Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-12-05

nected with the Treasury Department.
During the last fiscal year the re-
ceipts from customs were, fr the first
tlm9, more than ''sixty-four million dol
lars. and from all sources, seventy-three
million nine hundred and eighteen thou
sand one hundred and forfy-ono dollars,
which, with the balance on hand up 70
the LIST Of July. 1865, made the total re.
sources Of the year amount TO ninety
two million eight hundred and fifty thou
sand one hundred and seventeen dollars.
The expenditures, including three mill
lion dollars In execution Of the treaty
with Mexico, and excluding sums paid
on account Of the public debt. amount
ed 10 sixty million one hundred and sew
enty-two thousand four hundred and one
dollars; and. including the latter, to sew
eniy-two million nine hundred and forty
eight-thousand seven hnndr y and nine
ty-two dollars, the payment on this ac-
count having amounted 10 twelve mil
lion seven hundred and segenty.slx
thousand three hundred and ninety dol
lars.
On the 4lh OF March. 1853. The EN-.
cunt Of the public debt was sixiy-nhne
million ore hundred aud twenty-nna
thousand nine hundred and thirty-seven
dollars. There was subsequent in
crease OF two million seven hundred and
fifty thousand dollars FOR the debt Of
Texas-mnking a total OF sercnfy-one
million eight hundred and seventy-nine
thousand nine hundred and thlfty-seven
dollars. OF this the sum Of forty-livo
million five hundred and twenty-five
thousand three hundred and nineteen
dollars. including premium. has been
discharged, reducing the debt 10 thirty
million seven hundred and thlrty-scven
thousand one hundred and twenty-nine
dollars; all which might be paid within
year without embarrassing the pnblic
service, but being not yet due, and only
redeemable at the option OF the holder,
cannot be pressed 10 payment BY the
government
On examining the expenditures OF the
last FIVE years, II will be seen that the
average. deducting payments on account
OF the public debt and ten millions paid
by treaty TO Mexico, has been but about
forty eight million dollars. Il Is be-
lieved that, under an economical admin
istration Of the government, the average
expenditure for the ensuing five wears
will not exceed that sum, unless extra
ordinary 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 reduction of tho revenue from
customs, so as not to exceed forty-eiqht
or fifty million dollars. l think the ex-
igency for such reduction Is imperative
and again urge it upon the consideration
OF Congress.
The amount OF reduction, Us we'll as
the manner OF effecting IL. are questions
Of great and general interest; II being
essentlalto industrial enterprise and the
: tpublic 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 al sec
tions and interests Of the country.
hrve heretofore recommended to
your consideration tho revision of the
revenue laws, prepared under tn direc-
ton of the Secretrry OF the Treasury,
and also Legislation upon some special
questions affecting the business Of that
) department, moro especially the enact
ment Of law TO punish the abstraction
OF Official books or papers from the files
Of the government, and requiring al
such books or papers and all other pub
Tic property to be turned over by tho
out going officer 10 his successor; Of a
law requiring disbursing officers TO de-
posite all public money in the vaults Of
the treasury or IA other legal deposito-
ries, where the same are conveniently
accessible; and law 10 extend existing
penal provisions to all persons who may
become possessed OF public money By
deposite or otherwise. and who shall re-
fuse or neglest, on due demand. to pay
the same into the treasury. | invite
your attention anew TO each Of these OBJ
jects.
The army during tho past year has
been 60 constantly employed against
hostile Indians in various quarters, that
T u can scarcely be said, with proprlety
Of language, to have been peace es-
Enlistment. It's duties have been sat
lsfactorily performed. aud we have rca-
son 10 expect. as a result OF the years
operations, greater security 10 the from
tier Inhabitants than has been hitherto
I enjoyed. Extensive combinations a.
! mong the hostile Indians OF the Terri
/ tories Of Washington and Oregon AZ
| one time threatened the devastation Of
, the nevly-formed settlements OF that
, remote portion Of tho country. From
recent Information, we are permitted 10
hope that the energetic aud successful
I operations conducted there will prevent
such combinations In future, and secure
to those Territories IN opportunity 10
} make steady progress IN the Develop
ment OF their agricultural and mineral
. resources.
Legislation has been recommended By
me on previous occasions 20 cure de-
fects In the existing Organization. and
,, to increase the efficiency OF the army,
and further observation has but served
TO confirm me In the views then express
, sed, and TO enforce on my mind tho con-
! viciion that such measures arc not only
proper but necessary.
D have, In addition, 10 invite the at
,sntIon Of Congress to change Of pol
| Icy In the distribution OF troops, and 10
the necessity Of providing more rapid
increase OF the military armament'-
For details Of these and other subjects
relating 10 the urmy, refer 10 the re-
port OF the Secretary OF War.
The condition Of the navy 10 not
merely satisfactory, bat exhibits tho
most gratifying evidences OF increased
vIgor. AZ II 10 comparatively small, IL
Il more important that Il should be az
! complete as possible In all the elements
OF strength; that Il should be efficient
In the character OF its officers, In the
zeal and discipline OF lie men, In the rc-
liability Of It's ordnance. and In the ca
pacliy Of It's ships. In oil these various
qualities the navy has made great pro-
gross within the last few years The
: execution OF the law Of Congress. OF
February IS, 1855, ito promote the Ell.
. cheney OF the navy has been attended
by the most advantageous results
The law for promoting discipline among
tho men II found convenient and saln,a-
y. The system OF grating an honor
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