Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-02-15

SENATE.
Messrs Lane and Smith, Senators from Oregon,
were sworn and took their seats.
Mr.. Hunter presented the credentials Of Mr.
Toombs, who is elected for another term from
Georgia
Mr. Hunter began by saying that the present
issue is between high taxation and moderate
expenditure on the other. His personal con
nection with the tariff of 1857 induced him to
review the circumstances under which it came
into operation, and the principles on which it
was established. Secretary Guthrie had found
ed his estimates on the opinion that the ex-
penditures for the preceding year, exclusive of
payments of the public debt, had never re-
quired more than forty eight millions of dollars
The tariff was, therefore, reduced by the con-
sent of all sections. Unfortunately in the first
year of its operation it encountered the great
financial depression, but in this year, as far as
it has gone, it promises to attain the amount
estimated by the Secretary. The Senator from
Rhode Island had estimated that it would pro-
duce but forty millions of dollars, but during
the first two quarters it had produced twenty
three millions, and the probability is that the
last two quarters will produce fully the amount
of the estimate. 1t has done what it was ex
pected to do, and the question is, shall we con-
tinue to use it to carry on the requirements of
the Government. The President and the able
head of the Treasury Department thought it
insufficient, but after earnest thought he (Hun-
teri had come to a different conclusion. He
went on to show that the estimates of the re-
ceipts from the public lands are not overstrsin-
ed, and the unexpected balances of aPprOpria-
tions, if deducted as probably they ought to be,
would reduce the estimates twelve millions.
The war expenses might be reduced nearly
four millions. The navy had nearly four millions
expended on it last year; and if the Post Offices
be made self-sustaining it will economise nine
millions upon the estimate for the year.
The bill reported by the P. o. Com. would
add three and half millions to the revenue
The abolition OF the franking privilege it is sup
posed will save one and half millions more,
and if by increased charges we can make the
department selfsustaining, we shall then re
duce the total expenditures to S55, 100000
There are many moral, political and fiscal rea-
sons for this reform in the P o., as it at present
stands it is vast machine of irresponsible
power.
He here read from the tables to show the
steady and alarming increase of the burden of
the P. o. on the Treasury, which if continued
| at the same ratio would soon make it more cost
ly than the army and navy.
With 27779 Postmasters exclusive Of route
agents, special agents, local agents, and other
officers, who make total of nearly 10000, out
numbering the army and navy, under the direc-
ton of the P. NJ. who has power to increase
| them at his pleasure, besides exercising great
power through the Press and an army of con-
tractors who shall estimate his influence. Why
in the name of Heaven not say the expenditures
of this debt shall not exceed its revenuel five
should reduce our total expenditures to fifty
six millions, it would leave surplus Of
thirteen millions to pay of the h-bilities OF the
Government. Next he proceeded % demonstrate
that the estimates of the revenue for its fiscal