Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-01-03

failed to chasten and invigorate Republican
principles, whilethese have been as surely
subverted by national prodgality. under
whatever specious pretext II may have been
introduced or fostered.
These considerations cannot be lost upon
people who have never been inauentive 10
the effect Of their policy upon the institutions
they have created for themselves but at the
present moment their force is augmented by
the necessity which decreasing revenue
must impose. The check lately given TO
imporations oil articles subject to duties, the
arrangements in the operation of internal
trade, and especially the reduction gradually
taking the place in our tariff Of duties, all
tend materially to lessen our receipts indeed
il is probable tina; the diminution resulting
from the last cause alone, will not fall short
of five millions of dollars in the year 1872
as the final reductions OF all duties 10 twenty
per cent. then takes effect The whole rev.
enue then accruing from the customs, and
from the sales Of public lands, If not more,
will undoubtedly be wanted TO defray the me-
cessary expenses of the government under
the most prudent administration Of its affairs
These are circumstances that impose the ne
cessity OF rigid economy. and require its
prompt and constant exercise. With the
Legislature rest the power and duty of so
adjusting the public expenditure as 10 promote
this end. BY the provisions Of the Consttu-
ton, 1t is only in consequence Of appropria-
tons made by law, that money can be drawn
from the Treasury no instance has occurred
since the establishment of the Government in
which the Executive, though component
part Of the Legislative power, has inierposed
a objection to an appropriation bill on the
sole ground Of IFS extravaganza. His duty
in this respect has been considered fulfilled
by requesting such appropriations only as the
public service may be reasonably expected 10
require. In the present earnest direction OF
the public mind towards this subject, both
the Executive and the Legislature have evi.
dence OF the strict responsibility to which
they will be held and while am conscious
of my own anxious efforts to perform with Fl.
deity this portion OF my public functions, it
is a satisfaction to me to be able 10 count on
cordial cooperation from you.
At the time entered upon my present du.
ties, our ordinary Disbursements without in
GLIDING those on account OF the public debt,
the post office and the trust funds in charge
ofthe Government-had been largely in
creased by appropriations for The removal OF
the Indians for repelIing Indian hosiiiiies,
and for other less urgent expenses which
grew out Of an Overlooking Treasury. In
dependent OF the redemption of,he public debt
and trusts, the gross expenditures Of seven
teen and eighteen millions in 1884 and 1885,
had, by those causes, swelled TO twenty.nine
millionns in 1886 and the appropriations
for 1887, made previously to the fourth of
March, caused the expenditure to rise to the
very large amount ofihiry-three millions
We were enabled during the year 1898, not.
withstanding the continuance of our Indian
embarrassments. somewhat TO reduce this
amount and that for the present year, 1889,
will not in all probability exceed twenty six
millions-or six millions less than il was las,
year With determination so far MS depends
on me to continue this reduction, have di
rected the estimates for 1910 to be subjected
10 the seveIest scrutiny, and to be limited to
the absolute requirements of the public serv-
ice. They will be found less than the expen-
ditures Of 1889 by over FIVE millions of dol
lars.
The precautionary measures which will
be recommended by the Secretary Of the
Treasury,to protect faithfully the public cred.
it under the fluctuations and contingencies to
which our receipts and expenditures are ex.
posed, and especially in commercial crisis
like the present, are commended 20 your ear
ly attention
On former occasion your attention was
invited TO various considerations in support
Of pre-empton law in behalf OF the settlers
on the public lands and also OF law grad
uating 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 happics conse-
quences, in quieting titles and securing i'm
provements TO the industrious; audit has also
10 very gratifying extent been exempt from
the frauds which were practised under pre-
vious presumption laws. II has, Mt the same
time. us was anticipated contributed literally
during the present year TO the receipts oflhe
Treasury.
The passage Of a graduation law, with
guards before recommended, would also, |
am persuaded, add considerably to the reve.
nue. for several years, and prove in other re-
spects just and beneficial
Your early consideration of The subject
is therefore, once more earnestly requested. |
The present condition of the defences off
our principal seaports md navy yards, as
represented by the accompanying repor, of
the Secretary Of War, calls for the early and
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