Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-02-05
Letter of the Secretary of the Treasury.

actual and probable receipts from the GUS
toms, the public lands, and other sources
for this and the next fiscal year; and whcth-
or, in his opinion said receipts will be adc-
quatc to meet the public exigcncies," | would
report:
The receipts for the first quarter Of the pre-
sent fiscal year, ending the Both of Septem-
Der, 1858, were S25, 230,S79 fl, as stated in
my annual report to Congress of December
6, 1853. The receipts for the remaining
three quarters were estimated at S3S, $1,000
of which sum S37 100000 were estimated
from Customs. 1t was believed that the
quarter ending December 81. 1888, would
WELD Sl0,O0O,O0O: the present quarter end
ing the 3lst of March, 1859, Sl5, 0O0, 900: and
the next quarter. ending 3Oth June, 1889,
Sl2,W0,0OO.
Since my annual report was submitted to
Congress returns have been made from near
" all the ports for the quarter ending the
3lst December, 1858; and. estimating for the
few ports not yet heard from, the total re-
ceipts for the quarter will be about the sum
of 50, 100000. For the present quarter full
returns have been received for the month of
January from the ports of New York, Boston.
Philadelphia, and Baltimore. The receipts
from these ports amount to S4,3l6,542 So
Partial returns have been received from 9TH
er ports, but not to sufficient extent TO JUS
tifv statement of them.
In reference not only to the customs, but
the public lands and other sources Of reven-
ne, all the information which has been re-
ceived at the department since the date ofmy
annual report confirms the correctness ofthe
estimates of probable receipts for the present
and next fiscal year. which | then submitted
10 Congress. / am. therefore, of opinion
that the result will show that the actual re-
cepts for the remaining quarters of the pre-
sent year. and for the next fiscal year. will
not vary materially from the estimates al
ready submitted to Congress.
In support of this opinion. submit 10 the
consideration of Congress Il comparison Of
the receipts from customs for the same months
of the two preceding years and the present
year.
In 1867 the receipts from customs for
the quarter ending the 3lst December were
Sl4,243.4l4 90. In lSj1-'jS the receipts
from customs for the same quarter were So
2377, 723 90. In 1880 the pts will
probably be s9,2oO,0Oo, as have already
stated.
During the fiscal year ending 30th June,
1857, the importations were very heavy,
amounting in dutiable goods. exclusive OF
those exported. to 1904, lG0. $50; and the re-
ceipts from customs for that year were S6',-
664, 4S3 Sc. In the fiscal year ending the
30th June 1858, the importations were much
reduced. amounting, in dutiablc goods, cx-
elusive of those exported, to 500, 2o5,Sl3:
and the receipts from customs were S42,-
046, 81 20. TO realize my estimates, the
importations of dutiable goods for the present
fiscal year must reach the amount of S25o,-
OOO, 600 besides those exported: and for the
next fiscal year the sum Of $3.50, 100000.
Comparing the foregoing statement of re-
ceipts, and looking to favorable and healthy
reaction in business, should regard it I'M
safe and unwise to calculate upon larger
importation than the present estimates con-
template.
Entertaining these opinions am compell-
ed to say that the receipts will not be adc-
uuate to meet the public exigences, unless the
expenditures should be reduced below the
amount estimated for. | have seen no indi-
cations that would induce the opinion that
such result can be reasonably anticipated
Onthe contrary, should the bills which have
passed either the one or other branch of Con-
sress be finally passed by both, and become
laws, the expenditures would he very largely
and permanently increased. 1t is estimated
that the pension bill alone, which has passed
the House. would add several millions to the
annual expenses of the government, and even
n larger amount for the next fiscal year,
Other bills. which have passed either the Sen
ateor the House, would. in like manner swell
the amount of expenditure. These are con
tincencics to which the attention OF Congrc>s
should be directed, i'll considering the proba-
bic receipts and expenditures of the govern
ment. Either the expenditures must he re-
duced to the estimated receipts, or other
means of revenue should be provided: If the
first can Lo effected, it is certainly the most
desirable,
I have already submitted to Congress, in
compliance with their requirements, bills for
the codifcation Of the revenue laws, and Tor
the reorganization of the collection districts,
which. if sanctioned and passed into laws,
would greatly facilitate the operations of this
department and reduce largely tue expense OF
collecting the rev enuc.
There stands upon the statuc-books laws
recurring the building of costom houses. post
Offices. and court houses, at places where the
hubble service does not require them at this
time. A repeal of those laws, or post
ponement of their execution to period OF
greater prosperity and less embarrassment
would relieve the treasary Of that amount OF
expenditure.
The rec ,lpnendation which has been sub
mitted to Congress of abolishing the frank
ing privilege and raising postage to five cents
with view of bringing the Post Office De-
partment as near as practicable To it, former
selfsqstaining position. thereby imposing tn"
burden of it. support upon those who use
and enjoy ts benefits, will, if carried out,
very greatly relieve the treasury.
These propositions for retrenchment come
to Congress commended not only by the
public demand for reform aud re6hGiny. hut
by their own intrinsic merits. They are
right in principle and policy. and when con
trasted with propositions for increasing the
public debt. or adding to the general tax.
will receive tha cordial approval of the co"n-
try.
In other departments of the government IT.
auctions might. also, in all probability. be
made. | only speak of those which have
been brought to the attention Of Congress
and commended to their favorable consldera-
ton.
If, however, the appropriations made at
the present session should reach the amount