The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-06
.,,,,-oro ,hous,pd six hundred and eighty three

sixty-one thousand six hundred and eighty three
dollars, (SIO, SOL ,6s3.)
Should these appropriations be made rs re-
oues,cd by the proper departments, tue on na,'
ancc In the treasury on the 3oth june, a0 40. ,
Will not. Il Is estimated, exceed three million
1--WE hundred and thirty thousand one hundred
and NINETY six dollars and sixty-one cents'lSo'-
$50, l0O,Gl.) en-, c.
transmit herewith the reports of the secre,
taries of War, of the Navy, OF the Interior, anu
ofthe Postmaster General. They each contain
valuable Information and important rccommen-
dations well worthy ofthc serious consideration
Of Congress.
1t will appear from the report of the Secrcta-
ry of War that the army expenditures nave
been materially reduced by n system OF rigid
economy, which, in his opinion, offers every
guarantee that the reduction willbc permanent.
The estimates of the Department for the next
year have been reduced nearly two millions OF
dollars below the estimates for the present fiscal
year, and half n million Of dollars below the
amount granted for this year at the last session
OF Congress.
The expenditures of the Post Office Depart
ment during the past fiscal year, ending on the
30th June, 1889, exclusive of payments for mail
service specially provided for by Congress out
OF the general treasury, amounted to (sli ,vOi,-
403 SO, and its receipts to 1865 iSi ,07; show
ing deficiency TO besupplied from the treasury
of S6,990 ,009,3 against 50, 235 gu 10 for the
year ending 30th June, 1858. The increased
cost of transportation growing out of the cx-
pansion OF the service required by Congress cx-
plains this rapid augmentation Oft the expendi-
ture. Ii is gratifying, however, to observe an
increase Of receipts for the year ending on the
30th June, 1882, equal TO SiSl .O9l 81, compar-
ell with those in the year ending on the 3oth
June, 1858.
Ii is estimated Mat the deficiency for the cur
rent fiscal year viii be S5,9Ss, i2i,0i, but that
for the year ending 3Oth June, 1851 1t will not
exceed 81 ,3i2, 1880, should Congress adopt
the measures of reform proposed and urged by
the Postmaster General. Since the month OF
March retrenchmCnts have been made in the
expenditures amounting to 81 ,S5,i7l annual
ly, which, Toyeyc-, did not take effect until at
ter the commencement Ofthc present fiscal year.
The period seems to have arrived for dctcrmn-
ing the question whether this Department shall
become a permanent and cycr-increasing charge
upon the Treasury, or shall be permitted to re
sumo the self-sustaining policy which had so
long controlled its administration. The course
of legislation recommended by the Postmaster
General for the relief of the Department from
its present embarrassmcnts, and for restoring
II to It's original independence, is deserving OF
our carly and earnest consideration.
In conclusion, would again commend to the
lust liberaity of Congress the local interests OF
the District of Columbia. Surely the city bear
ing the name of Washington, and destined, |
trust, for ages to be the capital of our united,
free and prosperous cOntcderacy, has strong
claims on our favorable regard.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
WASHINGTON CRY, December 10, 1859.