The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1858-12-16

hundred and seventy six dollars and eighty
six cents, S1,9l4.5.6 So. To prove for
the payment of this estimated deficiency
which will be Increased By such appropria-
,ions as may be made by Congress, not esti-
mated for in the report of Treasury Depart
ment, as well as TO provide for the gradual
redemption, from year to year, of the out
standing Treasury notes, the Secretary OF
the Treasury recommends such revision OF
the present tariff as will raise the required
amount.
After what l have already s1id, | need
scarcely add that [ concur in the opinion
expressed in his report-that the public
debt should not be increased by an additional
loan, and would therefore strongly urge upon
Congress the duty of making at the present
session, the necessary provision for meetin g
these liabilities.
AMOUNT OF THE PUBLIC DEBT.
The public debt on the Ist July. 1893. the
commencement Of the present fiscal year
was S25, los, 977 .66.
During the first quarter Of the present
year the sum Of $40, 600, 900 has been nego-
tated of the loan authorized by the act of
25th June. 1858-making the present out
standing public debt exclusive of treasury
notes, S55, ,l55,977, ,66. There was on the
LIST July. 1888. of treasury notes issued by
authority of the act of December 23, 1857,
unredeemed, the sum Of S19,754 ,Su0-ma-
king the amount OF actual Indebtedness. at
that date. S54 ,9i0. III. &c. To this viii be
added $40. .00c coo during the present fiscal
year-this being the remaining half Of the
loan of 10000 900 not vet negotiated.
The rapid increase OF the public debt. and
the necessity which exists for a modification
nj the tariff maet even tho ordinarv ax-
penses OF the government. ought to admon
ish us all. in respective spheres of duty,
TO the practice of rigid economy The OBJ
jects of expenditure should be limited in
uumser, as far as this may be practicable,
and the appropriations necessary to carry
them ino effect. ought to be disbursed under
the strictest accountability. Enlightened
economy does not consist in the refusal to
appropriate money for constitutional purpo-
ses, essential to The defence, progress. and
prosperity of the republic. but in taking care
thai none of this money shall be wasted by
mismanagemens, in its application to the OBJ
jects designated by law
Comparisons between the annual expendi
;ure at the present time, and what it was
ten or twenty years ago, are altogether falla-
.cious. The rapid increase of our country in
extent and population. renders CORE spon-
ding increase Of expenditure. to some extent,
unavoidable. This is constantly creating
new objects of expenditure, 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 lar
ger than comports with due economy In
accordance with these principles. the heals
OF the different executive departments of the
government naya hapn Instructed n rcd n "a
their estimates for the next fiscal year, to
the lowest standard consistent with the eff
cheney ot the s@rv &C. and this duty they have
per ormed in the spirit OF just economy
the estimates Of the Treasury, War, Navy
aud Interior Departments, have each been
il some degree reduced: and unle, z sud
den and unforeseen emergency shoul arse,
it is not anticipated that deficiency Si.i ex-
list in either within the present or the !, xt
fscai year. TIE Post Once pepsrtme IS
placed IN peculiar position, different lr m
Ire otrer departments, and 10 this shall
hereafter refer.
| invite Congress- 10 institute rigid scru-
tiny. TO ascertain whether the expenses in all
The departments cannot be still further rc-
,.uced; and promise them all the aid in mv
power in pursuing the investigation.
l transmit herewith the reports made 20
me By the Secretaries of War. of the Navy,
Of the Interior. and of the Postmaster Gen
eral They each contain valuable inloIns-
ton. and important recommendations. to
which | invite the attention of Congress.
INCREASE OF THE NAVY.
In my last annual message, | took occa-
sion 10 recommend the immediate construc-
ton Of ten small steamers, Of light draurh..
for the purpose OF increasing the efficiency
Of the navy. Congress responded to the
recommendation, by authorizing the con
stsuclion OF eight OF them The progress
which has been made in executing this aa.
thority, is stated in the report OF the Secre-
tary of the Navy | concur with him in the
opinion. that greater number OF this class
OF vessels is necessary, for the purpose Of
protecting. in more efficient manner. the
persons and property Of American citizens on
the high seas. aud in foreign countries; as
well as in guarding more efectually our own
coasts l accordingly recommend the pas
sage Of an act for this purpose.
The suggestions contained in the report Of
the Secretary OF the Interior, especially those
in regard 10 the disposition Of the public do
main, the pension and bounty land system,
The policy toward the Indians and the amend,
rnent Of our patent laws. are worthy of the
serious consideration Of Congress.
DEFICIT IN THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The Post Office Department occupies
position very different from that Of the other
departments. For many years it was the
policy Of the government 10 render this
department; and if this canno.
now be accomplished.in the present condition
nf the county. We ought TO make as near an
approach to it as may be practicable.
al -
most embarrassing position BY the existing
laws. He is obliged to carry these Dto ef-
feet. He has no other slteI native. He fuds
however. that this cannot be done without
heavy demands upon the Treasury over and
above what is received for postage; and these
have been progressively increasing from year
To year until they amounted for The las, fs-
cal vesr ending on the 3oth June. 1853 TO
fur Ia;-ar.s and b ali ..aLIzrS.