The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1860-12-12

inform you that during the last fiscal year,
ending on the Both juno 1861 the total ex-
penditures of the government in all its
branches-legisative executive, and judi
cial-exclusive of the public debt, were re-
duced to the sum of $55, ,402, ,459 46. This
conclusively appears from the books of the
Treasury. In the year ending on the 30th
June, 1858. the total expenditure, exclusive
OF the public debt, amounted to $7l, ,90l,-
l29 rs, and that for the year ending 30th of
June, 1859, to 6,346, ,226 13. Whilst the
books of the Treasury show an actual ex-
penditure of S59, ,848,47 70 for the year
ending on the Both June, 1860, including
81 ,O40, ,667 IL for the contingent expenses of
Congress, there must be deduceed from this
amount the sum of 81 .296 ,009 &c, with the
interest upon it of Sl50,000, appropriated
by the act of 18th February, 1860, ''for the
purpose of supplying the deficiency in the
revenue, and'defraying the expense of the
Post Office Department for the year ending
thirtieth of June, one thousand eight hun
dred and fifty nne." This sum, therefore,
justly chargeable to the year 1859, must be
deducted from the sum of $50, ,848, ,474 70,
in order to ascertain the expenditure for the
year ending on the Both June, 1860, which
leaves balance for the expenditure of that
year of S55, ,402 46446. The interest on the
public debt, including Treasury notes for
the same fiscal year ending on the Both
June, 1860. amounted to So, TT 314 GO,
which, added to the above sum of S55, 402.-
465 46, makes the aggregate of S58, SIC, ,78O-
08.
1t ought in justice to be observed that sew
erel of the estimates from the departments
for the year ending Both June, 1860, were
reduced by Congress below what was and
still is deemed compatible with the public
interest. Allowing liberal margin of S2,-
$4,000 for this reduction, and for other
causes, it may be safely asserted that the
sum of S6l. 100000, or, at the most, S62,-
100000 is amply sufficient to administer the
Government and to pay the interest on the
public debt, unless contingent events should
hereafter render extraordinary expenditures
necessary.
This result has been attained in a consid-
erable degree by the care exercised by the
appropriate departments in entering into
public contracts. | have myself never in
terfered with the award of any such con-
tract, except in a single case with the Col
ozination Society, deeming il advisable to
cast .he whole responsibility in each case
on the proper head of the department, with
the general instruction that these contracts
should always be given to the lowest and
best bidder. 1t has ever been my opinion
that public contracts arc not legitimate
source of patronage to be conferred upon
personal or political favorites but that in
all such cases public officer is bound to act
for the Government as prudent individual
would act for himself
AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE, &C.
1t Is with great satisfaction | communi-
cate the fact that, since the date of my last
annual message, not a single slave has been
imported into the United States in violation
of the laws prohibiting the African slave
trade. This statement is founded upon n
thorough examination and Investigation of
sl.o sufjeUu. Issdvuu, the spirit which pre-
evailed some time among portion of our fell
low-citizens in favor of this trade seems to
have entirely subsided.
| also congratulate you upon the public
sentiment which exists against the crime Of
setting on foot military expeditions within
the limits of the United States, to proceed
from thence and make war upon the people
of unofending States, with whom we are at
peace. In this respect happy change has
been effected since the commencement of my
Administration. 1t surely ought to be the
prayer of every Christian and patriot that
such expeditions may never again receive
countenance in our country or depart from
our shores.
1t would be a useless repetition to do
more than refer, with earnest commendation
to my former recommendations in favor of a
Pacific railroad-of the grant OF power to
the President to employ the naval force in
the vicinity, for the protection of the lives
and pxpperty of our fellow citizens passing
in transit over the different Central Americ-
an routes, against sudden and lawless out
breaks and depredations and also to pro-
tect American merchant vessels their crews
and cargoes, against violent and unlawful
seizure and confscation in the ports of Mex
ica and the South American Republics. when
these may be in disturbed and revolution
airy condition. 1t is my settled conviction,
that without such a power we do not afford
that protection to those engaged in the com
merce of the country which they have Q
right to demand.
ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS-.
/ again recommend to Congress the pas.
sage of n law in pursuance of the provisions
OF the Constitution, appointing a day GER
tain, previous to the 4th of March, in each
year of an odd number, for the election oI
| Representatives throughout all the States
! A similar power has already been exercised
/ with general appreciation, in the appoint
ment of the same day throughout the Union
| for holding the election of electors for Pres.
| ident and Vice President of the United
! States. My attention was earnestly direct
/ ed to this subject from the fact that the
! Thirty-ffth Congress terminated on the Sd
of March, 1859, without making the neces
sary appropriation for the service of the
| Post Office Department. | was then forced
to consider the best remedy for this omission
and an immediate call of the present Con
gress was the natural resort. Upon inquiry
however, | ascertained that fifteen out O
the thirty-three States composing the Con
federacy were without Representatives, anC
that, consequently, these fifteen States woe
| be disfranchised by such call. These ff
! teen States will be in the same condition OF
the 4th of March next. Ten of them canno
| elect Representatives. according to existing
| State laws, until different periods, extending
| from the beginning of August next unit
| the months of October and November.