The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-12-13

had produced haDitS OF prodgiganly anu eA-
travagance, which could only be gradually
corrected. The work required both time and
patience. applied myself diligently to this
task from the beginning, and was aided by the
able and energetic efforts of the heads OF the
different executive departments. The result
of our lhbOrs in this good case did not appear
in the sum total of our expenditures for the
first two years, mainly in consequence OF the
extraordinary expenditures necessarily incur
red in the Utah expedition, and very large
amount of the contingent expenses OF Con-
gress during this period. These greatly ex-
ceeded the pay and mileage of the members,
for the year ending Both of June, 1888; whilst
the pay and mileage amounted TO 81 ago, ,2lf
the contingent expenses rose toS2 O93 3O9 10,
and for the year ending 3Oth of June 1883,
whilst the pay amounted to S859,O93 &c, the
contingent expenses amounted TO 81 ,33l 800
7S. ] am happy, however, to be able to in
form you that during the last fiscal year, en-
ding on the 30th of June, 1860, the total
penditures of the government in all its bran
ches, legislative, executive and judcinl, exclu-
sIye of public debt, were reduced to the sum
of $50, 402, ,465 46.. This conclusvely ap-
pears from the books of the Treasury. In
the year ending on the Both Of June 1858,
the total expenditure, exclusive of the public
debt Amounted to .S71 ,901 129 ~, and that
for the year ending 30th of June, 1853. to
$50, ,3i6, 22G -, while the books of the Frea-
sury show an actual expenditure of $50, 9,S4S,
414 ~ for the year ending the Both of juno,
1860, including 81 ,040, ,667 II for the contin-
gent expenses of Congress. There must be
deducted from this amount the sum of S4.-
29G, ,OU9 2G with the interest upon il of 5 l50,-
600. appropriated by the act of 18th of Feb
rulry, 1860, for the purpose of supplying the
deficiency in the revenues, and deiraying the
expenses of the Post Office Department for the
year ending on the Both of June, 1859. This
sum therefore, justly chargeable to the year
1883, must be deducted from the sum OF $685.
e4S,4T4 ~, in order to ascertain the expen-
dlture for the year ending both of June 1860.
which leaves a balance for the expenditures
of that year of S55, ,i02, ,4G5 46 The inter
est on the public debt including Treasury
Notes for the same fiscal year ending on the
3Oth of June, 1860, amounted to S3,l77,3l4
o2, which added TO the above sum of S55, 4O2-
465 40, makes the aggregate Of sos, ,519, $50
9o 1t ought in justice TO be observed that
several OF the estimates from the department
for the year ending Both of June, 1860, were
reduced by Congress below what was and still
Is deemed compatible with the public interest
Allowing liberal margin Of s., 500, 600 for
this reduction, and for other causes, it may
be safely asserted that the sum of SCI, 900 900,
Orat the most So, ,OOO, 900 is amply sufficient
to administer the government, and to pay the
interest on the public debt, unless contingent
extraordinary
expenditures necessary. This result has been
attained i'll considerable degree by the care
exercised by the appropriate departments in
entering into public contracts.
L have myself never interfered with the
awards of any such contracts, except in a sim
gle case with the Colini1atian Society," deeming
II advisable to cast the whole responsibility,
in each case, on the proper head ofthe Depart
ment, with the general instruction that these
lrtS Shonlb nj lu-o ho criU l,,r
est aud best bidder. Ii has ever been mp Opin-
ION that the public contracts are not a legiti-
mate source of patronage, to be conferred upon
personal or political f;tvorites. but that in all
such cases public officer is bound to act for
the government as a prudent indiy idual would
act for himself
THE AF.ICAN SLAVE TRADE.
1t is with great satisfaction that commu-
nIcate the fact that, since the date of my last
annual message, not single slave has been
imported into the United States in violation
Of the laws prohibiting the African Slave
Trade. This statement is founded upon a
examination and investigation of
he subject Indeed, the spirit which prevailed
some time since among portion of our fellow
citizens in favor of this trade seems to have
entirely subsided.
CENTRAL AMERICAN AFFAIRS. &C.
L also congrst tulate you upon the public SEN
lment which now exists against the crime of
5etting on foot military expeditions within the
limits of the United States, to proceed from
hence. and make war upon the people Of un-
States, with whom we are at peace
this respect II happy change has been of-
ccted since the commencement of my Admin
stratlon. 1t surely ought to be the prayer Of
very Christian aud patriot that such eXpedi-
ions may never receive counteHance in our
country, or depart from our shores. 1t would
De useless repetition to do more than refer
With earnest cOmmendatiouS TO my former
concentrations in favor OF the Pacific Rail-
Dad; of the grant Of power to the President TO
mploy the naval force in the vicinity for the
of the lives and property of our
eilOw-cItlZens III transit over the Central
American routes against sudden and lawless
outbreaks and lepredations. and also to pro-
ect American merchant vessels, their crews
nd cargoes, against violent and unlawful
eizure and conhscatiOn in the ports of Mex
co and the South American Republics, when
hese may be IN dis banded and revolutionary
ondition. 1t is my settled conviction that
Without such power we do not afford that
protection to those engaged in the commerce
# the country which they have the right to
ommand.
ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
| again recommend to Congress the passage
# law in pursuance of the provisions ofthe
constitution, appointing a certain day previ-
us to the 4th of March, in each year of an
id number, for the election of Representa-
ives throughout all the States. \ similar
ower has already been exercised with gener-
l appreciation in the appointment of the same
ay throughout the Union for holding the
lection Of electors for President and Vice
resident OF the United States. Ny attention
7as earnestly directed to this subject from
he fact that the Thirty-Fifth Congress ter
linated on the Sd of March, 1853, without