Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-12-06

power of Chrstendom having surplus revenue drawn
Immediately from mposts on commerce, and therefore
measured by the spontaneous enterprise and national
prosperity OF the country with such indirect relation
agriculture manufactures and the products of the earth
and sea, as to violate constitutional doctrine and yet
vigorously promote the general welfare. Neither TO
the sources of the public treasure, to the
OF keeping and ii, does any grave controversy
now prevail. there being general acquescence in the
wisdom OF the present system.
The report of the Secretary OF the Treasury will
hib 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 nsensbly
to the Taxpayer. goes from year TO year increasing
beyond either the interests the prospective wants Of
At the close of the fiscal year ending June 80, 1852,
there remained in the treasury balance OF fourteen mil
lion SIX hundred and thirty thousand hundred
and thrlysix dollars The public revenue for the hsca
year ending June 3d. 1853, amounted TO hftveght mil
lion nine hundred and thrtyone thousand eight hundred
and sixtyhye dollars from customs. and to two million
tour hundred and five thousand hundred and eight
dollars from public lands and other miscellaneous
sources, amounting together 10 sxtyone million three
hundred and thirty thousand five hundred and
enty -four dollars while the public expenditures for The
same PERIOD exclusive OF payments account OF the
pubic debt amounted to forty three million five hundred
ana hty-Iou thousand two hundred and slxty-tWo dol
Iars leaving ba ance OF thirlytwo million four hun.
dfed and twenty-five thousand four hundred anu forty
seven dollars OF rec@i pts above expenditures.
Ihls faet OF increasing surplus in the treasury. be-
came Tue SUBJECT OF ANXIOUS consideration al very early
garu to 1t seemed 10 obvious and clear, namely first,
to apply The surplus TO the discharge Of the pub
c debt, SO Tar as 1t could ndcousIy he done and,
Ondly TO devise means for the gradual reduction OF the
revenue to the standard of the public exlgences.
vi these Objects the first has been the of &C
compiishInen IN manner and 10 degree highly sa,is-
factory The amount OF the public debt, of all classes,
was. on the fourth of March, 1853, sixty million
one hundred and ninety thousand and hily-seven dol
lars payments on account of which have been made,
since that period, the amount of twelve million seven
hundred and three thousand three hundred and twenty
nine dollars eav.g unpaid and in the continuous
OF liquidation, the sum OF Aty million four hundred
anu elghy-slX thousand seven hundred and eight dol
lara. These payments. although male at the market
price OF The respective classes OF Stocks have been ef
feced readily, and to the general advantage OF the
ury, and have al the time proved of signal utility
the relief they have incidentally afforded 10 the money
market and TO the industrial and commercial pursuits OF
the country
The second OF the aforementioned objects that of tie
reduction of the tariff, is of great importance, and the
plan suggested by the Secretary of lhe Treasury, which
ls 10 reduce the duties articles, and TO add to
the free list many articles taxed, and especially such
as enter INTO manuac ures, and not largely, at ali.
pro:ucet IN the country, commented 10 candid
and careful consideration.
] on will fnd in the report OF the Secretary OF the
Treasury aso abundant proof OF The entire adequacy OF
the present fiscal sys,e 10 meet all the requirements OF
the public service and that while properly administered,
operates TO the advantage of the community in ordinary
business relations.
respectfully ask your attention. slndry suggestions
OF Imirov emelts the settlement OF accounts, especially
The eminent, and Of other reforms adm
tive action OF his department, which are indicated by the
Secretary; also TO the progress made the
Cn OF marine hospitals, custom houses, and Of
mint IN California AID assay Office in the City Of New
York. heretofore provided tor by Congress; and also to
the emieny successful progress OF The Coast Survey.
and OF the Lighthouse Board.
Among the objects merI,ing your attention will be i'm
poftant recommendations from the Secretaries OF War
and Navy. | am fully satisfied that the navy of the
United States is not in condition Of strength and eff
tho of
Gal and other Interests aud CONNIE nd TO your especial
attention the suggestions on this subject ma,e by the
Secretary OF the Navy respectfully submit that Inc
army which under our system, must always be 2rded
with the highest interest, nucleus around which The
volunteer forces OF the nation gather the hour OF dan
GER requires augmentation, modification, TO adapt it to
The present extended limits and frontier relations of The
country, and The condition OF the lnan tribes the
terror OF the continent the necessity OF which will ap
pear In Inc communications oil the Secretaries o. War and
the Interior.
In the administration of the Post Office Depatmen. for
the tsca! year ending June 3d. 1853 The gross exieni
iture was seven million nine hundred and eighty two
thousand seven hundred and Ety-slX dollars; ard the
gross receipts. during the same period, five nIda nine
hundred and foFiytwo thousand hundred and
lhrty-tour dol aEs, showing that the current revenue
failed TO the expenses of the department by
the of two million forty thousand and thirty
two dollars The which, under the present postal
system and laws, led inevitably TO this result, fully
explained by the report of the Postmaster General
great cause beng the rates the department has
been compelled 10 pay for mail rendered by rail-
road companies
The exhibit the report of the Postmaster General OF
the income and expenditures by mail steamers will be
found peculiarly interesting, ana OF character 10 de-
mand the immediate action of Congress.
Numerous and Hasfant frauds upon the Pension Ba.
Teau have been brought to light within the last year.
and, IN some Instnces setl!ed plnshnents iitcted
but, unfortunately Others, guilty parties have escaped
throng the want sufficient evidence 10 warrant
conviction, but in consequence Of the provisions OF Inn
itt'ion i'll the existing laws
From the nature of these claus the re,aoeness OF the
tribunals to pass upon Them aid the ode in which the
proof is, OF necessity furnished temptations crime
have bten greatly stimulated by the obvious difficulties
OF detection The detects law upon this subject
apparent, and so fatal to the ends OF Justice that
your early action relating TO is most de sirabe
During the last fiscal year, nine million eight hundred
the public lands have been surveyed. and million three
hundred and Siyy-ihEee thousand eight hundred and
ninety one acres brought into market Within the same
period, the sales By public purchase and private entry
amounted TO million eighty three thousand four
hundred and ninelytlve located under military
bounty land warrants, six million hundred and for
y-two thousand three hunde, and sixty acres; located
uDder other certificates. Thousand four hundred and
twenty acres ceded 10 the States swamp lands
sixteen million SIX hundred aHd eighty -four thousand
two hundred and fifty three selected for railroad
and other objects, under acts of Congress- one million
four hundred and twenty thousand four hundred
and fifty Total amoua OF lands disposed OF
within the fiscal year, twenty i've million three hundred