The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-11

q0ent part Of thls repor explanatory Of the views AM
course of this Department IN regard 10 these Treasu
ry notes. Ia this place II y deemed proper Only Il
express the opinion that legislation wall be
sary u provide tor this amount Of than four ni
lions snj half, other than the continuance by Con
gross Of the provisions Of the act Of March 1913.
The loanmade under the act OF 2lst July l64l IL
terms redeemabie al the option of The Government a
ter the LIST OF January, lS45 yet is not doubted thai
the understanding OF the lenders 1T the time was, i
always is in respect to loans similar terms that il
would De redeemed at the specified time In the opin
ION Of Tho undersigned, the practice Of rendering
loans indefinite or uacertain TO the times of pay
ment, ought not to be INDUCED when it can possibly
Dc avoided. Postponement supposed to be tempo
rary from year TO year embarrasses the operations
the Treasury BY the uncertainty Of the demands which
may be made upon it. In the present abundance oil
money it is believed that new loan might be obtain
ed, on ten or fifteen years stock, terms "a
yorable to the Government than those which that
about to become due was procured. This course is
recommended also by the that the pro-
bable deficiency in the Of the next fiscal
to meet the ordinary expenditures will be sufficient 10
call forth all our resources without encounerng this
additional amount.
The remaining eight millions five hundred thou
sand dollars, the estimated expenditures the re-
ceipts OF the present and next fiscal year, must be
avoided IN whole or in part by reduction of the pub
lie expenditures, provision must be made to meet
them by an increase in the revenue. Both these to-
pics, therefore, demand consideration.
First a reduction in the expenses of the Govern
ment. 3u
The subjects for retreachment fail peculiarly with
in the province of the legislative branch Of the Gov
eminent, particularly those of general character.
There are some, however, which necessarily bet
ter known to the Departments having charge OF
them 1t is believed that the expenses of collecting
the revenue from customs may be materially dimin-
shed by the abolition of some collection districts and
Of some Offices in other districts, which have ceased
to be useful, and by more exact regulation of the
compensation Of those officers who may be retained.
1s steos hos hcretoorr becn brought 70 the alsen-
ton of Congress, and Il 10 again respectfully submit
ted 10 Its consideration Amy additional information
that has been obtained and the views of the Depart
ment in detail, will cheerfully be communicated to
the appropriate committees.
large and unnecessary expense is frequently in
CURED in the proceedings to obtain judicial condem
nation Of goods Of small value which have been seized
as having been illegally imported. In one collection
district, and in single quarter, out of fory-three
of seizure balances of costs were paid by the
United States in thirty whine of them averaging fifty
four dollars in each suit This is probably extreme
case but the evil is known TO be very general IL no
claimant ventures to appear, the conclusion seems
irresistible that no defence exists. 1t is submitted
therefore, whether more prompt and economical
mode of proceeding may moi be adopted consistent
with the rights Of all Congress has made liberal pro-
vision for the remission Of foreures where they have
been incurred without fraudulent intent by short
and simple pr Cess which to the applicant the
costs Of trial. 1t would but just that similar
principle should apply in favor of the Government
In cases where the appraised value Of The goods seized
shall be less than one bundled dollars, ample pub
lie notice might be given requiring claimants to APP
pear and give security for Costs in of failure and
IN default of claim, the goods might be sold pub
lie auction and the proceeds der osed in the Trea
~ for convenient period prior to final distribution
to be refunded II the proper cases.
The act regulating the amount Of compensation to
be retained out of their fees by Clerks of District and
Circuit Courts, whel the same person officiaies in
both capacities has received construction by of
the Circuit Courts which defeats the purpose that
Congress seems to have had in view and requires
nendmen if il be intended that the surplus of fees
beyond the given amount shall belong to the Trea-
sury.
Con-ide rable expense might be saved by modif-
cation of the art of June IL, 1910, which would al
low the consol daion Of two or more surveying dis
rics, whenever the remaining surveys therein could
In the opinion Of the Department, be coz pe,ed I'M
der the Surveyor General of one OF them and by
authorizing the discontinuance of land Offices when
ever their expenses twenty per cent of the
nu amount of sales, and annexing the land, unsold
10 some other Office.
The acts making permanent and indefinite appro-
priations might with great propriety be revised with
view Of ascertaining whether justice to the coun-
try, as well as economy, does not require the repeal
OF some of them, at least Limitation Of the time
for which they shall remain, Of that in which APP
pications shall be made and the proofs completed
The expenses charged upon the Judiciary fund call
for examination and regulation, and will be the sub
ject of special report.
TO be continued