The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-12-09
THE NATIONAL ERA: WASHINGTON D. G, DECEMBER g. 1858

De practicable, and the appropriations necessary
to carry them into effect ought to be disbursed
under the strictest accountability. Enlightened
economy does not consist in lie refusal to an
propriate money for constitutional purposes,
essential to the defence, progress and prosperity
Of the Republic, bat in taking care that none of
this money shall be wasted by mismana cement.
in its application to the objects designated by
law.
Comparisons between the annual expenditure
at the present time, and what it was ten or
twenty years ago, are altogether fallacious The
rapid increase of our country in extent and pop
ulation renders corresponding increase of ex-
penditure, to some extent, unavoidable This
is constantly creating new objects of expend-
ture, and augmenting the amount required for
the old. The true questions, then, are, have
these objects been unnecessarily multiplied or,
has the amount expended upon any or all of
them been larger than COMFORTS with due
economy? In accordance with these principles
the heads OF the different Executive Departments
of the Government have been instructed to re-
duce their estimates for the next fiscal year to
the lowest standard consistent with the efficiency
of the service and this duty they nave performed
in a spirit of just economy. The estimates of
the Treasury, War, Navy, and Interior Depart
ments, have each been in some degree reduced /;
and unless sudden and unforeseen emergency
should arise, it is not anticipated that def
cheney will exist in either within the present or
the next fiscal year. The Post Office Depart
ment is placed in 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-
pariments cannot be still further reduced and
promise them all the aid in my power in pur-
suing the investigation.
l transmit herewith the reports made to me
by the Secretaries of War, of the Navy, of the
Interior, and of the Postmaster General. They
each contain valuable information and import
ant recommendations, to which invite the at
tenton of Congress
In my last annual message, took occasion
to recommend the immediate construction of ten
small steamers, of light draught for the purpose
OF increasing the efficiency of the navy. Con-
gress responded to the Recommendation, by au-
thoriZing the construction of eight of them.
The progress which has been made in executing
this authority is stated in the report of the Sec
rotary of the Navy. | concur with him in the
opinion, that a greater number of this class of
vessels is necessary for the purpose of protecting
in more efficient manner the persons and prop
erty of American citizens on the high seas and
in foreign countries, as well as in guarding more
effectualy our own coasts. | accordingly recon-
mend the passage of an act for this purpose.
The suggestions contained in the report of the
Secretary of the Interior especially those in re-
pension and bouuty-land system, the policy
towards the Indians, and the amendment of our
patent laws, are worthy of the serious considera-
ton of Congress.
The Post Office Department occupies a position
very different from that of the other Depart
ments For many years il was the policy of the
Government to render this sef-sustaining De-
| partment; and if this cannot now be accom-
plished, in the present condition of the country
we ought to make as near approach to il 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 upon
the Treasury and above what is received
| for postage; and these have been progressively
increasing from year to year, until they amounted
for the last fiscal year. ending on the 30th June,
1858 to more than four millions and "a half of
dollars whilst it is estimated that for the pres
emf fiscal year they will amount to S6,290, 900.
These sums exclusive Of the annual appro-
priation of 500, 900 for compen station for the
mail service performed for the two Houses of
Congress, and the other Departments and officers
of the Government, in the transportation of free
natter
The cause of these large deficits is mainly at
tributable to the increased expense of transport
ing the mails. In 1852, the sum paid for this
service was but fraction above four millions
/ and quarter Since that year. il has annually
! increased, until, in 1858, it has reached more
than eight millions and quarter; and for the
service of $50 it is estimated that it will amount
To more than ten millions of dollars.
| The receipts of the Post Office Department
Gun be made to approach or to equal its expend-
lures 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
tha ohu hinh .irlu la1 To
enjoy from the Post Office Department The
principal remedies recommended TO the consid-
Grafton of Congress by the Postmaster General
are, to restore the former rate of postage upon
single letters to five cents to substitute for the
Thanking privilege the delivery to those now
titled to enjoy it of Post Office stamps for their
correspondence and to direct the Department,
in making contracts for the transportation of the
mail, to confne itself to the payment Of the sum
necessary for this single purpose, without re-
quirng it to be transported in post coaches
carriages of any particular description. Under
the present system, the expense to the Govern
ment is greatly increased, by requiring that the
mail shall be carried in such vehicles will ac-
commodate passengers. This will be done, with
out pay from the Department, all roads
where the travel will remunerate the contractors.
These recommendations deserve the grave
| consideration of Congress.
/ / would again call your attention to the con-
! sruction of a Pacific railroad. Time and re-
! Election have but served to confirm in the
! truth and justice of the observations which |
made, on this subject in my last annual mes
sage, to which beg leave respectfully to refer.
| 1t is freely admitted that it would be inexpc-
dient for this Government to exercise the power
of constructing the Pacific railroad by its
immediate agents. Such policy would increase
| the patronage of the Executive to dangerous
| extent, and introduce system OF jobbing and
corruption, which no vigilance on the. part of
Federal officials could either prevent or detect.
This can only be done by the keen eye and act
i've and careful supervision of individual and
private interest The construction of this road
ought therefore to be committed to companies
incorporated by the States or other agencies,
whose pecuniary interests would be directly in
volved. Congress might then assist them in the
work by grants of land of money, or both
under such conditions and restrictions would
secure the transportation of troops and NUM-
tions of war free from any charge, and that Of
the United States mail fair and reasonable
| price.
The progress of events since the commence
ment of your last session has shown how soon
difficulties disappear before firm and deter
\ mined resolution. At that time, such a road
was deemed by wise and patriotic men to be
visionary project The great distance to be over
! come and the intervening mountains and deserts
| in the way were obstacles which, in the opinion
of many, could not be surmounted Now, after
the lapse of but single year. these obstacles, it
has been discovered, are far less formidable than
they were supposed to be- and mail stages, with
passengers, now pass and repass regularly, twice
in each week, by a common wagon road between
San Francisco and st. Louis and Memphis, in
less than twenty-five days The service has
been as regularly performed as il was in former