The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-12-15
JACKSON G. e., OHIO THURSDAY DECEMBER Is 1858

dom OF the present system.
The report of the Secretary of the
Treasury will exhibit. in detail. the state
OF the public finances, and the condition
Of the branches Of the public service ad.
mlnlstered by that department Of The kov.
eminent.
The revenue Of the country. levied al
most InseDslOIy TO the tax payer. goes on
from year to year increasing beyond eli.
lher the Interests or the prospective wants
OF the government.
Al the close Of the fiscal year ending
June 80. 1859. there remained in the
treasury balance of fourteen millions
six hundred and thirty.two thousand one
hundred and thirty six dollars. The pub.
lIc revenue for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1853. amounted to fifty eight millions
nine hundred and thiriy.one thousand
eight hundred and sixty five dollars from
customs. and TO two millions four nun
dred and five thousan nd seven hundred and
eight dollars from public lands and other
miscellaneous sources, amounting togeth.
er to sixty. one millions three hundred and
thirty.seven thousand five hundred and
seventy.touT dollars, while the public ex.
pehditures for the same period, exclusive
OF payments on account Of the public
debt, amounted to forty three millions five
hundred and fifty four thousand two hun.
dred and sixty-two dollars; leaving a bal.
ance Of thirty-tso millions, four hundred
and twenty five thousand four hundred
and forty seven dollars of receipts above
expenditures.
This fact, Of increasing the surplus in
the treasury, became the subject of anx.
ious consideration at very early period
of my administration, and The path of my
duty in regard TO il seemed 10 me obvious
and clear, namely; FIRST, to apply the sur.
plus revenue 10 the discharge OF the pub
lie debt, so far as it could judiciously be
done; and, secondly, TO devise means for
the gradual reduction Of the revenue TO
the standard of the public exigencies.
OF these objects, the first has been in
the course Of accomplishment. in man.
ner and TO degree highly satisfactory
The amount oflhe public debt, oil all class.
es, was on the 4th of March 1858, sixty.
nine million one hundred and ninety thou.
sand and thirty.seven dollars; payments
on account Of which have been made
since that period, TO the amount of twelve
million seven hundred and three thousand
three hundred and twenty.nine dollars.
leaving upaid and in the continuous course
of liquidation, the sum Of ffty.six million
four hundred and eighty-six thousand sew.
en- hundred and eight dollars. These
payments although made at the market
prices of the respective classes of stocks.
have been affected readily, and to the
general advantage Of the Treasury, and
have at the same time proved Of signal
utility in the reliet they have incidentally
afforded 10 the money market and 10 the
industrial and commercial pursuits of the
country.
The second of the above mentioned OBJ.
jects, that Of the reduction of the tariff,
is of great importance, and the plan sug-
gested by the Secretary Of the Treasury.
which is TO reduce the duties on certain
articles, and 10 add TO the free list many
articles now taxed, and especially such as
enter into manufacturers. and are not
largely, or not at all produced in the coun.
try, is commended 10 your candid and
careful consideration.
You will find in the report of the Sec.
retary Of the Treasury, also. abundant
proof of the entire adequacy OF the pres
ent fiscal system TO meet the requirements
ofthe public service, and that, while prop.
erly administered il operates to the advan
tage of the community in ordinary busi.
ness relations.
respectfully ask your attention 10 sun
dry suggestions Of improvements in the
settlement of accounts, especially as re
CARDS the large sums of outstanding ar
rears due 10 the government, and oil 9th.
er forms in tine administrative action of
his department, which are indicated by
the Secretary; as also TO the progress
made in the construction of Marine hos.
pitals, custom. houses, and of a new mint
in California and assay office in New
York, heretofore provided for by Con.
gress; and also 10 the eminently success.
lu progress of the coast survey, and Of
the light house board.
Among the objects meriting your atten.
ton will be important recommendations
from the Secretaries Of War and Navy.
| am fully satisfied that tine Navy OF the
United States is not in a condition Of
strength and efficiency commensurate
with the magnitude Of our commercial and
other interests and commend your espe-
cial attention TO the suggestions on the
subject. made BY the Secretary OF the Ma.
Wy, respectfully submit that the army.
which. under our system, must always be
regarded with the highest interest. as a
nucleus around which the volunteer for.
ceS gather in the hour o! danger, requires
augmentation, or modification. to adapt ii
10 the present extended limits and frontier
relations Of the country. and the oondi.
ton of the Indian tribes in the interior Of
the continent; the necessity Of which will
appear in the communications of the Sec
retaries OF War and the Interior.
In the administration of the post office
department for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1853, the gross expenditure was sev.
en- millions nine hundred and eighty.twc
thousand seven hundred and fihy.six dol
ars; and the gross receipts, during the
same period, five millions nine hundred
and torty.two thousand seven hundred
and thirty-four dollars; showing that the
current revenue failed 10 meet the curreni