Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-12-09

expenditure for all objects, other than the public
debt, will not exceed fourteen millions, scven hun
drcd thousand Tho payment on account of the
principal and interest of the debt, during tho year.
will exceed sixteen millions and u half of dollars:
greater sum than has been applied TO that object,
out OF the revenue, in any year since the enlarge
ncnt of the sinking fund, except tho two years
following immediately thereafter. The amount
which will have been applied TO the public debt
from the 1th of March, 1899, to the first of Janu-
airy next, which is less than three years since the
administration has been placed in my hands, will
exceed forty millions of dollars.
From The large importations of tho present year.
il may be safely estimated that the revenue which
will b received into the Treasury from that source
during the next year, with tho aid of that received
from the public lands, will considerably exceed ;hc
amount of the receipts of the present year; and il
is believed that with the means which the Govern
mcnt will have at its disposal from various sources
which will be fully stated by the Department, the
Whole OF the public debt may be eXtinguishod,
either by redemption purchase, within the four
years ofmy administration. We shall then exhibit
the rare example of great nation, Astounding in
al the means of happiness and security, altogether
free from debt
The confidence with which the cxtincuishment
of the public debt may be anticipated, presents an
opportunity for carrying into effect more fully the
policy IN realization to import duties which has
been recommended in my former messages A
modification OF the Tariff, which shall produce n
reduction of our revenue to the wants of the Co
vernmcnt, and an adjustment of the duties on inn
ports with n view TO equal Justice in relation to
all our national interests and to the counteraction
of foreign policy far az it NAV be iniurious TO
those interests is deemed to be of the principa
objects which demand the consideration of the
present Congress. Justice TO the interest of tho
merchant as well Is the manufacturer, requires
that material reductions in the import duties be
prospective: and unless the present Congress- shall
dispose of tho subject, the proposed reductions
cannot properly be made to take effect at the pc
Rod when tho necessity for the arising from
present rates shall cease 1t therefore desirable
thas arrangements be adopted at your present SEES
sion, to relieve the people from unnecessary tax
alton, after the e1tinguishment of the public debt
In the exercise of that spirit of concession and con-
Citation which has distinguished the friends of
our Union IN all great emergencies it is belle we'd
that this object may be effected without injury to
any national interest.
In my annual message of December 1929,
had the honor to recommend the adoption of
a more liberal policy than that which then prevail
ed towards unfortunate debtors to the Government.
and deem it my duty again to invite your atten
ion to this subject.
Actuated by similar views, Congress at their last
session passed act for the relief of certain in
solvent debtors of the United States: but the pro
visions OF that law have not been deemed such as
were adequate to that relief to this unfortunate
class of our fellow. citizens, which may be safely
extended TO them. The points in which the In W
appears to be defective will be particularly comr1
nicated by the Secretary of the Treasury: and
take pleasure In recommending such an extension
OF ITS provisions will unfetter the enterprise of
Il valuable portion of our citizens and restore TO
them the means of usefulness TO themselves
and the community. While deliberatinp unon
this subject, L would also recommend to your
consideration the propriety of so modifying the
laws Tor enforcing the payment of debts due
either TO tho public TO individuals suing in the
courts of the United States, as to restrict the inn
prsonment of the person to of fraudulent
conceaIment of property. Tie personal liberty OF
the citizen seems too sacred to be held as in many
h., g IL.
he is willing TO surrender all the means he has of
discharging his debt.
The reports from the Secretaries of the War and
Navy Departments, aud from the Postmaster Cen
era which accompany this message, present salts
factory views of the operations OF the Departments
respectively under their charge; and suggest i'm
provenionts which are worthy of, and to which /
invite the serious attention of Congress- Certain
defects and omissions having been discovered in
the operation of the laws respecting patents they
are pointed out in the accompanying report from
tho Secretary Of State.
have heretofore recommended amendments of
the Federal Constitution giving the election of
President and Vice President to the PeopIe and
limiting the service of the former to Il single term
So important do L consider these changes in our
fundamental law, that cannot, in accordance with
my sense ofduty, omit to press them upon the con-
sideration of a now Congress. For my views more
at large, well III relation these points as to the
disqualification ofmembers of Congress to receive
an Office from President in whose election they
have had an official agency, which proposed as a
substitute, refer you to my former messages.
Our system of public accounts is extremely com
Pi!cated, and, it is believed, may be much impro-
we'd. huch of the present machinery and con-
siderable portion of the expenditure Of public mo-
ney may be dispensed with, while greater facilities
can be afforded to the liquidation of claims upon
the Government, and examination into their
justice and legality quite efficient as the present
secured. With view to general reform i'm the
system recommend the subject to tho attention
of Congress.
deem it my duty again TO call your attention
to the condition of the District Of Columbia 1t
was doubtless wise in the trainers Of our Constjt,I
Ion to place the people of this District under the
jurisdiction of the General Governments: but to
accomplish the objects they had in view, it is not
necessary that this people should be deprived of all
the privileges of self-governmcnt. INDEPENDENTLY
OF the difficulty of inducing the Representatives
OF distant States TO turn their attention TO projects
OF laws which are not of the highest interest 10
their constituents they not individuality nor in
Congress collectively, well qualified to epislate
over the local concerns Of this District Consc-
quentiy, It's interests much neglected. and the
people almost afraid to present their grievances
lost u body in which they are not represented
and which feels little sympathy in their local rela
ations, should in its attempt to make laws for
them, do more harm than good Governed bv the
laws OF the States whence they were severed, the
TWO shores OF the Potomac within the ten miles
square, have different penal codes: not the present
codes OF Virginia and Maryland, but such as exist
cd In those States at the time of the cession TO the
United States. AS Congress will not form now
code, and as the people of the District cannot
make one for themselves, they are virtually under
two Governments Is it not Just to allow them at
least delegate in Congress, if not local I,coisIg
turo, to make laws for the District subject to tho
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