The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-01-11

the old Congress has expired. il will have
been productive of great good. Ia time OF
sudden and alarming danger, foreign or do
nestle, which all nations must expect to en-
counter in their progress, the very salvation
Of our institutions may be staked upon the
assembling Of Congress without delay. II,
under such circumstances, the President
should find himself in the condition in which
he was placed at the close Of the last Con.
gress, with nearly half the States of the Union
destitute Of representatives, the consequence
might be disastrous. |, therefore, recommend
to Congress TO carry into effect the provisions
Of the Constitution on this subject, and to
pass law appointing some day previous to
the 4th March in each year Of odd number
for the election of representatives throughout
all the States. They have already appoint.
ed day for the election Of electors for Pre-
sident and Vice President, and this measure
has been approved by the country.
would again express most decided opin-
ion in favor of the construction OF Pacific
railroad. for the reasons stated in my two
last annual messages. When reflect upon
what would be the defenceless condition of
our States and Territories west Of the Rocky
mountains in case oi war with naval power
sufficiently strong to interrupt all intercourse
with them by the routes across the lsthmus.
| am still more convinced than ever of the
vast Importance Of this railroad. have'neyer
doubted the constitutional competency OF
Congress to provide for its construction, but
this exclusively under the war-making pow
er. Besides. the constitution expressly re-
quires, as an imperative duty, that the
United States shall protect each Of them the
States against INVASION" am at loss 10
conceive how this protection can be afforded
to California and Oregon against such ma
val power By any other means. Irepeat the
opinion contained in nv last annual mes.
sage. that il would be inexpedient for the
Government to undertake this great work
by agents Of lis own appointment, and under
It's direct and exclusive control. This would
increase the patronage Of the Executive to
dangerous extent, and would foster a system
Of jobbing and corruption which no vigilance
on the part Of the Federal officers could pre-
vent. The construction OF this road ought,
therefore, TO be intrusted to incorporated
companies, or other agencies, who would ex.
ercise that active and vigiant supervision
over it which can be inspired alone BY a
sense Of corporate and individual interest.
venture 10 assert that the additional cost
Of transporting troops, munitions of Mar;and
the necessary supplies for the army across
the vast intervening plains to our possessions
on the Pacific coast, would be greater in such
war than the whole amount required to
construct the road. Aud yet this resort
would, after all, be inadequate for their de-
fence and protection.
We have vet scarcely recovered from the
habits Of extravagant expenditure, produced
by our OVERLOOKING Treasury, during several
years prior to the commencement Of my adj
ministratiOn. The financial reyerscs which
we have since experienced ought TO teach
" all to scrutinize our expenditures with
the greatest vigilance, and to reduce them
to the lowest possible point. The Executive
Departments of the Government have de.a-
ted themselves TO the accomplishment of this
object with considerable success, as will ap-
pear from their different reports and esti-
mates. 10 these | invite the scrutiny 81
Congress, for the purpose Of reducing them
still lower, if this be practicable, consistent
with the great public interests Of the conn-
try. In aid Of the policy Of retrenchmen'.
pledge myself to examine closely the bill.
appropriating lands and money, 50 that il
any Of these should inadvertently pass boib
houses, as must sometimes be the case, | may
afford them an opportunity ior reconsidera
ton. Al the same time We ought never %
forget that true public economy consists, moi
in Withholding the means necessary TO ac-
eompllsh important national objects confded
to u BIZ the Constitution, but il taking care
that The money appropriated for these pur-
poses shalt be faithfully and frugaliy ex.
pended.
Il will appear from the report Of The Sec
rotary Of tie Treasury, that it is extremely
doubtful. to say the least, whether We shall
be able to pass through the present and the
next fiscal year without providing additional
revenue. This can only be accomplished BIZ
strictly conining The appropriations within
the estimates u lie different Department..
without making an allowance Tor any addi.
tional expenditures which Congress may
think proper. 10 their discretion. TO aulho.
rize, and without providing Tor the redemp.
tinn u any portion of the $4,000. 600 u
Treasury nptrs which have been altpahy il.
sued. III Tie event If deficiency, which |
consider probable, this ought never 10 be sup.
Piled by resort 60 additional loans. II
would be a fuinous practice 10 the DAYS 81
peace and prosperity to go on increasing the
national debt 10 met The ordinary expenses
d tie Government. This policy would Grip.
pie our resource. and impair mr. credit III
case tic existence vi var shnuid render II
necessary 70 borrow money. Should such >
deficiency occur as ! apprebend. would re.
commend that tie necessary revenue be fals.
ed By an increase Of oer present duties on
imports need not repeat the opinions ex.
pressed in nv last annual message a. 20 she
best mode and manner II accomplishing this
object. and shall nov merely observe that
these have since undergone 40 change.
The report Of the Secretary Of the Urea.
sury will explain in detail the operations Of
that Department Of the Government.
The Fafeinfs iatu fhe ffrasufy lf0m All