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ttmurer
VOL. XXIV- -NO. 286
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA. TUESDAY MORNING. DECEMBER 5, 1882.
«47TB CONGRESS.
The Am. in Whig or the National
Legislature Testerday.
Tributes of Beipect to Senator Hill
and Representatires Lone
and Updetfruff.
The Message of Preoldent Ar
thur.
A Lengllij and Fxbanstlre llovlew of
the Affairs of the Nation.
MOMK HKALTlirUI. CHANGES HUO-
ti ENTER.
HliJldMouH for Vetoing the Kfver
Hud Harbor Bill—Haggeatlons
Relative to tbe Presidential
NncrcNKlou, Political
AiiMamenla,
Etc., Ele.
Hpeclal to Enquirer-Bun.1
HOUSE.
Washington, November 4.—In con
sequence of the unrescinded order of
\ the last sessiou, fixing 11 a. m. as the
4 hour for the daily assembling of tbe
house, the second sessiou of the forty-
seventh congress was to-day opened by
tbe speaker at that hour. The galleries,
though not crowded, were comfortably
filled, and on the fioor the bustling
throng of members engaged in friendly
gi eatings and in exchanging jocular
run irks in reference to tbe recent elec
tion. The appearance of the chamber
was not changed, the same dingy carpet
covenug the 11 .»or, though the revar-
nishlng of the desks tends to make the
hall somewhat brighter. The dtsk oc
cupied during the last sessiou by the
late Representative Updegraif, ol Ohio,
was tastelully dressed in blaok
and ornamented with a basket
of llowers. In bis opening prayer the
chaplain of the house alluded to the
deaths of Representatives Liwe and
Updegraif, and gave thanks that the
other members had been preserved
during the recess in health and pros
perity. The speaker then loruially de
clared the session opened, and the
olerk proceeded tocalllhe roil of mem
bers.
Tbe oail disclosed the presence of 202
members.
The loilowing gentlemen were then
sworn in as members ot the house to
fill vacancies : R. R. Hitt, of Illihois,
to succeed Mr. Hawk: Seaborne Reese,
of Geargia, to succeed Mr. Stephens;
Charles M. Shellyi ol Alabama, tu
succeed himself,
Calkins, of Indiana, presented, by re
quest, a memorial against the swearing
in of Shelly, but asked for no action
boyond the relereuce of the memorial
to the committee on elections, which
was done.
The speaker laid belore the house
the report of tho tarilf coin mission, and
Kelly, of Pennsylvania, moved iis
reference to the committee on ways
and means. The report is submitted
in manuscript, making a veiy volumi
nous document ol 2,000 pages,
Cox, of New York, mquhed whetht r
it was a complete report.
Kelley— 4, 1l Is finished work.”
Cox—“Does this discharge the com
mission ?”
Kelley—“That is the understanding
of the com mission. The secretary leaves
Washington to-day en route for Eu
rope.”
Cox—“I am very happy to hear it.”
[Laughter.]
The report was referred to the oom-
. mittee on ways and means and ordered
printed.
Ryan, of Kansas, from the committee
on appropriations, reported the Indian
appropriation bill, aud it was rtferied
to the committee of the whole.
The speaker then, as regular order,
proceed to the call .of states lor bills,
wLich were introduced aud referred iu
a large number. Amoug them was one
by Herbert, < f Ala., further t) protect
executive officers aud employes ol
tbe IJuilel States government from
poliuuai Uisensuieoti. It prohibits any
senator or representative iu congress,
or officer appointed by tbe president
from requesting or demanding from
any of tne officers or employes of tbe
government money or other thing of
value for political purposes.
By Vance, of North Carolina—To re
peal the internal revenue laws.
By Houk, ol Tennessee—To preserve
the purity of franchise and to punish
bribery aud other offences against a
iree ballot.
By Dwgley, of Maine—To remove
certain burdens on the American
merchant marine, and to amend
laws relating to the discharge of sea
men; aud also a bill providing for the
tranaportulion in bond free ol duty ol
iron materials necessary lor tbe con
struction ol sail or steel vessels to be
employed in the foreign carrying trade,
suen vessels to be built after January
1st, 1883, and belore January 1st, 1890.
By Cox, New York—To authorize
the purchase ol foreign built ships by
citizens ol the CJnittd States lor use in
the loreign carrying trade.
Also, giving notice ol tbe termina
tion ol the treaty of 1858 with the
North German Conlederation.
By Gibson, ol Louisiana, amending
the rules of the house so that all sub
jects relating to the improvement of
the Mississippi river shall be referred
to committee on levees and granting
that committee tbe same privilege in
reporting bills making appropriations
for the improvement of that river as
are accorded the committee on com
merce in reporting bills lor the ims
proveinent ol rivers and harbors, or to
the oommittee on appropriations in
reporting general appropriation bills,
A resolution was adopted changing
the daily hour for the meeting ol the
nouse to 12 o’clock neon.
At 1:39 the presidents message was
received and immediately read. The
readingoflhe mts^age was completed
at 3 o'clock and together with accom
panying documents was oidered print
ed and reltned to the committee of the
whole.
The testimony taken by the special
committee upon the Mississippi im
provement was ordered printed.
Herbert, of Alabama, then arose and
announced to the house the death of
Hon. Wm. Lowe, ol Alabama, and be
was loliowed by Taylor, ol Ohio, who
announced the death ol Hon. J. T. Up-
degnif, and the house, as a mark ol re
spect to the memory of the deceased, at
3:10 adjourned.
■■NATE.
The senate was called to order at
noon by the president, Senator
Davis, of Illinois. After prayer by
the chaplain, the customary resolutions
were adopted for the appointment of
committees to notify tbe president
aua house ol representatives respec
tively, that the senate had convened
and waa ready for business. Tbe pres
ident pro tern, submitted tbe reports of
the secretary, sergeant-at-arms and
finance clerk of the senate, which were
laid on tho table.
A resolution to print 20,000 copies ol
tbe report of the tariff committee was.
referred to the cammittee on printing.
The calendar was then taken up.
After disposing of one or two private
bills the senate, at 1 p. m., took a recess
for half an hour.
* At 1:30 the senate was again called to
order, and the president’s message was
read and ordered printed.
Brown, of Georgia, then, in a sol
emn and feeling manner, announced
the death of his colleague. Senator Hill,
ol Georgia. He said: “Mr. President:
It becomes my most painful duty in
this official torm to announce to the
senate the death of mv lato
colleague, Hon. Benjamin H. Hill,
That patriotic citizen, grand orator,
able statesman and Ghrisliau gentle
man died at bis residence in tbe city of
Atlanta, on the 16th day of August last.
The intelligence of the death ol Senator
Hill was read with profound regret
throughout the whole country, but the
people of Georgia whom he had so ably
Hervod and who had so long delighted
to honor him were Ihe greatest suffer
ers. Grief stricken, they bowed their
heads in sorrow and will long mourn
their irreparable loss.”
Mr. Brown then offered the custom
ary resolution of regret, which was
unanimously adopted, aud then, on
motion ol Brown, the senate, at 2:50 p.
m., as a token ot respect for the memo
ry ofthe late Senator Hill, adjourned.
rgEHIDLNI'N riKISAUE
The following is tho president’s mes
sage:
To the Senate and House of licprcsenta-
lives of the United States:
It is provided by tho constitution
that the president shall from time to
time give to the congress information
of the state of the union, and recom
mend to their consideration such meas
ures as he shall judge necessary and
expedient. In reviewing the events
of the year which has elapsed since the
commencement of your sessions, I first
cal) vour attention to tho gratifying
condition of our
F >RKIGN AFFAIRS.
Our intercourse with other powers
has continued to be of the most friend
ly character. Such slight differences
as have arisen during the year have
been already settled, or are likely to
reach an early adjustment. The arrest
citizens of the United States in Ireland
under recent laws which owe their ori
gin to tbe disturbed condition of that
country has led to a somewhat extend
ed correspondence with the govern
ment of Great Britain, and a disposi
tion to respect our rights has been
practically manifested by the release
of tbe arrested parties. Tho claim
of this nation in regard to the
supervision and control of any Inter-
Oceanic canal across the American
Isthmus has continued to be the sub
ject of conference. It is likely that
time will be more powerful in tbatdls-
cussion in removing tho divergence
between the two nations whose friend
ship is so closely cemeted bv the inti
macy of their relations aud the com
munity of their into eats Oar long
established friendliness with Russia
has remained unshaken. It has
prompted us to proffer tbe earnest
counsel of this government that meas
ures be adopted for suppressing the
proscription which the Hebrew race in
that country has lately suff red. It
has not transpired that any American
citizen has been subjected to arrest or
injury, but our courteous remon
strance has nevertheless been courte
ously received. There is reason to be
lleve that tbe time is not far distant
when Russia will be able to
secure toleration to all laiths within her
borders. At an international conven
tion held at Paris in 1880, and attended
by repretentatives of the United States,
an argument was reached in respect to
the protection ol trade marks, patented
articles and the rights of manufactur
ing firms and corporations. Tbe for
mulating in the treatien of the recom
mendations thus adopted is receiving
the attention which it merits. The
protection of submarine cables is a
subject now under consideration by an
international oontereDce at Paris. Be
lieving that it is clearly the true policy
of this government to favor tbe nu-
tralization ol this means of intercourse,
I requested our minister to France to
attend the conference as a delegate. I
also designated two of our eminent
scientists to attend as our representa
tives at the meeting of an international
committee at Paris lor considering the
adoption of a common merit to meas
ure electric force. In view of
the frequent occurrence of
conferences for the consideration of
important matters of common interest
to civilized nations, I respectfully sug
gest that the executive be invested by
cong<ess with discretionary power to
send delegates to soch conventions, and
that provision be made to defray the
expenses incident thereto.
The difference between the United
States and Spain, as to the effect of a
judgment and certificate ot naturaliza-
tion, baa not been adjusted, but it is
hoped and believed that the negotiations
nowin progress will result in tbe estab
lishment of the position which seems
to this government so reasonable and
just. I have already called the atten
tion of congress to the fact that in the
ports of Spain and its colonies onerous
tines have lately been imposed upon
vessels ot tbe United States for trivial,''
technichal offenses against local regu
lations. Efforts for ihe abatement of
these exactions have thus far proved
unsuccessful. I regret to inform
you, also, that the foes demanded
by a Spanish consul in American
ports aro in some cases so large that,
when compared with the value of the
cargo as to amount in effect to a con
siderable export duty and that our re
monstrances in this regard have not as
yet received the attention which they
seem to deserve.
The German government has invited
the United Slates to participate in an
international exhibition of domestic
cattle to beheld at Hamburg in July
1883 If this country is to be repre
sented it Is important that in the early
days of this session congress should
make a suitable appropriation for that
purpose.
The death of Mr. Marsh, our late
minister to Italy has evoked from that
government expressions of profound
respect for his exalted character and
for his honorable career in tbe diplo
matic service of bis country.
Tbe Italian government has raised a
question as to tbe propriety of
recognizing in bis dual capaci
ty the represontatative of this
country recently accredited both as
secretary of legation and as consul g^n
eral at Rome. He has been received as
secretary, but bis exequatur as consul-
general has thus far been withheld.
The extradition convention with Bel
gium which has been in operation siLce
1874 has been lately supplanted by
another. Tbe senate has signified its
approval and ratifications have been
duly exchanged between the contract
ing countries. To tbe list of extraditable
crimes has been added, Uhat of the as-
saslnation or attempted assassination of
the chief of the state Negotiations have
been opened withSwitz riand, looking
to a settlement by treaty of tbe question
whether its citizens can renounco their
allegiance anu become citizens of the
United Sta'es without obtaining the
consent of the Swiss government,
I am glad to inform you that the im*
migration of paupers and criminals
from certain of the cantons of Switzer
land has substantially ceased and is no
longer sanctioned by the au
thorities. The consideration of this
subject prompts the suggestion
that the act of August 3d. 1882, which
has for its object the return ot foreign
convicts to their own country, should
be so modified as not to bo open to the
interpretation that it affects the extra
dition of criminals or preferred charges
of crime.
The Ottoman porte has not yet ab
sented to the interpretation which this
government has put upon the treaty of
1839, relative to its jurisdictional rights
in Turkey. It may well be, however,
that this difference will be adjusted by
a general revision of the system of
jurisdiction ot the United States in the
countries of the east, as a subject to
which your attention has been already
called by tbe secretary of state.
In the interest of Justioe towards
China and Japan, I trust that the ques
tion ol the r6tarn of the indemnity
fund to the governments of those
countries will reach at the present
session the satisfactory solution, whloh
I have already recommended aud
whloh has recently been foreshadowed
by congressional dinouaslon.
The treaty lately concluded with
Corea awaits the action of the senate.
Dui log the late disturbance In
Egypt, tne timely presence of Ameri
can vessels served as s protection to
the persons and property of many of
our own citizens, and of citizens ot
other countries whose governments
have expressed their thanks for this
assistance.
THH CHINESE QUESTION.
The recent legislation restricting lm-
f laborers from China, has
own? Construing the act of May
6:h, 1882, in connection with the treaty
of November 7th, 1880. the restriotion
would seem to be limited to Chinese
immigrants coming to the United
States as laborers,and would not forbid
a mere transit across our territory. I
ask the attention of congress to the
subject for such action, if any, as may
be deemed advisable.
THE LIBERIA BOUNDARY DISPUTE,
This government recently had
occasion to manifest Its in
terest. in tbe republio of
Liberia by seeking to aid the amica
ble settlement of the boundary dispute
now pending between that republic
and the unite*
Leone,
united possession of Sierro
THE TREATY WITH HAWAII.
The reoiprooity treaty with Hawaii
will become terminable alter Septem
ber 9ih, 1883, a twelve montha’ notice
by either party, while certain provis
ions of thatoompact may have proved
onerous, its existence has fostered com
mercial relations which it is Important
to preserve. I suggest, therefore, that
early consideration be given to such
modifications of the treaty as seem to
be demanded by the interests of our
people.
DIPLOMATIC INTERCOURSE.
In view of our increasing trado with
both Hayti and Santa Domlnfeo, I ad-
for
matic intercourse with the latter by en<
larging the scope of the misalon at Port
Auprince. 1 regret that certain claims
ot American citizens against the gov
ernment of Hayti have thus far been
urged unavaillngly.
A recent agreement with Mexico pro
vides for the crossing of the lrontier by
the armed forces of either oountry in
pursuit of hostile Indiana. In my mes
sage of last year I called attention to
the prevalent lawlessness upon the
borders and tbe necessity of legislation
for its suppression. I again invite tbe
attention of congress to the subject. A
partial relief from these mischiefs has
eon sought in a convention which
ow awaits the ai
as does also anotl
lisbment of the international' boundary
between the United States and Mexico.
If the latter is ratified the aotion of
congress will be required for establish
ing suitable commissions of survey.
The boundary dispute between Mex
ico and Guatamsla, woioh led this gov
ernment to proffer Its friendly oonsuls
to both parties, has been amicably set
tled.
No changes has occurred in oar rela
tions with Venezuela. I again invoke
vour action in the matter of the pend
ing awards against that republio, to
which reference was made by a special
message Irom the executive at your
last session.
THE BOLIVAR CENTENNIAL CELEBRA
TION.
An invitation has been received from
the government of Venrzuela to send
representatives in July 1883 to Caracas
for participating in the centennial cel
ebration of tbe birth of Bolivar, the
founder of S mth American Independ
ence. Iu connection with this event it
is designed to commeuce the erection
at Caracas of a statue of Washington
and to conduct an industrial exhibition
which will be open to American pro
ducts. I recommend that tbe United
States be represented and that suitable
provision he made therefor. The ele
vation of the grade of our mission in
Central America to the plenipotentiary
rank which was authoriz9d by congress
at its last session bas been since effect
ed.
THE PRRU-OHfLI WAR,
The war between Peru and Bolivia on
the one side and Chili on the other be
gan more than three years ago on the
occupation by Chili in 1880 of all. the
littoral territory of Bolivia. Negotia
tions lor peace were conducted under
the direction of tho United States. The
allies refused to concede any territory,
you huve already been advised by cor
respondence transmitted to you in
January last, this government sent a
special mission to the belligerent pow
ers to express the hope that Chili
would be disposed to accept a money
indemnity for tbe expensos of the
war and to relinquish her
demand for a portion of
the territory of her antagonist. This
recommendation, which Chili declined
to follow, this government did not as
sume to enforce, nor can it be enforced
without resort to measures which
would be in keeping neither with the
temper of our people nor with the spir
it of our institutions. The power of
Peru no longer extends over its whole
territory, and in the event of our own
interference to dictate peace, Peru
would need be supplemented by the
armies and navies of the United States.
Such interference would almost
inevitably lead to the establishment of
a protectorate, a result utterly at odds
with our past policy, injurious to our
present interests, anil full of embarrass
ments for the future for effecting the
termination of hostilities upon terms at
once just to the victorious nations
Generous to its adversaries, this gov
ernment has spared no efforts save such
as might involve the complications
which I have indicated. It is greatly
to be deplored thatChili seems resolved
to exact such vigorous conditions of
peace, and is Indisposed to submit to
arbitration tho terms of an amicable
settlement. No peace is likely to be
lasting that is not sufficiently equitable
aud just to com maud the approval of
other nations.
THE PEACH CONGRESS.
About a year since invitations were
extended to the nations of this conti
nent to send representatives te a peace
congress to assemble at Washington in
N jvember, 1882. The time of meeting
was fixed at a period then remote,
in the hope, as tho invitation itself
declared, that in the meantime
the disturbances between the South
American republics would be abated.
As that exceptation was unlikely to be
realized I asked in April last for an ex
pression ot opinion from the two houses
of congress as to the advisability of
holding the proposed convention at the
time appointed. This action was
prompted in part by doubts which ma
ture reflection had suggested, whether
the diplomatic usa^e and traditions of
the government did make it fitting that
the executive should consult tne repre
sentatives of the people before pursu-
inir a lino of policy somewhat novel in
its character and far reaching in its pos
sible consequences. In view of the
fact that no action was taken by con
gress in the pemises and that no pro
vision had been made for the necessary
expenses, I subsequently decided to
postpone the convocation aud so noti
fied the several govern moms which
had been invited to attend. I am un
willing to dismiss this subject without
assuring vou ol my support of any
rneasur s the wisdom of congress may
devise tor the promotion of peace on
this continent and through the world,
and I trust that the time is
nigh when, with the universal
assent ot the civilized people all inter
national differences shall be deter
mined without resort to arms by be
nignant processes and arbitration.
DIPLOMATIC CHANGES.
Changes have ooourred in the diplo
matic representation of several foreign
ministers from the Argentine Repub
lic, Austria, Hungary, Brazil, Chili,
China, France, Japan, Mexico, Ihe
Netherlands and Russia have presentf d
their credentials. The missions of
Denmark and Tenezuela, at this capi
tal, have been raised in grade. Switzer
land has oreated a plenipotentiary mis
sion to this government, and au em
bassy from Madagascar and a minister
from Slam will shortly arrive. Our
diplomatic Intel course has been en
larged by the establishment ol rela
tlous with the new kingdom of Servia,
by the creation ot a mission to Slam,
and by tbe restoration of the mission
to Greece. The shah of Persia baa ex
pressed his gratification that a charge
a’ affairs will shortly be sent to that
oountry, where the rights of our citi
zens have been hitherto courteously
g uarded by tbe representatives of
rest Britain.
MARITIME LEGISLATION.
I renew my recommendation of such
legislation as will plsoe tbe United
States in harmony with other mari
time powers with respect to the inter
national rules for the prevention of
collisions at sea. In oonformity with
your Joint resolution of the 31 of Au
gust fast I have directed the aecretarv
sal adoption of a common prime)aMrid-
lan to be us*d in the reckoning of Ion
gltudeand in the regulation of time
throughout the oivillzsd world. Their
replies will in due time be laid before'
you,
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
An luterestlug exhibit of the opera
tftons of the treasury department la af
forded by the report of the secretary
It appears that tne ordinary revenues
from all sources for the fiscal year
ended Jnno 30th, 1882, were as follows:
From customs $220,410,730 25; from
internal revenue 1146.497,695 45; from
aale of public lands 14,753,140 37; from
tax on circulation and deposits of na
tional banks $8,956,794 45; from renay-
mentof interest by the Paoifio Rail
way Company $840,554,37; from sinking
fond for Pacific Railway Company $796,-
27142: from customs, feen, fines, penal lies
etc., $1,843,348 00; from fees, consular,
loiters patent and lands $2,638,990 97 ;
from proceed* of sales of government
property, $314,959 85 ; from profits ol
ooln, bn I lion deposits and assavs, $4,-
116,693 73; from Indian truat funds,
$5,705,243 22; from deposit* by individ
uals for surveying public lands
$2,052 306 36; from revenues of tbe
District of Columbia, $1,715 176 41 ;tr<un
miscellaneous sources $3,383,445 43;
total ordinary receipts $403,525,250 28.
The ordinary expenditures for the s-tme
period were, for civil expenses, $18,-
042 386 42; for foreign intercourse,
$1,807,483 19; for Indiana. $0,736,747 40;
$43,570,494 19; for the naval eetabiish-
ment, including vessels, machinery
and improvements at navy yards,
$ 5,032,046 26; for miscellaneous
expenditures, including public build-
lug*, light houses and collecting the
revenue, $34,539,237 50; for expend!
tures on a ’count of the District of
Columbia, $8,830 543 87; for interest on
the public debt, $7,107,726 79; total or
dinary expenditures, $257,981 439 67,
leaving a surplus revenue of $145,543,
810 71; wblob, with an amount drawn
from the cash balance in the treasury of
$20,737,691 84, miking $166,281.605 55.
was applied to the redemption of bonds
lor tne sinking fund; $600 791,540
of fractional currency for the
sinking fund; $5,870,555 of the loan of
July and August. 1861; $62 572,050 of
tbe loan of March, 1863; $4,472 900 ot
the funded loan ot 1881; $37,194,-
450 of the loan of 1858; $1 000
ot the loan of Februarv, 1861;
$303,00) of five-twenties of 1802; $2,100
of five-twenties of 1864;$7,400 of live-
twenties of 1865; 6,500 of ten-forties of
1864; $254,550 of consols of 1808; $86,450
of the consols of 1807; $408,250
the consols of 1868; $141,400 ol
the Oregon war debt; $675,250 of old
demand compouud interns'; and othei
notes, $18,350; total, $160 281,505.55.
Tbe foreign commerce of the United
States during the last fiscal
year, Including the impoits and
exports ot merchandise ana specie was
as follows: exports and merchandise,
$7,505,422 67; specie $494,174.79; total,
$7,999,69 7 36 Imports—merchandise,
$7,246,395 74; spade, $424,723 90 ; total,
$7,671,119 64. Exossh of exports over
Imports of merchandise $259 026 83.
I commend to your attention the sec
retary’s views in respect to the likeli
hood of a serious contraction of this
circulation, and to the modes by which
that result may in his Judgment be
avoided. In rospect to the coinage of
silver dollars and the retirement of
silver certificates, I have seen nothing
to alter, but much to confirm. The
sentiments to which I gave expression
last year, a comparison between the
respective amounts of silver
dollar circulation on November
1. 1881, and on November 1. 1882,
snows a slight increase of a million and
a half of dollars, out during the inter
val there bad been in the wholo num
ber coined an increase ot twenty-six
millions. Of the one hundred and
twenty-eight millions thus far miuted
little more than thirty-five millions
arc in circulation.
You cannot fail to note with interest
the discussion by the secretary as to
the necessity of providing by legisla
tion some mode or freoiug the treasury
of an excess of assets in the evont that
congress fails to reach an early agree
ment for the reduction of taxation. 1
heartily approve the secretary’s recom
mendation of immediate and extensive
reductions in the annual revenues of
the government. It will be remem
bered that I urged upon the attention
of congress at its last session the im
portance of relieving tbe industry and
enterprise of the oountry from the
pressure of unnecessary taxation. It
is one of the trites maxims of politi
cal economy that all taxes are burden
some, however wisely and prudently
imposed, and though there have always
been among our people wide differences
of sentiments as to the best methods of
raising the national revenues, and, in
deed, as to the principles upon which
taxation should be based, there has
been substantial acoord in the doctrine
that only such taxes ought to be levied
as are necessary for a wine and eoonom
ical administration of tbe government.
Of late the public revenues have far ex
ceeded that limit, and unless checked
by appropriate legislation such excess
will continue to increase from year to
year. For the fiscal year ended June
30ih, 1881, the surplus revenue amount
ed to $100,000,000; for the fiscal year
ended on the 80lh ot June last, the sur
plus was more than $145,000,000 The
report of the secretary shows what dis
position has been made of these
moneys They have not duly an
swered tho requirements of the
■inking fund, but have all'irded
a large balance, applicable to
other reduotlons ot tho public
debt, but I renew tbe expression of
any conviction that such rapid extin
guishment of the national indebted
ness as is now taking place is by no
means a cause for congratulation. It
is a cause rather for serious apprehen
sion If it continues it must speedily be
followed by one of the evil results so
clearly set forth in the report of the
secretary, either the surplus must be
idle in the treasury or the government
will be foroed to bring at market sales
its bonds not then redeemable and
which under such circumstances can
not fail to cowmanan enormous pre-
tnium, or the swollen revenues will be
devoted to extravagant expenditures,
which as experience haa taught is ever
the bane of an overflowing treasury.
It was apparent in the course of ths
animated discussions which this ques
tion aroused in the last session of con
gress that the policy of diminishing the
revenue by reducing taxation com
manded the general approval of the
members of both houses.
I regret that because ol conflicting
views as to the best methods by whiob
that policy should be made operative
none of its beuefits have a« yet been
reaped. In fulfillment ol what I deem
my constitutional duty, but with little
hone that 1 can make a valuable con
tribution to this vexed question, I shall
proceed to intimate briefly my own
views in relation to It. Upon tho
showing of our financial condition at
the close of the last fiscal year I felt
Justified in recommending to congress
the abolition of all internal revenue
taxes, exoopt those on tobacoo iu its
various forms and upon distilled spirits
of fermented liquors, and excopt, also,
the spentaltax upon tho manufacturers
and dealers in such articles. I venture
now to suggest that unless it shall bo
ascertained that the probable expen
ditures of tbe government
for the coming year have been
uderestimated all internal taxes, save
those which relate to distilled spirits,
can be prudently abrogated. Such a
course, if accompanied by a simplifica
tion of the maobltieryolcollection which
result in diminishing the oost of such
collection by at least two millions and
a halt of dollars and in the retire
ment from office of from fiftoen hun
dred to two thousand persons. Tho
system of excise duties has never com
mended itself to tho favor of the com
mon people and has never boon resort
ed to except for supplying deficiencies
in the treasury, when by reason of
special exigencies the duties on im
ports have proved inadequate for the
needs of the government. Tho senti
ment of tho pountry doubtless demands
that the present excise tax shall bo
abolished as soon as such a course cau
be safely pursued. It seems to me,
however, that for various reasons so
sweeping a measure as the', total aboli
tion of internal taxes would for
the present bo an unwise
step. Two of those reasons
aro deserving of special mention.
First, It is by no means clear that evon
if the existing system of duties on im
ports is continued without modifica
tions, those duties alone will yield suf
ficient reveuuo for all the needs of the
{ (overmnent. It is estimated that one
lundred millions of dollars will be re
quired tor pensions during tho coming
year, and., it may well bo doubtod
whether . tho maximum annual do-
maud for that object has yet been reach
ed. The uncertainty upon this ques
tion wjjttld alone justify, in my judg
ment, the retention f >r tho present, of
that portion of the system of internal
revenue which is least objectionable to
tbe pen pic. Second, A total abolition
of exolse taxes wonid almost inevita
bly prove a serious, if not an insur
mountable obstacle to a thorough ro
vision of the tariff and to any consider
able reduction in import duties The
present tarriff system is iu many res
pects unj lit-1 It makes mnqtial dis
tributions both of its bur.iens and
ita benefits This tact w is practically
recognized by a majoifiy of each house
of congress Iu the passage of the act
creating the tariff commission The
report of that cmnmUsion will be
placed before you at the beginning of
this sessiou and will, 1 truat, afford
you Mich information as to tbe condi
tion and prospects of the various com
mercial, agricultural, manufacturing,
mining and other interests of the coun
try, anu coniain such suggestions for
statutory revisiou as will practically
aid your aotion upon this important
subject The revnnuo from customs
for the fiscal, vear ended June 20, 1879,
amounted to $137,000,000. It has iu tho
three succeeding years reached first
$186,000,000, then $198,000 0(H), and fiual-
. as has been already stated, $220,001),
000 The incline from tins source for
he fiscal year which will end on June
30, 1883, will doubtless lie considerably
in excess of the sum last mentioned, if
the tax on domestic spirits is to be re
tained. It is plain, therefore,
that largo 'reductions from the
customs revenue aro entirely feasible.
While recommending this reduction,
I am far from advising the abandon
ment of the policy of discriminating in
the adjustment of.details, as to afford
aid aud proteciion to domestic labor—
but the present system should be so re
vised as to equal!/..) the public burden
among all c.a-ses and occupations, aud
bring it into closer harmony with tho
present needs of industry. Without
eutering into minute detail, winch un
der tbe present circumstances is quite
unnecessary, I rocommend an euUige
ment of tbe tree list, so as to include
itbln it the numerous articles wtiich
yield inconsiderable revenue; a simpli«
lication of the complex and ino insist
ent schedule of dutios upon certain
manufactures, particularly those of
cotton, iron and steel, aud a substantial
reduction of the duties upon thoso
articles, and upon sugar, molasses,
silk, wool and woolen goods. If a gene
ral revision of the tariff' should
be found to bo impracticable at this
session, I express ttie hope that at least
some of tho more conspicuous inequal
ities of tho present law may bo cor
rected belore your final adjournment.
~ "" dally referred to bj
view of a recent do
clsion of the supreme court the neces
sity of a amending the law by which
the dutch standard of color is adopted
as the test of the sacohanne strength of
sugars is too obvious to require com
ment.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
From the report of the secretary of
war it appears that tho only outbroaks
of Indianas during the past voar oc
curred in Arizonia and in the south
western part of New Mexico, They
were promply quelled and the quiet
which has prevailed in all other parts
of tbe oountry has permitted such an
addition to he made to tlie military
force in the region ondangared
by the Apaches that thoro
is little reason to apre-
heuded trouble in the future
Thoso parts of the secretary’s report
which relate to our sea coast defences
and their ai mament suggest the gravest
reflections. Our existing fortifications
are notoriously inadequate to Die de
fense of the great harbors and cities
for whose protection they wore built.
The question of providing an arma
ment suited to our present necessities
has been the subject of consideration
by a board whoso repoit was transmitt
ed to congress at the last session. Pon
ding the consideration of tho report,
tho war department has taken no steps
for the manufacture or conversion of
any heavy cannon, but the secretary
expresses the hope that authority and
moans to begin that important work
will soon bo provided. 1 invite the at
tention of congress to the propriety of
making more adequate appropriation
for arming and equipping the
militia than is offered by
the act of 1808, which is still upon the
statute book. 'I he matter has already
been the subject of discussion in the
«enate, and a bill which seeks to supply
the deficiencies of existing laws is now
upon its calendar.
THE RIVER AND HARBOR RILE.
The grounds tiiat impelled me to
withhold iny signaluro from the hill
outitled “An act making appropriations
foi the construction, repair and preser
vation of certain works on rivers and
harbors,” which becamo a law near the
close of your last session, prompt me to
express the hopo that no similar meas
ure will be deemed necessary during
the present session of congress ; indeed,
such a m insure wou)(l now he open to
a serious objection in addition to that
which was lately urged upon your at
tention, lam infoimed by the secre
tary of war that the greater portion of
the sum appropriated for the various
items specified iu that act roiuairis un
expended. Of the new works which It
authorized, expenses iiave been in
curred upon two only, for which tho
total appropriation was $210,0 0. Tho
C resent available balance Is disclosed
y the following figures:
lilt of apprnpriaGor
August 2d, 1882, $18,738,876.
Amount r 'i appropriation by act of
June 19, 1882, $10,000
Amount of appropriation for pay
ments to J. B. Eads, $301,000.
Unexpended balance of lormerapp ro *
priatiouH, $1,738,203.
It is apparent by this exhibit that so
far as concerns most of tho items to
whloh the act of August 2, 1882, relates
there can be no need ol further appro
priations until after tho close of the
presont session. If, howevor, auy ac
tion should seem to lie necessary in re
spect to particular objects, It 'will he
entirely feasible to provide for those
objects by appropriate legislation. It
is possible, for example, that a delay
uutil the assembling of tho next con
gress to make additional provision for
the Mississippi river improvements
might lie attended wltii hoilous coiiho*
quencies. If such should appear to be
tho case, a just bill relating to this
would command my approval. This
loads me to oflor a suggestion
which 1 trust will commend
itself to the wisdom of congress. It is
not advisable that grants ol considera
ble sums of money for divers and in
dependent schemes of internal im
provement should 1)0 made tho sub
jects of separate and distinct legislative
enactments. It will scarcely bo gain
said, evon by those who favor tho more
liberal expenditures for such purposes
as are sought to bo accomplished by
what is commonly called tho river and
harbor bill. That the practice of group
ing in such a bill appropriations fora
great diversity of objects widely sepa
rated, either in their nature or in the
locality with which they are concerned,
or in both, isono which is much to ho
deprecated. Unless it is uuremodta
ble it inevitably tends to se-
ouro the success of the bill as a whole,
when many ot the items, if separately
considered, could scarcely fail of rejec
tion. By the adoption of t ho course I
have recommended evory member of
congress,whenever opportunity should
rise for giving his influence aud
vote for meritorious appropriations,
would be onablod so to do without
being called upon to sanction others
undeserving his approval. So would
the executive tie afforded thereby full
opportunity to exorcise his constitu
tional prerogative of approving whaU
evorappropriations seemed to him ob
jectionable without imperilling tho
huccosh of others which commended
themselves to his judgment. It may
he urged in opposition to those sug
gestions that the number of works ol
internal improvement which are jus'ly
entitled to governmental aid, is so great
as to render impracticable separate ap
propriation bills therefor. This objec
tion may he well founded,and whether
it he or not, the advantages which
would be likely to ensue from the
ad> pLionof tho course I Iiave recom
mended may porhups bo ofle'tiially at
tained by another, I respectfu ly sub
mit to congress us an alternative prop
osition. It is provided by the consti
tutions of fourteen of our states
that the executive may dis
approve any item or items
of a hill appropriating money, whore
upon the part of t ha bill approval shall
be law and the part disipprnvod shall
fail to boiiomo law, unless repussod ac
cording to the provislot s prescribed
for the passage ot hills over t lie vote of
the present, Tho stales wherein such
provision as the foregoing is a part of
the fundamental law are Alabama,
Caiafornia, Colorado, Florida, Georgia,
Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ne
braska, Now Jersey, New York, Penn
sylvania, Texas, aud West Virginia.
I commend to your careful considera
tion the question whether an amend
ment of the federal constitution in this
particular indioatod would not offer the
best routed y for what often is a grave
emharrassuiont both to members of
congress aud to the executive and is
sometimes a serious public mischief.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT,
[Under this head tho president refers
at length to the Jeannette expedition,
and says, “as a slight tributo to their
heroism I give in this communication
the names of the gallant men who sac**
rificed their lives on this expedition.”!
it appears by tho secretary’s report
that the available naval fore) of the
Hutted Staten consists of Uiirty-soveu
oruif-ors, fourteen single turrotod mon
itors built during Lite rebellion, a largo
number of smooth bore guns and par
rot riff is, and eighty-seven rifled can
non. The cruising vossols should bn
gradually replaced by iron or steel
ships, the monitors by modern armored
vessels, aiul the armament by high
power rill id guns. The roconslruition
of our navy, which whs rooonnnoiide I
iu iny last message, was begun by con
gress authorizing, iu its recent
act, the couHLructiou of two largo
unarmed stool vossols of tho
character recommended by the
late naval advisory hoard, and subject
to the final approval of a new advisory
b mrd, to he organized as provided hy
Hint act. I call your attention to the
recommendation of the secretary aud
board—that authority he given to con
struct two more cruisers of smaller di
mensions and one fleet dispatch vessel,
aud that appropriations ho ma le for
high powor riflod oannon for the tor
pedo service, and for othor harbor do-
fences.
The report ot the postinaster-general
gives evidence of the satisfactory con
dition of that department, and con
tains much valuable data and accom
panying suggestions, which cannot fail
to bo of interest. The information it
all irds, that tho receipts for tho fiscal
year have exceeded the expenditures,
must lie very gratifying to congress
aud the people of tliodouiitry. As mat
ters which may fairly claim particular
attention, 1 refer you to his observa
tions in rofernnoo to tho advisability
of changing the basis for fixing sala
ries aud allowances of extending the
money order system and of enlarging
the functions of the p )stal oitablisli
ment so an to put uudor its control
thetelegiaph system of tho country.
At the iast session of congress sev
eral hills wore introduced into the
house of representatives for tho reduc
tion of letter postago to the rate of two
cents por half ounco. 1 iiave given
much study and reflection to this sub
ject aud am thoroughly persuaded that
such a reduction would he lor the host
interest ol the public. It lias boon the
policy of tho government from Its
foundation to defray as far as possible
the expenses of carrying the mails hy a
direct lax iu tho form of postsgo. It
has never been claimed, howevor, that
this service ought to ho productive of a
not revenue. The report of the post
master-general shows that there is now
a very considerable surplus in tills de
partment, and that henceforth the re
ceipts are likely to increase at a much
greater ratio than tho necessary expen
ditures. Unless somo change is made
in tho existing laws, tho profits of the
postal service will in a very few
years swell tho revenues of
tho govermout many millions
of dollars. Tho time soems auspi-
cions, therefore, ior some reduction in
tho rates of postage. In whal shall
that reduction consist? A roview « f
the legislation which Iihh been had
upon this subject during the last thirty
years discloses that domestic letters
constitute the only class of mail matter
which lias never boon favored hy a
substantial reduction of infos. I am
convinced that the burden of main
taining tho service bills most ii nequally
upon that class, ami that more than auy
other it ia entitled to presont relief.
Unless tho experience of past legisla
tion in this country and elsewhere goes
for naught, it may safely lie predicted
that thostimulous of five per cent, re
duction in the tax for carriage would
at once increase tho nurnbor of letters
consigned to tho mails. The advantage
ol secrecy would lead to a very general
substitution of sealed package for
postal cards and open letters, and in
divers othor ways the volume of first-
class matter would be enormously aug
mented.
If congress should approve the sug
gestions it may bo deemed desirable to
supply to some extent the deficiency
which must for a time resu t by in
creasing the charge for carrying mer
chandise, which is now only sixloen
cents per pound; but even witlioutsuoh
an iucreaso, I am confident tiiat the re
ceipts under the diminished rates
would equal the expenditures of the
lapse of three or four years.
DEPARTMENT OF J UST1UK.
The report of the department of jus
tice brings anew to notice the necessity
of enlarging the present system of fed
eral jurisprudence so as effectually to
answer the requirements of the ever
tnoroaninK litlKatinn with which it in
called upon to deal. Tho attornoy-gon-
eral renews tho(siiggestionB ot his prod-
eosssor tiiat in the interests of justice
better provision than I lie existing laws
efford should bemado in certain judi
cial districts p or fixing tho foes of wit
ness's and jurors.
I trust that some agreement may
be reached which will speedily enable
congrisi with the concurrence of tho
executive to afford tho commercial
community the benefits of a national
bankrupt law.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The report of tbe secretary of tho in
terior, with the accompanying docu
ments, presents a full statement of tho
varied operations of that department.
In rr sped to Indian affairs nothing lias
occurred which hus changed or serious
ly modified tho views to which I devo
ted space in a former communication to
congress.
Among othor important subjects
which are included within the score
tary’s report, and which will doubtless
furnish occasion for congressional ac
tion, may be mentioned tho neglect of
the railroad companies, to which large
grants of land wero made by the bcLh of
1862 and 1864, to take titles thereto, ami
the irconsoquent inequitable exemption
from iooal taxation.
The regulation of inter-state com
merce hns already been the subject of
your deliberations. One of the in
cidents of tho marvelous extension of
the railway system of tho country, lias
been the adoption of such measures by
(he corporations which own or control
tho roads as has tended to impair tho
advantages of healthful competition
ami to make hurtful discriminations
in tho adjustment of freightage. These
inequalties Iiave boen correct in several
of me states by appropriate legislation,
the effect ol which is necoasarily re
stricted to the limits of tiieir own terri
tory. Ho far as such mischiefs affect
commerce betweon the states or be
tween any one of the ststes and a for
eign country they are subjects of na
tional concern and congress alone can
afford relief.
The results which iiave thus tar at
tended the enforcement of the recent
statute for the suppression of polygamy
in the torrltorios are reported by the
secretary of the interior. It 1h not
probable that any additional legislation
in tills regard will lie deemed desirable
until the effect of existing laws shall be
more closely observed aud studied.
PEPARTMUNT OF AGRICULTURE.
Tho report of the oouimbsioiier of
agriculture presents an account of the
laborsof that department dur
ing the past year and in
cludes iulormatlon ef much iu
Lnre.-t to ttie general public Tho con
dition of the fore U ortho country aud
the wast eful manner in which there de
struction is taking place give cause for
serious apprenension.
TheHttentionof oongres Is invited t >
the necessity of additional legislation to
secure the preservation ol tho valuable
forests still remaining on tho public
domain, especially in the extreme west
ern states aud territories
where the necessity for their
f ireservation is greater than
n less mountainous regions, and whoro
the prevailing dryness of the climate
renders their restoration, if they are
once destroyed, well nigh impossible.
HOW APPOINTMENTS SHOULD BE MADE,
The communication which I made to
cougreisat its firstsussion, in December
last, contained a somewhat full state
ment of my sentiments in relation to
the principles and rules which ought to
govern appointments to public service.
Referring to the various plans which
had heretofore been ihe subiect of dis
cussion in tho national legislature
plans which, in the main, were mod
elled upon the syntem which obtains in
Great Britain, but which locked certain
of the prominent features whoreby ihe
system is distinguished—I felt bound
to intimate my doubts whether
they, or any el them, would afford
adequate remedy for tho events which
they aimed to correct. 1 declared,
nevertheless, that if tho proposed
measures should prove acceptable to
congress, they must receive tho unhes
itating support of the executive. Since
these suggestions wero submitted for
your consideration, there lias been no
legislation upon the subjeot to which
thov relate, hut thore has, iu Lhe moan-
while, boon an Increase in the public
interest on that subject, and the peo
ple of tho country, apparently without
distinction of party, have in various
ways aud upon frequent occasions
given expression to their earnest, wish
lor prompt and definite aotion. In my
judgmeut such action should no longer
be postponed. I may add that iny
own sense of its pressing importance
has been quickened by observation of
a practical phasoof the mattor to which
attention has boen more than once
called by my predecessors. The civil
list now comprises about one hundred
thousand persons, the larger part of
whom must under the form of tliu con
stitution bo selected hy the president,
either directly or through his own ap-
pointeos. In tho early years of the ad
ministration of the government ihe
personal direction of appointments to
tho civil service may not Iiave boon an
Irksomo task for the executive, hut
now thut tiio hmdon has increased fully
a h u till red fold, it lias become greater
than ho ought to boar, and it necessari
ly divorts his time and attention from
the proper discharge ol other duties no
less delicato and responsible and which
iu Die very nuiuro of things cannot be
delegated to other hands, lutliujiidg-
monl of not a few who have given study
and rotloctiou to this matter. The na
tion lias outgrown Lhe provisions
which tho constitution has established
for rilling tho minor offices in the pub
lic service, but whatever may lie
thought of tho wisdom or expediency
ot changinging the fundamental law in
tliis regard, it is certain tiiat much re
lief may ho afforded not only to tho
president and to the heads < f tho de
partments, but to senators and repre
sentatives in congress by discreet legis
lation. They would bo protected iu a
great measure by the bill now ponding
before the senate or by any other which
should embody its impjrtant features
from tho pressue of personal im
portunity and from the labor
of examining conflicting claim) and
pretensions of candidates. 1 trust tiiat
before tho close of tho present sets Ion
some decisive action may bo taken for
the correction of tiio evils in tho nresoiH
methods of appointment, and I assure
you of my iioarty co-operation in any
measures which are likely to conduce
t.o that end. As to the most appropriate
term and atenuro of the official life < f
the subordinate employes of the gov
eminent, it seems to lie generally agreed
tiiat whatever their extent or character,
tiio one Hhould be definite and the other
stahlo, and that neither sioiuld be reg
ulated by seal in tho service of p irty or
fidelity to tho fortunes of an
individual, it matters little to
the people at large whal competent
person
iej.H
ed that Lite removal of auy ,
iiy applies, while nelihu
n 1 ii0iif
inipro
ing the civil service coueerus the highei
grade of officials who are appointed hy the
president ami confirmed hy the senate,
I feel hound to correct a prevalent
uiiKappreheiiHluu ns
with Which tile present,
pluccd tho Incumbent of au otti -e and
t united another iu his ste-id. I’ has b
repeated y ullegtd that lie inis iu tills p
itienoy
lieu
tuler
tile i
inliitHtratioMH of the
taels are as foi.ows: The whole number of
executive appointments during the four
immediately preceding Mr. Garfield's
presidency was 2,0'Jti. Of
accession
tills number 214,
Die removal of previous "incumbents.
nine per
previous lnt
ratio of removals to tbe whole
appointments was much the same during
each of these lour vears. Iu the
first year. with 790 appointments,
there wore seventy-four removals, or 9-3
per cent., in the 2d, with 917 app hutments;
there were eighty-five removals, or ts-o per
cent, In the third, with 4S0 appolutmenis;
there were iorty-eight removals; or 10 per
PRICE FIVE CENTS
cent, in the fourth, with 429 appointments;
there wero t hirty-seven removals, or 8-o
per cent. In tlie f mr month* of President
G irfleld’H administration there were 390
appoint in nth ami eighty-nine removals,
or 22 7 por cent. Precisely tbe same num
ber of removals, elghty-nlue, Ims takeu
place In the fourteen months which have
' elapsed, bin they constitute only ? H
filled by presidential appointment.
POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS
f declare my approval of gncli
of law in rotation to politic*! assessments.
In July last I authorized a public announce
ment that employes of the government
regard themselves as at liberty to exercise
their pleasure in making or refusing to
irl buttons, and that
ed upo_
which I had always maintained aud still
ninlutaln, tiiat a public officer should be aa
absolutely freeasany other citizen to clve
or withhold a coutrihullou lor tho aid of
tho political parly ol IiIh choice. It has,
however, been urged, and doubtless not
without roumlatlon In fact, tiiat by solici
tation of ( fltclal superiors acd by
other modes Much contributions have at
t,lmo) boen obtained from persons whose*
only motive forgiviug ims bteu the fear of
what might befall i hem If they refused. It
goes without hh> ing ihp.tNucli cotributtous
are not voluntary and In my Judgement
their collect;.'t. hI..,u< l bo prohibited by
law. A bill which will effectually suppress
them will receive my cordial approval.
tion the ioiurih'h of this district will be
not forgotten. The denial to Its residents
of the groat i ighl of suffrage tn ad its re e-
tlon to uatioual, siateandimiulciptl pcllnu
wisdom dovlse. TiMHHHOT
trlot commissioners Indicates certain
measures whose adoption would seem to
be very desirable. I instance iu particular
those which relate to arrears of taxes to
Rtoam railroads aud to assessment of real
property.
THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
Among Die questions which have been
tho topic of recent debate iu the halls of
congress, none are of greater gravity than
thoso relating to tho ascertainment of the
vote for presidential electors aud thoiu-
tontment of the constitution in its provi
sions tor devolving the executive functions
upon the vice president when the president
suffers f-oni Inability 1o discharge the
ure to detenulno the questions before a
othor national election,
Tbe closing year has been rop'ete with
b osalngsjor which we owe to the Giver of ail
good our reverent acknowledgment; for the
unlnte, rup'ed h irmony of our iorelgu reh-
mitty in all tho
is lugs \
tin
aid rejo
otic,
O the
I he glad. 1
t rust that uudor Di*» Inscription of I his gri
prosperity our counsels may be harmoni
ous aud that, the dictates of prudence, patri
otism, Justice and economy may leud to
the adop'Dm of me isures iu which the c
[Sign
id tin
>»y heart IIv unlu
rr A. Arthur.
WASHINGTON NEWS.
APPOINTMENT.
Special to Enquirer-Sun.|
Washington, December 3.—Ata lato
hoar last night President Arthur ap
pointed Clayton McMichael, of Phila
delphia, as Unite 1 States marshal for
tho district of Columbia, vice Charles
13, Henry removed. Mr. McMichael ia
editor and proprietor of the Philadel
phia North American and president of
the Philadelphia associated press.
COMMISSIONER BAUM’S RMPDRT.
Tho report of O. B. R-uim, commis
sioner of internal revenue, has been
submitted to tiio secretary of the treas
ury. It begins with tho topic of re
ducing taxation, as follows : The re
ceipts from internal revenue taxation
have year by year incrossed from
$113,(10(1.000 iu the lisoal year 1879, to
$123,000,000 in 1880, to $135,000,000 in
18K1, to $146,500,000, in round figure* in
tho fiscal year fast, ended. Thore will
probably be some diminution in the re
ceipts for the present fiscal year as
compared with last year, but it. is not
likely tiiat tiio collections of internal
rovonuo for Hie current year will lm
below $115,000,000, should tiio taxes now
imposed be reiained.
I respectfully offer s nnn suggestions
for your consideration. A sound poli
cy would seem to require tiiat tbe re
mitting of taxes should fall hh far as
possible upon tiio*o articles which aro
necessaries of life, and upon thoso in
terests which are of pressing impor
tance to tiio country. A great bulk of
internal rovonue taxation is derived
from distilled spirits, malt
liquors tobacco and cigars. These
are articles of luxury, tho
taxes upon which are really paid by
consumers, ami none need consume
them. 1 am strongly of the opinion
tlmt so long as tiio principle of deriv
ing a part, of tiio revenue ol the gov
ernment trom internal taxation is re
tained these articles and dealers therein
are the proper subjects for taxation.
There is no demand on the part of the
consumers of tiiose products for a re
mission of taxes imposed on them; on
the contrary, the general current of
public opinion soems to be strongly in
favor ol their retention. Other objects
of internal revenue taxation, wi'h
amounts realized therefrom duriug the
past fiscal year, are us follows:
Friction matelies, $:i 272,258; patent
medicines, perfumery, etc., $1,978,393;
bank checks, $2,318.150; bank deposit",
$17,000 701; savings hank deposits, $88,-
•1U0; I»ank capital. $1,138,310; savings
bank capital, $14,729 —total $12,788,521.
The 'axus collected by the treasurer of
tiio United States from national banks,
as follows; National banks, capital,
$5.521 927 17; national hanks, deposits,
$437,771 30, making a fetal derived
es of $18,748 223. Then
tlx
g liter
millions ot reductions thus proposed,
congress should mid the . re
duction in charges for spe
cial taxes to dealers in
articles taxed for internal revenue sub
stantially as proposed in the bill now
pending before the senate, still further
dimlnuilinn of tax s would bo attained
and a supervision over dealers in taxa
ble articles, which experience 1ms
shown to lie necessary in order to fully
and fairly collect taxes from all alike
would null lie preserved Keducingall
these special tax s 40 por cent., the re
missions under this nnad would be on a
basis of last year's collections $3 007,9 )5.
The account of Mar. Ii M, 1879, re
duced the tax <>» tobacc > from 24 cents
per pound to 16 cents per pound, but
did not reduce the tux on cigars and
cigarettes corresponding. The reduc
tion on cigars would bo to $400 per
thousand. Tills, I think, should be
done, aud would amount to a reduction
of taxes ol $6 716,000. This would make
tiio total reduction of internal revenue
taxes, including taxes on nalicai
banks, as follows : Matches, medi
cines, perfumery and hanks, $18,748.-
223; special taxes $3,007,905; cigars and
cigarettes, $6,746,000; total, $28,502,128
A 8500,600 I'll*.
.Special to Kuquirer-suu.i
Galveston, December 3—At Hous
ton tho International Compress caught
lire to-day at II o’clock aud at 12;30 Ibis
evening is still burning. Firemen ore
unable to get any water on tbe flames.
There are ab >ut 8,000 bales of cotton in
the press. Two engines have bt;eu sent
thither.
Galveston, December 3.—The tire
at Houston is now confined to the cot
ton. The total loss will reach half a
million dollars, as follows: Four resi
dences valued ai $75,000; the compress
building, machinery aud sheds, $75,m (>;
the cottou $400,000. Tiio compreus ui.u
cotton are fully insured.
C'wld Wvnther.
Special to Enquirer-Sun.]
Washington, December 4.-—The
thermometer fell three to five degrees
below zero ut many points along the
Hudson river last night.