Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-12-03

tins the sum OF forty nYe million hive hundred
and twenty. five thousand three hundred aud
nineteen dollars, including premium, has been
discharged, reducing the debt to thirty million
seven hundred and thirty seven thousand one
hundred aud twenty-nine dollars; all which
might be paid within year without embar-
RAISING the public service. but being not yet
due. and only redeemabe at tie option of the
holder, cannot be pressed to payment by the
government.
On examining the expenditures of the last
five years, it will be seen that the average, de-
Quoting payments on account of the public
debt aud ten millions paid by treaty to Next
co, has been but about forty. eight million dol
lars. II Is believed that, under an eeonomi-
cal administration Of the government, the av-
erage expenditure for the ensuing five years
will not exceed that sum, unless extraordina-
ry occasion for its increase should occur. The
acts granting bounty lands will soon have been
executed, while the extension OF our frontier
settlements will cause continued demand
for lands and augmented receipts probably.
from that source. These considerations will
justify a reduction Of the revenue from Gus.
toms, SO as not to exceed forty eight OF fifty
million dollars. think the exgency for such
reduction il imperative. and again urge it
upon the consideration Of Congress.
The amount Of reduction as well as the
manner Of etiecting it, are questions of great
and general interest; it being essential to in
dustrial enterprise and the public prosperity,
as well as the dictate Of obvious Justice, that
the burden of taxation be made TO rest as
equally as possible upon all classes, and all
sections and interests of the country.
have heretofore recommended to your
consideration the revision of the revenue laws,
prepared under the direction of the Secretary
Of the Treasury, and also legislation upon
some special questions affecting the business
of that department, more especially the enact
ment OF law to punish the abstraction of Of
fetal books or papers from the files of the gov
eminent, and requiring all such books and
papers and all other public property to be
turned over by the out going officer to his sue
cessor OF law req uiring discussing officers
to deposte all public money in the vaults of
the treasury or in other legal repositories,
where the same are conveniently accessible !;
and law to extend existing penal pro-
visions to all persons who may become pos
sessed OF public money by deposite or 9TH
erwise, and who shall refuse or neglect on
due demand, to pay the same into the treas
ury. invite your attention anew to each
Of these objects. The army during the
past year has been so constantly employed
against hostile Indians in various quart ers
that it can scarcely be said, with propriety of
language, to have been peace establishment
Its duties have been satisfactorily performed,
and we have reason to expect, as result of
the years operations, greater security to the
frontier inhabitants, than has hitherto been
enjoyed. Extensive combinations among the
hostile indians Of the Territories of Washing
ton and Oregon, threatened at one time, the
devastation of the newly formed settlements
OF that remote portion Of the coui try. From
recent information we are permitted to hope
that the energetic and successful operations
conducted there, will prevent such combina-
tons in future, and secure to those Territories
an opportunity to make steady progress in the
development Of their agricultural and mineral
resources.
Legislation has been recommended by me
on previous occasions, to cure defects in the
existing organization, and to increase the eff q.
cheney Of the army, and further observation
has bat served to confirm me in the views
then expressed, and to enforce on my mind the
conviction that such measures are not only
proper, but necessary.
l have, in addition, to invite the attention
OF Congress to a change Of policy in the dis
trbution Of troops, and to the necessity of
providing a more rapid increase Of the mill.
tary armament. For details of these and 9TH
er subjects relating to the army, refer to the
report of the Secretary of War.
The condition Of the navy is not merely sat.
lstactory, but exhibits the most gratifying ev-
licences Of increased ygor. As it is compare.
lively small, it is more important that it should
be as complete as possible in all the elements
OF strength; that it should be efficient in the
character Of its officers, in the zeal and disci.
pllne Of It's men, in the reliability of its ord
nance, and in the capacity OF its ships. In all
these various qualities, the navy has mnde
great progress within the last few years The
execution Of the law of Congress, Of Febru-
airy 2S, 1850, "to promote the efficiency of the
navy, has been attended by the most advan-
tageous results. The law for promoting disci.
pine among the men, is found convenient
and salutary. The system of granting an
honorable discharge to faithful seamen on the
expiration of the period Of their enlistment,
and permitting them to enlist after leave
OF absence of few months, without cessation
of pay, is highly beneficial in its influence. -
The apprentice system recently adopted is ev-
identity destined to Incorporate into the service
large number of our countrymen hitherto
so difficult to procure. Several hundred
American boys are now on three years
cruise IN our national vessels, and will return
well trained seamen. In the ordnance de.
partment there is d decided and gratifying i'm
dlcatlon OF progress creditebe to it and to the
country. The suggestions OF the Secretary of
the Navy, IN regard to further improvements
that branch of the service, commend to your
favorable action.
The new frigates ordered by Congress, are
now adoat, and two of them III active SER
vice. They are superior models of naval
architecture, and with their formidable bat
terry, add largely to public strength and Sc
curity.
concur III the views expressed by the Sec.
rotary OF the Department in favor of still
further increase Of our naval force.
The report Of the Secretary of the Interior
presents facts and views in relation to internal
affairs, over which the supervision Of his do.
partment extends, of much interest and i'm.
portauce.
The aggregate sales of the public lands,
during the last fiscal year, amount to nine
million two hundred and twenty-seyen thou
sand eight bundled and seventy-ei eight acres
for which has been received the sum of eight
millions eight hundred and twenty one thou
sand four hundred and fourteen dollars Dur
ing the same period there have been located,
with military scrip and land warrants, and for
other purposes, thirty million one hundred
thousandtwo hundred and thirty acres, thus
making total aggregate Of thirty nine mil
hon three bundled and twenty. eight thou.
sand one hundred and eight acres. On the
3Oth OF September last, SURVEYS had been
made OF sixteen million eight hundred and
seventy-three thousand six hundred and nine.
lynne acres, large proportion OF which is
now ready for market.
The suggestions in this report in regard to
the complication and progressive expansion of