True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-12-15

Th0-puUllO ueub Ou Luo 4st VI Ou'y1
1858, the commencement Of the present
fiscal year, was S25, ,155,977 66.
During the first quarter Of the present
wear the sum Of $4,000, 900 has been ne
gotiated Of the loan authorized by the act
Of the l4th June, 185S-makiug the pres.
ent outstanding public debt, exclusive of
treasury notes, s35, ,l55,977 66. There
was on the LIST July, 1858, of treasury
notes, issued by authority Of the act of De:
cember 2Sd, 1857, unredcemed, the sum Of
Sl9,754, 4,800-making the amount of actu-
al Indebtedness, at that date, S54, ,91O,777
&c. To this will be added 1000, ,0OO
during the present fiscal year--thls beng
the remaining half of the loan OF Szo,oOV,"
900 not yet negotiated. -. :,
The rapid increase Of public debt, and
the necessity which exists for modifca-
tion of the tariff, to meet even the ordin
arv expenses of the Government, ought TO
admopish us ell, in our respective spheres
of duty, to the practice Of rigid economy.
The object of this expenditure should be
limited in numbers, as for as this may be
practicable, and the appropriations neces-
sary to carry them into effect, ought to be
disbursed under the strictest accountable
ty. Enlightened economy does not con.
sist in the refusal to appropriate money for
constitutional purposes, essential to the
defense, progress and prosperity of the
Republic but in taking care that none Of
his money tshall be wasted by mismanage-
ment, in its application to the objects des-
iguated by law.
Comparisons between the annual ex-
penditures at the present time, aud what
It was ten or twenty years ago, are alto
gcther fallacious. The rapid increase of
our country in extent and population rem
,ders corresponding increase of expondi'
tures to some extent unavoidable. This is
constantly creating new objects of expend'
ituro, and augmeutiDg the amount required
for the old. The questions, then, are,
have these objects been unnecessarily mul'
tiplied ? or has tie amount expended upon
any or all of them been larger than COM
ports with due economy? In accordance
with these principles, 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 standard consistent with the
efficiency of the service, and this duty
they have performed in a spirit of just econ"
omy. The estimates of the Treasury, War,
Navy and Interior Departments, have each
been in some degree reduced; and unless
sudden and unfOleiee emergency should
arise, it is not anticipated that deficiency
will exist in either wiShiu the present or
the next fiscal year. The Post Office De-
partment is placed in peculiar position,
different from the other departments, and
to this shall hereafter refer.
1 invite Congress to institute a rigid
scrutiny to ascertain whether the expenses
in all the departments cannot be still fur
ther reduced and I promise them all the
aid in my power in pursuing the invests
cation.
I transmit herewith the reports made to
me by the Secretaries of War, ofthc Navy,
of the Interior, and Of the Postmaster Gen.
eral. They contain valuable information
and important recommendations, to which
invite the attention Of Congress.
In my last annual message l took oc'
casion to recommend the immediate con-
struction of ten small steamers, light
draught, for the purpose Of increasing the
efficiency of the navy. Congress respon'
ded to the recommendation by authorizing
the construction of eight Of them. The
progress which has been made in execu
ting this authority is stated in the report O
the Secretary of the Navy. I concur
with him in opinion, that a greater number
of this class Of vessels is necessary for the
purpose of protecting in a more eficien
manner the persons and property of Ameri
can citizens on the high seas, and in for
eign countries, as we'll as in guarding more
effectually our own coast. l accordingly
recommend the passage Of an act for thi'
purpose. - :.
The suggestions contained in the repor
of the Secretary of the Interior, especially
those in regard to the disposition of th'
public domain, the pension and bount!
land system, the policy towards the Indians
and the amendment of our patent laws, arr
worthy of the serious consideration Of Con
gress. ~ 80 e.. r..t.
The Post Office Department occupies
position very different from that Of tn
other Departments. For many years it wa
the policy Of the government to rende
this self sustaining department; and i
this caunot now be accomplished in IT,
present condition of the country, we ough
to make as near an approach to it as ma.
be practicable. ...
The Postmaster General is placed in
most embarrassing position by the existin
laws. He is obliged to carry these int
effect. lie has no other alternative. ID
finds; however, that this cannot be don
without heavy demands upon the treasur
over and above what is received for pos
tage; and these have been progressivel
Increasing from year to year until the
amounted for the last fiscal year endin
on the 3Oth June, 1858, to more tina
four millions and a half Of dollars; whil'
it is estimated that for the present ilsc
year they will amount to s6,29O,oOO,-
These sums are exclusive of the annui
appropriation Of 100000 for ''compensa
tion for the mail service performed for th
two houses Of Congress and the other de
partments aad officers Of the governmeT
in the transportation Of free mattel"
The cause of these large deficits is mair
" attributable to the increased expense
III. ALo ,,oo;Ie Tn 72h2 the an