The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-12-12
VOL. XIV. NO. l5.


est currency, il has been assumed that it was
| the duty of the Executive not only 10 suppress
| inSurrectionary movements in Kansas. but also
TO see TO the regularity of local elections. 1t
needs l:ttle argument to show that the Pres-
dent has no such power. All government in
the U. S. rests substantially upon popular cleo
! ton. The freedom of elections is liable to be
impaired BIZ the intrusion of unlawful votes, or
the exclusion of lawful ones, by improper in
fiuences, by violence or fraud.
But the people of the U. S. are themselves
the all-suficient guardians of their own rights,
and to suppose that they will not remedy, in
due season, any such incidents of civil freedom,
is 10 suppose them TO have CEASED TO be capable
| of self-government. The President of tie u.
). has not power TO interpose in elections, to
see 20 their freedom, TO canvass their votes, or
to pass upon their legality in the Territories a
ny more than in the States.
Ii he had such power, the Government might
be republican in form, but it would be mon
archy in fact: and if he had undertaken TO ex-
crclse it in the case of Kansas, he would have
been justly subject TO the charge of usurpation,
and Of violation of the dearest rights of the peo-
pie Of the u. States
| Unwise laws, equally with irregularities at
elections, are, in periods OF great excitement,
the occasional incidents of even the freest and
best political institutions. But all experience
demonstrates in country Ike ours, where the
right self-constitulon exists in the competest
form, the attempt to remedy unwise legislation
by Resort TO revolution, is totally out Of place;
inasmuch as existing legal institutions afford
more prompt and efficacious means for the re-
dress of wrong.
/ confidently trust that now, when the peace
ful condition of Kansas affords opportunity for
calm reflection and wise legislation, either the
legislative assembly of the Territory, or of Con-
gress, will see that no act shall remain on its
statute book violative of the provisions of the
Constitution, or Subversive of the great objects
for which that was ordained and established,
and will take all necessary steps 10 assure to
It's inhabitants the enjoyment, without obstruc-
tions abridgement, of all the constitutional
rights, privileges, and immuniiies of citizens of
the y. s., as contemplated by the organic law
OF the Territory.
Full information in relation to recent events
in this Territory will be found in the documents
communicated herewith from the Departments
of ptate and war.
3 refer you TO the report of the Secretary of
thc Treasury for particular information concer-
ming the fnanca! condition Of the government,
and the various branches of public service con-
nectpd with the Treasury Department.
During the last fiscal year the receipts from
customs were, for the first time, more than S64,
100000, and from all sources, S73,9lS,l4l;
which, with the balance on hand up TO the first
of July, 1855, made the total resources OF the
year 10 amount TO $92,850,117.
The expenditures, including S3,000,000 in
execution of the treaty with Mexico, and nclu-
ding sums paid on account of the public debt, a.
mounted TO $50, l72, ,40l; and including the
latter, TO S72,94S, ,792, the payment on this ac-
count having amounted 10 $l2,776, 1870.
On the 4th of March 1853, the amount Of
the public debt was 500, ,l29 ,939. There was
a subsequent increase of IL ,756 900 for the debt
of Texas, making total of $71 ,S79, ,937. OF
this sum 145 ,525, ,319, including premium, has
been discharged, reducing the debt to S30,737,
| 12l; all which might be paid within year
without embarrassing the public service, but
being not yet due, and only redeemable at the
option of the holder, cannot be pressed TO pay
nlent by the Government.
| On examining the expenditures of the last
| five years, 1t will be seen that the average, de-
Quoting payments on account of the public
debt. and 100000 paid by treaty to Mex
ico, has been but about S4S, 900, 900. 1t is be-
ton of the Government, the average expendi-
| ture for the ensuing five years will not exceed
that sum, unless extraordinary occasion for its
increase should occur.
The act granting bounty lands will soon have
been executed, while the extension of our from
tier settlements will cause continued demand
for lands, and augmented receipts, probably,
! from that source. These considerations will
I usfifv rednction of reyenUa from cuSioms so
as not TO exceed 4S or so millions of dollars.
think the exigency for such reduction is impe-
rative, and again urge it upon the considera-
ton of Congress.
| The amount OF reduction, as we'll as the man
ner of efecting ii, are questions of great and
general interest; it being essential TO industrial
enterprise and public prosperity, as well as the
dictate of obvious Justice, that the burden of
taxation be made to rest as equally as possible
on all classes, and all sections and interests of
the country.
| have heretofore recommended TO your con-
sideration the revision of the revenue laws, pre-
pared 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 enactment of
| law 10 punish the abstraction of official books
or papers from the files of the Government, and
: requiring all such books and papers and all o.
ther pubic property to be turned over by the
| outgoing officer to his successor; of law re-
quiring disbursng officers TO deposte all public
monsy in the vaults of the Treasury or In other
| legal depositories, where the same are convenl-
emily accessible; and law TO extend existing
penal provisions to all persons who may be-
come possessed Of public money by deposte or