US Presidency
1859

It is gratifying, however, to observe an increase of receipts for the year ending on the 30th of June, 1859, equal to $ 481,691.21 compared with those in the year ending on the 30th June, 1858. It is estimated that the deficiency for the current fiscal year will be $ 5,988,424.04, but that for the year ending 30th June, 1861, it will not exceed $ 1,342,473.90 should Congress adopt the measures of reform proposed and urged by the Postmaster-General. Since the month of March retrenchments have been made in the expenditures amounting to $ 1,826,471 annually, which, however, did not take effect until after the commencement of the present fiscal year. The period seems to have arrived for determining the question whether this Department shall become a permanent and ever-increasing charge upon the Treasury, or shall be permitted to resume the self sustaining policy which had so long controlled its administration.