Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-12-21

o.nt ,vsem But the law 10 temporary on the lace OF u.
and was Intended compromise between conflicting IN.
forests. And uuless the revenue To- ssse onae "ooa
here. er be more productive than 10 sne'Pstsd will
he in two years hls time. 10 Impose duiies
on articles that tree, In order 10 the current
expenses Of the Government There would seen, thers.
tor 40 n. NO advantage sgatng the question the
Moment Vet some modification OF the existing
law. win he and to S 'Ss
to evade II. provisions, without In any degree affecting
ITS principles.
for 1884, should be regulated by proper
gard economy Heretofore the receipts he expected.
could be ascersined with some degree OF certainty De.
they principally derived from the imports OF
previous years. aud the bombs taken Tor the duties on such
imports she wed the amount OF receipts which might sae.
Iy be counted But, under The system al cash dn
ties and short credits year must mainly depend Tor
its income its imports. Aud commerce II al
ways less, liable to fluctuations the public inter-
requires that there should be at all times la the Trea-
sury, sufficient sum to provide for unforeseen contingent
cies, aud to guard against in the estimated
receipts. The celebrations the inceme oil succeeding
year, Is necessarily uncertain under the present sys
tem than under tho former one 81 long crci's-And u
the ancpaon Of the receipts oil 1884 and 1885, should
be fully realized, there will not be than ought be
provided the estimated scale OF expenditures. Al the
last session of Congress, the appropriations exceeded
twenty one millions i've hundred thousand dollars being
nearly three millions five hundred thos.nd above the
Inmates presented at the beginning VI the session. sim
lar amount oil expenditure authorized at the present
sion, might render necessary TO provide additional reve
nue. earlier than is now contemplated
- understood 10 be conceded on all hands that tariff
that
the revenue Is to be reduced 10 the necessary Of
the Government Vasus causes have Contributed to ell
large the proposed expenditures TOR 1884, as in be seen
by the particular estimates from the fsrent Departments
but IL is believed that all the objects Tor which this Go.
vernnen established, be effec ualiy attained
much less anoual expense hereafter; and the and
mutual good feeling OF this country sill be
secured aud perpeiuaed by rgiy cdnining the opera.
ons Of the Gene, al Government to it's appropriate sphere
II this is done, and its expenditures regulated by
strict economy he burthens imposes will scarcely be
felt by our czsns, while its blessings nesiiabie
Ast'e public debt will soon be exngushed II IL proper
that books and papers which belong the various
offices, should be transmitted 10 the seat OF
and placed among the archives OF the nation. Ii is he.
eve that the standing debt be purchased IA.
vors6ie in the OF the ensuing year,
II can be most venienily purchased the Treasury
appears, therefore, desirable that provision should he
made by law, tor Immediately transmitting this Depart
ment all the books and papers relating the national debt
The money be readily transmitted TO the public
creditor, without charge him Or to the Government and
he can be paid place where he sy wish ceive
The act At March O. 1907, abolished the office Of Com.
missioner Of Loans aud aniered the duties the Bank
Of the Unhed States. The money necessary to pay the
pubic creditors has, from time TO time, been
the Bank by The treasury; aud appears that large
have remained for consider able time in the Bank, with
out being applied to the pu poses which they
tended. The amount has been reduced within a lew
mouths past But the statement from the Registers Office
here with presented ked l. will show that 773 90
sill enainei in their hands the fret OF October last
portion OF this sum- appears by the paper referred
was advanced some years ago. Aud there 10
why this money should continue the hands of the Bank
where IL Is useless 10 the 'ove ell the
Tor! he delay in the payment, has probably in
stances, been caused by the parry
ignorance OF his representative 10 his claim the u
The situation OF these standing claims, renders it still
that the books and papers relating the
public debit should be forthwith transmitted TO this De.
psrnent, where the proper inquiries could be made,
to the cause Of the delay and taken ascertain
who is entitled to receive the money As the amount il
justly due from the United States one, and may
belong TO persons who ignorant Of their rights justice
TO require that the Government should take mea.
sures TO apprise them of their claims and Of the readiness
OF the United States to discharge them.
The destruction OF the building occupied by the Trea-
Department, has occasoned the loss of valua
BILE papers. But is believed that have
Toyed that can materially affect the public interests. IL
will become necessary to provide another building, aud
the loss already sustained the documents
this office shows the propety Of erecting upon differ
en- plan from the former and of placing the archives
oil the Government in situation less exposed danger
The Inconvenience which felt from the present
ton OF the offices connected with this Department well
the exposed condition Of the papers, induce me
invite the early attention of Congress to this subject
The report from the Commissioner of the Genera Land
Office is herewith presented, showing the condition Of that
branch OF the public servce and containing esons
for its improvements.
All which is respectfully submitted.
r. b TANEY,
Secretary Of the Treasury
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.. !
December l7,h, 1888. !