The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-12-18
Information.
RelpOrl Of the Secretary Of the
sErRs&

Secretary Boutwell,, in his report, comph-
hents the officers in charge of the various
bureaus and divisions OF the Treasury depart
ment by stating that they have faithfully per
formed their duties, and he commends their
several reports to the consideration OF
Congress.
The decrease in the cost of collecting rcven-
ne has not been attended WITH any loss or
efficiency In the service. On the other hand
1t is believed that the means Tor the detection
of smuggling are better than ever before, and
that thecustom-house eervice is also constantly
improving
Under the existing laws certain revenue off.
GERS and other persons appearing as infOrniers
are entitled to shares, penalties and orfeitures.
The Secretarys experience has convinced him
that the evils attending this system are great
er than the benefits derived from it.
IL Mrch last there was employed in the
Treasury department at Washington, 2,S4S
clerks, messengers and laborers, at monthly
cost of S2S5,S2l5l. Al present the whole
number OF employees is 2,441, and their
monthly pay amounts to $23S, 20S.Sl, showing
decrease of eXpensese at the rate OF $57, 1861
Oh per annum. 1t was found necessary, how
ever, during the periods mentioned, to III
crease the force in the Internal Revenue office,
and in the Office Of the First Comptroller. This
increase, in the aggregate, is at the rate OF
$SO,440 per annum. This statement does not
relate ia the force in the bureau of engraving
and printing.
In March last there were G2 special agents
in the service Of the department, receiving, in
the aggregate, for their services the sum OF
$37l.l0 per day. The number now employed
is "a and tleit daily pay $36SS5. The pay
OF the agents has been increased generally, in
the hope that more efficient service might be
obtained.
Arrangements have been made for the manu-.
taclure OF paper for the currency and other
Obligations OF tue United States, and for the
printing of the same, which will increase the
security OF the government against unlawful
issues from genuine plates.
The revenue marine system Is an important
and expensive branch of the customs revenue
service. There are 81 vessels belonging to the
department, of which IL are sailing vessels,
and "A are steamers. They vary in size from
40 to As tons One hundred and eventy-three
officers and 2,40O men are required to man
these vessels, and their running expenses
amount about to $SG5,000 year From
one-haf to three-tourths OF all the vessels
now in the service are not adapted to the
business.
The attention of Congress is called to the
lnadoquacy OF the salaries paid to officers in
the Treasury department, who exercise discre-
ton and whose acts bind the government or
affect directly its expenditures or revenues,
and an increase OF their pay is earnestly
recommended
The Secretary also states this increase of pay
should be extended to the revenue officers in
the customs service, such as collectors, survey
ors, naval officers, and especially to appraisers
and examiners In the appraisers department
'lncludmg interests earned and not paid,
and deducting tho cash on hand, the debt OF
the United States on the LIST of March last was
5000, 463, 26O.Ol, and subject TO the same con
dition it was S2,4j3, 559, 735 % on the LIST of
the present month, showing decrease Of ST.
93,52I7S This apparent decrease of the
public debt is less than the actual decrease.
Considerable sums have been paid on war and
other Old CLAIMS not previously asccrtained,
and therefore not included in any debt state
ment. The account of March l. from the
necessity OF the case, included Only the inter-
est accrued and net then payable but as a
matter OF fact there were outstanding and over
due interest coupons and several millions have
since been paid out of the ordinary revenue
Previous to March l, no interest account had
ever been kept with the several loans. Such
measures AS were found practicable have since
been taken to ascertain the exact condition of
these accounts. The bonds issued by the
United States IN aid OF railways, amounting to
$62,b25 800, being in the nature of loan, are
not included in the foregoing statement
During the fiscal year ending June 80, 1869,
there was an excess of receipts over expendi-
lures, ncudidg the Interest on public debt of
Tl9,453, 1916. OF this excess, $l2,992, 300,
as nearly as can now be ascertained, arose pre-
vious to March |, and the remainder $685.
46O,710.43 between that time and the first day
OF July. This excess was applied from time
to time 30 the purchase of 800 bonds, and the
excess OF receipts since July has been uaed in
the same manner. The purchases amounted
in the aggregate, on the 30th day of Novem-
Der, to S75,41o,S00.
'As large part of the excess of receipts
was realized in coin, sales of gold have been
made from time to time, and the proceeds ap
piled to the purchase of bonds. With the ex-
ception OF the sale of moderate amounts of
coin in Chicago, New Orleans, ST. Louis and
Baltimore, for the payment of duties, the sale
81 god, and the purchase of bonds have been
made uniformly through the agency of the
United States Treasures in New York, and
without any expense to the government except
the comparatively small amount paid for nd
Vert'ing The proposals The average premium
On gold sold since March lst has been 81 S 10
per cent, and the average premium paid for
bonds has I7ecn IL 9S loo per cent. Upon this
basis OF the sales OF gold, and the purchase of
bonds, the average prices paid for bonds in
coin has been SS % 100 per cent.
"The act of February -, 352, provided