Washington sentinel., 1853-12-07


stituton, especially in the application of the pub
lie funds drawn by taxation from the people,
and appropriated 10 specific objects by Congress.
Happily lhave no occasion 10 suggest any radi-
cal changes IN the financial policy OF the govern
ment. Ours Is almost, If not absolutely, the sol-
tary power of Chrstendom having a surplus re
venue, drawn immediately from imposts on COM
merce, aud therefore measured by the sponiane-
Gus enterprise and national prosperity Of the
country, with such indirect relation to agriculture,
manufactures, and the products of the earth and
sea, as 10 violate no constitutional doctrine, and
yet vigorously promote the general welfare.
Neither as 10 the sources of the public treasure,
nor as 10 the manner of keeping and managing it,
does any grave controversy now prevail there
being general acquiescence in the wisdom 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 various branches of the
public service administered by that department of
the government.
The revenue of the country, levied almost in
sensbly TO the tax payer, goes on from year to
year increasing beyond either the interests or the
prospective wants OF the government.
Al the close of the fiscal year ending June 80,
1852 there remained in the treasury balance of
fourteen million six hundred and thrty-two thou
sand one hundred and thirty-six dollars The
public revenue for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1888 amounted to ffty-eght million nine hundred
and thirty-one thousand eight hundred and sixty
1--WE dollars from CUSTOMS and TO two million four
hundred and five thousand seven hundred and
eight dollars from public lands and other miscel-
-laneous sources, amounting together to sixty-one
million three hundred and thirty-seven thousand
five hundred and seventy-four dollars while the
public expenditures for the same period, exclu-
sive OF payments on account OF the public debt
amounted TO forty-three million five hundred and
fity-iour thousand two hundred and sxty-two
dollars; leaving balance of thrty-two million
four hundred and twenty-five thousand four hun
dred and forty-seven dollars of receipts above ex
penditures.
This fact, ofincreasing surplus in the treasury
became the subject of anxious consideration at
very early period of my administration and the
path OF duty in regard TO it seemed to me obvious
and clear, namely: first, to apply the surplus rev.
enue 10 the discharge of the public debt, so far
it could Judiciousy be done and, secondly TO de-
wise means for the gradual reduction of the rev.
enue to the standard of the public exigences.
Ofthese objects, the first has been in the course
OF accomplishment, in manner and TO degree
highly satisfactory. The, amount of the public
debt, OF all classes, was, on the fourth of March,
1858, sixty nine million one hundred and ninety
thousand and thirty-seyen dollars payments on
account of which have been made, since that pc
riod, TO the amount of twelve million seven hun
dred and three thousand three hundred and twenty
nine dollars, leaving unpaid, and in the continuous
course OF liquidation, the sum of fifty-six million
four hundred and eighty-six thousand seven hun
i
made at the market price ofthe respective classes
of stocks, have been effected readily, and to the
general advantage of the treasury, and have at the
time proved of signal utilityin the relief they
have incidentally afforded to the money market
and 10 the industrial and commercial pursuits of
the country.
The second ofthe aforementioned objects, that
Of the reduction the tariff of great Importance,
and the plan suggested by the Secretary of the
Treasury, which is to reduce the duties on certain
articles, and TO add 10 the free list many articles
now taxed, and especially such enter into manu-
features, and are not largely, at ALL produced in
the country, is commended TO your candid and
careful consideration
You will find in the report Of the Secretary OF
the Treasury, also, abundant proof OF the entire
adequacy of the present fiscal system 10 meet all
the requirements of the public service, and that,
while properly administered, it operates to the ad-
vantage OF the community in ordinary business
relations.
! respectfully ask your attention to sundry sug-
gestons of Improvements in the settlement of ac-
counts especially as regards the large sums OF
outstanding arrears due TO the government, and
of other reforms in the administrative action of
his department, which are indicated by the Sec
retary; as also 10 the progress made in the con-
structon of marine hospitals, custom-houses, and
OF new mint in California and assay Office in the
city of New York, heretofore provided for by Con-
gress; and also TO the emnenty successful pro-
gress OF the coast survey, and of the lighthouse
Board.
Among the objects meriting your attention will
be important recommendations from the Secre-
taries of War and Navy. | am fully satisfied that
the navy of the United States is not in condi-
ton OF strength and efficiency commensurate with
the magnitude of our commercial and other inter.
ests; and commend TO your especial attention the
suggestions on this subject, made by the Secretary
of the Navy. ! respectfully submit that the army,
which, under our system, must always be regard
ed with the highest interest, as nucleus around
which the volunteer forces of the nation gather in
the hour OF danger, requires augmentation, or
modification, TO adapt il TO the present extended
limits and frontier relations of the country, and
the condition Of the Indian tribes in the interior of
the continent; the necessity of which will appear
in the communications of the Secretaries of War
and the Interior.
In the administration Of the Post Office Depart
ment for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1883, the
gross expenditure was seven million nine hundred
and eighty-two thousand seven hundred and fifty
six dollars and the gross receipts during the same
period, five million nine hundred and forty-two
thousand seven hundred and thirty -four dollars;
showing that the current revenue failed TO meet
the current expenses of the department by the
sum of two million forty-two thousand and thirty
two dollars. The causes which, under the present
postal system and laws led inevitably to this result
are fully explained by the report of the Postmas
ter General; one great cause being the enormous
rates the department has been compelled TO pay
The exhibit in the report of the Postmaster Cen
eral of the income and expenditures by mail steam
ers will be found peculiarly interesting, and of
character TO demand the immediate action of Con-
gress.
Numerous and fagrant frauds upon the Pension
Bureau have been brought TO light within the last
year. and, in some instances, merited punishments
inflicted; but unfortunately, in Others guilty par
ties have escaped, not through the want of suf
cient evidence to warrant conviction but in con-
sequence of the provisions of limitation in the ex
isting laws.
From the nature of these claims, the remoteness
OF the tribunals TO pass upon them, and the mode
IN which the proof is, of necessity, furnished
temptations TO crime have been greatly stimulated
by the obvious difficulties of detection. The de-
iects in the law upon this subject so apparent,
and so fatal TO the ends of justice that your early
action relating 10 it is most desirable.
During the last fiscal year, nine million eight
hundred and nineteen thousand four hundred and
eleven acres of the public lands have been
veyed, and ten million three hundred and sixty
three thousand eight hundred and nnety-one
acres brought into market. Within the same pc
Rod, the sales by public purchase and private
try amounted TO one million eghty-three thousand
four hundred and ninety five acres located under
military bounty land warrants, six million hun
dred and forty-two thousand three hundred and