Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-10

fidelity the high trust reposed in it by the collst-
tut;ou, especially in tho application of tho public
funds, as drawn by taxation from the people, and
appropriated to specific objects by Congress. Hap.
ply l have no occasion to suggest any radical
changes in the financial policy of the government.
Ours is almost, If not absolutely, tho solitary pow
or of ChrStundom having surplus revenue, drawn
immediately from imports OH commerce, and there
fore measured by the spontaneous enterprise and
national prosperity OF the country, with such in
direct relation TO agriculture, manufactures, and
the products Of tho earth and sea- ss 10 violate no
constitutional doctrine, and yet vigorously pro,hotc
the general welfare. Neither as TO the sources Of
the public treasure, nor as to the manner of keep
ing and managing it, does any grave controversy
now prevail, there being II general acquiesccDce in
the wisdom OF the present system.
The report of tho Secretary of tho Treasury will
exhibit in detail, the state of tho public finances,
and the condition Of the various branches of the
public service administered by that department of
the government.
The revenue Of tho country, levied almost insen-
sibly to the taxpayer, goes on from year to year
increasing beyond either the interests or the pros
pcctivc wants ut the government.
81 the close of tho fiscal year endiug june so,
1852, there remained in the treasury a balance of
fourteen millions six hundrcd and thirtytwo thou-
sand one hundred aud thlrtySix dollars. The pub
lie revenue for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1858,
amounted TO fifty. eight millions niue hundred aud
thirty-onc thousand eight hundred and sxty-fvc
dollars from customs, and to two millions four hun
,rrd and five Thousand seven hundred and eight
dollars from public lands and other miscellaneous
sources, amounting togcthcrtV SiXty-one millions
three hundred and thrty-scvcn thousand five hun
drc,l ami seventy ionr dolluis; while the public
expenditures Tor the same period, exclusive Of
payments on account Of tho public debt, amount
ed to forty three mionsIiyc hundred and iitty.iour
thousand two hundred and siXty-two dollars; lcav-
inp a balance of lhirty.two millions four hundred
and twenty-five thousand four huudrcd and forty
seven do liars OF receipts above expenditures. -
This fact, of increasing surplus in the treasury,
became the subject UfanXiOus consideration ut
very early period oi my administration, aud the
path of duty in regard 10 il seemed 10 nc obvious
and clear, namely lrst, 10 apply the surplus rev.
cnuu to the discharge ot the public debt se FAR rs
it could iGdicouSly bo d0uc aud, secondly, 10
devise mCals ior the gradual reduction ui the rcy0
vuc 70 the Standard ofpublc cxigoncics.
Uf lhusc objects, the first has been IN the course
of Accomplishment, in Il inanirr and |" degree
highly satisfactory. The amount Of thcpublie
lcid, Of all classes, was, Oh lhc fourth vi March,
1868, sixly.lliuc millions ono hundred and ninety
thousand and thirty -scyon dollars payments on
accouu, Of which have bcc,i made, since that peri
oJ io the amount Of twelve millions seven hundrcd
and three thousand three hundred aud twenty-Dine
dollars, leaving unpaid, aud III the CONTINUOUS
course olliqudutiOn, the sumo6:ty- y-sNmlllioES tour
hundred and cighty-siX thousand seven hundred q
eight dollars. These payments, although made at
the market price OF the respective classes OF stocks,
have been effected readily, and to the general adj
vantage vi The treasury, aud have at the same time
proyod Of signal utility in the relief they have in
cidcnallv afforded to the money market and to the
industrial and commercial pursuits 0 TIC country
Tho second of tho above mentioned objects, that
of the reduction ollle tariff is Of great Importance.
aud the plau suggested by tho Secretary Of thc
Treasury. which is to reduce tho duties on cc:tain
articles, and to add 10 tIc FREQ list many articles
now taxed aud especially such rs cnter5into man
ulactures, aud not largely, or at all, produced
in the country, Is commended to your candid and
careful consideration.
You will llnd ia the report of the Secretary of
the Treasury, also, abundant proof oltlU cnru adj
cull,cy ofhG present fiscal system to meet all the
rc,,riremcnts OF the public service, aud that, while
pru,crly administered, 1t operates 10 the advant
are Of thc community in ordinary business rola-
toilS.
|, respectfully ask your attention TO snndry sug-
restions OF improvements in tho settlement of ac
counts, especially lcgordS the large sum of out
standing arrcara duo TO the government, and OF
other reforms in the administrative action of his de-
paltmcut, which arc indicated by tho Secretary
A. ulso 10 tho prosrcss uiale IN the construction al
marine hospitals, custom houses, and OF new mint
in California and assay Office in the city oi New
York, heretofore provided lor by Congress; and
also To the cmnently successful progress Of the
Coast Survey, aud ortc Lighthouse Board.
Among tho objects mcring your attention will
bc important recommendations from the Sccrcta-
rics of War and Navy am fully satisfied that
The navy of the United States is not in condition
of strength and efficiency commensurate with the
nagnitudc of our commercial and other interests;
and commend to your especial attention the sug-
gestions on this subject, made by the Secretary Of
The Navy. ! respectfully submit that the army,
which, under our SYSTEM must always be regarded
with the highest interest, az nucleus around
which tho volunteer forces OF the nation gather in
the hour Of danger, requires augmentation, ormod-
ifcation, to adapt ii to the present extended limits
and frontier relations OF the country, and the con
dition OF The Indian tribes in the interior 1.-THE con-
tiient tho necessity Of which will appear in The
communications olthc Secretaries Of War and the
Interior.
I'm the administration ofthc Post Ollicc Depart
ment for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1853, the
gross expenditure was seven millions nine hundred
aud eighty two thousand sevcn hundred aud fifty
six dollars; and the gross receipts, during tho same
period, five millions nine hundred and torty-two
thousand seven hundred and thirty-iour dollars
showu, that the current revenue failed to meet the
currcrt expenses of the department by the SUN of
two inillions iorty-wo thouSandiDd thirty two dol
lars The causes which, under the present postal
system and laws led ncy itably TO this result arc
fully explained by tho report of the Postmaster
Geuerai: one great cause being the enormous rates
the department has been compelled to pay furnail
service rendered hy raroad companies.
The exhibit in the report oltho Postmaster Gen
era vi tho iucome and expenditures by mail steam
ers will be found peculiarly Interesting aud of II
character 10 demand the Immediate action of Con
greSS.
Numerous aud fragrant frauds upon The tho Pen
sion Bureau have been brought to light within the
last year, and, in some instances, nleritcd punish
mems inflicted but, unfortunately, in others, gull
ty parties have escaped, not through the want Of
sufficient evidence to warrant conviction, but in
consequence of tho provisions Of limitation in thc
existing laws.
Frou, the nature Of these claims, the rcmotcness
ofthe tribunals tu pass upon them and the mode
in which the proofs, Of necessity furnished temp
tutons 10 crime have been greatly stimulated by
the obvious difficulties of detection. The defects
IN the law upon this subject are 50 apparent aud
80 fatal to the ends Of Justice, that your early ac
ton relating to it is most desirable
During the last fiscal year, nine millions eight
hundred aud nineteen thousand four hundred and
eleven acres VI the public lands have been suryey-
ed, aud ton millions throe hundred and sixty three
thousand eight hundred Il ninety-ouc acres brought
into market Within the same period, the sales
by public purchase anu private entry amounted to
one million eighty three thousand four hundred q
ninety -fvo acrcs located under military bounty
land warrants, six milliOus hundred aud forty
two hsasand three hundred aud sixty acres lora-
ted under other certificates, nine thousand four
hundred and twcnty-seycn acres; ceded 10 the
States as swamp lands, sixteen millions six hundred
and eighty-tour thousand two hundred and llity-
three acres selected ior railroad aud other objects
under acts Of Congress, one million -four hundred
aud twenty Soyen thousand four hundred and fifty
scv 1crl,S Tntal umnuut nf lands III spoerl E