US Presidency
1873

The advantages to be gained by these two amendments are too obvious for me to comment upon them. One session in each year is provided for by the Constitution, in which there are no restrictions as to the subjects of legislation by Congress. If more are required, it is always in the power of Congress, during their term of office, to provide for sessions at any time. The first of these amendments would protect the public against the many abuses and waste of public moneys which creep into appropriation bills and other important measures passing during the expiring hours of Congress, to which otherwise due consideration can not be given. TREASURY DEPARTMENT. The receipts of the Government from all sources for the last fiscal year were $ 333,738,204, and expenditures on all accounts $ 290,345,245, thus showing an excess of receipts over expenditures of $ 43,392,959. But it is not probable that this favorable exhibit will be shown for the present fiscal year.