The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-12-24

Legislative, executive, and judicial-yet the
substantial form, the popular source and the
large capacity for social and materially develop
ments exist in the ,pective States with all, be-
ing Of themselves well constituted republics, as
they succeed so they alone are capable of main
tanning and perpetuatng the Union. The Fede-
raj Government has its appropriate line of &C.
ton In the specific and limited powers conferred
upon IT by the constitution, chiefly as 10 those
things in which the States have common inter
est in their relation 10 one another, to foreign
governments, while the great mass of interests
which it behooves us to cultivate in the ordinary
business of life, the springs Of industry and all
diversified personal and domestic affairs of soci-
ETY., rest upon the general reserved powers Of the
people Of the several States. This is the ehec-
tive democracy of the nation and these the vital
essence of its being and its greatness. OF the
practical consequences which flow from the ma
ture Of the federal government, the primary fact
is the duty of administering with integrity, fulfill.
ing the high trust reposcd on US by the constitu-
ton, especially in the appropriation of the public
funds, as drawn by taxation from the people and
devoted to specific objects of Congress. Happi-
~, have no occasion to suggest any radical
changes in the financial policy of the government
Ours Is almost, if not absolutely, the solitary
power in Ohrlstendom having the surplus reve-
nue. drawn from imposts on commerce therefore
measured BY the spontaneous enterprise and nat
rect relation to the agriculture, manufactures
and produce of the earth and sea- as TO violate no
CONSTITUTIONAL doctrine, and yet vigorously pro-
mote the general welfare.
Neither as to the Of the public treasury
nor as to the manner Of keeping and managing it.
does any grave controversy now prevail; there being
general acquiescence the wisdom Of the present
system The reports Of the Secretary Of the Treas
y will exhibit in detail the Of the public treas
uy and the condition Of the various branches of the
public service, by that department Of the
government. The revenue Of the country, levied
almost nsensoy to the tax payer, goes on from year
TO year increasing beyond either the present or the
prospective wants Of the government. tthc close of
the fiscal year, ending june 80 1852 there remained
in the treasury balance Of Sl4, 1872 636 The pub
lie revenue for the fiscal year ending June 30 1858
amounted to S5S, 93l ,S65 from customs and so 4O5
Jos from public lands and other miscellaneous sour
ces, amounting together to SCI 1897 ,574 while the
public expenditures for the period exclusive of
payments account Of the public debt amounted TO
S43, 262, leaving balance of $50 All of
receipts above expenditures. This fact of Increas-
ing surplus IN the treasury, became the subject Of
anxious consideration al "A very early period of nv
administration, and the path of duty regard to it
seems TO me obvious and clear viz: first, to apph
the surplus revenue to the discharge of the public
debt, SO tar as IT could udiciousy be done and sec
"ndiy TO devise for the gradual reduction
Of the revenue to the standard Of the public exiycn-
cles. OF these objects the first has been in course of
accomplishment i'm a manner and IN n degrae b;ahl
satisfactory. The amount Of the public debt, OF all
classes was, OH the fourth Of March, 1853, 500 $780,
O37, payment accounts of which have been made
since that period to the amount Of SIP, 7O3, 1923,
leaving unpaid and in the continuous course Of liquid.
alton the sum of IS ,is6, 70S. These payments,
'"oS" "''"e '' INC '"'he' price OF the respective
,ho an,o.,I .J~..,a', ~ IL " e 'e'u,'s ana 10
m. samo Tine nr"So5 IS I, ..:ay, ":u nave d.
mI;ef ,h.v h,yr n.;J..,,ii' da"S., "'"i III me
market and IN the industrial md cn,norn;,i
Of the country You will find in the rrnor, of RI.
Secretary Of the Treasury, also, abundant proof of
the entire adequacy Of the present fiscal system To
meet all the requirements of the public sery ice and
that when properly administered it operates to the
advantage of the community in ordinary business
relations. respectfully ask your attention sundry
suggestions OF Improvement in the settlement Of &c
counts especially us regards the large sums Of out
standing accounts aue the government, and Of other
reforms IN the administrative action of his depart
ment which are indicated by the Secretary; and also
to the progress made in the construction Of marine
hospitals, custom houses and of new mint in Cali
t"rnId, and assay Offices IN the city of New York,
heretofore provided for by Congress, and also to the
enentIy successful progress OF the Coast Survey and
Ot the Light House Board.
Among the objects needing your attention W i'll
be important recommended lions from the Secreta-
ries of War and Navy. am fully satisfied that
the NAVY of the Coi,ed States is NOT in :, cond;
tion of strength and efficiency commencement
with The commercial and other interests and
....J ., , :I .,; ,I' 80
~: ~" ~ s- w :,
~ 'u .' ~. "'"u. =, W.. y. ,e.'y VI o'e
A*NrS' .'erPee"""y s"u"''' p''' '"c a'"S' WHICH
under the present stale must always be regarded
With The highest interest as nucleus around
which the volunteer force of the nation "a Their in
the hour of danger, requires augmcnta: ion and
modification 10 adapt it 10 The present extended
limits and frontier relations of The country, and