Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-12-27

To this end, it is indispensable that its finances
should be untrammelled and its resources as far as
practicable, unincumbered No circumstance could
present greater obstacles to the accomplishment oil
these vitality important objects, than the creation OF
| an onerous national debt Our own experience, and
also that of other nations have demonstrated the UNI
avoidablc and fearful rapieity with which public
debt Is increased, when the Government has once
surrendered itself to the ruinous practice OF supply
ing its supposed necessities by new loans. The
struggle, therefore, on our part, to be successful
must be made at the threshold To make our efforts
effective, severe economy is necessary This is the
surest provision for the national welfare; and 1t Is,
at the time, the best preservatve of the prin~
ciples on which our institutions rest. Simplicity
and economy in the affairs Of State have never failed
to chasten and invgorate Republican principles,
while these have been surely subverted by ma
tional prodigalty under whatever specous pretcxts
IT may have been introduced or fostered.
THESE CONSIDERATIONS cannot be lost upon people
VINO nave never been nattenive 10 the effect OF Their
policy upon the institutions they have created tor
themselves; but at the present moment their force Is
augmented by the necessity which decreasing re-
venue must impose. The check lately gwen 10 i'm
portations Of articles subject to duties, The derange
mens IN the operations OF internal trade, and espe
cally the reduction gradually taking place IN our ia
RI ofdutles, all tend materially 10 lessen Our recepts
indeed II is probable that the dmn1ion Resulting
from the last cause alone, will not fall short OF five
millions OF dollars in the year 1912, as the final re-
ducton of all duties TO twenty per cent then takes
| efec-. The whole revenue men accrung from the
customs, and from the sales of public lands II not
mere will undoubtedly be wanted 10 deiray the re-
cesarv expenses Of the Govern rnen ander the most
pruden. administration OF It's tHllrs These are cir
cumstanccs that impose the necessity of rigid econo
N.Y. and require It's prompt and CONSTANT exercise
With the Legislature rest the power and duty of so
adjusting the public expenditure 10 promote this
end BY the provisions of the Constitution, II - only
IN consequence OF appropriations made ny law, that
money can be drawn fro the Treasury; no Instance
he tail hrup ~ p
ment in which the Executive though component
part OF the Leg siave power has interposeo an OBJ
lection 10 an appropriation bill Oh the sole ground OF
It's extravaganza His duty in this respect has been
considered fulfilled by requesting such appropriations
only as the public service may be reasonably expect
ed 10 require In the present earnest recon of the
public mind towards this subject boz y the Exc cutive
and the Legislature have evidence ci tho strict respon
sibllity 10 which they will b. held; and while am
cons of my anxious Efforts perform with
fidelity this portion of my public fiincons ii
tisaculop 10 10 be able count on cord: al CO.
operation from you.
At the time entered upon nv presest duties our
ordinary Observation-Disclosures including those
account of the public debt, the post Office and the
trust funds In charge of the Government--had been
largely Increased by appropriations for the removal
OF the Indians, for repelling Indian hostilites, and
for other less urgent expenses which grew out of
overlooking Treasury. Independent Of the redemp-
ton OF the public debt and trusts the gross expend
lures OF seventeen and eighteen millions in 1884 and
1885 had, by these causes swelled to twenty nine
millions in 1886, and the appropriations for 1887
made previously to the fourth of March, caused the
expenditure to rise to the very large amount Of
thirty three millions. We were enabled during the
year 1888, notwithstanding the continuance of our
Indian embarrassmeRts, some W hat to reduce this
amounts and that for the present year, 1899, will not
In all probability exceed twenty-six mions--or six
millions less than it was last year. With dctermi-
nation far depends to continue this reduce
ton, have directed the estimates for 1910 be SUBJ
cctcd to the severest scrutiny and to be limited TO
he alsOlr to re- lppt nj
They will be found less than the expenditures Of
1889 by over five millions of dollars.
The precautionary measures which will be recon-
mended by the Secretary of the Treasury protect
faithfully the pnblic credit under the fluctuations
and contingencies to which receipts and expcn-
ditnres exposed and especially in commerce l
crisis like the present, commended to early
attoRtion.
On former occasion your attention was invited
to various considerations in support Of pre- cmpton
law IN behalf of the settlers the public lands
and also Of law graduating the prices for such
lands as had long been in the market unsold, in con
sequence of their inferior quality. The execution
of the act which passed ON the first subject has
been attended with the happicst conse quences, in
quoting titles, and securing improv to the in
dustrious; and il has Also to very gratifying ex-
tent. been exempt from the frauds which were prac
tised under previous presumption laws. Ii has, at
the same time, anticip contributed libe
rally during the present year to the receipts Of the
Treasury.
The passage of a graduation law, with the guards
add considerably to the revenue for several years,
and prove in other respects Just and beneficial.
Your early consideration ~ the subject is, there
fore, once more earnestly requested
The prt se=t condition Of tn deiences of our prn-
cpal seaports and navy yards, representa- by
the accompanying report OF the Secretary of War
calls for tho early and ouJ attention Of Congress;
and as cctng itself intimately with this subject
cannot recommend too strongly 10 your consldera-
ton the plan submitted by that officer for the organ
izanon of the militia Of the United States.
In conformity with the expressed wishes Of Con
grcss attempt was made IN the spring TO terminate
the Florida war by negotiation. II ~ TO be regretted
that these humane intentions should have been
f strated and that the effort to ing these unhappy
dlflicutiesto satisfactory CONCLUSION shoald have
failed. But, after entering into solemn engagements
with the Commanding General, the Indians without
any provocaon, re- commenced their acts of treach-
cry and murder. The renewal OF hostIitlcs in that
Territory renders II necessary that should recon.
mend To- your favorable nsdcraton the plan which
will be submitted 10 you by the Secretary Of War,
in order to enable that department 10 conduct them
10 n successful issue.
Having had an opportunity Of personally inspect.
ing a portion Of the troops curing The last summer
II gives me pleasure 10 bear testimony the
of the effort improve their discipline, by keeping
them together in as large bodies as The nature Of our
service will permit recommend. therefore, that
commodlous and permanent barracks be constr, cted
M the several posts designated BY the Secretary Of
War. Notwithstanding the high state Of their dis
cipInc and excellent polcc the evils resulting 10
the service from the deficiency Of company officers.
were very apparent and rec Commend that the staff