OCR Interpretation


The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, December 03, 1878, Image 4

Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC

Persistent link: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030313/1878-12-03/ed-1/seq-4/

What is OCR?


Thumbnail for 4

?rientlflc and commercial yvrpoM. A like nptdi
tiou la about visiting the coast of Africa anil the lu
diaa (> < an The reports of diplomatic aud consular
oHi-em lu relation to the development of our foreign
cotuuurr Uavi' furnished many facta that hu\e
proved of public interest, and have stimulated to
pmctical exertion the nhrpiiM of our jteople.
1111 - WtMA
The report of the Secretary of the Treasury fur
nishes a detailed statement ot tlio operation* of that
department of ik government aud of tho condition |
Ot the pnblii' finance*.
Tlic ordinary r* Venues from all sources tor the ;
'hseal year endisi June .10, 1*78, were $237,763,878 7tt;
the ordinary e\i>enditiires lur the same jH-riod were I
$236,964,326 sd; leaving a surplus tvvenue for the 1
Vrar of $"JO,T9$,601 UO.
The receipts for the present fiscal year ending i
June 30, 187V, actual and estimated, are ua follow*:? |
Actual receipts lor the first quarter
oomraeneiug July 1, 187* f7J.38y.743 43
Estimated receipts for the remaining
three-quarters of the year 181,110,236 67
Total receipts for the current fiscal
year, utuai and estimated $2ft4,500,iKH) 00
The expenditure* for t.'ie uuiio period will be,
actual and estimated, as follow.-,:?For the quarter
commencing July 1. 1878, actual expenditure*,
$73,344,383 27. ami for the remaining three-quarters
of the year the expenditures are est>mutc-l at
$160,765.426 73. making the total expenditures
$240,100,000, aud leaving uu estimated surplus rt ve
nue for the year ending Jtuie $f>, lHTv, <?f
The total receipt* during the uoxt flscul . ear. end
ing Jnno 30, 1880, estimated according to existing
laws, will be $201,300.0.Hi, aud the estimated ordinary
expenditure* for the same period will be
$230,320,412 08; lnviuy a surplus of $28,179,587 32
for that year.
In the foregoing statements of expenditures, actual
and estimated, no amount is allowed for the siuk.ng
fund provided for by the act approved February 23,
1*82, which require* that one p r cent of the entire
debt oi the United St ite- shall be purchased or paid
within each fiscal year, to be set apart us a sinking
fund. There lm* been, however, a substantial com
pliance with the conditions of the law. By it* terms
the public debt should liavi been reduced between
1*02 aud the cluae of the iastflscll .> eiu' $ 518,301,80 . J*:'
the actual reduction of the :i* ? rtaim d debt in* that
period has been $720,84l,73il 81; being in exe? ss of the
reduction required by the Sinking Fund act?
$202,282,833 33.
THr rcBLic Durrr.
The amount of the public debt, less cash in the
Treasury, November 1, 1878, was $2.024,208,883 18?
a reduction aince tho sama dato last year of
$23,150,017 30.
The progress made during the last year in refund
ing the, public debt *t tower rates of interest is very
gratifying. The amount of tour per cent bond* sold
during the present yewf prior to November 23, 1878,
is $100,270,206, and six per een' bonds, commonly
known a* five-twenties, to an equal amount, have
been or will be redeemed as calls mature. It has
been the policy of tli I). partnienl to place the four
per cent bond* within essy reach of every citizen
who desires to iuvest his savings, whether small or
great, iu these securities The Secretary of tin Treas
ury recommends that the law be so modified that
? mall sums may be invested, and that through the
post othree or other agents of the government the
treest opportunity may be given in all parts of
the country for such investments. The best mode
suggested i*, that the Department be anthorttrd to
Issue certificate* of deposit, ot the denomination of
$10. bearing interest at the rate of 3.65 per cent per
annum aud convertible at any time within one year
after their Mane into tbe four per cent bonds author
ized by the Kcrunding act and to lie issiud only in
exchange for United states notes sent to the Treasury
by mail or otherwise. Such a provision ot law, sup
ported by suitable regulations, would enable any per
son readily, without cost or rink. to convert his
money into an interest bearing security of the United
States, and the money so received conld be applied to
the redemption of six per .-cut bonds.
conraoB.
The coinage of gold during the last fiscal your was
$$3,798.800. The coinage of silver dollars, under the
net passed February 28. 1878. amounted on th" 23d of
November, 1878, to $19,814,390, of which amount
$4,9*4,'.i47 arc in circulation, and tho balance,
$14,829,WO, is still in the possession of ibe govern
ment. With views unchanged with regard to the act
under which the coinage ot silver proceeds, it has
been the purpose of the Se-retarv faithfully to exe
cute the law and to afford a fair trial to the in-asure.
In the present financial condition of the country I
am persuaded that the welfare of legitimate business
and industry of every description will be best pro
moted by abstaining from all attempts to make radi
cal changes in the existing financial legislation. Let
it be understood that during the coming year the
business of the country will be undisturbed by gov
ernmental interference with the laws affecting it, and
wa may eonfldentlj expect that the resumption of
Specie payments, w hich will take place at the ap
pointed time, will be successfully nijd easily main
tained, and that it will lie followed by a healthful and
enduring revival of business prosperity. Let the
healing influence ot time, the inherent energies of
our people aud the boundless resource* of our coun
try have a fair opportunity, and relief from preaent
diiflculties will surely follow.
THf CHMT.
The report of the Secretary of War shown that the
army has born woil ami economically supplied; that
our small force ljus been actively employed, and lias
faithfully performed all the servieo required of it.
The morrtlr of the ariny ha* improved and the nnmbrr
of desertions has materially deeraaaed during the
year. The Secretary recommend*: ?
1. That a pension be granted to the widow of tho
late Lieutenant Henry H. R?aner. Klghteentb infantry,
who loaf hia life by ti-Uow f< ver while in command of
the steamer J. M. chambers, srut with supplies for
the relief of sufferers in the South from that disease.
2. Thi establishment of the annuity scheme for the
benefit of the heirs of deceased oft errs, as suggested
by the Payinsster General.
;t. The adoption bjr Congress of a plan for the pub
lication of the records or the War of the Rebellion,
now being prepured for that purpose.
t. The increase of the extra per diem of soldier
teachers employed in post schools, and liberal appro
Estations for the erection of buildings for schools and
branes at the different posts.
?i. The repeal or amendmeut of the set of June IS,
1h7h, forbidding the "useof the army as a posse oorai
tstus, or otherwise, tor the purpose of executing the
laws, except in audi cares and under such cirenni
?tanres as may be "vproesiy authorized by the consti
tution or by iu t of Congress.'?
The passage of a joint resolution of Congress le.
gall ting t lie issues ot rations, tents and ui?*iicin?s
which won made for the relief of sufferers from yel
low fever.
7. That provision be made for the er<s-tion of a Are
proof building tfor the preservation of certain valu
able records now constantly exposed to destruction
by lire.
'These recommendation* are all commended to your
favorable consideration.
THV. ItAYT.
The report of the Secretary of the Xary shows that
the navy has improved during the last fiscal year.
Work has beeu done on seventy-live vessels,, ten of
which have been thoroughly repaired and tna<le ready
for sea. Two others are in riipid progress townrd j
ccinpletion.
The total expenditures of the year, including the !
amount appropriated for the deficiencies of the pre
vious yenr, were #l7.P>?,3!i2 K,
The actual expenses chargeable to the year, exclu
?ive ot those deficiencies. wets- f UI,:IOH.til4 ??. or
?717,1911 1* lesi than those of the previous year <nd
U .Wfi.477 74 less than tli?-exoense-, including the de- i
Q< u ncles.
The estimates for the fiscal year ending June 91).
lHXi, are #14.19)2,3*1 43?exceeding (lie appropriation*
of (lis present yar only $33,94!* 73. which exi-ess Is
oeoasiotied by the deHMnos of the Naval Academy and
the Marine Corps, as exolained in the beeretary's re- !
port.
The appropriations for the present fiscal year arc
$ 14. i 'i 7u, which, in the opinion of the Secretary, !
will b< ample for all the currc.nt expenses of the ue- (
partment during the year.
The amount drawn fforo the 1 ressury from July 1 |
to November 1. iUTS. I* #4,74*1.344 i4. of which
f 70,'Jisi 7S has been refunded, leaving as the expendi
ture for that period #4.U*J'.*,3fi:i ^y.^or Ifi'jo.s-.si-ii less
than the corresponding period of the last liars] year.
THK SoslAI. SKKVtrK.
The report of the Postmaster General embraces a
detailed statement of the operations of the Post Office
lirpartmnut.
ilie expenditure# of that department for the fiscal ,
year ended June 3*1, lifts, were f34,l(ih,ft*4 49.
The recetpts, Ineliidtng sales of stamp*. money
orb r bnsln'rs and official stamps, were $?*!*,277,51*1 M.
The sum of $290,4JM is), included iu the foregoing
?tatejneut of expenditures, is chargeable to preceding
years, so th?t tn? actual expenditures for the fiscal
year rii'led Jun- :m, 1*7*. ar?- 4.Tl,*74,947 iV).
Tiie amonitldrawn from the Treasury on Appro
priation-, in addition to the revenues or the depart
ment, W't* #5..*,t7.i>32 sj.
The expenditures tor the fiscal year ending June
|o. IKito, are < siimattsl at fin,.'">71,'.*?*, and th> rece'pta
from ah sourr -- at $dO,*M4,*>2$ 9?, leaving a dell
Cicncy to be appropriated out of the Treasury of
f 8.907,971 10.
The report nails attention to the *a-| that the rnin
Cn.atlon of postmastars and of railroad- for earry
g the malls is regulated by law. and that the failure
ot Oougresa to appropriate the amounts required for
ths#s pii'-paee* does ou* reiiev the government of re*
?ponsibllit; . but ne- eesaHly ln'-rei*"* the deficiency
bills which i.'ougress wilt be. ?iic?i upon to pas*.
1m providing for the postal service the following
gyrations art presente-d :?Should < etigre?: annual!}
appropriate * sum lor Its expenses largely in excess o'f
Its revenues, or should inch rates ot postage be es
tablished an will make the department self sus
taining ?
Alien Id tha postal service be reduced by excluding
from tha mails matter which does not pay Its way >
Should the number of post route* be diminished 7
Should other method" he adopted which will In
irea* Uw revenue* of diminish the eqamscs of the
postal a* rvhe '/
rwt phsTAf. Viffrs.
The IttfeRlatiirBai Tost 11 Onfigrvss, Whith met n)
I'sri* May 1, 1*7". ami continued in sc.odo.i until
June 4 of tlic sane year. Wiim composed of delegates
from pearly all the civilized countries oi the world.
It adopt."! ? new convention, to take the place of tho
treaty macludad at Re rue, October 1974, which
gnus into efl?*ct cm the 1st of April. 1979, between the
countries whoaa delegates have signed It. It was
raw fled and approved, by and with the consent of the
president. August 13, l?7a. A synopsis of this I'm
versa! l'ostal Otmvention will is- fonad in the report
of the Postmaster General and the fu I text in the
appendix thefuUi. tU Its "light the l?o?isl fntoti
?ouipliaed I Vciity-three iwil.trio, having a popMltt
t,oii'ir aio.'ssi."*' i" 'U1' ? u" ,f" ' "T April iiex'it
w.ll comprise t..rf)*hi'? ? o.u'ri ?* slid colonies,
with a |e pui itlon ot Uiore thiiu six hundred sn l
Dili millions or people, snd will -onn. hy Up aw-es
alon of the few fninluUM ?nd colonies
which maintain organized postal asrrice., mmrtttute,
I in tart a* well M in luiae, as its new title indicator, a
Universal Union. ri flCdatug. upon a uniform bnais of
cheap postage rates. tha postal intoiaeurae between
all civilized nations.
Some embarrassment lias arisen out of tlx; conflict
between the cnstouia laws of this country and the
prov isions ot the Postal Convention in regard to the
i i'uu>uiiSMoii of fnreigu books uud newspapers to
this country by mail. It is looted that Congress will
be able to devise some means of reoosviUag the diffi
culties which have thus been created, so as to do jus
tice to all parties involved.
the scpuems rot'irr.
The business of the Supreme Court and of tho
courts in many of the circuits has increased to aucit
an cftcnt during the past years that additional legis
lation is imiKrutive to relievo and prevotit the dolay
of justice and possible oppression to suitors which
is thus occasioned. Ae cuoumbcrM condition of
these dockets is presented anew iu tho ri port of the
Attorney iteueral. and the remedy suggested is earn
estly urged for Congressional action. The creation ot
additional circuit judgo*. as proposed, would afford
a complete remedy, an ' would involve au expense,
at the present rate of saliries, of not more than
$60,900 a rear.
INDIAN AFI AII1S. .
The annual reports ot the (secretary of the In
terior and of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs
present au duhostite account of tlx present con*
diticn of the Indian tribes and of that branch of the
public service which ministers to their interests.
While the conduct of the Indians generally haw beon
orderly, and their relations with their neighbors
friendly and peaceful, two local disturbances have
occurred w hich wore deplorable in their character,
but remained, happily, confined to a comparatively
small number ot Indians, 'fit" discontent among
the Jlauuocke, which led first to wonu aids of vio
lence on the part of some in. tubers of the tribe and
finally to tin outbreak, appears to have been eausi l
byan insufficiency of food >u the reserw.tion, and
this insufficiency to have been owing to the in
adequacy of the appropriations made by Congress to
tile wants of the Indians at a time whan the Indians
weic prevented from supplying the deficiency by
hunting. After an ardnom pursuit by the troops of
the United (States, sud several engagements. the
hostile Indians won reduced to subjection, and the
larger part of them surrendered themselves as pris
oners. In this* connection I desire to rail
attention to the recommendation made by
tlie Secretary of the Interior, that a soffit lent
funii be placed at the disposal of the Execu
tive, io be used, with proper accountability, at
diweretion. in mtddnti erar rgen; iet of the Indian ser
vice. The o'.hor case of diwturbanee was that <>f a
band of Northern Cheyennes, who suddenly left their
reservation in the Indian Territory and marched rap
idly through the stales ot Kansas and Nebraska in
the direction of their old hunting grounds, commit
ting murders and other crimes on their way. From
documents accompanying Hi" report of the Secretary
of the Interior it appear* that this disorderly band
wan as tolly supplied with the necessaries ot life as
the i,7do other Indian* who remained quietly ou the
reservation, and that the disturbance was caused by
met: of a restless and nilschievous disposition among
the Indians themselves. Almost the whole of this
band have surrendered to the military authorities,
and it is a gratifying fact that, when some of them
find taken refuge iu the camp ot tho ited Cloud Sioux,
with whom they had been in friendly relations, tho
Sioux held tliem as prisoners and readily gave them up
to the officers of tho United States, thus giving new
proof ot the loyal spirit which, alarming rumors to
the contrary notwithstanding, they have uniformly
shown over since the wishes they expressed at the
council of September, 1*77. had been complied with.
INDIAN AL'.M LiARI i* s.
Both the Secretary of tin Interior and the Secretary
of War unite in the recomiuemhitioii that provision
be niudn by Congress for the organization of a corps
of mounted ??Indian auxiliaries." to be under the
control of the army, and to be used for the purpose
of keeping the Indians on their reservations and pre
venting or repressing disturbance on their part. I
earnestly concur in this recommendation, tt is be
lieve I that the organization ol such a body of Indian
cavalry, receiving :? moderate pay from the govern
ment, would considerably weaken the restless cle
ment among the lndiaus by withdrawing from it a
number of young men and giving them congenial
employment nndcr the government, it being a matter
of experience that Indians in our service, almost
without exception, arc faithful in rhe pertormam e of
the duties assigned to tliem. Such an organization
would materially aid the army In the accomplishment
of a task for which Ks numerical strength is some
time found insufficient. But. while the employment
of force for the prevention or repression of Indian
troubles is ot occasional humility, and wise prepa
ration should be made to that end, greater
reliance must be placed on humane and civilizing
agencies for the ultimate solution ol' what is called tho
Indian problem. It may lie very difficult and require
much patient effort to ourb the unrnly spirit ot the
savage Indian to the restraints of civilized life, but
experience shows tha? It is not itnpossible. Many of
the tribes which are now qulot and orderly and self
supporting were once an savage as any that at present
roam over the plaina or in the mountain* of.the Far
West, and were then considered inaccessible to civil
izing influences. It may lie impost ible lb raise them
fnllv up to the level of the white population of the
United State*, but we should not lorget that they are
aborigines of the country, and called the soil their
own on which our people have grown rich, powerful
Mid happy. We owe it to them as a moral duty to
help them In attaining at least, that degree of civil
ization whioh they may be able to roach. It is not
only our duty, it is also our Interest to do so.
Indiana who have become agriculturists or herdsmen,
and feel an interest in pn>i>crty, will thenceforth
ceaae to be a warlike and disturbing dement. It
is also a well authenticated fact that Indians arc apt
to be peaceable and quiet wlnni their children are at
school, and 1 am gratified to know, from the expres
sions of Ht* tow salves ?nd from many concur
ring reports, that there is a ?ti adilv iticn .i-tng desire,
even among Indians belonging to comparatively wild
tribes, to have their children educated. I invite at
tention to the reports of the Secretary of the interior
and Commissioner of Indian \ffsirs touching the ex
periment recently inaugurated in tukhig lift) Indian
children, hoys and girls, from differ* ut tribes, to tlie
Hampton Normal Agricultural lustitute, in Virgiunt,
wh?re they are to receive sn elementary English edu
cation and training in agriculture and oUn r nsetul
work, to be returned to their tribes, alter tin com
pleted course, ss interpreters. Instructors uud ex
amples. It is reported that the other charged with
the selection of thorn children might have hail thou
sands of young Indians scut with him hail it been pos
sible to make prorision for thcin. 1 ngri with Aha
Secretary of the Interior 1n saying that "the result of
this Interesting rv|>eritnent. ii favorable, may be dea
; tinod to become an important factor In tbu advance
| tn< nt of civilization unong the fnilisns."
The question whetin r a change in the control of
the Indian service should lie made was, at the last
! session of Congress, referred to a committee tor in
I qttiry and report. Without desiring to anticipate that
1 r?poft I venture to cipher* the hope that in the deef
1 sion of so important a question the viswa ex
pr.-ssed above may not he tost night of, and
; that th?- dei ision, whatever it may lie, will ar
I rest further agitation of this subject, such agita
1 tion being apt to prodnce a disturbing tttect upon
the service as well as on the Indians themselves.
THE HOT sgRiKos.
In the enrolment of the bill making appropriations
for sundry civil mpenona, at the last sesidon of Con
| gress, tliat p. rtion which provided tor tint enntinua
I Finn <>f the Hot Spring* Commission was omitted. A*
the Commission hid completed the work of taking
testimony on the manyr>mulcting claim-. the suspen
sion of their labor*, ledoroditi tanning the rights of
, claimants, threatened, ;,,r a tint-, to i tnbacrana the
interest not only of the government, bnt also
of a large number of the. cttlaana of Hot
during*. wiio were salting lor 8nal action on their
cltiiins liefore In ginning contemplated Improvement*.
In order to prevent ????riotl- dftieulthsi which wem
apprehended. and at tie- solicitation of many leading
citizens of Hot spring* ayd others inh-rested in Utn
w- lfar ? of the town, the Me -rotary of th< Interior
was authorised to request the lute C iHlthiltUlfI* to
taki- charge nt t)n reon-da of thetr proceedings and
to perforin such work as could prop-rl\ is- douc by
(km whif ntfli ?;i rru instances, to facilitate the ftt
t it re adjudicate >ti of the claliu* ** an - arl v dsy. and
to preserve the statu* of tie ciaituauts until their
rights should be finally b tinuir.cd. The lat? Con -
rulssionurs compiled witli that request ami r> is>rt
thwt th" testitiionj in all the casus lias b>-en wrt'ten
out, examined, briefed and so arrange i as to facilitate
an early settlement when authori/- I bylaw. It is
recotnumnded that the reqnitrite authority :? given at
as early a lay in tin sessuiri a* possible, and that a fair
compensation In: allowed the late Commissioners for
tin orp uae incurred and the lalsir performed by
them since the ifith of June last.
rntBsn uvw,
I invite the attention of t ongross to file recoiii
metidationi inaa-> by the Si.?retary of i.e interior
wtth regard to the pro rvatioti of the tlmbi t on the
putilti isnds of the I nited States. Tho protection '?f
liM-publi: prop'rty is one of the hrst dutloa of the
government, the cepartmeui of th> Interior should,
therefore, be ? nabl-d by n.tfttel Dt approprtations, to
enf rce tho Iowa In that re*|s ct. But this matter ap
js-ara still mors important as a quaiton of public
economy. The rapiu destruction oi our forests la an
evil fraught wtth the grs>est ronne^ri'-nces, espe* lally
in the mountainous ilistrlcts, where the rocky slopes,
oneu denuded ot tbsir trees, will remain ao forevar.
There the injury, once, done, cannot be repaired. I
fully ronrtif w tf n the deerctary of the Intm ior in tho
opinion that, tor thl? reason, leg station touching
tin public timber in Uie moillttaiaoUa .states end T< r
rltories of the West shotilil he esp tally well eon*hi*
ercd. nnd that existing laws. In wldeh the destruction
Of tin foresbi is not sufficiently gOardod against,
should be ayaodily inodiried. A gun aril law concern
itife this important subject appears to Be to bo a
matter of nrguiit public necessity.
Aonrcrtr.Tt sr.
i'rotu the organication of tin government the im
portance cf oik ouraging by all possible Omaha the
iticr> ase of our agfli'VMVM production* Uae been
acknowledged md urged upon the sltentlou of Con
gress and t.tii people as the sUfast and rnodiaat means
of increasing our substantial niilMthrtau prosperity.
The words of Washington are - kpp'i 'st>le t >-dny
a.- win n. in hie eighth aiumni Me "gaga, hi *a-d:?
I "It I* not to !? douli. d that with i-uicfunoa ? ither
, to indlvWInal or national welfare agriculture Is of
i primary importm in proportion as n ation* ml
vai.ee iu population nud other citvuinstanc' s of ma
turity tuts truth income* more apparcut, and render*
the cultivation ot' tho soil nior and more an object
ot public patronage, tiisritntions for promoting It
grow up supported by the public purse, and to
what object cau it tm dedicated with ymatif
propriety? Among the insans which have been
employed fo this end >ioi|i hat o b"1t at
tended with greater atu eiws tltsn the ??stribHshmeiit
ol board* eo"i)s>sed .c proper e)i itsi'I rs, cljargctl
Wi'h I' d ' t.tlg Hill do Usjog Ilifer oltHHi, . rl
enabled. hjr preitiinms nnd small p ittd. r. aids, to
sneotirsge aiut asrtat Ihn spirit of tii*i !>v ry mid mi
prov* uiout, Uds spe ie* ol ? *tsbiishiueiit coiitrtliutitig
doubly to the iurreaae of iniprovoni'ut by stlmuiai
,ing to saterprfse and experiment, and by drawing to
a common centre the result* every where of individual
skill and observation. and spreading theiu thence
over the who! nation. Experience accordingly liath
shown that they ore very vhi'up instruments, of im
mense national benefit."
The great preponderance of the agricultural over
auy other intere-t In the I'nitcil state* entitles it to
all the coaaidcration claimed for it by Wa*hiugt >n.
About one-half of the populntion of the United State*
la en gaged in agriculture. The value of the agricul
tural product* of the United States for the year 1*78
i* estimated at #:!.<*kl.000.000. The export* of agricul
tural product* for the year 1877. a* appear*
from the report of the Bureau of Statistics,
were flWl.OOO/Xjo. The great extent of our
country, with it* diversity of soil and climate,
enable.- us to produce within our own border* and
by our own labot. not only the ao< uaaories but most
or the luxuries that ere consumed in civilized coun
tries. Yet, notwithstanding our advantages of soil,
climate and intercommunication it appear* from the
statistical statements in the report or the Commis
sioner of Agriculture that wu import annually lrom
foreign land* many millions ot dollar*' worth of
agricultural products which could be raised in our
own country.
Numerous questions arise in the practice of ad
vanced agriculture which can only be answered by
expeilm'iuts, often costly and *oinetimijs fruitless,
which arc beyond the means of private individuals,
and ate a just ami proper charge ou the whole nation
tor the; beuctlt ol tiie nation. It is good policy,
especially in times of depression and uncertainty in
ot iter business pursuits, with a vast area of un cul
tivated, ami hence unproductive territory, wisely
opened to homestead settlement, to cnc ourag., by
every prop( r and legitimate means, the occupation
and tillage of the soil. The efforts of (he l>epurt
nu'ut of Agriculture to stimulate old and introduce
U"\v agricultural industries, to improve the quality
and increase the quantity of our products,
to determine the value of old or establish the impor
tance of new methods of culture, are worthy of your
careful und favoralilo consideration and assistant e by
such appropriations of money and enlargement ot fa
cilities as may seeiu to be demanded by the present
favorable condition* for the growth anil rapid devel
opment of this important interest.
The abuse of animals in transit i* widely attracting'
public attention. A national convention of societies
specially interested in the subject has recently met at
Baltimore, and the tacts developed, both In regard to
cruelties to auiiiial* and the effect of such cruelties
upon the public health would *c. ni to demand the
careful consideration of Congress and the enactment
of more efficient laws for the prevention of these
abuses.
kuccation. I
The report of the Commissioner of the Bureau of
Education shows very gratifying progress through
out the. cquntry in all the iuti rests committed to the
care of tilts important office. The report is espe
cially encouraging with respect to the extrusion of
the advantages of the common school system in sec
tions of the country where the general enjoyment of
the privilege of tree schools is not yet attained. TO
education more tlau to any other agency w? ar? to
look, a* the resource for the advancement of the peo
ple in the requisite knowledge and appreciation of
their righto anil responsibilities a* citizens, anil I de
sire to repeat the suggestion contained in my former
message in l?ehalf ot the enactment of appropriate
measures by Congress for the purpose of supple
menting, with national aid, the local systems of edu
cation in the several Stab.-.
Adequate accommodations for the great library,
whieli ?* overgrowing the capacity of the rooin< now
occupied at tue Capitol, should be provided without
further delay. This Invaluable collection of books,
manuscripts anil illustrative art has grown t i such
proportions, in connection with the copyright system
of the country, us to demand the prompt and careful
attention of Congress to save it from injury in it*
present crowded and insufficient quarters. As this
library is national in itscliaractcr, mid must, from tho
nature of the case, increase even more rapidly in the
future than in the past, it cannot he doubted that tho
people will sanction any wise expenditure to preserve
it and to enlarge its usefulness.
The appeal ot the regents of the Smithsonian Insti
tution for the means to organize, exhibit and make
available for the public bemtit the articles now stored
away belonging to' the National Museum I heartily
recommend to your favorable consideration.
TtUS DIsTlll'T or COt.l'MJ'.IA.
The attention ol Congress is sixain invited to the
condition of the river trout 01' tlie city of Washing
ton. It is a mutter ot vital importance to the liealtii
of the residents of the national capital, both tem
porary and parmanent, that the low lauds in l'rout of
the city, now subject to tidal overflow, should be re
claimed. Iti their present condition these flats ob
struct the drainage of the city, and are a dangerous
source of malarial poison. The reclamation will im
prove the navigation of the river, by restricting and
consequently deepening its channel, and is also of
importance, when considered in connection with the
extension of the public ground and the enlargement
of the park, west and south of the Washington Mon
ument. The reporfof the Board of Survey, hereto,
fore ordered by act of Congress, ou the improvement
of the harbor of Washington and Georgetown, is re
spectfully commended to consideration.
The report of the Commissioners of the District of
Columbia presents a detailed statement of the affairs
of the District.
The relative expenditures by the United States and
the District (tor local purposes is contrasted, show -
ing that the expenditures by the people of the Dis
trict greatly exceed those of the general government.
The exhibit is made in connection with estimates
for the requisite repair of the detective pavements
and sewers of the city, which is a work of imincdiatu
necessity, and, in the aaino connection, a plan is pre
sented for the permanent funding of the outstanding
securities of the District.
The benevolent, rt formstory and penal institutions
of the District are all entitled to the favorable atten
tion of Congress. The Deform School needs addi
tional buildings and teachers. Appropriations which
will place all of these institutions in a condition to
become models of usefulness and bencftceuca will be
regarded by the country as liberality wisely be
stowed.
The Commissioners, with evident Justice, request
attention to the discrimination made by Congress
against the District in the doua'Um of Jaml for the
support of the puldie schools, and ask that the same
liberality that has been shown to the inhabitants of
the various Sutra and Territories of the United States
may be extended to the District of Columbia,
i The Commissioners also invite attention to tho
damage inflicted upon public ami private iutercsta by
the present location of the depots and switching tracks
of the several railroads entering the city, and ask for
legislated looking to their removal. Tho recouuat n
datious and suggestions contained in the report will,
I trust, r-ceive the rareftil consideration of Congress.
Sufficient time has, perhaps, not elapse I since the
reorganization of the government of t>?: District, un
der the recent legislation of Oongre-s. for the ex
press! on of a confident opinion a* to its successful
operation: but the practical results already attained
are so satisfactory that the friends of the new gov
ernment may well urge upon Congress the wisdom
of its continuance, without essential modilh alien,
until, by actual experience, its advantages and de
fects may he more fully ascertained.
li. B. HAYES.
Exteccnvr. Mansion, Dec. 2, M78.
THE BLAND DOLLAR.
IMPORTANT ACTIOS or THE Pmi.ADKT.PmA
BANKS --THET BHTCDIATE TIIK ACTION OPTHS
NKW YORK BANK*.
PlULAlllCLI'MIA, Dee. 2, Itf7*.
The monthly meeting of the clearing House Asso
ciation of the Philadelphia Banks was licid this after
noon, and the following important M)mrt anil reso
lutions presented and adopt d. It w-nl tie seen that
tin y do not Jpdorsc tin* action recently taken in New
York ou the silve r question:?
The Clearing ltnnsw Committee has rrcotv.d from
the New York Clearing House its resolutions, adopted
November P2 lust, regarding 'tank receipt* and pay
ments after the 1st of January next, anil report: ?
TTiat tills committee Ikis carefully considered tho
several resolutions, and, as this ossoeistion earnestly
desires Pi aid the government and :lio Iwuksto tiisnre
the siieeessfiil resumption of specie pay unoits. recom
mend- the adoption of tlo following resolutions
JVlf?That tV A'sisdatel Banks of Philadelphia,
after the l?t of Ja:in?r>. 1KB, will decline receiving
gold coins as special deposits, bnt will m e. pt *i>a
treat them only as lawful money, and w III rlWott
tlnue sp< 'ial gold amounts, l?y notiileatloii to tertni
nele tli--in. on tlie 1st of January next.
Srnmri?Will turbid special exchanges of gold ehecka
at tlie clearing Mouse.
rWrW- Wfli pay and remtvs h.iiatn e? at the Clearing
House eittn-r in gold coin or United Ntai< s legal ten
der notes.
Your committee has gi\-n special attention to reso
lution So. t of the New York clearing llnii- , agree
ing to n* ei>e silver legal dollars only as "*[ie< ial
deposits, payable In kind," anil d* -ins it inexpedient
toVake any action at present in regard to It, und so
I recommends to this aoaociation; and beg leave to
add :?
That wo are fully Impressed by a sense of the duty
of the bonks to contribute by their action toward the
full resumption of spe< le payiueuts, which should in
clude the speedy and permanent attainment of a gold
standard Ot value, corresponding with that accepted
j ?nd in use liv the moat intelligent and prosperous
nati'ins; and regarding the sliver dollar as of inferior
actual value to Ho gold dollar, and that its eiuisslon
| and circulation iti larger quantity will lie productive
of mauifnlu evils: in vertneless it is a lawful dollar,
i and no action if tho luniks discredit,tig and degrading
! It can prevent Its use an money; but these ctinsidora
tlens imp wo ripoti Congress tin duty, as It has the
powt r, to rrmovii the evil referred to by legislation
establishing equality of value of gold and silver coin
and United HtsP s notes.
The apprehension that there will be inflicted on
tho country a currency of uncertain and dechoing
| value has been and is now the chief obstacle to a
i return to national prosperity, ami j our committee
entertains the imp. that emigre'*, at Its approach
jug - anem. will remove this obstacle by providing
sound an t stable rttrrctieins, iuterchaiigable witu
eaeii other at par. thereby avoid tug th< threatened
evil oi a fluctuating measure of value, which Is so
repressive of enterprise and injurious to tho indus
trial inutreet* of the people.
TAMMANY SOCIETY.
Tho regular monthly nteefing of the Tammany
Hociety was he'd in tM btfthrtl of tho FnnHmlh
ntte.it btttldttig ls o rdght. Ii#enwfwtlie *? n ion took
p*:et vriili elt sod tb'Ot i;o?n being idudtt. U lint
inetnbm td tho orgmiizstion. Tho ?tisplitty was
unusually Itrgt. the Tilden d< in-x*rat* Icing out in
lull tor. t. Several upplit atlons for membership were
made, and thsn the dachctus and braves wcat out of
./ho wigwam.
till
s
Annual Report of the Secretary
of the Treasury.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
Progress Made Toward Resumption
of Specie Payments.
OUR IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.
Advantages of tlie National
Bank System.
GOLD WD SILVER COINAGE FOR THE YEAR.
Washington, Dec. 2, 1878.
The Secretary of the Treasury in his annual report
Rives the aggregate of tlie ordinary revenue* Irum all
sources for the lineal year ending June 30,1878, as
$257,763,878. The ordinary expenditure# for tli> same
period were $288,904,338, leaving a surplus revenue
of ?20,799,551, which was applied as follows:?
'To the redemption of United Stated notes,
hti $13,119,825
To the redemption ot fractional currency. 3,855,368
To th" redemption of six per c eat bonus
lor the sinking fund 78,9.10
To increase o.'i ash balance in the Treasury. 3,750,408
Total $20,709,361
Tlie amount due the sinking fund for the year was
$35,429,001, leaving a deficiency on thiH account of
$14,029,449.
There hti* boen a net decrease in the receipts from
all sources for the year of $11,280,707, principally
due. as the Secretary states, to the falling <>&' in tlie
receipts from internal rcveone, which vras probably
caused by the agitation In Congress, for a long time,
of the reduction of flic tax on spirits and tobacco.
The expenditures show au Increase of $7,781,729,
as follows:?In the Navy Department,.$2,4* 15.3(1(1, and
iu the int "rest on the public debt, ?5,376,36,!?the lat
ter of which was due to the large balance of $7,426,0.19
unpaid interest nt. tbe commencement of the year and
to the change irom semi-annual to quarterly pay
ments of int< rest on six per cent bon'l# converted
into four per cents, which would not otherwise have
been made until after the close of the year. There
was a decrease of $9,477,411, as follows:?In tbe War
Department, $4,928,588: in the Interior Department,
ft .174,460; in the civil and miscellaneous, *3.1)74,368?
making a nit decrease in the expenditure* of
$1,695,682.
FISCAL YKAB 1879.
For the present fiscal year the revenue, ertual and
cntiraatnd, will l>c as follows:?
Total receipts $2fi4.5(10,000
Total expenditures ?_>40,100.imk)
leaving a balance of $24,400,1100
aj>rlicable to th<- sinking fund, which is estimated
for the year at $36,954,607 87.
FISCAL YEAH 1880.
The revenues of the fls.-aj year ending June 90,
1880. npon existing Is a s will be:?
Total ordinary receipts $084,600,000
Toul est!mated expenditures, including
?inking fnnd ' '176,157,250
Or an estimated deficit of $ 10,1,57,250
Excluding the sinking fnnd, the estimated expendi
ture* will be $150,354,912, showing a surplus of
$18,165,087.
By direction of the President the estimated expen
ditures for the next fiscal year have been based upon
the appropriations made by Congrchs for the present
fiscal year. The rale has been dppartrd from only as
to those brauchea ot the pubis- service belonging to
departments the heads of which d"(-m the estimated
increase indispensable, or where existing law demands
a greater sum than was appropriated.
ur.MxmoN qi sffcm patwf.sts.
In reference to the resumption ot specie payments
the Hecretary says .the duty imposed on the depart
ment by the lb-sumption act has been steadily pur
sued during the past year. Three of its provisions
have been substantially curried into execution by the
gradual substitution of fractional coin for fractional
currency by the free coinage of gold and by free bank
ing. There remains only the completion of prepara
tions for resumption in coin on the 1st day of Jan
uary. ls79, and its maintenance thereafter upon the
basis of existing law.
INCREASE OF BCMNRSS.
Every step in these preparations for resumption
lia.< been accompanied with increased business and
confidence. The accumulation of coin, instead of
iucreasing lta price, as was feared by nrtny, has
steudily reduced its premium in the market. Tim
depressing aud ruinous losses that followed the panic
of 1873 had :iot diminished in 1875. when the resump
tion actpaaaed; but every nn-aaun- taksn in the exe
cution or enforcement of this act lias tended to
lighten these loss- s and to reduce the premium on
coin, so that now it la merely nominal. The present
condition of our trade, industry and com
merce, hereafter more fully stated, onr ample
reserves, and the geuerul confidence inspired in
our financial condition seem to justify the opinion
that wo an impaired to commence and maintain re
sumption from ifn-l stb r tin- 1st day of January,
fi. 1879. The means and manner of doing this .ire
left largely to the discretion of the Secretary; but,
from tli>- nutnri "f the duty tmix sod, lie must rc
stere coin and bullion when withdrawn in the process
of redemption, cither by the sale of bonds or the use
of the surplus rvrcuue, or of the notes rwhs mod from
time to tine-. The power to sell any of the bonds de
scribed In the Refunding act continues after as well
as before resumption. Though it may not lie often
used, it is essential to enable thl*. department to meet
emergencies. By It* exercise it Is anticipated flint
the Treasury at any time <-an readily ohialn
coin t, reinforce the reserve already nr-uumuktted.
United States notes must, however, 1? rheehiel means
under existing law with wbH-b the department must
restore roin and bullion when withdrawn in proc60*
Of '-ed, luption. The notes, when redeemed, must nc
ccssarily accumulate in tho Treasury until their su
perior two and convenience for circulation .uiables the
department to exchange them at par for coin or
bull ton.
stLVrjl COIN.
Win n the Resumption act passed gold was the only
coin which by lav. was a legal 1 sutler in payment of
ul) deb's. That act cotitemplatid rosmmpiinn in gold
y?'iu <*0y. No sliver com " full legal tender could
then bo lawfully lastied. The only silver coin pro
vided was fractional coin, which was a legal tender
for $6 otily. The act approved February 28, 1*78,
made a very important change IB our coinage ay s
teui. Tb? silver dollar provides! for was marie a legal
tender for all debts, public uud private, i xri-pt whern
otherwise i-xprcanly stipulated in tho contract, lbs
in Issued v
imuunt of this com issued will more property h?
stated hereafter, but its *ITis-t upon tho problem of
resumption should be here mtrMsNL
The law it-olf clearly ?i,o,vs that the silver dollar
was not b> sui,on-ede the gold dnllur; nor did Congress
propose tw .el pi the iugle -'airlard of stiver, lint
only to cr 'ate a bimetallic standard of silver uud gold
ot equal value and <-<|U;t 1 purchasing power, ('on
gr? as, therefor a, liuiitcit tin- amount ?' silver d diars
to In- coined to not leas titan fw.tMMkifi, nor mom
than $4.01*1,not) per month, but did not limit the ag
gregate anionic m r the period of time during whk h
this coinage should continue. The market value of
the silver tn the dollar at the date of the passage of
the act was ninety-three and one quarter vents In
gold coin. K< v.- it is nlio.tt etglity-six cents in
goitl coin. if it was Intruded by flongrrss to
adopt tiie silver instead of the gold i tandurl the
amount provided for is totally inndaqante for the
purpose. Jfatpufteure, not only in thl* country, but
tu European countries, ha* ewtabliabed that a certain
nBiount of silver coin may be maintained in circula
tion at par With gold, though of lean intrinsic bullion
value. It was, no doubt, tho intention of Congress to
pro % Ida a coin in silver which would answer a multi
tude of tho purposes of bnaines* lilr, without baa
ishiug front circulation the established gold coin of
the country. To a< oonipltah this it Is indispensable
etthcr that the silver coin be limits:! in amount, or
that its bnllinu value is- equal to that of the gold
dollar. If not, Its u?i- will Is- limited to domestic
purposes. It cannot he exported except at its com
merchil value aa htilllon. It issued in oxcesa of ?b -
titsuds for none stic purposes It will necessarily
fab in market value, and by a wall known
principle of finanrs will become the sole floin
standard ot value, Uold will be either hoartlod
or exported. When two curt-curies, both legal, am
authorised without limit, the cheais r alone will cir
etlhate, if, however, the iasno at the ailver dollars I*
limited to an amount ih-utauded (or circulation there
fill be no depreciation, and tfv-lr enuvonlent use will
I keep then lit par with gold. as Iraotinnal silver c-oln,
issued under tint gft approved February 21, tMM, wit*
kept at par with gold.
nit. musky nmnnmt,
It nppears frout tho recent conference at Paris, In
vite I or us, that other nattona will not join with u*
in fixing an international ratio, aud thai each country
must adapt ita laws to it* own poliay. The tendency
of late among rnnimercial nations is the adoption of
a single standard at gold aud tha issue of all
ver lor fractional ocln. We may, by ignoring
tills tendency, give temporarily intiinaaiwl raltto to the
stor'/ of silver hold l?i <term*tiy md France until rou
market .tleorbv thttll, liXthf ari-ipt lug a silver standard
as nearly equal to gold *.< practicable we tnaki ? mvr
t, i - ir our large prodth iloii of ailn r *nd ftlftiis>i ,?
lull, bote -d dot]at that will he hoarded, tfMHtportnd
or circulate 1, without disp*ragement or leptvtw-h.
It la respieTtillly submitted Mist tne l ulled mites,
.ill- adj ao largely Interne ted in trade with alt parts o'
the world, and becoming, by ita population. wealth.
con.tuerre and production*, a leading member of the
family of nation*, should uot adopt a .standard of loan
intrinsic value thuu other commercial nauous. Allien
interested in silver and gold, as the great producing
country of both, it should coin thciu at such u ratio
and on such conditions as will secure the largest una
ami circulation of botli metals without displacing
cither. Gold must necessarily be tho standard at
value in great transactions, irom its greater re la live
value, but it is not capable of the division required
tor small transactions, while silver is indispensable
for n multitude of dally wants and is too bulky for
use in tho larger transactions of business, and the
cost ot its transportation for long distances would
greatly increase (lie present rates of exchange. It
woultl, therefore, seem to be the best polity for the
present to limit thu aggregate issue of our silver dol
lars, based on the ratio of sixteen to one. to such
sums *8 can clearly be maintained at pur with gold,
until the price of silver iu the market shall assume a
dciiuite ratio to gold, wheu tiiat ratio should bo
adopted and our coins made to conform to it; ur.d
the S eret iry respectfully recommends that lie be
authorized to discontinue the coinage of tho silver
dollar when the amount outstanding shall exceed
$.10,00 i.ooo.
The Secretary deems it proper to state that in the
meantime, iu the execution of the low as it now
mauds, he will feel it to be his duty to redeem all
Uuiiel States notes presented ou and utter January 1,
next, at the office of the Assistant Treasurer of the
United States in the city of New York, in sums ot not
less than $50, with either gold or silver coin, as de
sired by the holder, but reserving the legal option of
thn government; and to pay out United states notes
for all other demands on the Treasury except when
coin is demanded on coin liabilities. It is his duty as
an executive officer to frankly stale his opinions, so
that if ho is iu error Congress may prescribe such a
policy as is best for the public interests.
1'UMDlItO.
The amount of four por cent bonds sold during the
present year, prior to November 'J3, in #ltKVJ70,9U?.
of which $94,770.1103 were sold under the refunding
act approved July if, iw7u. Six par ccut bonds, com
monly known as live-twenties, to an equal amount,
have been redeemed, or w?i be redeemed as calls ma
ture. This beneficial process was greatly retarded by
the requirement of the law thut subscriptions must
be paid in coin, the inconvenience of obtaining
wlii ii. to the great body of the people outside of the
large cities, deterred numy solus.
The three mouths' public notice required by the
fourth section of the refunding act to be given to the
holders of the live-twenty bonds to lie r<deemed neces
sarily iiivol-. is a loss to the government by the pay
ment ef double interest during that time. Thenotiee
should not be given until subscriptions are made or
are reasonably certain to be made. Wbeu they are
made and the money is paid into the Treasury,
whether it is kept there idle during the three months
or deposited with national buuUs under existing
law, tlie government not only pays interest on both
classes or bonds during the ninety days, but, if the
sales arc large, the hoarding of large sums may disturb
tile market. Under existing law tnis is unavoidable,
and to mitigate it the Secretary deemed it expedient
during the hist summer to make culls iu anticipation of
subscriptions; but this, though legal, might, in case
or failure of subscriptions, embarrass the govern
ment iu paying called bonds. The long notice re
quired by law is uot necessary iu the interest of tho
holder of tho bonds: for. as tlir calls are made by
.public notice and the bonds aro indicated and speci
fied by elMa. data and number, in the order af their
numbers and issue, he by ordinary diligence can
know beforehand when his bonds in due course will
probably be railed, ancl will not bo taken by sur
prise.
The Secretary therefore recommends that the no
tice to bi. given for enlled bonds be, at his discre
tion, not less than ten days nor mora than thrcn
months, in this way he will be able largely to avoid
tho payment of double interest, fs well uu th<- tem
porary" contraction of the currency, and may tlx the
maturity of the cull at a time wheu the interest of
the called bonds becomes due and payable.
The Secretary then refers to the desire of the. de
partment to popularize the public loans and the ef
lorts made in tout direction. The popular loun of
1S77, open to all alike by public advertisement, ab
sorbed $75,0 hj.uo i of four per cent bonds, and during
the present year these bonds have been sold in tl:e
same manner. ?
It is suggested that the department be authorized
to tsene certificates of deposit of the United States of
tho denomination of f 10, bearing interest at the rate
of S.Ci per rent per annum aud convertible at any
time within one year utter their issue into the four
per cent bonds authorized by tho hefuudiug act, and
to be issued only m exchange for Unittxl States notes
sent to the Trnasury by mall or otherwise.
The monetary transactions of the government are
then alluded to by tho Secretary, the lull details of
which appear in the Treasurer's report already pub
lished.
THfc NATIONAi. BANKS.
Secretary .Sherman then refers to the report of the
Comptroller of the Currency, also heretofore pub
lished, aa presenting full aud int. resting information
as to the national banks. The advantage.- of tho sya
tcm over any other before existing in this country
and possible only with a national system arc;?
ftrs.'?Tho security of the bill holder trom loss
through failure of tho bank.
JSttniul?The rapidity and certainty of the detection
aud prevention ot counterfeiting, trom the fact that
the uotea aro engraved, printed and redeemed at the
Treasury Department.
Third?Tlie frequent and cureful examination of the
batiks and the. publication of the detailed statements
of their oombtiuu.
fourth?Uniformity and free circulation of the
notes throughout the United States, without respect
to the place ot their issue.
filth? The admirable provisions by which failing
banks are placed in liquidation and their assets
cheaply and promptly applied to the payment of
creditors.
ODIN* ANI> COINAGE.
, The anunal report of the Director of the Mint. ex
| hil>iU ill detail the operation* of the several mint a
i and unsay offices, and also presents iutcrosting in tor
! mat 1011 relative to the production of gold and silver
| in the United States, the estimated amount of gold
and silver ("in and bullion in the country, the de
preciation of silver, the poaitiou ot iuo American
trade dollar in the Oriental trade and other subjects
connected directly or indirectly with the coinage.
The value of the gold coinage executed
during tin- luat Use*! year was fo'i.T'.iM.'.ltvl
Of trade dollars 11,:<7H,V1(1
Of standard silver dollars N,.77:l,fi(iO
Ot fractional silver coin N,:uy,;n6
And ot minor coin ?o,<Ri4
A total coinage of $Hl,JJo,i'm
In addition to the coinage flue aud unpsrti d liars
wire pi pa roil for depositors in the smount of
Si in gol'l and rll,rt64,:bi5 *7 in sliver.
It is maui.tst, front the proven capacity of the several
mints, that our coinage facilities arc ample for all
j purposes. The present proilnetlon ot bniuon from
? lie mines 01 tie- United Mate* appears to approxt
lnatc filbU.uuO.UUU in value. All the golu bullion pro
' duoed in the country contains more or less silver, aud
1 the greater portion ot tne silver bnllion from our
mines contains a percentage of gold, making it diffi
cult to di teriuiuc with accuracy the proportion of
it 'll. It ta tits, however, to state that the produc
tion ot the two tnetals, i iNlitnl at their coining
rales, is ueai'ty cpml.
btrriK* or iMt-orrs.
The embarrassments alluded to In the last annual
report in regard to the coileutton of duties on sugar
have not ci used. .Seizures have been made uf cargoes
ot sugar claimed to Is: urtillclally colored (or the pur
pose of reducing the duties at tho Custom Mouse,
m d a snit involving one of these casts was iri-d at
ilaltiluore at great expense to the government and
to the importer*, and was icceutly concluded, the
verdict Is mg that, tho sugars were artificially
colored afw the process of iiMiiufeetiire was eolu
ph'tod, hut thai it woe not proven that the
< imports* of tli" sugars had a know ledge then of at
tne time ot making entry. Though the claim of the
g ivemmunt that tne sugars hail Is in artificially col
ored for the purpose <>. deirauiiiug the revenue is
, lmviMUiuiea, it is powerless, under the anti-muicty act
ot aune'Jf, ls7t, to enforce (tin s, jieualtics amt fur
' iolitiri'S against pcrsoua or property, unless tin re is
proof uf guilty knowhrdgu o. rr.oid.
THK HAWAII \> Til*.ATT.
In tliia councutiou tliu attention ot congress ta railed
to the op rations of the reciprocity tri aty between
Hawaii ,iud the United "dates, concluded January III,
IS,:,. The value of goods slopped froni tiie (iiiihu
htatis to Hasan fur the year elided December II,
1*75 (the jear before the treaty went into operation),
was t'M" ,'M*i
And tor the year ended U "'ember 91, 1N77... l.o'a.sort
Kxroes in 1K77 over 1175 f*lil,r>45
Tne duties siirnmdeted by virtue of tha
treaty on goods imported into the Uuind
s arcs for the yi.ir ended December .11, ?
J(?77, were K11.2HA
Difference b.tWOMi duties remitted by the
United States tli ls77, and vallle of excess
of Imports in 1*77 over 1*7.7 flA.Mtl
So tttst we iiave > urrenderi'd duties in an ainouut |
greater than Ibc entire uxcess ot exports In 1*77 ottfr
those of 1*7.7.
Ut ttie duties thus surrendered in 1*77 9711,7H1
was on sugars aloin . The advantages liavu thus far
not been reciprocal, but, as has lieeu shown, have
iM-eu largely in tavor of Hawaii, and it is probable
that the licit*fits in favor of Hawaii will increaae
largely.
7 xpottTs axij rut touts.
The goid values ot tliu exports of merehamtise
from uie Unit'd ."Hates aHl imports of merchandise
Into the t niteil Htaies during tne last Usual yeaf, OS
iijijiesrs from rettirmt male to and compiled' by tho
bureau ol Statistics, are as follows:?
I'.xports ot domestic merchandise ItvMi.iOV.'hM
Kx ports of toreign juarchstidisu 14,1A<1,499
Total exports or racrchandlMe W>4,*tiA,7*ll
1mporta oi nierehsudise 4d7,UA1.7tfJ
Kvcsre of exports over imports of rner
chsndisi -iAT.H14.XM
('niuparrh with tho previous year the importation*
are lest by f i 4,'J1 I,.V.'4 mid tha exportstious g-eater by
fitfl.lPl.Htt.
The siimisl average of the excess of Imports over
exports ot itici chMidine for the ten years ended Jnnn
911,1979, wus f io4,7iHi,iri'2; but during the last three
years then- hits been an excess of exports over itn
JsTts as follows:?In 1*7*. |7W,(>4:i,4*l; in 1977,
9MI.lfia.UM, and in 1?7K,
The h.tal aruouut of exports and imports of specie
and bullion during tha lust fiscal year naa bcu us tol*
lows:?
K.tpnrta of specie. and bullion $99,749,199
import'! of specie and. bullion itl,H'it,:ll4
Excess of c .port" over Import* ftl.UI*,Sll
With otic or two important exei pfi'His the Uniteu
wtates Mauds alone among tlta commercial uaiton>< of
liieglolNi With respectfio thaexcana of exports over
imports. The increaae in our exports consisted
instnlv of breads! ufh. provisions, agricultural lm
plements, Iron and manufactures of iron, copper and
lnauufb toivs of copper, manufactures of cotton,
leathvr and manufacturea of 1< atlirr. nod petroleum.
The exportation ol the maaubicturud articles r.v
ferrcn t?> increased from it 14,287,488 in b.i>i|
to $37,350,882 iu 1?7H. -Jinny highly wrought
products of American manufacture previously
exported in very hsuiM quantities, or not at all. now
Itnd profitable market* in foroigu countiius, and cer
tain of these commodities wo now being exi<orte;l to
constrict* trout which, a few years ago, they were
largely imported into Bio United States.
tNri.ttN.vL REVENUE.
The receipt* from the sew ml source* of taxation
nntler the iutcrnul revenue laws for the fiscal years
ended, respectively, Jutiofiu, Jtt)7, and -Ititle IW, 1878,
are shown in the following tabular statement:?
Suit ices. 1877. I s7s.
Spirits $87,469,439 $69,430,815 Dec.. $7,018,613
41,10!,!*>48 40,091,754 Doc.. 1,014,793
Fcrin en t ed
liquor* 0,400,700 'J, *17.051 luc.. 456,363
Hanks and
bankcrs.... 3,839.739 S.I'.iihOUl llo1.. 1)37,607
Penalties, &c. 410,trim 316,007 Dec.. 73,991
Adhesive
stumps 6,450,439 6,380,405 Dee.. 70,034
Hack tuxes un
der repealed
law* 338,360 439,658 Inc.. 191,303
Total* *118,996,184 j> 111,037,705
COMMERCE AND NAVIGATION.
The total tonnage of vessels of the United States is
4,313,764 tous, a decrease of 30,836 tons from that of
the fiscal your ended June 30, 1877. The following
table exhibits tiro total* tonnage for the last two
years:?
I 'esse!*. Tons.
Registered, engaged tu foreign
trade 3,988 1,611,103
Enrolled and licensed, engaged
in doniestie commerce 3IJM 3,631,407
Totals 95,386 * 4,313,600
1878. .
Vess-ls. Tons.
ltegistcred, engaged in foreign
trade 3,007 1,639,047
Enroll.<1 and licensed, engaged
iu domestic comnieree 33.337 3,583,717
Totals 36,384 4,313,761
The decrease in tho tonnage is exhibited in the fol
lowing table:?
Increase. Xum'.er, 'Tuns.
Vessels built 1,358 335,501
IVrecked and rehnllt 1 183
Balance (absolute decrease) 133 39,831
Totals 1.341 365,535
/Jeered*'. Xuktbtr. /lis.
Sold to foreigners, 13s 43,r>n7
Lost at sea.. .4 T'tO 169,647
Abandoned 4S3 56,195
Eos* by rvadnieusurouicnt and ves
sels not documented 20 176
Totals l.lsl 366,635
The tonnage of v essels built is about 33 per cent in
e.v ess of that of last year.
Toe vessels built during tho year ended June 80,
1878, aro classed as follows
Xumber, Tonnafie,.
Sail vessels 533 lOO.oW.et
Stesni vessels 834 81,889.60
Enrolled canal boats 19 1,908,60
Barges 378 46,06S.9i?
Ttu- total number of entries of vessels Into ports of
the United State* from foreign countries, as returned
by the Bureau of Statistics, during tho year ended
?June 30, 1878, was 80,798; of these entries 10,694 werj
of American vessels; the total number of clearances
(foreign) during the samo time was 81,364; of this
number 10,873 were clearances of American vessels.
Of too total tonnage thus entered about 35 percent
was American and 75 per cent foreign: of the total
number of clearances (foreign) about 36 per cent wa#
American and 74 per cent foreign.
The remainder of the Secretary's report is devoted
to steamboat inspection, tin- revenue marine, tha
life saving service, the lighthouse establishment, tha
coast survey, the rnarino hospital service and puhlia
buildings.
ELECTION TltOUHLES IX THE SOUTH.
EXTRACTS FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT OP THE
ATTORNEY IS ENEBAL?1 BAUDS, INTIMIDATION
AND PERSECUTION OP FEDERAL OFFICIAL!
CHARGED?THE REMEDY PROPOSED.
Washington, Dec. 2, 1878.
The annual report of Attorney General Devena,
which waa sent to Congress to-day by tho President,
is a very voluminous document, devoted mainly to
detailed atatements of the business transacted by the
Department of Justice and the district attorneys,
marshals, Ac., under its control during the last fiscal
year, but it also contains several passugos of very
general interest, the most important of which arc
herewith given. Under the head of "Protection to
Civil Officers," the Attorney General says:?
It is important that additional provision should
be made for the protection of the executive civil
officers. The punishment now attached to a rcslstauce
to the process of the United States courts is not pro
portionate to the crime of murder which, in frequent
instances, have been committed upon deputy mar
shals because they have arrested or endeavored to
arrest violators of the law. It should not bo left to
the State to determine and enforce the penalty for
an art against the execution of Justice of
anch serious character, but appropriate legis
lation should enable tho court wli<>so author
ity has been defied and whose faithful olflcera
have boon killed to administer the penalty which the
crime deserves. It is, unfortunately, too clear that
If this duty be left to the courts of tlir States it can
not be existed that in certain portions of the Union
it will now l>e faithfully and efficiently performed.
VfOI.ATIllS* Of THK MRKHtL PAW*.
-Ob the subtect of violations of the federal elect lo?
lawn the Attorney Oeneral nave:?
Information which I received from varion* tenure-a
led uii to believe previous to the mceni Congrcss
ienal elcqtiou* thai sueh interference witli the canvas*
preceding It had taken place, and was reasonably to
b? With tlir election itsoif that the attention
of the uttlrer of this l>epartim-ut abouM, In i?rtxi.i
loeaiitier, be called to infractions of the lawn wiiii'li
had occurred or which might be expected, and to too
necessity of doing all in thetr power to prewont them
and to secure a fair election. In sonic iiistane-ns it
was deemed to have boon fully shown that peaceful
meetings, lawfully called for tlir advocacy of particular
candidate* for Congress. bad been intrude:i upon by
armed band*, under thespee-iou* pre-iext of ken-ping tlio
peace, prevention by uiuordcr* and ruffianism the or
ganization or tile proper holding of such Mice tings.
I'iie Attorney Oenrral'a ofllee is not provided with
lie; mean* of any general in dent i>f iuve-stigatlou ef
infractions of the law*. It elejs'net* tua.nly upon tho
report* of facta in individu.-ti case-a, made oy thv
otBeera of the department upon the ground and on
tlieir request.* for instructions in regard thereto.
iiiK nanw chaiioku.
Availing myself of tlieae a* well ?* of information
from those pnldie sources whieli are- commou to all,
it ia apparent that in various part* of the Union,
especially iri certain portion* of the-Statu* of I*juls
iatia. South t'aroltna, IVxas und Virginia, Instanc e* of
unlawful cumhlnstlem and violenee, ititeudod to pre
vent u frwe and pcxcotul aelviieacy of candidates for
Congress, occurred previous to tUo day of election,
and upon the day of election del 11 srrate fraud*
were resorted to In voting and canvassing
the votes, often accompanied iiy thrcata and iutitni
elation. A tri qucnt outrage upon the purity of tlia
bailed was In what Is familiarly known as ballot bo*
siuthlug," and eonaisted ia preparing the lsixe* by
depositing tkurein IsWare thy voting commenecd of
alter it a as conclueicd large numbers ot fraudulent
ballots, anil alr<> by folding smaller ballots w it bin a
Urge <>n<' in such a way tnat they conhl Is; shaken out
by the voter ;v* he- deposited his ballot or afp-r
vard by those; who lead ti.e- enstody ol tlia
box. Tlita fran t was iccomplishM by tnr nss of
siuait bed lot* printed upon tissue pajs-i. and was pa ??
pe-1 rate el iii *o many dlRereiit places, ami witli tieaota
s'i earetully prepared and of studi similarity, that it
canuot bo doubted tliat It was Us result of au or
ganized cidisptrai-j eif senile e entral dires t lug agency
to elefi-at the Will ot tliu people- and falsify the; true
result of the; election.
e OW UIIIL.Y Mt'KilKM*.
The eanviiss ruei e lection went aoooinpaniod in tha
State of lamlsiana by a se ries of cowardly and erne!
murder*, ihconiy apparent inotiv* for which was to
prevent the colon*! people troui iixei'e isiug tneir right
of siittrag ?. These murder* incurred in Caddo, IVn
sas, NaP-httocbs* and othwr |>ar1sbo*. It has lieeu iny
duty to advise the proper subordinate oflleera of tiia
ele-partnient, in sue b maimer aa aoeuud boat call ulab"t
to secure the end* of Justice, to promptly assert and
entoree the authority of the laws of the United MtaPs*
in order to bring to jit*lies those who have violate 1
them. I have seen no reason to believe that any ar
rests which they have; caused to bo made have not
been rnliy Justified or that they have acted othe'rwin*
than aa their elnty plainly demanded.
MUKtCVItUX IIP 1KHKHA1. IiKFR'KHS.
'tile ntt. nipt to bring to Jtistie-e: the violator* of the
law has. however, been followed by a ay*tem of per
secution ot United states oiheers and of w'tiiiu?aei*
I who lisvu been eulleel to testify in regard to to*
I transactions complained of, which eauuot !*? too
i severely Seimlemihd. This resistaiiee to the laws of
! tha United htaP-s baa in aom? instaoers ti-ken tha
l'orin of brutul vlolmu-e, but uioro guner
I ally that of e-oiiiplaiuta and pruaocution* under
tlia tttatc laws for alleged olfe-nres. In such
proeeedlngs ball hus sonietlinna I men refused
I or lived at Hiuoiiut* so exorbitant that tha
aeeuseil could not be expected to lie able to obtain it.
I The eliara-ter of the pros* -nitons tuny perhaps :>*
ls<tti'r ilrnlerstooel when It ts observe I that targe Mint
f l? m ot them are for alleged perjuries oouiui.tted
huior* United HlaP'* Cniiitiiinaioiiera or the courts of
the t ntteel Htste*, ntfi-ners of which it Is rntitvly elewr
(hut the States have no Jurisdiction. It will be my
e ?ort fairly but decidedly Pi do ali iu my power te?
execute the laws or the I uitNl States regarellug tha
purity eif election* in the samel way as all its other
laws, and Pi bring to .lustico those- who harw violated
than i.
S"lii" a lelltt >n to the nntli ipateel ? apenses of this
ilejmrtbii-tit for the- enPTeut year ffily be orcadnn1 el
by dot tip this thoroughly, ami ttie i uians f >r meeting
til ??? *lloOld is- proiHM I ll- I. Oe-gre '-M. i I'l'-pee ttully
Miiunit to tin ee1 iieele-rat m ?<, e uegr< *s w.i -fuur a.i
elitional provisions may not ts unnle more ?tThe-ttvjIy
to protei-1 eitlb it* elf tlia t'nlteel Stares anil WItlir-ee'*
silUIUloile'el oil It* bi lls'! against muscles* prosecu
tion*, and to i nable. than to traual'e-r the exaiuiuntio?
ot thera to the court* ot the United Mtntos.

xml | txt