The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-12-13

In my first annual message promised to en-
ploy my best exertions in cooperation with Con-
gress, to reduce the expenditures of the govern
ment within the limits of a wise and iudicious
economy. An overlooking treasury had produced
habits Of prodigality and extravaganza. which
could onty BE- gradually corrected. The work re-
diligently to this task from the BEGINNING and was
aided By the able and energetic efforts of the heads
OF the dinerent Executive departments. The re-
suits OF our labors in this good cause did not APP
pear IN the sum total of our expenditures for the
nrst two years, mainly in consequence of the ex-
traord1nsfy expenditures necessarily incurred in
tne Utah expedition, and the very large amount of
the contingent expenses Of Congress- during this
period. These greatly exceeded the pay and
mileage of the members. For the year ending 30th
June, 1858, whilst the pay and mileage amounted
70 81, $50, PA, the contingent expenses rose to
e2,0s3, sos 70; and for the year ending June 1882
whilst the pay and mileage amounted $685. O93 sc
the contingent expenses amounted to 81 431 565.7s.
Ham happy. however, to be able to inform you that
during the last fiscal year. ending on the SOth June
1860, the total expenditure of the government in
all its branches, Legislative Executve and Judicial
exclusive Of Public Debt, were reduced to the sum
of SIS, 400, 4e5 As.
This conclusively appears from the books of the
Treasury, IN the year ending on the 3Oth June
1855. The total expenditure, exclusive of the
public debt, amounted to ST. s01, 1917; and that
for the year ending 30th june 1859, to $50, $780,
226-13; whilst the books of the Treasury show an
actual expenditure of $50, s45 47472 for the year
ending SOth June, 1860, including 8, 050, 667. II
Tor contingent expenses of Congress. There must
De deducted from this amount the sum of a. 296-
oos26 with the interest upon it of $4,000 appro-
priafed by the act of 18th February 1860. for the
purpose Of supplying the deficiency in the revenues
snd dehaying the expenses of the Post Office
department tor the year ending SOth June, 1852
This sum, therefore, Justly chargeable to the wear
!eSs, must be deducted from the sum of $5s, S4S,-
4I5.72, In order to ascertain the expenditure for
tne year ending 30th June 1860, which leaves
balance for the expenditures of that year of $685.
4Oz. 1876. The interest the public debt in
GLIDING Treasury notes for the same fiscal wear
ending on the 3Oth June, 1860 amounted TO 80 III
al4.62 which, added to the above sum of SIS. 4O2.-
1876, makes the aggregate of SIS, SIS, 7S9OS 1t
ought in justice to be observed that several of the
estimates from all the Departments for the year
ending 30th Jane, 1860, were reduced by Congress
below what was, and still is, deemed compatible
with the public interest. Allowing liberal mar
GIN OF $250,0o0 for this reduction, and for other
causes, 1t may be safely asserted that the sum of
$6l: 100000. or at the most $50 600 000 is amply
sufficient to administer the Government and to
pay the interest on the public debt unless contin-
gent events should hereafter render extraordinary
expenditures necessary. This result has been
STAINED in a considerable degree by the care ex-
ercised by the appropriate Departments in entering
into public contracts. have myself never inter-
iered with the award of any such contracts except
IN a single case-that of the Colonization Society.
deemed it advisable. while its responsibility in
each case properly belongs at the 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 so given. 1t is
my opinion that public contracts are not legiti-
mate source of patronage to be conferred upon
personal political favorites but that in all such
cases public officer is bound to act for the gov
eminent as q prudent individual would act for
himself.
AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.
1t is with great satisfaction 1 communicate 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 thorough examination and investigation OF
the subject. Indeed the spirit which prevailed
some time since among o portion of our fellow
citizens in favor Of this trade seems to have en-
tirely subsidized. also congratulate you upon the
public sentiment which now exists against the
crime of setting on foot military expeditions with
IN the limits of the United States, to proceed from
thence and make war upon the people Of an unoffen
ding State with whom We are at peace. In this
respect happy change has been effected since the
commencement of my administration. Is surely
ought to be the prayer of every Christian and
patriot that such expeditions may never receive
countenance IN our country or depart from our
shores. 80 -
1t would be a useless repetition to do more than
refer with earnest commendation to my former re-
commentators in favor of the Pacific Railroad, o.
the grant Of power to the President to employ the
naval force, force in the vicinity for the protec
passing in transit over the different Central Amer
;can routes, against sudden and lawless outbreaks
and depredations; and also to protect American
merchant vessels, their crews and cargoes, agains
violent and unlawful seizure and conscation in the
ports Of Mexico. and the South American Repub
lies, when these may be in disturbed and revolu
touary condition. 1t is my settled conviction thai
without such power, We cannot afford that pro-
lection to those engaged in the commerce of the
country which they have right to demand.
ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
lagain recommend to Congress the passage &C
law, in pursuance of the provisions of the Consti
tuition, appointing certain day previous to the 4tl
OF march IN each year of an odd number, for tn,
election of Representatives throughout all tn,
States. similar power has already been exer
cised with general appreciation. in the appointment
of the same day throughout the Union for holdin!
the election of Electors for President and Vic
President of the United States. My attention wa
earnestly directed to this subject from the fact tina
the 35th Congress terminated on the I'd of March
1889, without making the necessary appropriation
for the service of the Post Office Department an,
was then forced to consider the best remedy 70
this omission and an immediate call of the presen
Congress was the usual resort Upon inquiry
however, l ascertained that fifteen out of th
thirty-five States comprising the confederacy wer
without Representatives, and that consequently
fifteen States would be DISTINGUISHED by such cali
These fifteen States will be in the same conditio
on the 4th of March next. Two of them canno
elect Representatives, according to State laws
until different periods, extending from the begin
ming of August next until the 9th Of November; an
you remember in my last message gave warnin
that in time of sudden and alarming danger, tn
salvation of our institutions might depend upo
ths power of the President Immediately to Assem-
Bic full Congress TO meet the emergency.
TARIFF.
1t is now quite evident that the financial pecc.
stiles Of the Government will require modifcatio
of the Tariff during your present session, foF tn
purpose of increasing
THE REVENUE.
In this respect desire to reterate the recomer
dation contained in my last two annual message:
in favor of imposing specific instead of ad ralore,
duties on all imported articles to which these ca
properly be applied. From long observation an
experience, am convinced that specific duties an
Necessary, both to protect the revenue, and to 81
cure to our manufacturing interests that amount
incidental encouragement which unavoidably re
suits from q revenue tariff As an abstract prope
sition, it may be admitted that ad ralorens dutie
would, in theory, be the most Just and equal but
the experience of this and of all other commerci;
nations has demonstrated that such duties cannt
be asked and collected without great frauds upo
the revenue then it is the part of wisdom to reso
10 specific duties Indeed, from the very natur
of an Gd calorem duty this must be the result III
der it. The inevitable consequence is that foreig
goods will be entered at less than their true yau,
The Treasury will therefore lose the duty on til
difference between their real and fictitious vaju
and to this extent we are defrauded The tempt,
tions which ad ralorep duties present to dishor
sst importer are irresistible His object is to pa:
his goods through the custom house at the yer
lowest valuation necessary to save them from COZ