Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-01-09
EagcGelA Court House, S. c., january 9, As40

a aIproachins to this condition, admonishe
us of our own duties, in a manner too i'm
pressive to lie disregarled One not the
least important, is to keep The Fedora
Government always in a condition to dis
charge,with ease q igor, its highest func'
tious, should their exercise be required BY
any sudden conjuncture of public affairs
a condition TO which we are always ex.
posed, and which may occur when It is
least expected. To this end, it Is indispen.
sable that its finances should be unlram
meIed, and its resources, as far as pracli-
cable, unincunlbered. No circumstance
could present greater obstacles to the ac-
complishment of these virally important
objects, than the creation of an onerous ma
IionaI debt Our own experience and also
that of 0iher nations, have demonstrated
the unavoidable and fearful rapidity with
which public deb, is increased, when the
Government has once surrendered itself to
the ruinous practice Of supplying its sup
posed necessities by new loans. The
struggle. therefore, to be successful must
be made at the threshold. TO make our
efforts effective, severe economy is neces-
sary. This is the surest provision for the
national welfare; and it is, at the same
time, the best preservative of the principles
on which our institutions rest. Sinplci-
~ and economy in the affairs of state have
never failed 10 chasten and invigorate Re-
publican principles. while these have been
as surely subver,ed by national prodigali-
ty under whatever spcious pretexts it may
have been introduced or foslered.
These considerations cannot he lost up
on a people who have never been iuatten-
tive to the effect of their policy upon the
institutions they have created for them
selves; but at the present moment their
force is augmented by the necessity which
a decreasing revenue must impose. The
check lately given to importation of arti
cles subject 10 duties, the arrangements
in the operations of internal trade, and
especially the reduction gradually taking
place in our tariff of duties, all tend mate
rally TO lessen our receipts; indeed it is
probable that the diminution resulting from
the last cause alone, will mol fall short Of
FIVE millions of dollars in the year 1912, as
the final reduction Of all duties to twenty
per cent. then takes effect, The whole
revenue then aceruing from the customs,
and from the sales of public lands, If not
more, will undoubtedly he wanted TO de-
fray the necessary expenses Of the Govern
ment under the most prudent administra-
rion of its affairs. These are cireumsian-
ces that impose the necessity orrigid econ
omv, aud 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 CONSTITUTION. it is only
in consequence Of appropriations made by
law. thai 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 inter-
posed al objection to an appropriation bill
on the sole ground of its exlravagance.-
His duty in this respecr has been consider
ed fulfilled by requesting such appropria-
lions only as the public service may he
reasonably expected to require. In The
present earnest direction oflhe 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 of my own
anxious efforts to perform with fidelity
this portion of my public functions, II is a
satisfaction to me 10 he able to count on
cordial cooperation from you.
AT the time entered upon my present
duties our ordinary disbursements-wilk
out including those on account, of the pub
lie debt, the post office, and the trust funds
in charge Of the Guvernment-hadb been
largely increased by appropriations for the
removal of The Indians, for repeIling In
dian bosti,es, and for other less urgent
expenses which grew ont Of an overflow
ing treasury. Independent ofthe redemp-
ton of the public debt and trusts, the gross
expenditures OF seventeen or eighteen mil
lions in 1884 and 1885 had, bv these caus-
es.swelled iotwentv-nine millions in 1886;
and the appropriations for 1897, made
previously y olhe fourth Of March, caused
the expenditures to rise to the very large
amount of thirty three million. We were
enabled during the year 1895. notwth-
standing the continuance Of our Indian
cmbarrassnenis,. somewhat to reduce this
amount; and that for the present year,
1889, will not in all probability exceed
,wepty-six millions-or six millions less
than it was last year. With a determining
ton so far as depends on me to continue
this reduction. lhave directed the estimates
for ,64O 10 he subjected to the severest
scrutiny. and to lie limited to the absolute
requirements of,he public service. They
will he found less than the expenditures of
1889 by over FIVE millions of dollars.
The precautionary measures which will
he recommended by the Secretary Of The
Treasury, TO pru,eet faithfully the public
credit under The fluctuations AMI conlin-
oencies TO which our receipts and expen-
dituges are exposed. and especially in
commercial crisis like the present, ,are COM
mended 10 YOUR early attention.