American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1860-01-05

ty-nine thousand three hundred and afty dollars
S539 $50 and upon the estimates OF the Postmaster
General for the Service Of his dedarment the last
fiscal year, ending 3Oh June 1859, amounting 10 four
million two hundred and ninety six thousand and
nine dollars, 81 .296 0O9, together with the further
estimRte Of that officer for the service OF the present
fiscal year ending 30th June 1900 being Ave million
avelhundred and twenty-six thousand three hum
dred and twenty -four dollars, SIS ,526324 making an
aggregate OF ten million three hundred and sixty
one thousand six hundred aud eighty 'hree dollars
Sl0,36I ,6S3.
Should these appropriations be made as requested
by tho proper departments the balance In the treas
ury on the mth June ls6l, viii not, rs estimated,
exceed The three million five hundred and thirty
thousand one hundred and ninety six dollars and
sixty one cents. 50 $40, I96, 81.
transmit herewith the reports ofihe Secretaries
ofWar ofths Navy, ofthe Interior, and o! the POST
master General. They each contain valuable infor'
nation andimportAAt recommendations well worthy
of the serious consideration ofCongress. -
II will appear from the report Of The Secretaries OF
war that the army expenditures have been maleri.
ally reduced by system OF rigid economy, which,
In his opinion, oders every guarantee that the re-
ductiOn will be permanent. > estimates OF theDe-
partment for the next have been reduced nearly
two millions Of dollars below the estimates OF the
present fiscal year. and half million OF dollars be-
low the amonnt granted for the year 81 the aat ses'
sion OF Congress.
The expenditures Of the Post Office Department
during the past fiscal year ending on the 30th June
1889, exclusive OF mail service specially provided
for by Congress out Ofhe general treasury, amount
eu 70 Sl9JO99b sJ anu lis recelplsut - 5Oc fS9
showing deficiency 10 be supplied from the rrea-
sury OF S6996 009 20, against s5,235617 IS for the
year ending sofa June, 1853. The Increased cost o
transportation growing ont OF the expansion OF the
services required by Congress explains this rpid
augmentation Of the expenditures. II Is gratifying
however, 10 observe Increase Of receipts for the
year ending on the 3Oth June, 1859, equal To- s4sl
COL 81, compared with those in the year ending on
30th June, 1853.
It's estlm ated that the deficiency for the current
fiscal year Will be A599S 424 O4, but that for the yeai
ending June, 1861 1t will not exceed sl3fs,473 90
should Congress adopt the measures OF reform pro-
posed and urged by the Postmaster General since
the month Of March retrenchments have been made
Ia the expenditures amounting to sl,S26117l annu-
ally, which, however, did not tske effect until after
the commencement OF the preseui fiscal year The
period seems to have arrived for determining the
question whether This department shall become q
permanent and ever-increasing charge upon the
Treusnry, or shall be permitted to- the self
sustaining policy which had so long controlled II;
administration. Tho course of legislation peOm'
mended by the Postmaster General for the relief o
the Department from Its present embarrassment,and
for restoring It TO its original independence, Is de-
serving OF your early and earnest consideration.
In conclusion would again commend TO the just
iberaly Congress the local interests the District
Of Columbia. surely the city bearing the name Of
Washington, and destined trust, forages 10 be the
capital of our united, free, and properous Confed
eTcy, has strong claims ON our favorable regard.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
WAsHiN0Tos Cry, December 10, TS5O.