Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-06-18

ted by one dispensing equality to all the men,
bers OF this confederacy. Whether such dis
tribu,ion should be made directly to the States
in the proceeds Of the sales, or in the form OF
profits by virtue Of the operations of any fiscal
agency, having those proceeds as its basis,
should such measure be contemplated by Con-
gress, would we'll deserve its consideration
Nor would such distribution Of the proceeds
of the sales, in any manner prevent Congress
from time to time from passing all necessary
pre-emption laws for the benefit of the actual
settlers-or from making any new arrangement
as 10 the price Of the public lands, which might
in future be deemed desirable.
The state of the Navy pension fund requires
operation of the act of Sd March, 1887, enti-
tied " an act for the more equitable administra-
ton Of the navy pension fund"--that fund has
been exhausted. 1t will be seen from the &C
complaining report Of the Commissioners Of
Pensions, that there will be required, for the
payment of navy pensions, on the first Of July
next, $s4,OO6 l-3, and on the first JAM, 1912,
the sum of 100000. la addition to these sums
about S6 900 will be required to pay arrears Of
pensions which will probably be allowed be-
tween the LIST July and LIST January, 1912, ma
king the whole 81 SO, OO6,6 &c l-3. 10 meet these
pavments. there is within the control OF the De-
nartment. the sum of $23, O4O, leaving def
cheney of Sl2l,9 1906 O6 l-3. The public faith
requires that Immediate provision should be
made for the payment Of these sums.
In order to introduce to the Navy desra-
Bile efficiency, new system of accountability
NAV be found to be indispensably necessary.
To mature plan having for its object the ac-
complishment of an end SO important, and to
meet the Just expectation of the country, re-
uuires more time than has yet been allowed to
the Secretary at the head OF that Department.
The hope is INDUCED that, by the time your
next regular session, measures OF Importance,
in connection with this branch OF the public
service, may be matured for your consideration.
Although the laws regulating the Post Of-
fee Department only require from the officer
charged with its direction TO report to the usual
annual snssion of Congress, the Postmaster
General has presented me with some facts con-
nected with the financial condition of the De-
partment, which are deemed worthy the atten-
lion of Congress. BY the accompanying re-
port of that officer, it appears the existing La
bilties Of that Department, beyond the means
of payment at its command, cannot be less
than $5OO,OOO. AS the laws organizing that
branch of the public service, conhne the ex-
pendilure to its own revenues, deficiencies
therein cannot be presented under the usual
estimates for the expenses OF Government 1t
must, therefore, be left to Congress to deter
mine whether the moneys now due the contrac-
tors shall be paid from the public Treasury, or
whether that Department shall continue III der
its present embarrassments. 1t will be seen
by the report of the Postmaster General, that
the recent lettings of contracts in several Of
the States, have been made at such reduced
rates of compensation, as to encourage the be-
lief that if the Department was relieved from
existing difficulties, its future operations might
be conducted without any further call upon the
general Treasury.
The power of appointing to office is one OF
character the most delicate and res ponslbe.-
The appointing power is even more exposed
to be led into error: with anxious sollcitude
to select the most trustworthy for official sta
ton, cannot be supposed to possess person.
al knowledge of the qualifications OF every
applicant. | deem it therefore proper In this
most public manner, to invite on the part Of the
Senate Just scrutiny into the character and
pretensions of every person l may bring to
their notice in the regular form OF nolnlna-
ton for office. Unless persons every Way trust
worthy are employed in the public service,
corruption and irregularty will inevitably fol-
low. | shall with the greatest cheeriulness
acquiesce in the decision Of that body, and re-
gaIding it as wisely constituted 10 aid the En-.
ecutive Department in the performance OF this
delicate duty. shall look to its ''consent and
advice" as given only in furtherance OF the
best interests Ct the county. shall also, at
the earliest proper opportunity, invite the at
tention of Congress TO such measures as, In
nv judgement, will be best calculated 10 reg
ulate and control the Executive power In RET
erence 10 this vitality important subject
shall also, at the proper season, invite your
attention to the statutary enactments tor the
suppression Of the slave trade, which may re-
auire to be rendered more efficient In their pro-
visions. There is reason to believe that the
traffic is on the increase.
Whether such increase is to be ascrlbed to
the abolition OF slave labor In the British pos
sessions in their vicinity, and an attendant d.
minution in the supply Of those articles which
enter into the general consumption OF the
world, thereby augmentlng the demand from
other quarters, and thus calling tor additional
labor, it were needless to enquire. The high
est considerations of public, as well as the
stronsest promp,ings of humanity, require d
require resort to the most vigorous efforts to
suppress the trade.
10 conclusion, beg to invite your particular
attention 10 the interests of this District; nor
do doubt but that lie a liberal spirit OF legls-
lalion, ycu will seek to advance lis CONNER
ca as we'll as its local interests. Should Con-
gress deem it to be its duty to repeal the exist
ing Sub-Treasury law. the necessity OF pro-
viding suitable place of deposlte tor the pub
lie moneys which may be required wllhin the