Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1856-12-11
public service connected with the Treasury


Department.
During the last fiscal year the receipts
| from customs were, for the first time, more
than six,y-four million dollars, and, from all
sources, seventy-three million nine hum
dred and eighteen thousand one hundred and
forty-one dollars; which, with the balance
on hand up to the LIST Of July, 1885, made
the total resources OF the year TO amount TO
nnely.two million eight hundred and fifty
thousand one hundred and seventeen dol
lars. The expenditure, including three
million dollars in the execution of the treaty
with Mexico, and excluding sums paid on
account Of the public debt, amounted TO six
ty million one hundred and seventy-two
thousand four hundred and one dollars; ard,
including the latter, TO seventy-two million
nine hundred and forty-eight thousand sew
en- hundred and ninety-two dollars, the pay
ment on this account having amounted to
twelve million seven hundred and seventy
six thousand three hundred and ninty dol
lars.
On the 4th Of March, 1853, the amount
of the public debt was sixty-nine million
one hundred and twenty-nine thousand nine
hundred and tllir,y-seven dollars. There
IL
seven hundred and fifty thousand collars
for the debt Of Texos-makiug a total of
seventy one million eight hundred and sew
enty-nine thousand nine hundred and thirty
seven dollars. or this the sum of forty We
million five hundred and twenty five thou
sand three hundred and nineteen dollars, in
Guiding premium has been discharged, re-
ducing the debt 10 thirty million seven hun
dred thirty-seven thousand one hundred
and twenty mine dollars; 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- payment by the
Government
On examining the expenditures Of the
last five years, it will be seen that the aver
age, deducting payments on account of the
public debt, and ten millions paid by treaty
TO Mexico, has been about iorty-eight mil
lion dollars. 1t is believed that, under an
economical administration of the Govern
ment, the average expenditure for the en-
suing five years will not exceed that SUN,
/, unless extraordinary occasion for its increase
/, should occur. The acts granting bounty
lands will soon have been executed, while
the extension Of our frontior settlement will
: cause continued demand for lands ana aug
mented receipts, probably, from that source.
, These considerations will justify a reduc-
ton of the revenue from customs, so as not
to exceed forty eight or fifty million dollars.
think the exigency for such reduction is
Z imperative, and urge it upon the cons;dera-
= ton of Congress.
The amount of reduction, as well as the
manner Of eiffcting it, are questions Of great
9 and general interest; it being essential TO
t industrial enterprise and the public prosper
= ity as we'll as the dictate OF obvious Justice
= that the burden Of taxation be made to re,t
| as equally as possible upon all classes, aud
, all sections and interests of The country.
r l have, heretofore, recommended to your
consideration the revision of the revenue
laws, prepared under the direction Of the
t Secretary Of the Treasury, and also legisla-
; ton upon some special questions affecting
: the business Of that department, more espe-
cially the enactment Of a law TO punish the
f abstraction Of official books or papers from
5 the files OF the Government, and requiring
= all such books and papers and all other pub
+ lie properly 10 be ured over by the ont
going officer 10 his successors; OF law re-
curing discussing officers 10 deposit all
8 money in the vaults Of the treasury or in
e other legal repositories, where the same are
conveniently accessible: and law To extend
existing penal provisions TO all persons who
may become possessed OF public money by
deposit or otherwise, and who shall refuse
! or neglect, on due demand 10 pay the same
into the treasury. invite your attention
. ! A., pn,.b Of 40 s,,l,;ao.,
, ARMY.
, The army during the past year has been
, so constantly employed against hostile ludi-
! ans in various quarters, that il can scarcely
be said, with propriety OF language, 10 have
D been peace establishment. Its duties have
| been satisfactorily performed, and we have
Y reason to expect as result Of the years
|; operation, greater security TO the frontier
; inhabitants than has been hitherto enjoyed
5 Extensive combinations among the hostile
= Indians of the Territories of Washington
and Oregon at one time threatened the de-
, vastatlon OF the newly formed settlements
Of that remote portion Of the country. From
recent information, We are permitted TO
, hope thai the energetic and successful OPP
erations conducted there will prevent such
/ Territories an opportunity 10 make steady
progress in the development Of their agricui-
: tural aud mineral resources.
Legislation has been recommended by me
, on previous occasions TO cure defects in the
existing organization, and TO increase the
f efficiency of the army, and further observa-
ton has but served 10 confirm me in the
views then expressed, and to enforce on my
mind the conviction that such measures are
q not only proper but necessary.
+ have, in addition, TO invite the attention
of Congress 70 a change Of policy in the
distribution of the troops, and 10 the neces-
e sity Of providing more rapid increase oil
n the military armament. For details Of these
): and other subjects relating to the army,
!, refer 10 the report of the Secretary OF War
- NAVY.
The condition OF the navy is moi
merely satisfactory, but exhibits the mos
= gratifying evidences OF increased vgor. As