Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-12-13

dtion, an the very large amount of the con.
tingent expenses OF Congress during this
period. These greatly exceeded the pay and
mileage of the members. For the year end
ing 30th June, 1858, while the pay and mill
cage amounted to 81 100, ,2l5, the contingent
expenses rose to s2,092 ,309 10, and IT the
year ending 30tr June, 1859, whilst the pay
and mileage amounted TO SS5g,093 sc, the
contingent expenses amounted to 81 ,43l ,565
rs. / am happy, however, TO be able to in
form you that during the last fiscal year, end
ing on the Both June, 1850, the total expen-
diturcs ofthe government In all its branches
legislative, executive and judcial-ey elusive
fthe public debt, were reduced to the sum OF
S55,4O2, ,4S5 46. This conclusively appears
from the books of the Treasury. In the year
ending on the 3Oth June, 1858, the total ex.
penditure, exclusive of the public debt, am
cunt d to 81 ,g0l ,l2S II, and that for the
year ending Both June, 1859, TO $50 446. .22G
l3. Whilst the books ofthe Treasury show
an actual expenditure of So .9iS ,474 ~ for
the year ending on the 90th June, 1860, in
Guiding 81 ,0I0 ,G6T 75 for the contingent eX
pcnses of Congress, there must be deducted
from this amount the sum OF S4,206 ,O09 26,
with the interest upon it Of Sl50,00O appro-
pristed by the act of the 18th February, 1866
"ior the purpose supplying the deficiency in
the revenue and defraying the expenses of the
30tb June, 1869" This sum, therefore, just.
y chargeable to the year 1859, must he de-
Quoted from the sum of $50 ,848 ,474 GO, in
order to ascertain tho expenditures for the
year, ending on the 30th June, 1860, which
leaves balance for the expenditures of that
year OF S55 ,402 ,405 46. The interest on the
public debt, including treasury notes for tho
same fiscal year ending 30th june, 1860,
amounted to So III ,3l4, 62, which, added to
the above sum of S55 ,4O2 ,465 46, makes the
aggregate Of SIS, ,579,7S 08
1t ought in justice to be observed that sew
eral of the estimates from the departments
for the year ending 3Oth June, 1860, were re-
duced by Con-ress below what was and still
is deemed compatible with the public interest.
Allowing liberal margin Of 81 600 for
this reduction and for other causes, it may
be safely asserted that the sum Of SCI 900 ,OOO,
or at the most S62 900 900, 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 attainel in consider
able degree by the care exercised by the ap
proprate departments in entering into public
contracts. l have myself never interfered
with the award OF any such contract except
in a single case with the colonization society
deeming it advisable to cast the whole res
possibility in each case on the proper head uf
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 are
not legitimate source of patronage to be
conferred upon personal or political iavoritcs
but that in all such cases public officer is
bound to act for the government as a prudent
individual would act for himself.
AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE, ETC.
| 1t II with great satisfaction communicate
the fact. that since the date OF my last annual
message, not single slave has been import
ed into the United States, in violation of the
laws prohibiting tho African slave trade
This statement is founded upon a thorough
examination and Investigation ofthe subject.
Indeed, the spirit which prevailed some time
since among a portion of our fellow-citfzens
| in favor Of this trade seems to have entirely
subsidized.
also congratulate you upon the pulic sen
tment which now 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
payer OF every Christian and patriot that
such expeditions may never again receive
| con ntenance in our country or depart from
our shores T..
1t would be useless repetition to do more
than refer, with earnest commendation, to
my for mer recommendations in favor OF the
Pacific Ralroad-ofthe grant of power to
the President to employ tho naval force in
the vicinity for the protection of the lives
and property of our fellow-cti ems passing in
transit over the different Central American
routes, against sudden and law less outbreaks
and depredations; and alsot protect Amer
lean merchant vessels and their crews and
csrgocs against violent and Unlawful seizure
and coniscation in the ports of Mexico and
the South American republics when these
may be in disturbed and evolutionary
condition. 1t is my settled conviction that
without such 0power we do not afford that
protection to those engaged In the commerce
OF the country which they have right to de-
mand.
ELECTIONS OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
again recommended to Congress the pas
sage of law in pursuance of the provisions
of the Constitution, appointing a certaiu day,
previous to tho 4th of March, in each year OF
an odd number, for the election of Repre-
sentaives throughout all the States. SINH
lar power hiss already been exercised, with
general appreciation, in the appointment otthc
same day throughout the Union for holding
the election for electors for President and
| V ice President of the United States. My at
tentiun was earnestly directed to this subject
from the fact that the 3jth Congress tcrnin-
| atcd on tho Sd OF March. 1859, without max
ing the necessary appropriation for the ser
vice OF the Post Office Department. | wa S
then forced to consider the best remedy for
this omission, and an immediate call of the
present Congress was the natural resort
| Upon inquiry, however. | asccrtained that
fifteen out of the thirty-three States compos-
ing the Confederacy were without represen-
tatives, and that consequently, these fifteen
States would be dsfranchised by such call
These fifteen States will be il the same con,
dition on the 4th Of March next. Ten OF
them cannot elect representatives., according
to existing State laws, until different periods.
extending from the beginning Of August next
until the months of October and Novemb r.
In my last message gave warning that in
a time OF sudden and alarming danger, the
salvation of our Institutions may depend up
on the power ofthe President to assemble a
full Congress, to meet the emergency.
| TARIFF.
1t is now quito evident that the financial
necessti cs of the government will require a
modification otthe tariff during your present
session, for tho p rpose Of increasing the rev.
enue. In this aspect desire to roiterate tho
recommendation contained in my last two
annual messages, in favor of imposing spccit-
ic. instead OF advaorem duties ON all import.
ed articles to which these can bo properly
applied. From long observation and exper-
ience ] am convinced that specific duties are
necessary, both to protect the revenue and ia