The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-12-22
olication to the objects designated by

plication to the objects designated by
law.
Comparisons between the annual ex-
penditure at the present time, and what
1t was ten or twenty years ago, are alto
gether fallacious. The rapid increase of
our country in extent and population.
renders corresponding increase of ex-
penditure, to some extent, unavoidable
This is constantly creating new objects
of expenditure, and augmenting the a
mount 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 comports with due econ
omy? In accordance with these prlnci-
piles, the heads of the different Executive
Departments of the Government have
been instructed to reduce their estimates
for the next fiscal year to the lowest stan
dard consistent with the efficiency of the
service; and this duty they have perform
ed in spirit of just economy. The es-
Inmates of the Treasury, War, Navy, and
Interior Departments, have each been in
some degree reduced; and unless sud-
den and unforeseen emergency should a.
rise, it is not anticipated that q deficiency
will exist in either within the present or
the next fiscal year. The Post Office
Department is placed in a peculiar posi-
tion, different from the other Depart
ments; and to this I shall hereafter re-
fer.
I invite Congress to institute rigid
scrutiny to ascertain whether the expenses
in all Departments cannot be still further
reduced; and I promise them all the aid
in nay power in pursuing the investiga-
ton.
I transmit herewith the reports made
to me by the Secretaries of War, of the
Navy, of the Interior, and of the Post
master General. They each contain valu.
able information and important recommen-
dations, to which invite the attention of
Congress.
In my last annual message took oc-
casion to recommend the immediate con-
struction of ten small steamers, of light
draught, for the purpose of increasing the
efficiency ofthe Navy. Congress respon-
ded to the recommendation, by autheri-
zing the construction of eight of them
The progress which has been made in ex-
ecuting this authority is stated in the re-
port of the Secretary ofthe Navy. Icon
cur with him in the opinion that great.
er number of this class of vessels is ne.
cessary, for the purpose of protecting in
a more efficient manner the persons and
property of American citizens on the high
seas, and in foreign countries, as well as
in guarding more effectually our own coasts.
1 accordingly recommend the passage OF
an act for this purpose.
The suggestions contained in the re-
port of the Secretary of the Interior, espe-
cially those in regard to the disposition oi
of the public domain, the pension and
bounty land system, the policy towards the
Indians, and the amendment of our patent
laws, are worthy of the serious considera.
tion of Congress. -
The Post Office Department occupies
a position very different from that of the
other Departments. For many years il
was the policy Of the Gomernment to rem.
der this a selfsustaining Department; and
if this cannot now be accomplished, in the
present condition of the country, we ongh
to make as near an approach to- it as may
be practicable.
The Postmaster General is placed in {
most embarrassing position by the exist
ing laws. He is obliged to carry thes
into effect. He has no other alternative
He finds, however, that this cannot b
done without heavy demands upon tn
Treasury over and above what is receive'
for postage; and these have been progres
sively increasing from year to year unit
they amouted for the last fiscal year end
ing on the 30th of June, 1858, to NOR
than four millions and half dollars; whils
it is estimated that for the present fscs
year they will amount to 5000, 0,000.-
These sums are exclusive of the annus
appropriation of $7O0,O0O for "comper
sation ofthe mail service performed for th
tive Houses of Congress and the othe
Departments und officers of the Govern
ment in the transportation of free ma
ter" tra
The cause of these large deficits is mair
ly attributable to the increased expense
transporting the mails. In 1852, th
sum paid for this service was but frat
tion above four millions and quarter
Since that year it has annually increase
until, in 1858, it has reached more tha
, eight millions and quarter; and for tt
service of 1859, it is estimated that
will amount to more than ten million do
lars .a
t The receipts of the Post Office Depar
can be made to approach or to equal i
t Expenditure, only by means of the legi
q lation of Congress. In applying any rel
e edy, care should be taken that the pc
: pie shall not be deprived of the advant
# ges which they are fairly entitled to emf
Q from the Post Office Department. Il
Y principal remedies recommended to t
# consideration of Congress by the Pos
e master General, are to restore the form