Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-05

the public debt, amounted To fifty one million egh-
teen thousand two hundred and foriy-nine dollars
During the same period the payments made in
drinpuon Of the public debt, Including interest and
premium, amounted 10 twenty four million three
hundred and thirty-six thousand three hundred
and eighty dollars, To the sum total Of the re-
ceipis p that year sto be added balance remain-
ing inthe Treasury at the commencement thereof,
amouniing 10 twenty-one million nine hundred
and forty TWO thousand eight hundred and ninety
Two dollars; and al the close or the same year a
corresponding balance amounting 10 twenty mill
lion one hundred aud ihiriy-seven thousand nine
hundred and sixiy-seven dollars of receipts above
expenditures, also remained in the Treasury. AL
though, In the opinion OF the Secretary of the
Treasury, the receipts Of the current fiscal year
are not likely TO equal in amount those of the last
YET they will undoubtedly exceed the amount OF
expenditures by Al least fifteen millionsof dollars.
shall, therefore, continue 10 direct that the sur
plus revenue be applied, far as il can be Judi
ciously and economically done, 10 the reduction Of
the public debt, the amonnt Of which, al the CONF
mencement of the last fiscal year, was sixty
million three hundred and forty thousand six hun
dred and twenty eight dollars OF which there had
been paid on the twentieth day Of November.
1904, the sum OF twenty-five million three hum
dred and sixty live thousand one hundred and
seventy-two dollars; leaving balance Of out
standing public debt Of only fortyour million nine
hundred and seveniy-five thousand four hundred
and hiiy-six dollars redeemabe al different periods
within fourteen years. There are also remnants
OF other government stocks, most Of which are
already due, and on which the interest has ceased,
but which have not yet been presented for pay
ment, amounting 70 two hundred aud thirty.lhree
thousand one hundred and seventy-nine dollars.
This statement exhibits the fact that the annual
income Of the government greatly exceeds the
amount Of lie public debt, which latter remains un-
paid, only because the time OF payment has not
yet matured, and Il cannot be discharged at once,
except az the option Of public creditors who prefer
he NJ haI nj.
the other fact, not less striking that the annual
revenue from oil sources exceeds, by many ~
lions OF dollars, the amount needed for . ..ii-
and economical administration or prudent
ment. ,he govern
The estimates present.,
different Executive II "a 10 Congress from the
sion, amounted apartments, at the last ses-
dred aud . 20 thirty.eight million four hum
one do ar thousand i've hundred and eighty
~ s,iars and the appropriations made, 20 the
Am OF yeight million one hundred and sixteen
thousand nine hundred and fiay-eight dollars OF
TINS excess OF appropriations over estimate how
ever, more than twenty millions was applicable to
extraordinary objects, having no reference 10 the
usual annual expenditures. Among these objects
was embraced ten millions 10 meet the third article
OF the treaty between the the United States and
Mexico; so that. in fact, for objects Of ordinary
expenditure, the appropriations were limited 10
considerably less than forty millions OF dollars
therefore renew my Recommendation Tor a reduc-
Secretary Of the Treasury presents series Of
tables, showing the operation Of the revenue sys-
TEN for several successive years, and as the gene
raj principle of reduction OF duties with a view
to revenue and not protection may now be re-
garded as the settled policy OF the country trust
that little difficulty viii be encountered in settling
the details of measure TO that effect.
In connexion with this subject, recommend a
change in the laws, which recent experience has
shown TO be essential TO the protection OF the
government. There IS no express provision OF
law requiring the records and papers OF public
character, of the several officers OF the govern
menf 10 be left in their Offices for the use OF their
successors, nor any provision declaring il felony
on their part 10 make false entries in the books or
return false accounts In the absence Of such en-.
press provision by law, the outgoing officers, in
many instances have claimed and exercised the
right TO take into their own possession important
books and papers, on The ground that these were
their private property; and have placed them be.
yond the reach Of the government. Conduct OF
this character brought in several instances 10 the
nolice Of the present Secretary Of the Treasury,
naturally awakened his suspicion, and resulted in
the disclosure that at four ports, namely Oswero
Toledo, Sandusky, and Milwaukee, the treasury
had, by false entries, been defrauded, within the
four years next preceding March, 1863, OF the
sum of one hundred and ninety eight thousand
dollars. The great difficulty with which the de-
lection OF these frauds has been attended, in con-
sequence ofthe abstraction Of books and papers
by the retiring officers, and the facility with which
similar frauds in the public service may be perpe-
traied, render the necessity Of new legal enact
mens, in the respects above referred to- quite OBJ
vious. For other material notifications OF the
revenue laws which seem TO be desirable, I refer
you to the report ofthe Secretary Of the Treasury
That report, and the tables which accompany Il,
furnish ample proofs Of the solid foundation on
which the financial security OF the country rests,
and OF the saiutary influence ofthe independent
treasury system upon commerce and all monetary
operations.
The experience of the last year furnishes add
tionai reasons, regret TO say, Of painful char
acter for the recommendation heretofore made,
10 provide for increasing the military force en-
ployed in the territory Inhabited by the Indiana
The settlers on the frontier have suffered much
from the incursions Of predatory bands, and large
parties OF emigrants to our Pacific possessions
have been rnsssacred with impunity. The recur-
renee Of such scenes can only be prevented by
teaching these wild tribes the power Of and their
responsibility 10, the United States. From the
garrisons OF our frontier posts is only possible
to detach troops In small bodies and though these
have on all occasions displayeda gullantry and a
stern devotion 10 duty, which on a larger Geld
wsuld have commanded universal admiration,
they have usually suffered se verely i'm these con.
ficis with superior numbers and have sometimes
been entirely sacrificed. An the disposabe force
Of the army = already employed on this service,
and is known 10 be wholly insdequafs 20 the pro-
teciion which should be afforded. The public
mind Of the country has been recently shocked bv
savage atrocities committed upon defcnceless
emigrants and border settlements. aud hardly less
BY the unnecessary destruction Of valuable lives
where inadequate attachments Of troops have
undertaken 10 furnish the needed aid. Without
increase Of the military force these scenes win
be repeated, IL Is 10 be feared on larger scale,
and with more disastrous consequences. Con-
gress, am sure, win perceive that the plainest
duties and responsibilities Of government are in
VOWED IN this question, and | doubt not that |
prompt action may be confidently anticipated |
when delay must be attended by snch fearful |
hazards. -
The bill Of thu last session. providing Tor an i'm
crease Of the pay Of the rank and Gle OF the army
has bad beneficial results, not only In faciItstin
enlisimenis, but in obvious improvements Y, ,be
class OF men who enter tho service. I regret
that corresponding consideration GA, moi hc.
slowed on the officers, who /. view of their char.
acter and services, and the expenses 20 which
they are necessarily subject, receive at present
wat Is, IN my Judgment inadequate compensa-
lion. ~ -
The valuable services constantly rendered by |
The army, and its inestimabe importance az the
nucleus around which the volunteer forces or the
nation can promptly gather IN the hour Of danger.
sufficiently attest the wisdom OF maintaining
military peace ertablistuenf: hut th. sk~<.<t ~ Il