Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-12-17

path OF duty in regard to it seemed to me obvious
ana clear namely; first 10 apply The surplus rev
enue to the discharge of the public debt so far as
1t could Judiciously be done and secondly, to de-
wise means for The gradual reduction of the STAN
zdar of the pblic exgencies
OF these Objects the first has bNnEaMcoursd
OF accomplishment, in manner al "a q AgN
highly satisfactory. The amount of The nubic
debt. of all classes, was, on the fourth of March
1853, siXty-uiHe million one hundred and ninety
thousand and thirty seven dollars payments on
account Of which have been made since that peri
oil, to the amount OF twelve million seven hundred
AMI three thousand three hundred and twenty nine
dollars, leaving unpaid, and in the continuous
course of liIujta;ion lhe sum of ffy-six million
four hundred aud ejghty-SiX thousand seven hun
dred and eight dollars. These payments, although
made at the market price OF the respective classes
of stocks, have been effected readily, and TO the
general advantage OF the treasury, and have at
the same time proved ofsigndl utility in the relief
they have incidentally afforded to the money mar
Ret and to the industrial AMI commercial pursuits
Of the country.
The second oithe aforementioned objects, that
Of the reduction ofthe tariff is of great Importance
and the plan suggested by the Secretary of the
Treasury, which is toreduce the du les on certain
articles and to add to the free list many articles
taxed, and especially such as enter into manu-
features, and are not largely, at all produced in
the country is commended to your candid and
careful considerations
\ on will find in the report ofthe Secretary of the
Treasury, also, abundant proof of the entire ade-
Quasy of the present fiscal system to meet all the
requirements Of the public service, and that, while
property administered, operate; TO the advantage
Of the community in ordinary business relations
respectfully ask your attention to sundry sug-
TeStions Improvements in the settlement of ac-
counts, especially as regards The large sums
of outstanding arrears due to the Governments
and of other reforms in tac administrative action
of his department, which are indicated BY the Sec
rotary as also to the progress made in the con
s:ructon Of marine hospitals Custom-houses and
Ola new mint in California and assay Office in the
city ofNcw ! ork, heretofore provided for by Con
greSs; and also the emIaenty successful progress
of the Coast Survey, and Of the Light house
Board
Among the objects merging your attention will
be important recommendations from the Secretary
of War and Navy. l am fully satisfied that the
navy OF the United States is not in a condition of
strength and efficiency commensurate with the mag
nltude ofour commercial and other interests: and
commend to your especial attention the suggestions
on this subject, made BY the Secretary of the Ma
w. LrespectfalIy submit that the army, which
under our system, must always be regarded with
the hlgesl interest, as nucleus around which the
volunteer forces OF the nation gathcrn the hour Of
danger, requires augmentation, or mod Gcation 20
adapt it to the present extended limits and from
tier relations OF the country, and the condition of
the Indian tribes in the in erior of the continent
the necessity of which will appear in the commu-
uicatons ofthc Secretaries Of War and the Interi-
In The administration OF The Post Office DEPART
ment for The fiscal yearending June 50. 1893, the
gross expenditure was seven million nine hundred
and eighty-two thousand seven hundred and fifty
SIX dollars and c gross receipts, during the
same period, five million nine hundred and forty
two thousand seven hundred and thrty-our dol
lars; showing that the carrent revenue failed to
meet the current expenses OF the department by
the sum OF two million iugty-two Thousand ana
thmty-two dollars. The causes which, under the
present postal system and laws, led inevitably TO
this result, fully explained by The report OF the
Postmaster General; one great cause being the
enormous rates the department has been compelled
to pay for mail service rendered by raiIo COM
panes.
The exhibit in the repor, of the Postmaster
General Of the income and expenditures by mail
steamers will be found peculiarly interesting and
Of character to demand the immediate action OF
Congress.
Numerous and fragrant frauds upon the Pension
Bureau have been brought to iigltwithin the last
year. and, in some instances, meri.ed puui-hmcnts
inflicted but, uutortUna. ely in others guilty par
ties have escaped not through the want OF suiIi-
Cen5 evidence 10 warrant q conviction but in con-
sequence Of the provisions of limitation in the ex-
listing Laws.
From lhe nature Of these claims. the remote
ness Of the tribunals to pass upon them, and The
mode in which the proof Is, OF necessity, furnish
cd, temptations to crime have been greatly stimu-
lated by the obvious difficulties Of detection The
defects in the law upon this subjcc, are so appa-
rent and fatal to the ends of justice, that Your
early action relating to it Is mos. desirable
During the last fiscal year, nine million eight
hundred and nineteen thousand four hundred and
eleven acres of the public lands have been survey
ed, and ten million three hundred and sixty-thrcc
thousand eight hundred and nnetv-one acres
brought into market Within the same period
the sales by public purchase and private entry
amounted TO one million eghty-three thousand
four hundred and uincty-hye acres located
under military bounty land warrants, six mil
lion one hundred and iorty-two thousand three
hundred and sixty acres located under under
other certificates, nine thousand four hundred and
twculy-scycn acres coded to the States rs swamp
lands, sixteen million six hundred and ei-Lty-our
thousand two hundred and ttJg-lhree acres: Sc
lccted for railroad and other Objects under acts Of
Congress, one million four hundred and twenty
seven thousand four hundred and ffty-seycn
acres. Total amount of lands disposed OF within
the fiscal year, twenty-five million three hundred
and fyrly-siy thousand nine hundred and ninety
two acres; which Is an increase in quantity sold,
and located under land warrants and grants, OF
twenty million Two hundred and thirty-0ne thou
sand eight hundred and eighteen acres over the