Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-12-17

chieiiy on the people themselves, the opin-
ions they form of the true construction of
the constitution, and the confidence they re-
pose III the political sentiments of those they
Seiect as ,heir representatives in the Federal
Legislature; the second rests upon the fidel-
IVY win which their more immediate repre-
sehtauves, and other public iunctiouaries.
The trusts committed to them.
=, Inc uuty OF economising the expenses of
the public service is admitted on all hands
yet there are few subjects upon which there
cNists wider difference of opinion than is
manifested in regard to the fidelity
with which that duty is DISCHARGED. Meth
ef diversity OF sentiment, nor even mutual re-
examinations, upona point i'm respec ct to which
the public mind is so Justly sensitive. can
well be entirely avoided; and least so At ne.
riods oil great political excitement. An intel.
ngent people, however, seldom fail to arrive
III Tue eha, at correct conclusions i'm such a
lhal'er' PRACTICAL economy in the maj are
mcht OF public affairs can have no adverse IN.
huehce TO contend with more powerful than y
surplus revenue ond the unusually
iarge appropriations for 1887 NAV, without
uouDt, Independently of the extraordinary re-.
quisilions Tor the public service GROWING ont
Vi the state OF our Indian relations, be. in no
IN, degree, traced to this source.
nc sudden and rapid distribution of the
,"ise surplus then In the Treasury, and the
c9uaily sudden and unprecedentedly severe
revulsion in the commerce and Lus;ross IS
'iie country, pointing with unerring certainty
10 great and protractcd reduction of the rev
enue, strengthened the propriety of the ear-
Hest practicable reduction of the npbl;c ex-
penditurcs. r"'''' GA
but, to change system operatino ppon en-
iargea surface, and applicable to such numer-
gus ana diversified interests and objects. was
more IMAM the work Of day. The attention
VI every department of the Government was
immediately =, and in good faith, directed to
''ia' ehn and has been SO continued to the
present moment. The estimates and ammo
Priations Tor the year 1888, (the first over
which had any control, were somewhat d.
minished. ''"' ui-
Inc expenditures of 1899 were reduced six
millions of dollars. Those of 1910. eIcIm-
siVe OF disbursements for public debt and
trust claims, will probably not exceed TWEEN
V-,wo and halfmillions, being between two
ana three millions less than those of the nrc-
cedlng year, and nine or ten millions lose
tlan those Of 1887. Nor has i, been found
necessary, In order to produce this result. to
iesor' 10 The power conferred by Congress,
ol PostPoning certain classes of the public
WORKS. except by deftrring expenditures for a
snort period upon limited portion of them !:
anu winch postponementt terminated some time
SINCE al the moment the Treasury Depart
,nent oy further receipt from the indebted
oahks, became fully assured of its ability to
NEE! them without prejudice to the public
.oe III QUEER respects. Causes are in on.
eraiion which will, it is believed. iustitv =
still further reduction, without ini,rv to an,,
important national interest. The exnensoS
OF sustaining the troops employed in FIoriJa
nave been gradually and greatly reduced
through the persevering efforts of the War
department., and reasonable hope NAV he
entertained THAT the necessity for military on.
efatlohs In thatquartcr will soon cease. The
removal OF the Indians from within orr set
'!eu borders is nearly completed. The pen-
Sloii lls1' one OF the heaviest charges upon the
II, Ii,reasnry, Is rapidly diminishing by death
ne most costly of our public buildings are
ci;hei i'nisiied, or nearly so, and we NAV. |
THINK safely promise ourselves a continued
exemption from border difficulties.
me available balance in the Treasury on
lhe ISL OF January next is estimated at one
million and half of dollars. This sum
WIN the expected receipts from all sources
dnring the next year, will, it is believed. he
suiilcleht to enable the Government to NEE,
every engagement, and leave a suitable hal
ance In the Treasury at the end of the vear
IL the remedial measures connected with the
customs and the public lands. heretofore re-
commended, shall be adopted, and the new
appropriations by Congress shall not carry
the expenditures beyond the official estimates
ne new system established by CONGRESS-
LOT ine saiekeeping of the public money. pre-.
scriDing the kind of currency to be received
iof lne public revenue, and providino add.
.ohai guards and securities against losses.
mas now been several months in operation
Allnough 1t might be premature, upon an ex-
Perience OF such limited duration, to form a
aeIlhite opinion In regard to the extent Of its
ii',iuGhces In correcting many evils under
which the Federal Governments and tho Co..
Try have hitherto suffered-especialIv tboso
that have grown out of BANKING exnsns;or,s
deprecated currency and official dnr,lna'
lions yet it is but right to saw that notbina
mas occurred In the practical operation of the
system to weaken in the slightest decree. but
much TO strengthen, the confident authorization
OF us trends. The grounds Of these have
been heretofore so fully explained as to To-.
quife no recapItnlatlon. In respect to the fl.
cility and convenience it affords in conduct
ing tue pubic service, and the ability of the
government to discharge through its agency
every duty attendant on the collection. trans.
Ter, and disbursement of the public money
with promptitude and success, can saw.
win confidence, that the apprehersions Of
NOSE who felt it to be their duty to oppose
It's adoption have proved to be unfoundcd.-
Cn the contrary, this branch of the fiscal at.
FAIRS OF the Government has been, and il is
oeileved may always be, thus carried on with
every desirable facility and security. A few
changes and improvements in the details If
the system, without affecting any principle
involved In 1T, will be submitted to you by the