THE DAILY EVENING TELEGRAPH PHILADELPHIA, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER Ot 1868. I TREASURY DEPARTMENT The Annual Report oT Secretary MoCuiloch. Tbe followlni are the portions of Secretary McCollocU's anuur report which were omitted iu Thb Thi robaph of jeterdaj: TAXES. Next In Importnncc to the Biibject of the- cur reury Ih thnt of the revenue. Taxes tire lnrtls 'cnHible for the support of the government, for the lualiiteimnce of the pnlilia cro lit, airl tlio Inyim nt of the public debt. To tax heavily, not only without Impoverishing the people, but with out checking enterprise or putting shackles upon Industry, require the most careful study, not ouly of the resources of the country and its rela- vJions with other nations, but also of tho churuc ler of the people ns nflta-tcd by tho nature of itlioir institutions. While much inav be learned Li V IIIU CIII'IJ "I lllli IVtl IIUU PVIIVIII3 U Jjjlll V.U 111 tuitions, which havo been perfected by years of experience and tho employment of tho highest talent, It must be obvious Hint these systems must undergo very considerable modifications before they will bo fitted to tho political and phy sical condition of the United Slates. In a popu lar government like ours, where the peoplo vir tually bbk'.sr tho taxes, as well as pay them, the popular will, If not the popular prejudice, mast be listened to In the preparation of Uevennc laws. Justice lmiht, iu some instances, yield to expe diency, and some legitimate sources of revenue limy I o unavailublo because a resort to them might be odious to a majority of tax-pavers. The people of the United States are enterprising and self-rvliaut. Most of them arc tho architects of their own fortunes; few the Inheritor of wealth. Engaged in various enterprises, with constantly varying results, and In sharp compe tition with each other, they submit reluctantly to inquisition of tax-gatherers, which might not bo obnoxious to people less independent, uud liviug under less liberal Institutions. Then, too, the United States nro a new country, of largo extent and diversified interest; with great i natural resources, in the early process of develop ment. Not only may systems of revenue widen arc suited to England, or Germany, or France, bo unsuited to this country, but careful and Judi cious observation and study nro indispensable to the preparation of tux bills suited to tho peculiar intt rests of its dilTorent sections. It was with a view fif Biitml vimr ("fiin'ri ss wit h sneh Infiirmi- tion ns was needed to secure the passage of erjual ami wise excise and tarllflaws, which would yield the largest revenue with the least oppression and Ineonvenienco to the people, that a revenue com mission was created in 18G.). The creatiou of this commission was the llrut practical movement to wards a careful examination of the business and resources of the country, with a view to the adop tion of a Judicious revenue system. The reports of this commission were Interesting and valuable, i and they exhibited so clearly the necessity for fur 1 ther and more complete Investigations, that by 4 the act of July 13, 18iii, the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized to appoint an ollber in his Department, to be styled tho Special Commis sioner of Kcvenuc, whose duty It should bo "to Inquire into nil the sources ot national revenue, aud the best method of collecting the revenue; the rel.ition of foreign trade to domestic industry; the mutual adjustment of the systems of taxation fy customs and excise, with a view of Insuring (lie requisite revenue with the least disturbance or JTiconveiiieiico to the progress ol industry, ana be development of the resources of the coun try," &c. Under this act Mr. David A. Wells was ap pointed Special Commissioner of the Revenue. With what energy and ability he has undertaken the very Uillieult duties devolved upon him, has been manifested by tho reports which be has al ready submitted to ConroisB. That which ac COtnDanics. or will soon lollow this comimmien- j Hon, will prove more fully than liiosG V.'i. '.eh have I preceded it have done, the importance of the in f vestigatiouB iu which ho is engaged, and the judi I cious labor which be is bestowing upon them. J The facts which ho presents, and the recom mcnaattons nasod upon then;, are entitled to ins most careful consideration of Congress. These ; reports of the Commissioner are so conllete that tbey relieve the Secretary from diseasing e'tioo i lately the questions of which they treat. TIIK TAU1FK. I As has been already stated, the receipts from j customs for the fiscal year ending Juue 30, ixtiil, were k 170,040, Ml'SK; for the year ending Juno ; 30, 1807, $170,417,810-88; and, for the last fiscal year, 5 lCl,lGl,5!y-5G. These figures show that the taritr lias produced large revenues, although it is in no just sense a revenue tar i If. In this re spect it has exceeded the expectations of Its I friends, if, Indeed, it has not disappointed tliein. It has not checked Importations, and complaint is made, that it bus not given the auticipaietl pro- : tecliou to home manufactures, not because it was not skillfully trained to this end, but because an inflated eurreuey the ell'cct of which upon im portations was not fully comprehended has, in a measure, defeated its object. It has advanced the prices of dutiable articles, and, by adding to the cost ot living, has been oppressive to consum ers without being of decided benefit to those in dustries iu whose interest it is regarded as having been prepared.' In bis last report, the Secretary recommended the extension of specific duties, but did uot recommend a complete revision of tbe tariif, on the ground that this work could uot in intelligently done as long us business was sub- b ject to coustanuuerangemeui oy un irreueemawe I 1 iini'VCIH'V The same difficulty still exists, but as decided S( i action upon me suojcci oi currency ougui not to j i be longer postponed, the present may not be an I uUiaVOiaUlU llllie iur u muiuuu CAUuuuatiuu ui ' the turill'. It is obvious that a revision of it is re quired, not only to relieve it of incongruities aud obscurity, and to harmonize it with excise taxes and with our agricultural and commercial inter ests, but also to adapt it tt the very decided change w hich must take place iu the business of the co ui, try upon the restoration of the specie standard. Large revenues uro now derived from customs, because a redundant currency produces ' extravagance, which etimulates importations. If the eurreuey were convertible and business were regular and healthy, the tarilT would be severely protective, if not in many instance! prohibitory, indeed, of some valuable articles it is prohibitory already. There will be in the future, as there havo been in the pust, widely different opinions upon this long-vexed and very important subject, but the indications are decided that the more enlightened sentiment of the country demands that tho tariff shall hereafter be a tan u lor revenue ana not lor ; protec tion, and that tho revenues to be derived f. from it shall be no larger man, in connection wiiii thoso recched from other sources, will be re- quired for the economlcul administration of tho : government, tho liiainU'.uauco of the public faith, and the irradual extinirishnient of the public debt. W hile the country is uot at present, and may not lie for nisnv venrs to come, prepared lor the abro gation of all restrictions, upon foreign commerce, it is unquestionably prepared lor a revenue tariff. The public debt is an incumbrance upon tho tironei tv of the nation, and tho Uxes, the neces sity for which it creates, by whatever mode and from whatever sources collected, are at leant a charire uuou tho consumers, luxes should not, therefore, bo increased, nor will tho tax-payers permit them to be permanently increased, lor tho benefit of anv interest or section. Fortunately, or unfortunately, as the qutstion may bo regarded from dilU reut stand-points, the necessities of tho povcriinient will be sneh lor many years that large revenues must be derived from customs, so that a strictly revenue tariff must incidentally lienent our home manufactures. According to the esiiumic made by the Secre tary, an annual revenue of three hundred mil lions will be required to meet the necessary de mands upon the ireasurv, ami ior a sausiaeiory reduction of tho public debt. How much of this amount shall be derived from customs It will bo for Conirress to determine. In examining this difficult ciiustiou, tho magnitude ot our foreign rtiht. and Dm necessity not only ot preventing It Increase but of rapidly reducing It, must bu kept iteaUily iu view. It inav bo necessary that a larue portion of our bonds now held in J-.uropo Iim Lnki n un with bonds bearing a lower rate ot . Inteiest. ii:,valilc ill some Kuroiieail city, ill order i Unit thev ui'iv bu lees ULlIv Ij 'be ret.irn ;d to the United State at unpropltlon time. Whether this la accomplished or not, it i of tho last im portance that our Tux law, and especially the tariff, should be ao framed a to encourage ex port and enlargo our commerce with foreign na tion, so that balances may be in our favor, and the Interest, and In due time the principal, of our foreign debt, may be paid by our surplus produc tions. Many of "the Investigations of the Reve nue Commissioner havo been made with the view of furnishing Congress with the data necessary for a thorough examination and a wiso delermf nation of this most important question, and It Is fortunate that the subsidence of pulitlc.il excite ment removes many of tho dillicutcics hcretoforo iu the way of an impartial consideration of it. TIIK NATIONAL PKIIT. The debt, between the first day of November, 1807, and tho first day of November, l8frt, In creased trijri,(ia"),102'82. Of this Increase f 21, 152, 000 Is chargeable to tho Pacific Railroad, and S-7,200,000 to tho purchase of Russian America. Within the same period there was paid for bounties $ 11.000,515, and ot least $1,000,000 for Interest on compound and 7 3-10 notes, which had accrued prior to the first of November, 18(17. If these extraordinary advances and payment had not been made, tho receipts would havo ex ceeded the expenditure 4 1,787, 112-18. Con sidering the heavy reduction of internal taxes made at the last session of Congress, and the large expenditures which have attended the mili tary operations against the Indian on the fron tier, and tho maintenance of largo forces at ex pensive points iu the Southern States, this state ment of the amount of the debt cannot bo re garded an unsatisfactory one. Tun bounties will, It is expected, be entirely paid within the n-xt three months, and very li.'tlu Interest, except that which accrues upon tho funded debt. Is hereafter to be provided for. Should there bo henceforth no extraordinary expenditures, and no further donation of public moneys in the form of bounties or of additional subsidies to railroad companies with proper economy in the adminis tration of the tieuerul Goverinneut, and with ju dicious amendments of the Revenue laws, and proper enforcement thereof, the public debt, with out oppressive taxation, can be rapidly diminished and easily extinguished within tho period hereto fore named by the Secretary. The ability'of the United State to maintain their integrity against Insurrection os well as against a foreigu enemy, can no longer bo doubted, 'ihe question of their ability, under democratic institutions, to sustain a large natioual debt, is still to be decided. That this question should be allirmatively settled, it is, in the opinion of the Secretary, of tho highest import ance that the tax-paying voter should be en couraged by the fact that the debt Is iu the pro gress of rapid extinguishment, and is not to be a permanent burden upon them and their pos terity. If it be understood that this debt is to be a pei pelual incumbrance upon the property and industry of the nation, it is certainly to bo feared that the' collection of taxes necessary to pay the interest upon it may require the exercise of power by the central government, inconsistent with republicanism, and dangerous to the liberties of the people. The debt must bo paid. Direct repudiation is an impossibility; indirect repudia tion, by further issues of "legal-tender notes, would be madness. To insure its payment with out a change in tho essential character of the government, every year should witness a reduc tion of its amoiiut aud a diminution of Its burdens. TIIK NATIONAL PEnT. The war was virtually closed in April, 1805. On the first day of that" month tho public debt amounted, according to the" books and accounts of the Department, to $2,8tiG,9i6,07734. On the first day of September following it amounted to 82,757,(180,571 ' lil, having increased iu lour months i;i!Ki,7.'il,'l!M'0!). From that period it continued to decline until November 1, 1807, when it had fallen to $2, l'Jl, 501,150. On the first day of No vember last it bad. risen to $2,5-'7,120,552-82. ly this statement it nppears that, between the first day of April, 1805, and tho first day of September of the same year, the debt increased $;i!i0,731,-404-00, and that between the first day of Septem ber, 1805, and the first day of November, 1808, it decreased fr.n,rb'0,GlK-ci- nil?? that on the Jagj day mentioned it was -iliO,17l, 17.V18 larger than it was on the first day of April. 1805. Sinco tiwn the Treaourer's receipts from all sources of reve nue have been as follows: For A pi II. May uud J ino, 18115 8S3 Btt.l(",4-13 For li.e ye:ir eliding June 30, lsfiil 6ftS,032,62i)-otl l'or the year rurtin Jane 3D, lii7 4'JH,uU4.Ul(i H7 Kor the veiir endinc Jane 30, lSiiS 4t5,ii:,0S3-32 June 30 l November I, lbOS m,fi.i2,ltit-4i Total nf reef Ints 81,05-', 17U,0020 To which should beadded Ihe increase of ihe debt beuveoii the llrst flay or April, lsCft, nnu the niat dv of Nj vuuiber, lbliS. . 160,174,475-49 81.f'22.6.W,637 B3 This exhibit ehows that tho large sum of Sfi,- 822,(i50,,ri:i7'ti8 was expended iu the payment of the interest and of other demands upon the Trea sury in three years and seven months, being an average annual expenditure ot f'5081GlG,C01-G8. If the statement ot the public dent on tno nisi day of April, 1805, had Included all debts duo at that time, and $1,822,050,537-08 had really been expended in payment of the interest on the public debt, and the current expenses oi me government between that day and the first day of November last, there would have been a prolligacy r.nd a recklessness in the expenditures of tho public moneys discreditable to the government aud dis heartening to tax-payers. Fortunately this is not the fact. That statement (a is true of all oilier monthly statements of tho Treasury), ex hibited ouly the adjusted Ueot, aecorumg to tno Looks oi tno Treasury, anu mu not, ami couui not, include tho large sums duo to the soldiers of the great Uuion army (numbering at that time little less than a million of men), for "pay" and for "bounties," or on claims ol various Rinds, which must of necessity have been unsettled. For the purpose ot putting this matter right, tne Secretary has endeavored to ascertain from tho War and Navy Departments how much of their respective disbursements, since tho close of tho war. has been iu payment of debts properly chargeable to the expenses of tho war. Tiro fol lowing is the result oi ins inquiries: By the War Department 5i5,t31,125,90 liy the Ny Department 35,000,000 00 It has been impossible to obtain exact state ments of the amount of such debts paid by tho Navy Department, but sufficient information has been received to justify the Secretary iu estimat ing it in round number nt thirty-live millions, which is probably an under rather than an over estimate. The expenditures of the War Depart ment have been lurniblied in detail, and are be lieved to be substantially correct. These figure show that the money expended by the War and Navy Departments, between the first day of April, 18(15, and the first day of No vember, 1808, on claims justly chargeable to the cxiienscs of the war AniourUd to 8W0.431.125 09 To which should be added amount ad vanced to the l'ac.illn roads 43,194.000-00 Amount paid for AUska 7,20(1,000 00 dcstitntlrn, resulting from It terrible struggle to oparato Itself from tho Union, with It political condition unsettled, and it Industry in a great, degree paralyzed) and while also the other two thirds were slowly recovering from the drain upon their productive labor and resources a ne cessary accompaniment of a gigantic aud pro tracted war. '": ' H'iimsii, It Is also recommended that the Secretary be nulhoilzed to Issno $500,000, 000 of bonds, f 50, (H)O,(H 0 of which shall mature annually; the first f 5t,iK,0,(M)() to bo payable, principal and interest, in lawful money, the principal and lutarest of the rest In coin; and also such further amount of bonds as may be necessary to take up tho outstanding six per cents and the non-Interest bearing debt, S arable In coin thirty rears after date, and re eemable at any time after ten years at the plea sure of the government, the interest to be paid Bcml-annuaily In coin, aud in no case to exceed the rate of five per rent.; provided that the Se cretary may, In his discretion, make tho principal and interest of 5(n,mo,00i) of these bonds paya ble at such city or cities iu Europe as he may deem best. The fact that, according to tho recommenda tion, $50,noo,on0 of the bonds to be Issued uro to become due each year for ten consecutive years (at the expiration'of which time all of the bonds would be under the control of the government) would insure on nnnual reduction of 50,0(10,00!) of the public debt, and impart a credit to the other bonds which would insure tho uegotiatiou of them on favorable terms. Of the expediency of an issue of bonds corres- Eonding, to some extent, in amount with those eld hi Europe, the interest and principal ot Wliieli shall bo paid in the countries whero they urc to be negotiated, there can be but little doubt. In icconimeiiding the issue of bonds bearing a lower late of iuterest, to be exchanged for tho outstanding six Per cents., the Secretary must not be understood as having changed his opinion iu regard to the expediency or the wisdom of tho recommendation in bis last report: "Tlint Hit) act of M roll 3, 186), be so amendi-d ns tl nutlitirize the Secretary ot the Treasury '. issue six per ceu'. gold-bearing bonds, to lis known hi ihu cu Hilidaled delt of the United Slates, having twenty ye rs iu run, and redeemable, if It may he thought ad visable, 1 1 an earlier dav.io be exchanged at par tor rot mi all o heroiHuiliou of the uoverumeut, one-sixth part of tl e interest on which, in lieu ol all oilier taxes, at each si mi-a maal payment, shall he reserved by the gnviruniei t, uud puid over to the States according to population." lie ltfers to what he then said iu advocacy of that recommendation, as an expression of his well-consideied opinions at the present time, aud and he is oi.ly prevented from repeating the re coniniei.datii n, by the fact that it met with little approval at the last session, and ha not grown into favor since. Ho sincerely hopes that the future history of the debt will vindicate tho wis dom of those who arc unable to approve the pro position. COAST Sl'ltVUYS. The progress of the coast survey has been satis factory, and commensurate with the appropria tions, as will be seen from the annual report of tha Superintendent of that work. During the past year surveys have been In progress in the fol lowing localities, named in geographical order, viz.: On tho coast of Maine, in Penobscot bay ond on the islands lying within its entrance; on the shores of Sf. lcorge's and Mcdonlak rivers; iu Miiscougus bay; on tho estuaries of Quolog bay, and iu the vicinity of Portland; completing all the in-shorc work between tho Penobscot and Cnpc Elizabeth. In Massachusetts, between Barnstable and Monomay, completing the survey of Cope Cod. Iu Rhode Island, on the western part of Nnrragansctt bay. In New York, at Ron dout and iu the bay of "New York. In New Jer sey, on the coast near the head of Barnegat bay. In Maryland and Virginia, on the Potomac river mid the southern part of Chesapeake bay. In North Carolina, in l'amllco sound and on its west ern shore, including Netiso and Bay rivers, and off tho coast north of Hatteraa. It South Caro lina, on the estuaries of Tort Royal Sound. In Gcoigia, on St. Catharine's, Doboy and St. An drew's sounds; in the Florida btraits and in tho bay between the keys and main shore of Florida. On the coast between l'ensacola ond Mobile cn- .!,. .... "i me Aitssissi'vn. ana in :.,i.-,.ct. m..,., .,.! n .. riT.?..,'l! ' .... i' m'auo. in vaifiorniil surveying iiarties liuve been at work fm the coast between Jtieuaventura and Santa Barbara, ut l'oiut Sal, and on the peninsula of Sau Francisco. In Oregon, on Yaqtiinna bay, Columbia and Uelia lctir rivers. In Washington Territory, on Fuca Btraits and in Fugct sound.- Iu the Const Survey Ofi'ce, forty-eight charts have been entirely or partially engraved during the year, of which nineteen havo been published. Regular observations of the tides at seven princi pal stations have been kept up, and tide tables, tor all parts of the United States, for. the eu- ; - i - i ...,i.i:..i.,.,i . n,i:.:.... oiling jein, uu; iiliu iiuuurui;u. i uvv aiuiwu . of the Directory or Coast Pilot for the western coost has been prepared, aud a preliminary guide ' for tho navigation of tho uorthwestum coast has been compiled. This brief glance at tho operations of tho Coast Survey during the post yeur shows the great Bcope of that work, which has Justly earned a ' Jtjl- III VHP It 1 V VI juuuv iuiui. A ,n aaa J-'' vti vv vvs the commerce aud navigation of tho couutry arc now well understood, nor can Us incidental con tributions to science fail to bo appreciated by the representative of tho people. The work should be pressed steadily forward, with means sufficient for the most effective working of tho existing organization, so that it may embrace, at uo dis tant period, the whole of our extended coast line within its operations, including ttie principal buibors in our nowiy-acquired Territory of Ahitku. RKSt'MK. . In concluding lids communication, it may not be inappropriate for tho Secretary, iu a few" brief words, to review some points iu the general policy of the administration of the Treasury for the past four yea i s. Tho following statement published In tho last Treasury reportexhibits the condition of tho Treasury on tho 1st ol April, 1805: I Ulie.ed debt $1,100,361,241 80 Matured debt 34'J, lvM'09 Temporarily la.iu certificate ti2,4.V2,.w)"23 Ceriircnie iifiudebtediieus 17l,7'Ja,0ii)-u0 luirrenl-hcaiuii; note M(i,al'2,SilJ'(HJ Suspended or unpaid requisition- 1 14, UbA.MS-Vii I'nilrd Siaicn uules, leal tenders ... 4H3,liSil,M!9 UO Frucliouul currency 24,254,094 07 $(17!,9212S'0 Deducting this sum from the amount of tho revenues. il.Gti2.47ti,Ot!2,20. and SilGO.174,-175'18, the Increase of tho public debt the remainder, 1,1 12,825, 111-78, or an averago of 318,928,021-8D per annum, is the amouut actually expended in the payment of current expenses aud interest. It ii, thus shown that within a period of three years and seven mouths, the revenues or tho receipts from all sources of revenue reached the .,,.. i:,:-i ion (u:--h nml th.it. CIIUI lillJUB' PUIM VI i ...... t':.0, 131,126-'J0 were paid on debts which were actually due at the close of the war, and for bounties which, like tho pay of the army, were a part of tho expenses of tho wur. Adding the amount thus paid to the debt as exhibited by the books of the Treasury on the first day of April, 18G5, It appears that the debt of the United States ut that time was $2,!U7,38(i,2o:)-21, aud that tho actual reduction has been 170,250,050-12 ; and but for tbe advances to tho Pacific roads, and tho amount paid for Alasku, would havo been $510, (i50.(J5U'12. IMMENSK KKHOI'UCKa. Nothing can belter exhibit the greatness of tho resources of this young nation than this st de ment, or show more clearly its ability to in iko "short work" of the extinguishment of tho public debt. It will be borne in luSnd that thesis 1m li:i use r vt lines have been collected while oue Uurd purl ol the country was iu a slaty of gru.it Cah in the Treasury $2,423,437,iKi2".8 , $5Mdl,Si2t 84 piled With securities, and that there was also throughout the Union a prevailing apprehension that financial disaster would speedily follow the termination of tho war. Tho gientoes of tho emergency pave the Secretary no time to try rx rrrimcnts for borrowing on a new security cf long time and lower iuterest, and removed from his mind nil doubt or hesitation iu regard to tho course to lie pursued. It was estimated that at least seven hundred millions of dollars should be raised, in addition to the revenue receipts, for the payment of the requisition already drawn, and that those must soon follow i rcparatory to the disbandment of the Union army and of other demand upon tho Treasury. The anxious Inquiries then were, by what means can this large amount of money bo raised? and not what will be tbe cost of raising It. How run the soldiers be paid, and the army be disbanded, so that the extraordinary expenses of the War Department may be stopped? and not what rate of interest shall be paid for the moucy. These were the inquiries pressed upon tho Secre tary, lie answered them by calling to hi aid the well-tried ugent who had been employed by bis immediate predecessors, and by offering the seven and three-tenths notes the most popular loan ever offered to the people In every city and village, and by securing the advocacy of the press throughout the length nnd breadth of the land. In It ps thnn four months from the time the work of obtnii.iiig subscriptions was actively com menced, the Treasury was In a condition to meet ccry demand upon it. But while the Treasury was thus relieved, the character of (he debt was by no means satisfac tory. On tbe first day of September it cousietcd of the following items : Fnndeddetu 8t,10t,SM,191RO Matured debt 1,50,0 (! Temporary lo n 107.14S.713 16 Certificates of Indebtedness 8.0!I3,0(H)-O0 Five per cent, lentil lender miles B 9M. 230-00 Ci'mpoiiiKl intend legal lender notes. 217,24,16D 00 T 30 notes 83i.l)n0.0ao-00 United Mules notrn, le'al tenduis 4:'3,1fiO,tjfiiH)0 FiarliiM al currency 28. It 44 742-M titif(,endtu requisitions uncalled fur... 2,111,000-00 Tolal $2,S4!i,0l7.C2(!-.VI Dei.utt cusb Iu Treaeury 88,2I8.0.')5 13 Tt.tal $2,3G6 955,077-84 By this stalament it appears that, with fr.ri(J,'8l,ii2-l-84 in the Treasury, there were re quUition waitiug for payment (the delay in the payment of which was greatly discrediting tho government) to the amount ot $111,25(1,5-18-1)3, that there were $52,452,32821) of temporary loan certificates liable to be presented in from ten to thirty days' notice, and -f171,7ii0,000 of certifi cates of indebtedness which had been Issued to contractors for waut of the money to pay the re quisitions in their favor, and which were matur ing daily. At tho same lime, the effort to nego tiate securities were not being attended with the usual success, while tho expenses of the war were not less than two millions of dollars per day. The vouchers issued to contractors for the neces sary supplies of the army and navy payable one half in certificates ot indebtedness aud the other liiilf iu money wero being sold at a discount of from ten to twenty per cent., indicating by their depreciation how low was the credit of tho go vernment, and .how uncertain was the time of pavment. The fall of Richmond and the surrender of the army of Virginia under General Lee, (which vir tually closed the war,) had not tho effect of re lieving the Treasury. On the contrary, its cm boirussmeuts were increased thereby, inasmuch in, it seemed to leave the government without ex citso for not paying its debts, at tho same time thut popular uppcal for subscriptions to the public loans were divcoted of much of their strength. As long tie tho government was In danger, by tho continuation of hostilities, the patriotism of the peoplo could be successfully appealed to for tho purpose of raising, money and sustaining the pul lie credit, without which the war could not do vigorously prosecuted. When hostilities censed, and 'the safety and unity of the go vernment were assured, self-interest became dgiin tlm controlling power. It will bo re liuinbirtd that it was then generally sup pored that the country was already fully sup. Balnee .7S7,6S!,6If43 From this statement it will be perceived that $l,27G,8:!.12a25 of the public debt consisted of various forms of temporary securities; $i:i;i,l(it),rGD of Uni'cd States notes the excess, of which over $ 100,000,000 having been put into circula tion in pnynieiit of temporary loans and f2(, ;M 1,7-12 of fractional currency. Portions of this ttnq oiarv debt were maturing dailv, and all of it, intlodirg 518,115,000 of the fuuJed debt, was to be provided for within a period of three years. The 7-110 notes were, by law and the terms of the loan, convertible at maturity, at t lie will of tho holder, into 5-20 bonds, or payable like the rest of these temporary obligations, iu lawfnl money. It was of course necessary to make provision for the daily maturing debt," and also for taking up, from time to time, such portions of it as could be advantageously converted into bonds or paid in currency before maturity, for tin- purpose of avoiding the necessity of accumulating large sums of money and of'relicving the Treasury from the danger it would be exposed to if a very considerable portion of the debt were permitted to mature, with no other means of paying it than that afforded by sales of bonds in a "market too uncertain to be confidently relied upon iu an emergency. In addition to the temporary loan, payment of which could be demanded on so short it notice as to make It virtually a debt payable on demand the certificates of indebtedness, which were maturing at the rate of from fifteen to twenty millions per month the five per cent, notes, which matured in January following, and the compound interest notes, which were payable nt various times wlthiu a period of three years there were $880,000,000 of 7-80 notes which would become duo os lollows, viz. : Aiienst is, 1867 ?nno,ooo,ooo' June 15, 1863 3no,00i),000 July 15. 1893 2;!i),000,000 As tho option of conversion was with the holders of these notes, it depended upon tho con dition of the market whether they would be pre sented for payment in lawful money or to be o chaii"ed for bopds. No prudent , intrusted wltiMl'if. ri.ro of the nation's interest and credit, wouM permit twt? or three Jiundrei miu'y? ?f debt to mature !r uwiu nuiKing provision for its payment; nor would he, If it could be avoided, ac cumulate large sums of money in the Treasury hich would uot be call'-d lor, if the price of bonds should be such as to make the conversion of the notes prcfe able to their payment in lawful money. The policy of tho Secretary was, there fore, a ho remarked in a former report, deter mined by the condition of the Treasury and the country, ond by the character of the debt. It was simply, liist, to put and keep the Treasury in such condition ns not only to be prepared to pay all i laims upon presentation, but also to be strong enough to pievenl the success of anv combina tions that might be formed to control Us manage ment; and. second, to take up quietly In advance of their maturity, by payment or conversion, such poi tions of the temporary debt as would obviate the necessity of accumulating large cur rency balances in the Treasury, and at the sumo time relieve it lrom mo tiangcroi ueinir lorcea to a fct ther issue of legal tender notes, or to a sale ol bonds, at whatever price they might command. In earn ing out this policy, it seemed also to bo the duty of the Secretary to have duo regard to the interests of the people, and to prevetit, as far ns possible, the work of funding from disturbing legitimate business. As financial trouble has almost inverlably followed closely upon the ter mination f protracted wars, it was generally lean il, us l.us been already remarked, that such trouble would be unavoidable at the close of the great and expensive war In which the United tntis had been tor lour years engaged, mis, ot course, it was important to avoid, as Its occur rence might not only render funding dilllsult, nut might prostrate those great interests upon which the government depended for its revenues. It was, and constantly has been, therefore, tho aim of the Secretary so to administer tho Treasury, while borrowing money and tunning tne tem 1 lirary obligations, as to prevent a commercial crisis, and to keep the business of the country as steady as was possible on the basis of an irre deemable and constantly Huctuating currency. Whether bis efforts have contributed to this end or not, lie does not undertake to say ; but tbe fact Is iinijiH stioned, that a great war has been closed huge ionus have been effected heavy revenues have been collected, and some thirteen hundred millions of dollars of temporary oblig itious havo been pnid fir funded, and a great debt brought into manageable shape, not ouly without a flnun ciid ciisis, but without any disturbance to the ordinary business of the country. To accomplish theso things successfully, the Seen taiy deemed it necessary, as has been before stated, that the Treasury should be kept con stantly iu a strong condition, with power to pre vent the credit of the government and the great Interests of the people from being placed at tho mercy of adverse iuflueuces. Notwithstanding tbe magnitude and character of the debt, this power tbe Treasury has, for the last three years, possessed; aud it has been the well-known exist ence, rather than tbe exercise of it, which has, in repeated iustanecB, saved tho country from panic and disaster. The gold reserve, the maintenance of which has subjected the Secretary to constant bitter criticism, has giveu a confidence to tho holder of our securities, at home and abroad, by the constant evidence which it exhibited of tho obility i of the government, without depending upon purchases in the market, to pay the interest upon tho publio debt, ond a steadiness to trade, by preventing violent fluctuations in tho con vertible value of the eiijjyency, which have been a more than ample compensation to the country for any loss of Interest that may have been sus tained thereby. If the gold in the Treasury had bteu sold dowu to what was absolutely needed for the payment of tho interest on the public debt, not only would the public credit havo beon endangered, but the currency, and, consequently the entire business of the country would have been constantly subject to tho dangerous power of speculative combinations. Of the unavailing effort that was made by the Secictary to contract the currency, with the view of liupreciating it to tho soccie standard, ho foi betitt. to spe.uk. His action In respect to con trrctli o, although authorized, and for a llmo sus tained, was subsequently 'disapproved (as ho thinks unwliely) by Congress. Ulils Is a ques tion, however, that can bo better determined beriHller than now. j REAL ESTATE SALES. , G KEAL E8TATK.-TBOMAS SOtfS' SALKModern Tbree-story Brlok Kest ueuce, No. 29J H. Third street, above Bprnon s'leel.-On Inesday, December 23,1888, al 12 o'elor, noon, will be sold at pnblto sale, at tn 'Mladelphla Exobsnge, all that modern tbrea-H-.-t br'ek noetsaage and lot of ground situate 1Bt ld ot Third street, 86 feet 8 lnebes TV1"00 street. No. 292: containing In flliJ?? Thlrf .t;e nobes. and ex tending In deptb 80 feet, toaetuer wltb tbe privilege of a Mirre feel wide alley. Xt bas tbe was introdnced; bath, hot and oold water, etc Clear of all incumbrance. Terms 13000 may remain on morigMga Immediate possession. Kejsattte Atfftnon ltoomn, ,.M T.HOMAB A HONS. Auctioneers. 12 7 2w Nos. IWaml HI H. FOUKTH Hlreet. FANCY GOODS. RB & C. A. WRIGHT, Ko. C2i CIIESXrT STREET, Have Utst received a large assortment of NEW AND ELKO ANT FANCY ARTICLES. Selected iu Europe this season for tbelr NOVELTY AND BEAU I Y, ESPECIALLY FOR CHRISTMAS PUEdENrS. Also, a large and beautiful assortment or gtnulLe MEERSCHAUM PirES, Which tbey offer for sale III 80 mwnu AT VERY REDUCKD PRICES. 1 fl O L I D A Y JP R ESCNT3! WRITING DESKS, A veiy Large Assortment, From II 50 to $35 00. WALNUT, ROSEWOOD, MAHOONY, PAl'l b R-M At'HU, AND LE-AfHElt BACK UAMA10N BOARD-, FOUIFOLTO, HL'OrCH GOODS, And a variety of FANCY UUODd AND GAMES. R. HOPKINS & CO.. . No. 013 ARCH S.reet. 91mws8rn Open Eveolog. T-T OLIDA Y' PRESENTS. Just received, a large assortment of Papier Macbe Rosewood Wr.tiDir links, Backgammon Boards, Cbess, Oold Pens, Walleis, Cards, Games, etc. Fiencb Paper and Envelopes, already stamped, la boxts.. JOHN JLUSBKD, 1U12IPWS No. 921 BPRINQ PARPEN Street. CARRIAGES. Q A R R I A G C S. Neilce Is repeetfn'if given to customers ana others dnilrU g CA1UU Aditt ut the MANUFACTURE or Vm. D. ROGERS, OF OHESNUT STREET, To place their orders as sooa as possible, to Insure tueir completion tor the DR1YIKG SEASON OF 1809. vt neat and and Insurance effected, OA BRTAGEH "Rf Alv IRRlilAtt Et bTOBRD YM. D. ROGERS, Kw 1009 aud 1011 CI1ESMT Street, lUfPHv2m PHILADELPHIA. OAItDHEU & FLEMING, CARRIAGE BUILDERS. Ho. 211 South FIFTH Street, BELOW WA1NUT. An asdortmeat of NEW AND SECOND HAND CARRIAGES always on liana at REASONABLE PfclCJu-3. S t (mwtiin FURS. TpANCY FURS I FANCY FUR3 ! GREAT REDUCTION IN PRICES. JOHN F A It E I H A, At bis old and -well -known FUR HOUSE, No. 718 AKCU Street, Is now closing oat tne balance of bis immense assortment ot FANCY XTJXfcS, For Ladles' and Children's wear, at a great redact Ion i.r prices. Tbls stock must ail be suld before New Year lo make loom lor great alteration! lnouresta biUbuient next enr. Tbe cbaracter of my b urn is too well known to require praise. Remember tbe name and number, JOHN FAUEIRA, No. 7IO ARCH STREET, 11 30 2-U rp PHILADELPHIA, LEWIS BLAYLOCK, o. 52 K. EIUI1T1I St., Below Arch, Where may be found a larue assortment of FINE ITU IIS FOR LADIES AND CHILDREN. AlHO, ROBES ASD GENTLEMEN'S jTCItS, OA lMLETB, MUFFLERS aud CAPS, at reaoon able im: U M fmw tu at FURNITURE, ETC. EXTRA FINE FUltNITUltE. Latest Designs Superior Make aud Finish. A. & H. LEJAMBRE, French Cabinet Makers aud Upholsterers, Ao. 1433 CIIESXUT Street, 12 2 wmulm -PHILADELPHIA. CHROMO-LITHQGRAPHS. "A REGAL DESSERT." A new and beautiful Chromo-Llthorrapb, aftez a painting by J. W. Peyer, Just received by A. S. K Oil INS ON, ' No. 910 CHE8NCT Street, ' Who bas )ast received NEW OH ROM OH. N.W KNURAVrNGS, ' KiW FRKNOH FHOTOGKAPH8, NEW IRKUDIf UNAMELb BOOKING aLASaiM, Ji.M. t,lu VttKB OALLKHT, AUCTION SALES. BANTING, DI7UB0B0W A CO.,. AD0TI6K- Of Bank tlrtat. HuoooMors to John H. Mj er? aiS IjARQKBALK Or BRITISH. FRKWm OXRIfjtM . Oo TburifUy Mornlnc, m SCO. 10, at 10 o'clock, ou lour moniua' oredlt. fit i is . 1.AR8H BAtB OF CA KPETTNOS. ' FLOOR OU.' rno plM5 inn-sin. Venetian. Hat, bemp. cotmri VJ r( carpvUnss. Uoor oil olotb. aio. 1iih X.ARQ-B BALE OF FRKuo W AND OTHER. KtJRO- rA:J'HY aooiiH, Era jveo 14. at 10 o clock, on lour month i' credit. II I m BALE OF IIAArifilBinlvVKa December TS, at loo-ci., on lour Months' oriiiw MAIU'Dl BROTHERS, AUjrF0NEER3Z. It.an.ir Pain.ni... r... m' m.UT . Lr JSo. iw CliAbNUX bt-r enwanc. from aTnor. HANDSOME HEPIDkni w An nmviw. I I N J N U- KUO At F I ! h CM 11 U KK HO uw! wi x lis NO Hi hi K. PA iNl'INGa. lRONZtoVf?3 On 'Ibuf.oay MornluK Pfcmbpr 10, at Iw o'clora.at No.8l Wbartf i lrei. by catai. gnp, tbe entire' naodBome b"u"u!3 i iDhur. lncluoln suit Hegani walnut and gei WfibV.!If'.V,,-,;fo"m '"""'. four suiu el'Ifn V.lJf """Lt cbauioer lurniiure ro.sewo..d pUmZ fort, linetrcnon plate mantel mirror hinaim.. balr niaurteB,.oiiMecninbrrull. oil palntiu.a and t-niravlriiii, bror.a. nCu KokImI BruMel n! -May be examined at S o'clock on tbe morning oi " HANE60ME ODBN RE9IDENCR. Inininlihiny previous to ilie sale or lurnilnre, at iu o' loi, on lie ptrniiHP, will be sold tne banTi! aonieniodern ibren auny brick rrinueoce. w it k , duuole ibree morv bBtk-t.ulflliigB and lot ol irouid liuaie on the nor b side or W barton i street' A t""!.?!'.'- 'J he houe la very .upri.Jr. ' . . ""MJUI raonee, not ai d cola waier jalrr then, beater, aa tnroiiKhoot; ban narioS f)iuln,.rii,n).aud kucbu ou Umi Tn.,or lutat m bmb and a.fne-KMma.HU rbambers dry """aVS an iiuie. 11 1 Hi - . .Fa,e No" ''' Ohsent utreef. HA N D0 W h. t U X M 1 1 R , HJ Pk H lOK OOTTA n li Ail H K l-Ul I b. VI ti K H Allt Ma'l TK K2S On Friday Alornlng, Dec. ll.stlOo'ch ck, at No. 1:7 Chenut St., byoata. loue tnei,ilreBiiperlor household lurniiure Inalud. ligirptrlorwaiuuliarijriurnliurejgBul BhandwuX -aaliiUi iLamlivr r.iriiltnri. a ...... .......... """wuia , ri amiri-r lurnl urt-; Hue hair a d ouir ni.trw,. beauli Ki liovn line BiuneiB. Ingrain, and VHuatian carneiB:; chma and g au.waie; k.lcheu furniiur "nd uirniilB: wlneuw shadeB, elo. i iv 17? U ay be txaniltied at 8 o'clock on morning of sale. LAIiGK PFECIAL BALK OF FINE TOrrwT WAtE. AT TUi, AUCTION HOOAIli HT On balurday Morning, Decrmber 12 at 11 o'clo. k. at the auction rooms, br clalo,ue wnbout leat-rve, a lage aBnomueul of Plain aud fancy naluUd flue loUot seta, Una slim Jars, foot tubs, and water carriers. u j jj 8ale at No. Ufa Cama-i street. BrPFRIOR bOLCkHOLll rUttM'IURtC.nOBHi. Si'IYi'it'f IS r&Wtt1 Ou Monday Morning, Decsmbrr H, at 10 ocuck. al No. lofl Cam an urtei, between Twt-irib and Tblrteenib aireevk. abi ve Berktt sireet.lbe rntlre superior bousetiolul luriiiiuie. rceooil plauo-tone, flue Brussels Ingrain blU oilier carpeta, china and klaaaware. inatu easua bt dcfli g. exieiiHli.n table, no. . Maybe exaUilutd at ti o'clock on tbe morning of 'Si--. 12 2t . Ha'e No. 59 Chesnut street. VALUaHLK fcoOKrl AND ALB DM 3, On Morday Afternoon, 14 n Inat, at 4i'ulocs, at tbe auction rooms by cata lfltue, Va'ua'ilelJulleullun ol Baots, Inuluaing lam ly 11 uxlrated works. Die HI bios, pnolograpk tiibuius. bauuaomely bound, etc. u . Public 6a'e on tbe pre Dlres, No. 2118 Erandywlne street. EEI3IDENCE AND FURNITURE. . On Tnursnay Morning. Mb Instant, at lu o'clock. 011 tbe premises, alt that nei t modem linee-story brick reeldeute, two-atorr lmck-l.nl ding aud lot o( ground. 16 feel, front by 77 leet cltrp. aiiuaie on Ihe aouib side ol Rrauriywlna Blrtet, ao. 2114, etibleoi aoud .... V" to. fl-hUbbil-H ANU OIHFH CAHPi'ls liTn111 I"'ul'y sue. tbV sale 01 the KsldMat la be, a.d dih..lgromTuVnbuVe UuTii ZelanS May be ezumlued OU tbe morclug ofsa'e at o't'K tk. 2 4 in ' M1H011A8 4 iSOMl?, KCfc. 13) AMD li a b. JOUHIH fcl KkkT. Bale at tbe Anoilon Roong, Nor. 139 and 111 B. Fnnrtl. street. uuiw HAKDHOMH FURNI'lUKK, PIANO, MIEttOH" HANUhONU VU.LVKT, JIUUd sEL i A NO On Thursday Morning, Do. lo. at 9 o'clock, ai the Auction Room, by cata-' lofcue, alargeaisurtmentor superior Iloiwehoid 'ur- ' niiure.couiprliilng Handsome walnut parlor, .loiarr dlulug-iooui, auu cuaruuer lurniiure; so lienor r-rss' w ilnno-loi'te, hue f reucn plate mantel aud uUr mirrors. warombes, buok-ca-.eu ald.borda, extension, o-mre, and bouquet tab.m; chlua, gla-ss, and niated ware; beds and bidding; flue hair mattresses; 01U09 furullure; chanoellere; fine eagravlngv gai o iu dumlug and cooking eiovet; bandaome veivet Brus sels atd other carpets, etc. etc, 12 8 2 ' Bale at No M24 Walnut street. . 6UPEBIOR HOUHEHuLD FL'HNITLKE LARfJR MANIKL AI) PlJtn MIRRUItS, JiaUsaJSlLS On Friday Morning. ' 1Kb ioHlant, at iu o'clock, at, Mo. ie4 Walnut ttrAet " by cdialokue, couiprilug drawing-room lurmture ' mantel and plt-r mlrrols: anu Brussels aud other i-arpe s; eiiperl r blicb wood cbember luinliuemada 1 to crcer l-y r-arhei; e eanv cbeval .glaas: ingrain 1 carpels; ol, cloth, etc . etc. ' May be exaiulLid on the morning of sale at 8 ' o'ciock . H9 2t 1 ri-irjlllA ItlRTll .tr KIIM lI'rMivn.t. L AND OOMWHSMION MKltoaANTM. N.i. ma 0 HKcN UT Btreeti rear entrance No. UU7 Banaom all BALE OF FINE DIAMOND JEWELttY. GOLD ' WAICHIB. CHAINI. KTO. 1 On Thuu day siorolng. ' At 11 o'clock al ibe suction Btue, No. 1110 nhe-innt slreei. will be sold an lo voice of Hue diamond clurer aud single more brcaetpins aud linger rlgs. line gold KUd si. vtr EuKllub and bw bs waiches, gold Leonllaa tha ns. tld sleeve butlons Btuds. el -. '1 lie fiotds can be examined ai the auction store on Vitdtiesdy. ii2t Sale No. 11 lu i hesn--'t street. brpj:ninR ms anli afc;uiNi,.iiArJn Hotraie. liUlD FCRMTCKK 1UMH CKPKTel. Milt-K- jHf , rLUKD WAmi, OLAiidWABlt. JCJCLO 1.KO.H, CHINA. - l tl. Oo Fililay Morning, At ( "'clock, at the auction b-ore, No. UlOObesant . I Yll l,J tn,l m l.,ua Bua,.w...an I . Utuiehiild lurtilture, lucludlug elegant walnut pr lorsnlis In piUHb, cbambf r suiisol ulnut, 11 n la tied In Ml and varnish; sldehoardB, exten.lon dlnleg. tables, spring and hair matlrcsiea marble-top tauten, cot eg" cuamber fniulluie. Bratsela tapeilry, Inira'n ana Venetian earpets; meiodeou. parlor orgaa, reiod piano-fortes, silver plated ware, Ouina stoves, sis. Also, office deiks and tables, dreproof cheat, letter press, eic. iet'Asi'8 OF GLAWiWAFE-Also. IS paokaeai of pew giasiware, 01 nailing of band sets, giihlets psfplts, tumblers, clshee, bowls, elo. 1111 IPP1NCOTT. BON & CO.. ALCriONEBBS. AbHJlUUJsT BULLDINO, No. SAU UAiVkkT Bt. HOLIDAY GOODS. LATlfil" POSITIVE HKEUIAL M 4.LE OF WKVi t KtNOH AND GERMAN FANCY OOOOS BOH 1 UK HOLIDAY BltAJSON. n We Will sell On Thursday, Dec 19. and On Friday, Deo. 11, A rplrpdld anforiiiieiil of Paris and Gsrman Goo da lor the approaching holiday season, 14 g g On Friday, Pro. 11, we will sell a large and general assortment Ol Fat,c Goods suitable lor the Heliaay,al.4 USilt, V. McCLEIS & CO., AUCTIONEERS. 1 0. tus MAjHKET -Street. BALE OF 17C0 OABEB BOO'I-S, afTOES, BB0QAN3 HAL MORALS, ETC On Thursday Morning, December 10. coninieuciug at iu o'ulock. we will sell by cnlalogue, for caao, 17uu cases cases men's, boy', and youths' bouts, shoes, brogans. nalotorals. etc. Alio a large Hue of ladles', misses', aud eblllren Cllj u ade gotids, 1S 41 CLABK A EVANS, AUCTIOKEEBS, NO. 639 CUiJsN UT Bixeew Will sell THIS DAY, Morning and Evening, A large Invoice ot Blankets, Bed bpreada, Dry Uooda. Lloths, t'anlDieres. Hosiery, bUllouery, Taule aiMl I'ocketCiiiIery, Noilous, eto. (Jay and country pitrvuauts will Dud bargains. Terms cesh. ... Goods nacked free of charge t s xxfi "TTii i a m "a o iTa" n t W (luHM(BlONMir.ClUNT Nf B B. DELAWa UK Avenue, fhliadelphla. AG. NT VOH DupoBt's Gunrowilnr, Relined Nitre, Ohart-oal. eto W. Baker A (i.'s (Miucolnte. Ooi-oa. and Hinuia, r cker Bros. A (Jo.'s Yellow Aietal Buea.hlag lio'Ui, and ban, lti c, I