The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-12-15

took effect At the commencement Of the
last fiscal year.
Although inits operation duringths last
year the act relsffed to has not fulfilled
the predictions Of it's friends by increasing
The correspondence of the country in pro.
portion to the reduction Of postage, | should
nevertheless question the policy Of return
ing to higher rates. Experience warrants
the expectation that as the community be.
comes accustomed to cheap postage. cor.
respondence will increase. 1t is believed
that from this cause. and from the rapid
growth of the country in population and
business. the receipts Of the Department
must ultimately exceed the expenses. and
that the country may safely rely upon the
continuance of the present cheap rate OF
postage. gl pr
In former messenger ! have, among other
things. respectfully recommended to tho
coz sideration Of Congress the propriety
and necessity Of further legislation for the
protection and punishment Of foreign CON
suls residingin the United States; to revive
with certain notifications the act OF 10Th
March, 1888 to restrain unlawful military
expeditions against the inhabitants OF con-
terminous States or territories: for the
preservation and protection from mutila.
ton or theft Of the papers. records, and
archives Of the nation; for authorizing the
surplus revenue to be applied to the pay
ment of the public debt in advance OF the
time when il will become due; for the es-
tablishment Of land officers for the sale of
the public lands in California and the Ter.
ritory Of, Oregon; Tor the construction Of
a road from the Mississippi valley to the
Pacific ocean; for the establishment Of a
bureau of agriculture for the promotion of
that interest, perhaps the mos: important
in the country; for the prevention Of
frauds upon the Government in applics-
tons for pensions and bounty lands; for
the establishment Of a uniform fee bill.
prescribing a specific compensation for
every service required OF clerks, district
attorneys, and marshals; for authorizing an
additional regiment Of mounted men, for
the defence Of our frontiers against the In.
dians, and for fulfilling our treaty stipula.
tons with Mexico to defend her citizens
against the Indians "with equal diligence
and energy as u own;" for determining
tho relative rank between the naval and
civil officers in our public ships, and be-
tween the officers of the Army and Navy
in the various grades Of each; for reorgani-
zing the naval establishment by fixing tho
number of officers in each grade. and pro-
viding for a retired list upon reduced pay
OF those unfit Tor active duty; for prescrib-
ing and regulating punishmsnts in the
navy; for the appointment Of a commission
to revise the public statutes OF the United
States. by arranging them in order, sup.
plying deficiencies. correcting i%ncongrui.
ties, simplifying their language, and re-
porting them to Congress Tor its final action;
and for the establishment Of a commission
to adjudicate and settle private claims
against the United States. am not aware.
however, that any Of these subjects have
bsen finally acted upon by Congress-
Without repeating the reasons for legisla.
ton on these subjects which have been
assigned in former messages, | respectfully
recommend them again to your favorable
consideration.
think it due to the several Executive
Departments of this Government, TO bear
testimony to the efficiency and integrity
with which they are conducted. With all
the careful superintendence which it is
possible for the Heads Of those Depart
ments to exercise, still the due administra.
ton and guardianship ofthe public money
must very much depend on the vigilance,
intelligence, and fidelity ofths subordinate
officers and clsrks,and especially on those
entrusted with the settlement and adj ust-
ment of claims and accounts. am gra.
tilted to believe that they have generally
performed their duties faithfully and well.
They are appointed to guard the approa.
ches to the public Treasury, and they occu'
nv positions that expose them to all the
temptations and seductions which the cupi'
dity Of peculators and fraudulent clai'
mants a prompt them to employ. II
will be but a wise p%recaution 10 protect the
government againstthat source OF mischie
and corruption, as far as it can be done
by the enactment. of all proper legal pen.
allies. The laws, in this respect, are
supposed to be defective, and | therefore
deem it my duty to call your attention to
the subject. and to rec ommsnd that pro.
vision be made by law Tor the punishment
not only Of those who shall accept brides
but also Of those who shall either promise
give, or offer to give to any o fthose officer,
or clerks a bride or reward touching Of
relating to any matter Of their oficialactior
or duty. 4 s
It has been the uniform policy o thi.
Government from its foundation to the pre-
sent day to abstain from all interference
in the domestic affairs Of other nations
The consequence has bsen that while tn.
nations Of Europe have been engaged in
desolating wars, our country has pursued
its peacsfulc course 10 ~unexampled prospect