegraphing could be
much reduced, and the service as well, if
not better rendered. 1t would secure
further advantage by extending the tele-
graph through portions of the country
where private enterprize will not con
struct it. Commerce, trade, and above
all, the efforts to bring a people