Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-12-16

dollars and slxly-seyen cents, (S426,,
875 97.)
The amount OF the public debt at III,
commencement Of The presen; fiscal yea
was twenty nine millions sixty thousanC
three hundred and eighty-six dollar.
and ninety cents, { 5e9. O60, $50 90.)
The amount redeemed since the list O
July was three million eight hundred
and ninety five thousand two hundred
and thirty-two dollars and thirty-ninc
cents, (s3. 1876, 239 39%)--'ea,ing a bal
ance unredeemed at this time of twenty.
five million n hundred and sixty five
thousand one hundred and ffty-iour dol
lars and fifty one cnets, (S25,I65,.
I54 5I.(
The amount of estimated expenditure
for the remaining three quarters Of The
present fiscal year will, in all PROBABLE
ty, be increased from the causes set fortl
in he report ofthe Secretary. His sug.
gestion, therefore, that authority should
be given to supply any temporary de.
fciency by the issue of a limited amount
of treasury notes, is approved, and | ac.
eOrdingly recommended the passage o
such a law.
As stated in The report of the Secreta.
ry, the tariff of March 3, 1857, has been
in operation for so short a period of time,
and under circumstances so %unfavorable
10 a just development of its results as a
revenue measure. hat l should regard
it as ~inexpedient, at least for the present,
10 undertake its revision.
| transmit! herewith the reports made
10 me by the Secretaries of Wan and oil
lie Navy, of the Interior and of the
Postmaster General. They all contain
Aaluable and important Information and
suggestions which | commend 10 the ia
vorable consideration of Congress.
| have already recommended the rails
ing of four additional regiments, and the
report of The Secretary of War presents
reasons proving this increase OF
the army, under existing circumstances,
10 be indispensable.
Iwould call the special attention Of
Congress to the Recommendation of the
Secretary of the Navy in favor of the
construction often small war steamers oil
light draught. For some years the Gov
eminent has been obliged on many &c
casions 20 hire such steamers from indi-
viduals TO supply its pressing wants.
AT the present moment we have no arm
ed vessei.i in the Navy which can pene-
The rivers IF China. We have but
few which can enter any Of the harbors
south of Norfolk, although many millions
Of foreign and domestic anual-
y pass in and out of these harbors.-
Some of our most valuable interests and
most vulnerable points are thus left ex-
posed. This class of vessels of light
great speed and heavy guns,
would be formidable in coast defence
The cost of their construction will not be
great, and they will require but a COM
,arauvely small expenditure TO keep
hem in commission. lu time of peace
hey will prove as effective as much lar.
ger vessels, and often more useful. One
# them should be at every station where
We MAINTAIN a squadron, and three or
our should be constantly on our Atlantic
md Pacific coasts. Economy. utility.
md efficiency combine to re commend
hem as almost Indispensable. Ten Of
hese small vessels would be of meal
:ulable advantage TO the naval s%ervice.
nd The whole cost of their construction
would not exceed two million three hun
red thousand dollars, or 1896 900
ZACH.
The report Of the Secretary of the In
erior is worthy of grave consideration.
t treats OF the numerous, important and
livers fed branches of domestic admin
s%traiion intrusted TO him by law
Among these The most prominen; are the
ublic lands and our relations with the
indians.
Our system for the disposal of the
ublic lands, originating with the faith
rs of the republic, has been improved
S experience pointed tie way, and grad
ally adapt d to the growth and settle
lent of our western States and Terri
1t has worked well in practice.
thirteen States and seven Terri,
1ries have been carved out of these lands,
nd still more than a thousand million
{ acres remain unsold- What a bond
,ss prospect this presents to our country
f future prosperity and power.
We have heretofore disposed Of 1862
60, Asa acres of the public land.
Whilst the public lands as a source of
,venue are Of great Importance, their
Importance is far greater as furnishing
ONES for a hardy and independent race
{ honest and industrious citizens, who
esire TO subdue and cullivat" The soil
hey ought to be administered mainly
.iIh a view of promoting this wise an d
policy. In aPpropriating
lem for any other purpose, we ought to
even greater economy then if they
al been converted into money and the
roceeds were already in the public treas
ry. To sguander away this richest and
OLDEST inheritance which any people
ave ever enjoyed upon objects of doubt
Il constituiionality or eEpediency. would
e to violate one of the most important
-usts ever committed to any people,
IiIst | do not deny to Congress the
over, when acting bona fed as a pro
to give away portions Of them for
lie purpose of increasing The value of the
.mainder. yet. considering the great
.mpaiion TO abuse this power, we cannot
E TOO cautious in its exercise.
Actual settlers under rxis'ing laws are
against other purchasers at
.e public sales, in their right OF pre- en-
on. TO the extent of o quarter-section.
100 acrrs of land. The reminder
ay then be disposed of at public or
at private sale in unlimited guam
Speculation has of late wears prevailed
a great extent in the rublic lands -
he consequence has been that large
of Them have become The prop
iy Of individuals and companies, aud
US the price is greatly enhanced to
.ose who desire 10 purchase for actual