Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-12-17

tary of the Treasury for particular infor-
nation concerning the financial condi-
ton of the government, and the various
branches of the public service connected
with the Treasury Department.
During the last fiscal year the receipts
from customs were, for the first time,
more than sixty -four million dollars, and
from all sources, seventy-three million
nine hundred and eighteen thousand one
hundred and forty one dollars; which,
with the balance on hand up to the 1st
of July, 1855, made the total resources
of the year to amount to ninety-two mil
lion eight hundred and fifty thousand
one hundred and seventeen dollars. The
expenditures, including three million
dollars in execution of the treaty with
Mexico. and excluding sums paid on &C.
count of the public debt amounted to six
ty million one hundred and seventytwo
thousand four hundred and one dollars /;
and, including the latter, to seventy two
million nine hundred and forty eight
thousand seven hundred and ninety two
dollars, the payment on this account
having amounted to twelve million seven
hundred and seventy six thousand, three
hundred and ninety dollars.
On the 4lh of March, 1858, the amount
of the public debt was sixty mine millions,
one hundred and twenty nine thousand,
nine hundred and thirty-seven dollars.
There was a subsequent increase of two
million seven hundred and fifty thousand
dollars for the debt of Texas-making a
total of seventy one million eight hun
dred and seventy nine thousand, nine
hundred and thirty dollars. OF
this the sum of forty y-fve million, FIVE
hundred and twenty five thousand, three
hundred and nineteen dollars, including
premium, has been discharged, reducing
the debt to thirty million, seven hundred
and thirty seven thousand, one hundred
and twenty nine dollars all of which
might be paid within year without en-
barrassing the public service, but being
not yet due, and only redeemsble at the
option Of the holder, cannot be pressed
20 payment by the government.
On examining the expenditures of the
last Eve years, it will be seen that the
average. deducting payments on account
of the public debt and ten millions paid
by treaty 10 Mexico, has been but about
forty eight million dollars. It's believed
that, under an economical administration
Of the government, the average expendi
ture for the ensuing FIVE yeals will not
exceed that sum, unless extraordinary
occasion should occur. The acts grant
ing bounty lands will soon have been
executed, while the extension of our from
tier settlements will cause a continued
demand for augmented receipts. and
probably from that source. These con-
sideralions will Justify reduction of the
revenue from customs, as mol TO exceed
forty-eight or fifty million dollars. 1
think the exigency for such reduction is
imperative, and again urge it upon the
consideration of Congress.
The amount of reduction, as well as
the manner of effecting it, are questions
of great and general interest it being
essential to industrial enterprise and the
public prosperity. as we'll as the dictate
Of obvious justice, the burden of tax
ation be made 10 rest as equally as pos
sible upon all classes, and all sections
and interests of the country.
I have heretofore recommended to
your consideration the revision of the
revenue laws. prepared under the direc
ton 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 official books or papers from the files
of the government, and requiring all such
books and papers and all other public
property to be turned over by the out.
going officers 10 his successor; of law
requiring disbursing officers TO deposit
all public money in the vaults of the
treasury or in other legal repositories,
where the same are conveniently acces-
sible, and law to extend existing penal
provisions 10 all persons who may be-
come possessed of public money by de-
puslt or otherwise, and who shall refuse
or neglect, on demand. to pay the same
into the treasury. l invite your atten-
ton anew to each of these objects.
The army during the past year has
been so constantly employed against
hostile Indians in various quarters, that
it can scarcely be said with propriety of
language, to have been peace estab-
lishment. lis duties have been satisfsc
torily performed, and we have reason TO
expect, as a result of the years opera
ton, greater security to the frontier in
habitants than has been hitherto enjoyed.
Extensive combinations among the hos
tile Indians of the Territories of Wash
in9ion and Oregon at one time threaten
ed the devastation of the newly formed
settlements ,-of that remote section of the
country. From recent information, we
are permitted TO hope that the energetic
and successful operations conducted
there will prevent such combinations in
future and secure 10 these 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 in
crease the efficiency of the army, and
further observation has but served to
confirm me in the views then expressed,
and to enforce on my mind the convic-
ton that such measures are not only
proper but necessary.
have in addition, to invite the at
tentioh of Congress to a change of policy
in the distribution of troops, and to The
necessity Of providing a more rapid in
crease of the military armament. For
details of these and other subjects relat
ing to the army. refer to the report Of
ths Secretary of War. ita t1a
e a. 80 50 tsr.asl-l.
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