Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-12-10

On the 4th of March, 1853. the amount OF the pu
| lie debt was sixty nine million one hunureu aI
twenty nine thousand nine hundred and thirty sevs
dollars. There was a subsequent increase 9l II, :"
million seven hundred and fifty thousand doiia
for tie debt of Texas-making u total OF seven'
one million eight hundred and seventy nine thou
and nine hundred and thirty seven dollars. vi tn
the sum of forty five million and five hundred an
twenty five thousand three hundred and ninetet
dollars, including premium, has been discharged
reducing the debt to thirty million seven hundre
| and thirty seven thousand one hundred and twent
nine dollars; all which might be paid within yea
without embarrassing the public service, but ben
not vet due, and only redeemable at the option
the holder cannot be pressed to payment by Il
government.
On examining the expenditures OF the last nv
years it will be seen that the average, deductin
payments on account of the public debt and te
millions paid by treaty to Mexico. mas Deen VI
about forty eight million dollars. 1t is bellevet
that under an economical administration OF tn
government, the average expenditure for the ensi
ing five years will not exceed that sum, unless c1
traordinary occasion for its increase should occur
The acts granting bounty lands viii soon have'b
executed while the extension of our frontier settle
ments will cause a continued demand for lands an
augmented receipts, probably, from that source
These considerations will justify reduction OF tn
revenue from customs so as not to exceed tort
eight or fifty million dollars. think the exigenc
1t upon the consideration of Congress.
The amount of reduction, as well as the manne
ofeffectng it, are questions of great and general in
terest; it being essential to industrial enterprls
and the public prosperity, as well as the dictate
obvious justice, that the burden of taxation be mad
10 rest as equally as possible upon all classes, ant
all sections and interests Of the country.
| have heretofore recommended to yonr eOnsde
ration the revision of the revenue laws; prepared
under the direction of the Secretary ,f the Treas
ury and also legislation upon some special question
affecting the business Of that department, more es
pecially the enactment of a law to punish the alb
straction of official books or papers from the files
government, and requiring all such books and pa
pers and all other public property to be turned owe
by the out going officer to his successor; OF Law
req uiring disbursing officers to deposit all publi
money in the vaults of the treasury or in legal de
positories where the same are conveniently acces
sible; and law to extend existing penal provisions
to all persons who may become possessed Of public
money by deposte or otherwise, and who shall re
fuse or neglect. on due demand, to pay the same
into the treasury. invite your attention anew tc
each of these objects.
The army during the past year has been so con-
stanty employed against hostile Indians in various
quarters that it scarcely be said, with proprie
ty of language to have been peace establishment
Its duties have been satisfactorily performed, and
we have reason to expect, as result OF the year
operations greater security to the frontier inhabi
tants than has hitherto been enjoyed. Extensive
combinations among the hostile Indians OF the Ter
ritories of Washington and Oregon at one timt
threatened the devastation Of the newly formed
settlements of that remote portion OF the country
From recent information, we are permitted to hope
that the energetic and successful operations con-
Quoted there will prevent such combinations in tu
ture and secure to those Territories an opportunity
to make steady progress in the development OF thei
AGRICULTURAL and mineral resources.
or;slntinn has been recommended by me on pre-
vous occasions to cure defects in the existing or
ganization and to increase the efficiency OF the ar
nv and further observation has but served to con
firm me in the views then expressed, and to eniorc
ON nv mind the conviction that such measures ar
not only proper but necessary.
7 have, in addition, to invite the attention o
Congress- to change of policy in the distribution
troops and to the necessity OF providing NOR
rapid increase of the military armament. For do
tails of these and other subjects relating to the ar
nv, refer to the report of the Secretary OF War
The condition of the navy is not merely satisac
tory, but exhibits the most gratifying evidences
increased vgor. AS it is comparatively small, it
more important that it should be complete as pos
sible in all the elements OF strengths that 1t shoui
he efficient in the character of its officers, in the yea
and discipline OF its mer, IN the reiiaDlty oi lts or
dinance, and in the capacity of its ships. In al
these various qualities the navy has made grea
progress within the last few years. The execution
| of the law of Congress- of February 2S, 1850, ~
promote the efficiency Of the navy" has been at
tended by the most advantageous results. The Law
for promoting discipline among the men is fount
convenient and salutary. The system OF grantin!
an honorable discharge to faithful seamen the ex
piraton of the period of their enlistment, and per
hitting them to reenlst after leave OF absence TO
few months without cessation of pay, is highl
beneficial in It's influence. The apprentice system
RECENTLY adopted is evidently destined to incorpo
rate into the service large number of countryme
| l.: n SpyefQl hundred
American BOYS are now on three years cruise Il
our national vessels, and will return well traine
seaman. In the ordnance department there is de
cded and gratifying indication OF progress credita
BILE 10 it aud to the country. The suggestion OF tn
Secretary ,if the Navy, in regard to further i'm
proyement in that Drancn OF the SERVICE, couiuei
to your favorable action.
! The new frigates ordered by Congress- are nov
aaoat. and two of them in active service. They ar
superior models of naval architecture, and wit
their formidable battery add largely to publ
strength and security.
concur in the views expressed by the Secretar
of the Department in favor of still further increas
of QUE naval force.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior pre-
sents facts and views in relation to internal affair
over which the supervision Of his department ex
! tends, OF much interest and Importance.
|. The aggregate sales Of the public lands, durin
the last fiscal year, amount to nine million two hun
dred and twenty seven thousand eight hundred an
seventy eight acres /; for which has been receive
the sum of eight millions eight hundred ard twent
one thousand four hundred and fourteen dollars.-
During the same period there have been located
with military scrip and land warrants, and for 9th
| er purposes, thirty million one hundred thousan
two hundred and thirty acres, thus making a tots
aggregate of thirty nine million three hundred an
twenty eight thousand one hundred and eight acres
On the 30th of September last surveys had beei
made of sixteen million eight hundred and sevent
three thousand six hundred and ninty nine acres,
large proportion of which is ready for market.
| The suggestions in this report in regard to com
plication and progressive expansion OF the busnes
of the different bureaux of the department; to tn
pension system to the colonization of Indian tribe
and the recommendations in relation to various in
provements in the District OF Columbia, are espec
ally commended to your consideration.
The report of your Postmaster General present
fully the condition of that department of the gov
eminent It's expenditures for tho last fiscal year
were ten million four hundred and seven thousan
eight hundred and sixty eight dollars; and its gros
receipts seven million six hundred and twenty thou
sand eiph. hundred and one dolars-making an ex
cess of expenditure over receipts OF two million sew
en- hundred and eighty seven thousand and fort
six dollars The deficiency of this department
thus seven hundred and forty four thousand dollar
greater than for the year ending June 30, 1853
OF this deficiency, three hundred and thirty thous
and dollars is to be attributed to the addition al com
pensaton allowed postmasters by the act OF Con
gresS OF June ~, 1904. Inc mall lactles In ever
part of the country have been very much increased
in that period and the large addition OF raroa
service amounting to seven thousand nine hundret
and eight miles, has added largely to the cost @
transportation.
The inconsiderable augmentation of the income q
the Post Office Department under the reduced rate
of postage, and its increasing expenditures, must
for the present, make it dependent to some exten
upon the treasury for support. The recommends
tions of the Postmaster General, in relation to th
abolition of the franking privilege, and his vi W
on the establishment of mail steamship lines deserv
the consideration of Congress. | also call specia
attention of Congress to the statement of the Post
master General respecting the sums now paid fo
the transportation of mails to the Panama Rail Roa
Company, and commend TO their favorable conside
ration the suggestions OF that officer in relation
new contracts for mail transportation upon tha
route, and also upon the Tehauntepec and Nicara
qua routes.
The United States continue in the enjoyment O
amicabe relations with all foreign powers.
When my last annual message was transmitted t.
Congress, two subjects of controversy one reiatn,
to the enlistment of soldiers in this country for for
eign service, and the other to Central America
threatened to disturb good understanding betwce
the United States and Great Britain. Of the pro
oress and termination of tae former question vol