Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-12-24

gress and prosperity of the republic, but in taxi
ing care that none of this money shall be vast
ed by msmanagement, 10 its application to the
objects designated by law
Comparisons between the annual expenditure
at the present time, and what it was ten OF
twenty years ago, are altogether fallacious.
The rapid increase Of our country in extent
and population, renders corresponding iu-
crease of expenditure, to some extent, unavoid-
able. This is constantly creating new objects
of expenditure, and augmonting the amount
required for the old. The true questions, then
are, have these objects been unnecessarily null
tiplied? or, has tho amount expended upon any
or all of them, been larger than comports
with due economy! In accordance with these
principles, the heads of the different executive
departments of the government have been in
structei to reduce their estimates for the next
fiscal year to the lowest standard consistent
with the eff cheney of the service, and this du-
<ty they have performed in spirit of just
economy.
The estimates eff the Treasury, War, Navy
and Interior Departments, have each been IN
SOME degree reduced: and unless sudden and
unforeseen emergency should arise, it is not an
ficipated that deficiency will exist in either
within the present or the next fiscal year. The
Post-ofhce Department is placed 10 a peculiar
position, different from the other departments,
and TO this | shall hereafter refer.
invite Congress to institute rigid scrutiny
to ascertain Whether the expenses in all the de-
partmen,s cannot be still further reduced; and
promise them all the aid in my power in pur-
suing the investigation.
transmit herewith the reports made to me
by The Secretaries of War, of the Navy, of the
Interior, aud of the Postmaster General. They
each contain valuable information and import
ant recommendations, to which | invite the at
tention of Congress.
ln my last annual message, took occasion to
recommend the immediate construction OF ten
small steamers, OF light draught, for the purpose
OF increasing tho efficiency of the navy. CoH-
gress responded 10 the recommendation, by au-
thorizing the construction of eigh. of them.--
The progress which has been made in executing
this authority, is stated in The report of the
Secretary of the Navy. concur with him in
i5e opinion, that greater number of this class
Of vessels is necessary, for the purpose OF pro-
tecting iu more efficient manner the persoas
aud property Uf American cfrizeHs Oh the lliel
seas, and in foreign countries, ,as well as in guard
ing more effectually our own coasts. accord
ingly recommend the passage of an act for this
purpose.
The suggestions contained in the report of
the Secretary of the Interior, especially those
in regard to the disposition of the public do
main, tue pension and bounty land system, the
policy towards the Indians, and the amendment
of our patent laws, are worthy of the serious
consideration of Congress.
The Post Office Department occupies posi-
tion very different from that of the other de-
partments. For many years it was the policy
of the government to render this self-sustain-
ing department; and if this cannot now be ac-
complish,d, in the present condition of the coun-
try, we ought to make as near an approach to
it as may be practicable.
, The Postmaster General is placed in most
embarrassing position by the existing laws. He
is obliged to carry these into effect. He has
no other alternative. He finds, however, that
this cannot be done without heavy demands on
the treasury over and above what he receives
for postage; and these have been progressively
increasing from year to year until they amount
ed for the last fiscal year ending on the 30th
June, 1858, to more than four millions aud
half of dollars; whilst it is estimated that for
the present fiscal year they will amount to $6,-
290, 900. The sums are exclusive of the an
nual appropriation of 100000 for s'ecmpen-
sation for the mail service performed for the
two houses of Congress and the other depart
ments and officers of the government in the
transportation OF free matter"
The cause of these large deficits is mainly
attributable to the increased expense of trans
porting the mails. In 1852 the sum paid for
this service was bat fraction above the four
millions and quarter. Since that year it has
annually increased until in 1858 il has reached
more than eight millions aud quarter, and for
the service of 1859, it is estimated that il will
amount to more than ten millions of dollars.
The receipts of the Post Office Department
diture, only by means of the legislation of Con-
gress. In applying any remedy, care should
be taken that the people shall not be deprived
of the advantages, which they are fairly enti-
tled to enjoy from the Post Office Department.
The principal remedies recommended to the con-
sideration of Congress by the Postmaster Gen
eral, are to restore the former rate OF postage
upon siugle letters to five cents; to substitute
for the franking privilege the delivery TO those
now entitled to enjoy IL, of post office stamps
for their correspondence, and to direct the de-
partment, in making contracts for the transpor-
tatiou of the mail, to cenfiine itself to the pay
ment of the sum necessary for this single pur-
pose. without requiring it to be transported in
post coaches or carriages of any particular de-
seription. Under the present system, the ex-
pense to the government is greatly increased,
by requiring that the mail shall be carried In
such vehicles as will accommodate passengers.
This will be done without pay from the depart
mont over all roads where the travel will remu-
meraie the contractors.
These recommendations deserve the grave con-
OF Congress.
i would again call your attention to the con-
structon of Pacific railroad. Time AID re-