The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-12-14

! year g. mainly in consequence OF the extraordi-
nary expenditure necessarily incurred 10 the
Utah expedition, and the very largo amount
of the contingent expenses of Congress du-
ring this period. These greatly exceeded
tho pay and mileago of the members, for
the year ending 3oth Juno, 1853. while the
! pay and mileage amounted to 81 ,490.2l4.
tho contingent expenses rose to 81, ,093 800.
79. and for the year ending 30th June, 1859,
willis. the pay aud mileage amounted to
/ 1858 o93 1.-The contingent xpenscs amo unit.
ed to Sl,43l, ,565 10. am happy, however,
to DO able to inform you that during the
last fiscal year, ending on the sob June,
! ] $780, the total expenditures of tho govern
ment in all its branches-legislative cxccu-
tive and judicial-oxclusive of the public
doht. were reduced TO the sum of S55, ,402.
465 46. This cOnclusively appears from the
books Of tho Treasury. In the year ending
on the 3Oth Juno, 1853, the total oxpendi-
turc. exclusive of tho public debt, amounted
to S7l .90l, 1871, and that for tho year
ending 30th June, 1859, to $66 3i6 226 l3.
1 Whilst the books Of the Treasury show al
actual expenditure Of $59 6is, ,474 70 for tho
year ending on tho both June, 1860, inclu.
ding 81 ,040 677l for tho contingent OK
penscs of Congress. There must be deducted
from this amount tho sum Of 81 296 0G9 2G,
with the interest upon it Of $4,000, ap-
propriatod BY the act of 10Th February. $50,
''tor the purpose of supplying the deficiency
in tho revenues and defrayng the expenses
OF tho Post Office Department for tho year
ending tho 30th of Juno. 1850" This SUN.
therefore. justly chargeabe to the year 1893.
must be deducted from tho sum of $50 S49,-
174 SO. in order TO ascertain tho expendl.
ture of tho year, ending on the 30th of Juno,
1850, which leaves a balance for tho ex.
pendituros Of that year of @55, ,402 465 .46.
The interest on the public debt, including
Treasury notes, for the same fiscal year ond.
ing on tho 30th June, 1860, amounted to
~, 1884 G2, which. added to tho above
sum of S55 402, ,465 49, makes the aggregate
! of S5S, ,579, $50 0s.
It ought in justice 10 be observed that
several OF the estimates from all the depart.
ments for the year ending 30lh Of June,
1860, we're reduced by Congress below
what was and still is deemed compatible
, with the public interest. Allowing a lib.
eral margin Of 80, 500, 900 for this reduc.
: ton and for other causes. it may be safely
asserted that the sun Of s6 600, 600, or
at the most &62, 900. 900, is amply sulfi
cient to administer the government and
10 pay the interest on the public debt, un.
less contingent events should hereafter
render extraordinary expenditures ne9es.
} sary.
This result has been attained in con.
siderable degree by the care exercised by
the appropriate departments in entering
into public contracts. | have myself
never interiered with the award of any
such contract except in a single case with
the Colonization Society, deemng it ad.
visable 10 cast the whole sponsibiity in
each case, on the proper head OF the de-
partment, with the general instruction
that these contracts should always be
given to the lowest and best bidder. Il
f has ever been my opinion that public
: contracts are not legitimate source o.
patr onage to be conferred upon personal
favorites; but that in all such eases a pub
lie officer is bound to act for the govern
, ment as prudent individual would act
for himself.
AFRICA SLAVE TRADE, ETC.
1t is with great satisfaction commune
cate the fact, that since the date Of my
last annual Message, not single slave
has been imported into the United States
3 in violation of the laws prohibiting the
. African slave trade. This statement il
; founded upon thorough examination
and investigation of the subject. Indeed
the spirit which prevailed some time
since among portion Of our fellow citi-
zens in favor OF this trade, seems 10 have
entirely subsided.
also congratulate you upon the public
1 sentiment which now exists against the
crime OF setting on foot military expedi.
!, lions within the limits Of the United States,
to proceed from thence and make war
apon the people Of unoffending States,
with whom we are at peace. In this re.
spect happy change has been effected
since the commencement Of my admins
f tration. l. surely ought to be the prayer
OF every Christian and patriot that such
expeditions may never again receive coun-
tenance in our country, or depart from
r our shores.
1t would be useless repetition to dc
more than refer, with earnest commend
alton, 10 my former recommendations in
favor of the Pacific Railroad--of the
grant OF power to the President 10 employ
The naval force in the vicinity, for the
protection of the lives and property Of oul
fellow. citizens passing in transit over the
, different Central American routes agains
, sudden and lawless outbreaks and depre'
, dations; and also TO protect American
merchant vessels, their crews and car
goes, against violent and unlawful seizure
!, and con6scation in the ports Of Mexico
/ and the South American republics, wher
: these may be in disturbed and revo!u
f ionary condition. It's my settled con
4 viction that without such power we d.
not afford lha; protection to those engaged
Q in the commerce Of the country whicl
+ they have q right TO demand.
:. ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
II l again recommend to Congress III
!, passage of law in pursuance OF the pro
= visions Of the Constitution, appointing
;, day certain, previous to the Ali of Marcel
: in each year OF an odd number, for til
y, election OF representatives throughout a.
o. tho States. a similar power has aread
Il been exercised, with general Appreciation
J. in the appointment Of the same da
l. !. throughout the Union for holding III
r I 4