The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-01-04
NltEaAber SO.

though component part Of the legislative
power, has interposed an Cbjeuliun to aR
appropriation bill pn the sole ground Of its
extravaganza. His duty in this respect
has been considered fulfilled by requesting
such appropriations only as the public ser4
vice may be reasonably expected to require
In the present earnest direction of the pub
lie mind towards this subject, both the Exs
ecutive and the Legislature have evidence
OF the strict responsibility to which they.
will be held and while | am conscious Of
my own anxious efforts to perform, with
fidelity, this portion of public functions.
II is a satisfaction TO me to DE able TO count
on cordial cooperation from you
AT the time | entered upon my present
duties, our ordinary disbursements-wi
out including those on account of the pub
lie debt, the post Office, and the trust funds
in charge of the Government--has been
largely increased by appropriations for the
removal Of the Indians, for repelling Indian
hoslities, and for other less urgent expena
ses which grew out OF an overfowing Treaa
sury. Independent of the redemption of
the public deb! and trusts, the gross expen4
dtures OF seventeen and eighteen millions
in 1884 and 1888 had, by these causess
swelled twenty nine millions in 1886 and
the appropriations for 1887, made previous4
| ly TO the 4lh of March, caused the expendi4
ture to ris5 to very large amount of thirty
three millions We were enabled during
the year 1888, Notwithstanding the cup,in.
ance of our Indian embarassmentsi somel
what to reduce this amount; and that for
the present year, 1899. will not in all probs
ability exceed twentyslX millions, or six
millions less than ii was last veai. With
determination so far as depends on me to
continue this reduction, have directed the
estimate for ls40 to be subjected 10 the see
yerest scrutiny, and to be limited to the alb.
solute requirements of the public service!
They will be found less than the Cxlendi-
lures of 1889 by over FIVE millions af dol+
lars,
The precautionary measures which will
be recommended by the Secretary of the
Treasury, to project faithfully The public
= credit under the fluctuations and conten-
gencies to which our receipts and expendi-
lures arc exposed, and especially in COM
mctclaI crisis like the present, are recomS
} mcnded to your early attention.
On former occasion your attention was
= invited to various considerations in support
Of a precmpton law in behalf of the set
} tiers on the public lands and also of law
; graduating the prices for such lands as had
, long been in the market unsoId, in conse-
} quence of their inferior quality. The exc
cutiOn Of the act which was passed on The
first subject has been attended with the
: happiest consequences, in quieting titles,
; and securing Improvements TO the ndustrif
= Gus ; and 1t has also, to a very gratifying
extent, been exempt from the frands which
were practised under previous pre-emptior
laws. Il has at the same time, as was am
: ticipated, contributed literally during the
} present year to the receipts of the Treasu.
~.
} The passage Of graduation law, with
the guards before recommended, would also
| am persuaded, add considerably TO the
revenue for several years, and prove in clhet
= respects just and beneficial.
F. our early consideration of the subject
= is, therefore, once more earnestly Iequess
, ted.
, The present condition of the defences of
= our principal seaports and navy yards, as
t represented by the accompanying report of
the Secretary Of War, calls for the early
/ and serious attention Of Congress and, as
, connecting Itself intimately with this sub
. ject, cannot recommend too strongly 10
your consideration the pIau submitted by
= that officer for the organization Of the mile
e tia Of the United States.
= In conformity with the expressed wishes
t Of Congress, an attempt was made in the
e spring TO terminate the Florida war by nee
? goliation. 1t is to be regretted that these
humane intentions should have been Grus-
| trated, and that the effort to bring these un-
? happy difficulties TO satisfactory conclu-
= sion should have failed. But, after enter
f ing into solemn engagements with the Com
= mauding General, the Indians, without any
| progOcallon, recommended their acts OF
treachery and murder The renewal Of
/, hostlilies in that Territory lenders it net se4
sary that should recommend TO your ia.
/ yora5le consideration the plan winch will
; be submitted to you by the Secretary Of
Nar, in order to enable that deparlement 10
conduct them TO a successful ssue.
Having had an opportunity Of personally
7 inspecting portion Of the troops during
, the last summer, it gives me pleasure 10
bear testimony to the success OF the effort