The Yazoo City Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 183?-1840, 1840-01-24

ed necessities by new loans.
The struggle, therefore, on our part, to be
I successful, must be made at the threshold.-
To make our efforts effective, severe econo-
my is necessary. This is the surest provis-
ion for the national welfare; and it is at the
same time, the best preservatve of the prin-
ciples on which our Institutions rest. Sim
plicity and economy in the affairs of State
have never failed to chasten and inyigorate
Republican principles, while those have been
as surely subverted by national prodigality,
under whatever specious pretext it may have
been introduced or fostered.
These considerations cannot be lost upon
people who was never needless of the effect
of their policy on the institutions they have
made for themselves; but at the present mo-
ment their force is augmented by the necesi-
| ty which decreasing revenue must impose.
The check lately given to importatons of
articles subject to duties, the arrangements
in the operations of internal trade. and es-
pecially the reduction gradually taking place
in our tariff of duties, all tend materially to
lessen our receipts; indeed it is probable
that the diminution resulting from the last
cause alone, will not fall short of five mil
lions ofdollars in the year 1912, as the final
reduction of all duties to 30 per cent. then
takes effect. The whole revenue then &C.
crulng from the customs, and from the sales
OF public lands, if not more, will undoubtedly
be wanted to defray the necessary expenses
of the Government under the most prudent
ADMINISTRATION Of its affairs These are cir
cumstances that impose the necessity of
rigid econ omy, and require its prompt and
constant exercise. With the legislature
rest the power and duty of so adjusting the
public expenditure as to promote this end.
By the provisions Of the constitution, it is
only in consequence of appropriations made
law, that money can be drawn from the treas
ury; no instance has occurred since the es-
Enlistment of the Government in which the
Executive, though component part of the
legislative power, has interposed an obiec-
ton TO an appropriation bill on the sole
ground of its extravaganza. His duty in
this respect has been considered fulfilled by
requesting such appropriations only as the
public service may be reasonably expected to
require. In the present earnest direction of
the public mind towards this subject, both the
Executive and the Legislature have evidence
Of the strict responsibility to which they will
be held and while am conscious ofmy own
anxious efforts to perform with fidelity this
portion Of may public functions, it is a salts
faction to me to be able to count on a cor
dial cooperation from you.
At the time entered upon my present du-
ties, our ordinary disbursements; without in
Guiding those on account of the public debt,
the post Office, and the trust fund in charge of
the Government; had been largely increased
by appropriations for the removal of the In
dams, for repelling Indian hostilities, and for
other less urgent expenses which grew out of
an OVERLOOKING Treasury. Independent of the
redemption of the public debt and trusts, the
gross expenditures ofseventeen and eighteen
millions in 1884 and 1885 had, by these can
ses, swelled to twenty-nine millions in 1886;
and the appropriations for 1887, made pre-
vlously to the 4th of March, caused the ex-
penditure to arise to the very large amount
of thirty-three millions. We were enabled
during the year 1888, Notwithstanding the
continuance of our Indian embarrassments,
somewhat reduce this amount, and that for
the present year, 1889, will not in all pro-
millions less than it was last year. With
determination so far as depends on me to
continue this reduction, have directed the
estimates for 1910 to be subjected to the
severest scrutiny, and to be limited to the
absolute requirements Of the public service.
They will be found less than the expendi-
lures of 1886 by over five millions of dollars.
The precautionary measures which will
be recommended by the secretary of the
treasury. to protect faithfully the public
credit under the fluctuations and contingent
cies to which our receipts and expenditures
are exposed, and especially in a commercial
crisis like the present, are commended toI
your early attention.
On former occasion your attention was
invited to various considerations in support
of presumption law in behalf to the settlers
on the public lands; and also of law gra.
duating the prices for such lands as had long
been in the market unsold in consequence
of their inferior quality. The execution of
the act which was,passed on the first subject
has been attended with the happiest conse-
quences, in quieting titles, and securing
improvements to the industrious; and it has |
also, to very gratifying extent, been ex-
empt from the frauds which were practiced
under previous presumption laws. 1t has, at
the same time, as was anticipated, contri- |
buted literally during the present yearto the
receipts of the Treasury.
The passage ola graduation law, with the
guards before recommended, would also, l |
am persuaded, add considerably to the reven-
ne for several years, and prove in other res
poets just and beneficial.
Your early consideration Of the subject is.
therefore, once more earnestly requested.
The present condition of the defences of
our principal seaports and navy yards, as re-
presented by the accompanying report of the
Secretary of War, calls for the early and seri-
GUS attention of congress; and as connecting
itself intimately with this subject, I cannot
recommend too strongly to your considers
4