The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-01-07
woe. FEH. ND. E9S

nnnner too impressive to he disregarded. One,
Ligtt he eoSt important, is to keep the Federal
government always IN II condition to discharge
with ease and vigOr. ls highest functions should
Their exercise be required by any sudden con.
l"'lctnfe OF public atfhirs-n condition TO which
we gre always exposed, and which may occur
When 1t Is least expected. TO this end, it is in
dIsprhSaIie that It's FINANCES should be miriam
'le'co ana It's resources, as far as practicable,
uhincnmsered. No circumstance could present
greater obstacles to tie accomplishment Of these
vitality important objects, than the creation of an
ohefous national debt. Our Tvn eXperience
ana also that Of other nations have denopstrat.
ed HE unGvoidahe and fearful rapidly with
winch a'pub'c debt is increased, when the Gov
etninG.L mas once surrendered itself to the ruin.
'oos Tfdtuce oFsTplHyiug iis SUI posed necessi-
ties by new loans. The struggle, therefore, on
our part, to be successful, must he made at the
Threshold. To make our efforts effective, Sc
we're economy is necessary. This is the surest
provision for the national welfare; and it is, at
The same time, the best preseryative of the prin-
rpes on which our institutions rest Simplic.
~ and economy IN the affairs of State havo
never failed TO ch0sten and invigorute Repub-
can principles, while these have been as surely
snhvered by NATIONAL prcdigalily, under what
ever Sperlons preteXts IT may have been intro
duced or loStCrch.
These considerations cannot be lost upon n
people who have never been inauentive 10 the
effect OF their policy upon the institutions they
have created for themselves; but ut the present
moment their force j. augmented by the neccs.
SHY which decreasing revenue must impose.
Ihe check latcly given 10 inportatons of art-
cIeS SUBJECT to duties the deran 9ements in the
operations Of internal trade, and especially the
reduction gradually taking place in our tariff Of
duties, all tend materially 20 lessen receipts;
indeed il is probable hat The diminution result
ing from he lat cause alone, will NOT fall short
oi i've millions of dollars in the year 1912, as
the final reductions of all duties to twenty per
cent. then takes effect. The whole revenue then
accruiug from the customs, and from the sales
OF puhlic lands, 1t not more, will undoubtedly be
wanted 10 dCtrHY The necessary expenses o. The
Government under the most prudent admins.
trailon OF lis affairs. These are circumstances
that impose the necessity Of rigid economy, and
require It's prompt and constant exercise. With
tlc Legislature rest the power aud duty OF so
adjusting the public expenditure TO promote
lh!s end. 10y the provisions Of tie Constitution,
II Is only in consequence of appropriations made
ny law, that money can be drawn from The
Treasury; no instance hNs occurred since the
establishment ofthe Government in which the
t'Hecuive, though Il component part of the
Legislative power has intcrposed an objection TO
an appropriation bin on the sole ground ofeits
t&.Tuvag0nCe. His duly ia this respect has been
cohS!Gere" fulfilled 10y requesting sucl: appro-
prlat,onS only as the public service may be rea.
s"nhbty expected TO require. In the present
earnest direction Of the public mind towards
y
!"ture have evidence of the strict responsibility
to which they will he held; and while am con
Scl"uS OF my own HnXIous tIorls to perform with
H"eiiiy this portion Of nay pnbItc functions it is
Il Satisfaction To ne TO he able to count on cor
dial co operation from you.
At the Time entered upon NV present duties
"Er Ordinary djhuSrSeInents-Wjt without including
those on account of the public debt, the post of.
Tee, and the trust funds in charge of the Gov.
'rnment-had been largely increased by appro-
prlnlons for tile removal OF the Indians, for re-
peII,ng Indian hosjlities, and for other less ur.
cent expenses which grew oar OF an overlooking
Treasury. independent Of the redemption of
the public deht and trusts, the gross eXpendi-
lures Of seventeen and eighteen millions in 1884
0nd 1885 had, 10y theSe causes, su eled to TWEEN
~ nine millions in 1886; AMI the appropriations
tor 1887, made previously to The fourth of March
CAUSED the expenditure i, rise to the very large
amount of dirty three millions. We were en-
abled during the year of 1888, NOW outstanding
the continuance of our Indiun e1iharrassments,
somewhat 10 reduce this amount; and that for
the present year, 1889, will nor in all probabili
~ exceed twenty six lalIons--or six millions
less han it was last year. With determination
50 far rs depends OH me to continue this reduc-
iiou, have directed the estimates for 1910 TO he
SuJected to the severest scrutiny, and TO he limit
ol to the absolute wants requirements of The
public service. They viii be found less than
The expenditures OF 1889, by over five millions
of dollars
The precautionary measures which will be
reconjnendod by the Secretary OF the Treasury,
to protect faithfully The public credit under the
fluctuations and contingencies to which our re-
CeiptS and expenditures are exposed, and espe'
ciallJ in II commercial crisis like the present,
commended 10 your early attention.
On former 0cCaslon your attention was in
viIed To various cons alterations in support of IL
pre- enplion law in behalf fthe settlers on the
public lands and also of law graduating the
prices for such lands had long heen in the
market unsolR, in consequence Of their inferior
quality. The execution Of the act which was
passed on the first subject has been attended
with the hnppiest consequences, in quletng
titles, ani securing improvements TO the indus.
triOus, and it has also, very gratifying eX'
tent, been exempt from the frauds when Wet"
prncticed under previous pre- emPtoh Jaws H
has at the sane time, as was aht!cIpated CON
lribnted literally during the presentyear TO the
receipts Of the Treasury
rhc massage of graduation law, with the
4 Il,