The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-12-12

lhs floating debt For this reason IL Tor no other II
Is advisable that this portion Of our debt should be
Kept IN such condition that il may be redeemed at
pleasure Should the discretion a. to the rate Of I'M
efes on the Treasury notes to be issued be abroga
ted, should the authority To purchase them on pre-
sentation be withheld, which would be equivalent 10
direction that interest shall be paid at all events
hen VIII be necessary TO add TO the estimated de-
hcency Tor The service Of the next fiscal year at least
four hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
There are SINE subjects to which II seems duty
10 invite the attention Of Congress before closing this
report.
10 prevent Illegal impoitations our soulhw, ST.
efn frontier, "a well as 10 afford the proper facilities
toiraders no may wish 10 bring merchandise in that
direction, II would be advisable that port Of entry
should be established in thai quarter The town Of
Independence, in Missouri has been suggested as a
good position.
by the existing law appeal to the Supreme
Court cannot be made from the decision Of Circuit
Court In cases involving the of duty that may
be levied Imported merchandise, because the
amount Ia controversy in the particular case never
exceeds the prescribed limit. The courtesy If the
Judges sometimes induces them TO Disagree 10 form,
IN order to obtain the opinion Of the Supreme Court
But II frequently happens that only one Judge holds
tie court, and II would seem that the Government
ought not 10 be indebted to the courtesy OF any officer
for The opportunity Of correc ing what may be
roneous CO. struc'lon of its revenue laws The prin-
cipe which prtscribes limitation ithe value of the
subject In controversy in civil suits 10 entite party
10 an appeal Is believed not to be applicable TO ques
tons OF revenue, WHEN he decision Of particular
case may and often d. ; involve hun lreds of ia
sands OF doas and il is submitted that in all such
cases The United States SHOULD have the right of sp-
peal, of course but that the consequent upon
such proctedl'g should not in any be charged
upon the opposite party.
A practice has prevailed Of allowing the compensa
ton Of clerks Employed in The custim-hcuses TO be
PAD out OF The revenue IN cases where the fees
not deemed adequate 20 obtain the necessary number
Believing tins practice unwarranted by law, aud be-
ing Confirmed IN tha, view by the opinion of the At
torney General, i, has been abIished. There are
probably cases. however, where Legislative provision
VIII be IA, cessary to procure the proper assistance 10
the collectors and naval officers.
The provision tor the relief OF sick and disabled
seamen is and for years has BEEN wholly nadeq uate
to its purpose. Seamen being from their purpose
usually unable TO share IN the general provision for
the destitute and having contributed TO this fund
what the law demands, claim is benefits, wi bout
Knowing or referring TO its amount, to the legal re-
s,raints upon those charged with its administration
All efforts TO prevent the expenditure exceeding tho
means provided have heretofore been unavang, ard
there /. constantly balance against the fund, which
is supplied by apr ropriat on from the Treasury. To
increase the amount demanded from them would be
odious, If not oneruus BY the act of March l. lS43
the laws requiring contributions this fund are cx-
tended 10 the Of registered vessels Ii is sub
United whether this principle m ght not with great
popriey be s, further extended to the owners of all
vessels in the form Of either monthly or yearly con-
tnbutIons, graduated by the tonnage of the We .sel
This PROVISION with that already suggested of appro-
pfiang to the same purpose the discriminating ton
mage duty, won furnish the relief which humanity,
as well as policy ctates should lie extended to a
crss of men proberbiay inprovident but yet denti-
ded with the power and property of the country.
The condition Of the marine preventive service
against smuggling has BEEN materially improved
while wholesome economy has been preserved 1t
will be the subject Of special report.
The lighthouse establishment will also be the sub
Ject OF future communication to Congress. Re-
ports from the Commissioner Of the Land Office and
from the Solicitor of the Treasury respecting suits
and prosecutions in behalf Of the Government will
also be submitted.
1t affords great pleasure to state there has been no
delinquency or default on the part of collectors OF
the CUSTOMS the receivers OF public moneys, or any
other officer or agent, charged with the receipt or
deposite of the public funds. The sums which col
lectors and receivers permitted to retain in their
hands have been limi ed to the very lowest amour,
the public service would allow. while they have been
required TO deposte the surplus Immediately in the
institutions designated for that purpose
rigid adherence TO these regulations is maintain
ed by means OF a constant watchfulness of their
counts. list Of the repositories selected by the
Treasury accompanies this report. The terms or
which they are employed are the same as those set
tied IN 1888, and promulgated in the circular of the
Secretary Of the Treasury the 9th day Of October
in that year few of them merely receive the
public moneys in special deposite. 1t is but ac
OF justice to say that they have faithfully fulfilled all
thar engagements have transferred The funds as re
CURED without expense TO the Government, and have
promptly met all drafts upon them.
am unwilling TO omit the opportunity Of inviting
the attention OF Congress to the multitude and fire.
quency OF oaths prescribed in system Of collect
ing The revenue. custom-house oath has become
by-word TO describe unmeaning ceremony, and
It IS doubted whether it is felt imposing an obliga
ton equal to that Of simple affirmation Ii is no,
perceived why the same PENALTIES may not be inf CT
ed for the wlul lasehood Of declaration in writ.
ing which might be substituted in most cases for the
irreverent invocation of the Supreme Being. bare
allusion to the subject 1t is hoped will be sufficient to
induce that consideration of il TO which il may be
entitled Respectfully,
JOHN C. SPENCER,
Secretary Of the Treasury.
To the Hon. WILLIE p. MANeuM
President Of The Senate.