Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-12-11

dred and thirty three thousantl four hundred amp
eighty three dollars of balances duel to foreign Offices
amounted to eight million seven hundred and ten
thousand nine hundred and seven dollars The gross
receipts during the same period amounted to six
million ninehundred and fifty five thousand five hun
bred and eighty-six dollars exhibiting an expcndi-
turc over income of million seven hundred and
fifty thousand three hundred and twenty-one dol
lar and diminution of deficiency, as compared
with the last year, of three hundred and sixty
thousand seven hundred and fty-six dollars. The
increase of the revenue OF the department, for the
year ending June ~, is54 over the preceding year,
was nine hundred and seventy thousand three hum
bred and ninety nine dollars. No proportionate in
crease however, be anticipated for the current
year. in consequence of the act of Congress Of June
49, 1854 providing for increased compensation to all
Postmasters. From these statements it is apparent
that the Post Office Department instead of defray-
ing its expenses according to the design ct the time
OF its creation, is,now, and under .ting,laws must
continue to be, to no small extent charge upon the
general treasury The cost OF mail transportation,
during the year cr'ing June 80, 1854, exceeds the
cost OF the rec dng year by four hundred and nine
ty-ivc thopsand seventy -four dollars l again call
your attention to the subject of mail transportation
by .ean steamers, and commend the suggestions of
ne Postmaster General to your early attention. 4
During the last fiscal year eleven million seventy
thousand nine hundred and thirty five acres Of the
public lands have been surveyed, and eight million
one hundred and ninety thousand and seSeneen
brought into market The nember of acres sold is
Sven millions thirty five thousand seven hundred and
tlrty-five, and the amount received therefor nine
million two hundred and eighty five thousand five
hundred and thirty three dollars; The aggregate
amount of lai,ds sold, located under military scrip
and land warrants selected swamp lands by States,
and BY locating under grants for roads, is upwards
Of twenty three millions of The increase Of
lands sold over tie previous year. is about six mil
lions of sores; and the sales during the two first
quarters of the current year present the extraordna
nv result of five and half millions sold exceeding by
nearly four millions OF acres the sale of the CORES
pondng quarters of the last year. thus increasing to
an extent unparalleled during any like period in our
past history thcsamornt Of reScIle provided from
this source for the Federal Treasury.
The commendabe policy of the government, in re-
lation to setting apart the public domain for those
who have served their country in time OF war, is IL
lustrated BY the fact, that since 100 less than
thirty millions Of acres haze hcsrs applied to this OBJ
jrct. szsss
The suggestions, which submitted in my ann;..,ll
message OF last year, in reference to grants of land in
aid Of the construction of railways. were less full and
explicit than the magnitude of the subject and subse
qucnt developments would to render proper and
desirable. OF the sounfness of the principle then
assertc. wh regard to the limitation Of the power of
ar6ngress have no doubt but in its application it
is not enough that the value of lands IN particular
locality may be enhanced, that, in fact, larger
amount of money may probably be received, IN .
given time, for alternate sections, without the impulse
and influence of the proposed improvements. pru-
dent propriey looks beyond limited sections OF his
domain beyond present results to the ultimate effect
which particular line OF policy is likely to produce
upon all his possessions and interests The govern
ient which is trustee in this matter, for the people
of the States, is bound to take the same wise and
comprehensive view. Prior to and during the last
acres of land were Withdrawn from public sale with
view to applications for grants OF this character
pending before Congress. careful review OF the
whole subject led to direct that all such orders be
abrogated and the lands restored to market and IN
structions were Immediately given to that effect
The applications at the last session contemplated the
construction of more than five thousand miles OF
road and grants to the amount OF nearly ~ millions
of acres Of the public domain Even admitting the
right the part OF Congress to be unqnestionabe,
is it quite clear that the proposed grants would be
productive OF good, did not evil? The different
projects are confined for thcprescnt to eleven States
of this Union, and one Territory. The reasons as
signed for the grants show that is proposed to put
the works speedily in process OF construction when
we reflect, that since the commencement OF the con-
struction Of railways in the United States stimulated
as they have been by the large dividends realised
from the earlier works the great thoroughfares
and between the most important points OF commerce
and population, encouraged by State legislation, and
pressed forward by the amazing energy OF private
enterprise, only seventeen thousand miles have been
completed in all the States In quarter OF century
when we see the crippled condition of many works
commenced and prosecuted upon what were deemed
to be Sound principles, and safe calculations when
we contemplate the enormous absorption OF capital
withdrawn from the ordinary channels OF business,
the extfavagant r.tcs OF interest at this moment paid
to continue Operatons the bankruptcies not merely
in money, but in character, and the neviabie effect
upon finances generally ;-ean it be doubted that the
tndency is to run to excess IN this matter Us It
wise to augment this excess by encouraging borcs Of
sudden wealth expected to flow magnificent schemes
dependent upon the ection OF Congress? Does the
spirit which has produced such results need to BIT
STIMULATED checked? Is it not the better rule to
leave s these works to private enterprise regulated
and, when expedicnt aided, by the cooperation OF
States? Ii constructed by private capital, the slim
uant and the check GO tQgethera and tdrnish sau
tary restraint against speculative schemes and cX-
travagance. But it is manifest that, with the most
effective guards there Is danger vi gong TOO las,
and too far.
We may well pause before proposition contcm-
plating simultaneous movement for the construction
of rail roads, which, in extent, will equal, exclusive
of the great Pacific road and all its branches nearly
one-third of the entire length of such works, now
completed in the United States, and which Cannot
cost with equipments, less than one sandred aui rf
ty millions OF dollars. The dangers likely to result
from combinations OF OF this character, can
hardly be over estimated. But, Independently of
these cons@ eratons, where is the accurate knowi,
the oo%preensts intelligence wh ns sn
tWcnty-eight proposed roads, in eleven States ana
one Territory Where will you begin, and where
end? IT. to enable these companions TO execute their
proposedworks it is necessary that the AID OF the
general government be primarily given the policy
will present problem comprehensive in its bear,
ings, and so important to our political and social
well being. to claim, in anticipation the scyeres
analysis. Entertaining these views, | reeur with
satisfaction to the experience and action OF the last
session OF Congress- furnishing assurance that the
subject will not fail to elicit careful re-examinaton
and rigid scrutiny. E,s..sH
1t was my intention to present, this occasion,
some suggestions regarding internal improvements
by the general government which want 81 time at
the close of the last session prevented my submitting
on the return to the House of Representatives, with.
objections, of the bill entitled IAN act making ap
preparations for the repair preservation and compile
ton of certain public works heretofore commenced
under authority Of law but the space in this com
municaton already occupied with other matter Of
immediate public exigency constrans me TO reserve
that subject for special message, which VIII be
transmitted to the two houses OF Congress at an early
day.
The judicial establishment of the United States re-
qures modification, and certain reforms In the man.
ler OF conducting the legal business Of the govern.
ment are also much needed; but as have addressed
you upon both OF those subjects at length before,
have only to call your attention to the suggestions
then made. - .s
My former Recommendations in relation to suita-
BILE provision for various objects OF deep interest to
the Inhabitants Of the District OF Counoia are re-
newed. Many Of these objects partake largely of a
national character, and are important, independent
y of their relation to the property OF the only con-
siderable organized community i'll the lnion entre-
ly unpresented in Congress. W
have thi,s piese He'd suggestions on such
subjects as appear 10 tie to Do ol particular in-
lelesi vi importance, AMI therefore most worthy
ol Consideration during he short lstaainl ns
period a!tutlef.o lie iabvts OF tbs present Con-
yress. ,
Our ioief.laers or .hel,hir'een United Colon
ies, IN acquiring theis independence, and In
louudin. this Republic OIL tho UnileL States ii
America, have dsvosed' upon us, their descen.
| th.an mn uni,lss IA S