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The Lewis County Democrat. ruuusnuD KTEEY WKDKBBDATVORNIHO, BT
C . D . M A H V I L L E & C O ; EDITORS AND PROPRIETORS.
Offioe, 6 6 M a i n - s t r e e t , L o w v i l l e , K . Y
T e r m s o f S u b s c r i p t i o n . T w o Doi.f.Aus a year ifpaid in advance. II
* o t p * i d within the year, FUTTYUKNTB additiona l will be charged.
Poor, disabled soldiers, and deoripid old men, Who cannot afford to aupport a paper in their family, upon leaving their namea at this oflice Will receive an occasional copy gratuitously.
TCerms o f A d v e r t i s i n g . Twelve Iiir.es make a Square, andwherean
4 lvBrtisementi8lessthan a square,it is charged »» one, unless a special agreement Is made in h e contrary.
~ lpau"e."~ 1 w-T^"w.jrinTj'i'ni.[»"ni.l6 m. |1 yr
1 square. | 1 . 6 0 | a . 0 U | 2 ^ f o p | 8 ^ l Q : W j l 6 : 0 1 )
1 squares \ 2.00l3.00|4.50|7.o6|9,UO|12.00ll8UO
t squares | 2.50|4.o"ol6-On|9,00112.(K)|UOO|Sl20U
j column. | 4.O()|6.0O|9.0u|ll00ll4O0|18O0|8ti0l)
4 column. | ».O0|8.0O112OO|lflO0[2OO0|25OOl46O0
J column. |10O0|140l)|18nO|22OO|80lin|5ll00|950b
LiADin SPECIAL NOTIOKS double the above l a t « i . Tranoient advertisers one-third advance 6 f the above .
Noticesinsertcd as N'ews Matter twenty cents U t t l i n e , every subsequent linefifteen cents.
No paper discontinued, exeept at the option of » h . publisher, until all arrearages are paid.
J o b P r i n t i n g . Our facilities for Job Printing are not sur
passed in the oounty. t o this branch of our business we pay particular attention, and be-tere we can give good satisfaction to all who »,Tor us with their patronage.
(Oornelms E. Stephens,
Attorney and Counselor at Law AND NOTABY PUBLIC.
wmumtrntim «s=a •^ii-T'^r —-i fctsaafti mm^m-tam-m
f f l H attend to Proceedings i n Bankruptcy, and other Business in the United Slates Courts.
T R A S T O N E , J - L I C E N S E D A U C T I O N E E R .
Lowville, Lewis Oounty, N. Y. 12
WBNRY~ETTURN EH,
ATTeitNKY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW, Lovtville, Ltwit Onunty, N, Y.
OfBce in the Leonard block. n8
p H A R L E S D . A D A M S ,
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW, Particular attention paid to ooneotions.and
Conveyancing. Office in. the Leonard block, Lowvi l le , K. Y . n l ,
T^DWARD A. BROWN, "
ATTORNEY «fc COUNSELOR AT LAW.
Agent for Pensions, Bounties, &c. Offiecin O'OonnaU'i Block, Lowville,(formerly occupied b y N. B.Sylvester, Esq.)
T-p S.ITEIIKILL,
ATTORNEY* CO UNSELOR AT LA W, a a d 3» l io i to iandCounce l lor in Equity.
Lowville, Lewis County.
Q M I T H <fc C O L L I N S ,
ATTORNEYS <£• COUNSELORS AT LA W. OSce No. 126 Genesee-st., (two doors below
canal and T. 0 . Grannis' bank) UTIOA. Will attend to cases in bankruptcy, and
•ther business of the State and United Stales Courts.
• I * . W. SMITH. , I i 0 - D- «0I,L1NS.
DU. CHARLES W. BUBDICK, Late of Jefferson County, N. Y.,
(where lie has successfully practiced his profession for the past 16 years,) would respectfully announce to the citizens of Lowville and vicinity that he has located at Lowville for the practice ol medicine, and will promptly attend pro-fesslonal calls in town or comity. Office at the • e w Drug Store of C. \V, Burdick & Oo., No. IS State stroet. Residence No. 10 Collins St.
RKFKRKSCKSI Dr. Grafton, Dr. Hannahs, Dr. Spencer, Dr.
Orawe, Dr. Bates, Watertown ; Dr. L. E. Jones Vvans Mills; Dr. Derby, Antwerp,; Dr. Oar-penter, Gouvernour; and numerous patrons in JefTerBOn oounty. " "
C. D. BUD1), M. » . P H Y S I C I A N & S U R G E O N .
PIUMAHKNT BKSinKNOK,
• U T T g t X K r . 3 ? J . "ST.
~~ I I . S I I I I A U B , FAStlONABLE HAIR DRESSER AND
SIIAMPOONER, TTill put rators in order, and keeps the best
«nality ftr sale. Perfumeries of all kinds. Shep in Winchell's block, Lowville, N. Y.
TACKMAN* HOUSET COPENHAGEN, LEWIS OOUNTY N. Y
CHARLES J. CARPENTER, Proprietor. This house has recently been put in good repair »nd the traveling public will find the best o accommodations and conveniences. 3MI
~ H U B B A R D ' S H O T E x i
mVSSIAN SETTLEMENT. CROGHAN.
LEWIS COUNTY, N. Y,
B.R HUBBARD,Proprietor. Tliebesjae.com-modatiom to be found at this hotel for the traveling public—careful attention, good stu-blinjr, &c. Passengers conveyed to mxl from the steamboat landing. Tho best facilities ior hunting and fishing parties c m be found at this house, and excellent guides provided when deiired. « _
"" J A C K M A W f l O U S K , " (Fronting on Court and Arsenal sts.)
WATERTOWN, N. Y. B t a g o leave this House for all parts, daily. j t _ l T BACON & JONES. Proprietors.
^ O R U F P H O U S E , WATERTOWN, N. Y .
0 . C. BURNETT, (formerly of American Hotel) Proprietor, 26-1 y
I i I K B ¥ H O U S E , WM. C. HANCHETT, Proprietor, Court street,
Watertown, N. Y. This houte has undergone thorough refitting and offers the best accommodations for the traveling public. n26
B RANTINGUAM LAKE HOUSE
XT BRANTINGHAM LAKE GREIG, LEWIS OOUNTY.
yt. D. HUBBARD, Proprietor. This is a fine summer resort for pleasuro parties seeking recreation. %W Pleasure boatskept in readiness for use en the lake, and a lino hall tor
dancing parties.
f N S U K A N C E A « E W C * . - O A S f l AS-X sets over TWKNTV-SKVKN MILLION Dollars. iBTNA,n«rtford,incor.l819,asset3.$'1.83:!,M8 HOME New Y o r k . . . . 8,023,896 HARTFORD,Oonn.,incor. 1 8 1 0 . . . . 2.°2fi,220 CONTINENTAL, New York J ' ^ f ' ^ 2 SECURITY, New Y o r k . . . . . . . ; ; . . M " > ? " INS.OO.ofN.AMERlCA,Phila.l79.l 2,101,2fi6 INTERNATIONAL, Now York }>**£'J*° PHIENIX, Brooklvn.N.Y 1,658,5117 MANHATTAN, N'. Y., incor. 1821 I W J B LAMAR, New York 609,068 AGRICULTURAL, Watortown.N.Y. J M / ' ™ RPRIN(iFIRr,[),SpringgeM, Muss.. i80,n (2 ENTERPRISE, Cincinnati, Ohio 1,304,828 TRAVELERS' Life & Ac'dt, Hortford nnn.niin CHARTER OAK LIFE, Hartford.. 4,o(io,no(i
Aggregate assotts $27,472,061 MORRIS CHASE, Agent,
28 Lowville, N. Y.
LEWIS COUNTY DEMOCRAT, aaSEBXSXBB&*Z2&
Operations o f t h o trutf! or o u r m i l i t a r y force o n \i» S e p t e m b o r last w a s 4 8 , 0 0 0 fftwn is c o m p u t e d t h a t b y t l iu 1 H t& J l n e x t tliia nt tmbor will b e awircfti
xdit
N O N O R T H , N O S O U T H , N O E A S T N O W E S T ; B U T T H E U N I O N A N D T H E C O N S T I T U T I O N , N O W A x \ D F O R E V E R ! "
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VOL. XII I . LOWVILLE, K T., W E D N E S D A Y , DEC. 16, 1868. •NO. 19 • W B
I 'RESIDENT'S M E S S i G E .
UECONSTKUCnON A FAILURE.
Fe l low-c i t i zens o f t h e Senate and Hou3e of Representa t ive s : U p o n tho re-assembling o f Oongress ,
it again becomes m y fluty to call your attent ion t o the state o f the U n i o n and to its cont inued disorganized condit ion under the various laws which have been passed upon the subject of reconstruction. I t may be safely assumed as an ax iom in the g o v e r n m e n t o f States, that the greatest w r o n g s inflicted upon a people are caused by unjust and arbitrary legislation,, or by the unrelent ing degrees o f despot ic rulers, and that the t imely revocat ion o f injurious and oppressive measures is the greatest g o o d that can b e conferred u p o n a nation. T h e legislator or ruler w h o has the wis-don and magnanimi ty to retrace his steps w h e n convinced o f error, will, sooner or later, b e rewarded with the respect and grat i tude o f an intel l igent and patriotic people. Our o w n hiHtory, a l though embracing a period less than a century, affords abundant proof that most, if not all, of our domest i c troubles are directly traceable t o violat ions o f the organic law and excess ive legislation. T h e m o s t striking illustrations o f this fact are fijrnished by the enactments of t h e past three years upon t h e question o f reconstruction. After a fair trial t h e y have substantially failed, and proved perni c ious in their results, and there s e e m s to b e n o g o o d reason w h y they should longer remain upon the statute book. States t o which the Const i tut ion guarantees a republican form of g o v e r n m e n t h a v e been reduced t o military dependences in each o f whieh the people have been m a d e subject to the arbitrary will o f the C o m m a n d i n g General . A l t h o u g h the Constitut ion requires that each State shall b e represented in Congress , Virginia, Mississippi and T e x a s are y e t exc luded from the t w o Houses , and con trary t o the express provisions o f thai instrument were denied participation in t h e recent election for a Pres ident and V i c e - P r e s i d e n t o f tho U n i t e d States T h e a t tempt to place the white populat ion under the dominat ions of persons of color in the South has impaired, if not destroyed, the k indly relations that had previous ly exis ted between thevn_ and mutual distrust has engendered a feeli n g o f animosity which, leading in s o m e instances to collision and bloodshed, has prevented the co-operation b e t w e e n the t w o races so essential to the success o f industrial enterprises in the southern States . N o r have the inhabitants o f those States a lone suffered from the disturbed condit ion o f affairs g r o w i n g ou t o f these Congress ional enactments . T h e ent ire U n i o n has been agitated b y g r a v e apprehensions o f troubles, which m i g h t aga in involve the peace o f the nation. I t s interests have been injuriously affected by the derangement of business and labor, and the consequent want o f prosperity throughout that portion o f the country.
T h e Federal Constitution, the magna cluxrta of American rights, Qua« wUooo wi se and salutary provis ions w e have successfully conducted all our domest ic and foreign affairs, sustained ourselves in peace and in war, and become a great nation a m o n g the p o w e r s o f the earth must assuredly b e n o w adequate to the sett lement of quest ions g r o w i n g out o f the civil war w a g e d alono for its vindication.
" J I Y POLICY."
security o f a free State, the right o f the people to keop and bear arms shall not be infringed. I t is bel ieved that the repeal of all sUoh laws would be accepted by the Amer ican people as, at least, a partial return to the fundamental principles of the Government , and an indication that hereafter the Const i tut ion is to bo made the nation's safe and unerring guide . T h e y can be productive o f no permanent benefit to the country, and should not be permitted >to stand as so m a n y m o n u m e n t s o f the deficient w i s d o m which has characterized our recent legislation.
O f * I f y o u r l > m l n e « f t in d u l l . a n d you can sell cheap advertise in the Lewis Conn ly Democrat. Our rfftdors can Jeal best with adrertlwri, as thereby ilifj" know them t»b» it»» jn««bant i .
T h i s great fact is m a d e mos t manifest* b y the condition o f tho country when Congress assembled in the month of December , 18C5. Civil strife had spent its entire force in the southern States , the people had warmed into national life, and throughout the who le country a healthy reaction in public sent iment hail taken place. B y the application o f the simple, yet effective provisions o f the Constitution, the E x e c u t i v e Department with the voluntary aid of the States, had brought the work of restoration as near complet ion as w a s within the scope o f its authority, aud the nation w a s encouraged by the prospect o f an early and satisfactory adjustment of all its difficulties. Congress , however , intervened, and, refusing to perfect the work so nearly consummated , declined to admit members from the unrepresented States, adopted a series of measures which arrested the progress of restoration, frustrated all that had been so successfully accomplished, and after three years o f agitat ion and strife, has left the country farther from the attainment of union and fraternal feeling than at the incept ion o f the Congress ional plan o f reconstruction. It n e e d s n o a r g u m e n t to s h o w that legislation which has produced such baneful consequences should be abrogated, or else be made to conform to the g e n u i n e principles, of republican g o v e r n ment .
TENURE OF Of FICE ACT, AC.
U n d e r the influence of party passion and sectional prejudice, other acts have been passed not warranted by the Constitution. C o n g r e s s has already been m a d e familiar with m y views respect ing the T e n u r e o f Office Bill. Exper i ence has proved that its repeal is demanded by the beat interestsof the country, and that wh i l e i t remains in force, t h e Pres ident ennnot enjoin that rigid accountability o f public officers so essential lo an hon-eBt and efficient execut ion o f the laws. I t s revocation w o u l d enable the E x ecut ive D e p a r t m e n t to exercise the power of appointment and removal in accordance with the original d e s i g n o f the Federal Constitution.
T h e act of March 2d, 1 8 6 7 , m a k i n g appropriations for tho support o f the army, for the year ending J u n e 3 0 , 1808 , and lor other purposes, contains provis ions which interfere with tho P r e s i d e n t s constitutional functions as C o m m a n d e r in-Chief o f the A r m y , and d e n y t h e States of the U n i r n the right to protect themse lves by means o f their o w n militia. T h e s e provis ions should be at once annulled, for whi le the first might , in t imes o f great emergency , seriously embarrass tho Execut ive in efforts to employ and direct the c o m m o n strength o f t h e nation fur its protection and preservation, the other is contrary to iho express declaration, o f the Constitut ion, t h a t , a w e l rpgalatod militia being necessary to the
THE FINANCES.
T h e condit ion o f our finances d e m a n d s the early and earnest consideration of Congress . Compared with t h e g r o w t h of our populat ion, the publio expend i tures h a v e reached an amount unprecedented in our history. T h e population of the U n i t e d Sta les in 1 7 9 0 w a s nearly four mil l ions o f people. Increas ing each decade about 3 3 per cent , , i t reache d in 18C0 thirty-one mill ions, an in crease o f 7 0 0 percent , on the population o f 1 7 9 0 . I n 18G9 it is est imated that it will reach 3 8 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , or an increase o f 8G8 per cent, in 7 9 years, T h e annual expenditures o f the Federa l Government in 1791 w e r e $ 4 , 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 ; in 1820 , $ 1 8 , 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 ; in 1 8 5 0 , $ 4 1 , 0 0 0 , -0 0 0 ; in 1 8 0 0 , $ 0 3 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 ; in 1 8 5 5 , nearly $ 1 , 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , and in 1 8 0 9 it is es t imated b y the Secretary o f t h e Treasury in his last annual report that they will be $ 3 7 2 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 . B y compar ing the public d isbursement of 1859 , as estimated , wi th those of 1 7 9 1 , it will be seen that t h e increase of expendi tures s ince the b e g i n n i n g of the g o v e r n m e n t has been 8 , 0 1 8 per centum, whi le the increase of the population for the same period w a s only 8 0 8 per centum. A g a i n , t h e e x p e n s e s o f the g o v e r n m e n t in I 8 6 0 , the year o f peace immediate ly preceding the war, were on ly $ 6 3 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , whi le in 1 8 6 9 , the year of peace, three years after t h e war, i t is est imated t h e y will b e $ 3 7 2 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , an increase o f 4 8 9 per centum, whi le the increase o f population w a s on ly 2 1 per centum for the same period. T h e s e statistics further s h o w that in 1 7 9 4 , t h e annual national e x p e n s e s compared w i t h t h e population w e r e little more than $ 1 per capita, and in 1 8 6 0 but $2 per capita, whi le in 1 8 6 9 t h e y w i l l r each the extravagant sum of $ 9 . 7 8 per capita. I t will be observed that all o f these s ta tements refer t o aud exh ib t the disbursements o f peace periods. I t m a y therefore be o f interest t o compare the expendi tures o f the three war periods, t h e war wi th Great Britain, tho M e x i c a n war, and the war 'of the rebell ion. In 1 8 1 4 , the annual e x p e n s e s inc ident t o the war o f 1 8 1 2 reached their h i g h e s t amount , about $ 3 1 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , whi l e our population slightly exceeded 8 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 9 , s h o w i n g an expenditure of only $ 3 . 8 0 per capita. In 1857 , the expenditures g r o w i n g out of the w a r w i t h M e x i c o reached $ .55 ,000 ,000 and the population about 2 1 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , g i v i n g only $ 2 . 0 0 per capita for the war e^'oerisoo »><' ihnt yoor. i n 1 0 0 0 , the expenditures called for by the rebellion reached the vast amount of $ 1 , 2 9 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , which compared with a population o f 3 4 , 0 0 0 , -0 0 0 , g i v e s § 3 8 20 per captia.
P r o m the 4 th day o f March, 1 7 8 9 , to the 3 0 t h o f June , 1 8 0 1 , the entire expenditures o f the government were seventeen hundred mil l ions o f dollars. D u ring the period w e were e n g a g e d in wars wi th Great Britain and Mexico , and w e r e involved in hostilities with powerful Indian tribes, Louisiana was purchase d from France a t a cost of fifteen mill ions of dol lars; Florida was ceded to us b y Spain for five mil l ions; California was acquired from Mexico for fifteen mill ions, and the Territory o f N e w Mexico w a s obta ined from T e x a s for the sum o f t e n mill ions. Early in 1 8 6 1 , the war o f the rebellion commenced , and from the first o f Ju ly of that year, to the 3 0 t h of June , 1 8 6 5 . the public expenditures reached the enormous a g g r e g a t e o f thirty-three hundred millions. Three years o f peace have intervened, and, during that t ime, the disbursements o f the G o v e r n m e n t have successively been five hundred and t w e n t y millions, three hundred and forty-six millions, and three hundred and ninety-three millions. A d d i n g to these amounts three hundred and seventy millions estimated as necessary for the fiscal year e n d i n g the 3 0 t h of June , 1 8 0 9 , w e obtain a total expenditure o f s ixteen hundred mill ions o f dollars, dur ing the four years immedia te ly succeed ing tho war, or nearly as m u c h as w a s e x p e n d e d during the s e v e n t y - t w o years that preceded the rebell ion, and embraced the extraordinary expendi tures already named. T h e s e startl ing ftcts clearly elucidate the necess i ty of retrenchment , in all branches o f the public service. A b u s e s which were tolerated during the war for the preservation o f the nation, will not be edured by tho people n o w that profound peace prevails .
REOEU'TS AND EXPENDITURES.
T h e receipts from internal revenues a n d cus toms have , during the past three years gradually diminished, and the cont inuance o f useless and ex travagant e x penditures wil l involve u s in national bankruptcy, or else make inevitable an increase o f taxes—already t o o onerous, and in m a n y respects obnox ious , on account o f their inquisitorial character. O n e hundred mill ions annually are ex pended for the military force, a large portion of which is the execut ion of l a w s both unnecessary andunconst i tut ion-al. O n e hundred and fifty mil l ions are required each year t o pay tho interest on the publio debt. A n army o f tax-gath-eres imporverishes the nation, and publio a g e n t s — p l a c e d by Congress b e y o n d the control o f the E x e c u t i v e — d i v e r t from their l eg i t imate purpose large suras o f the m o n e y which they collect from the people in the n a m e o f the Government . J u dic ious legis lat ion and prudent e c o n o m y can alone remedy defects and avert evi ls which , i f suffered t o exist , c a n n o l fail to diminish confidence in the publio councils and weaken the attachment and respect of tho people towards the i r political inst i tut ions. W i t h o u t proper care, the small balance, which, i t is es t imated, will remain in the Treasury at the close of the present fiscal year, will not b e realized, and additional mil l ions b e a d d e d to a debt wbioh is now enumerated by
billions. I t is s h o w n b y the able and comprehens ive report o f the Secretary o f the Treasury that the reoeipts for the fiscal year e n d i n g J u n e 8 0 . 1 8 6 8 , were $ 4 0 5 , 6 3 8 , 0 8 3 , and that the expendi tures for the same period were $ 3 7 7 , 3 4 0 , 2 8 4 l eav ing in the Treasury a surplus o f $ 2 ' 8 , 2 9 7 , 7 9 8 . I t is es t imated t h « t the receipts during the present fiscal year e n d i n g J u n e 3 0 t h , 1 8 0 9 , wil l be $ 3 4 1 , -3 9 2 . 8 0 9 , and the expendi tures $ 3 3 0 , -1 5 2 , 4 7 0 , s h o w i n g a small balance of $ 5 , 2 4 0 , 3 9 8 in favor o f the Government . F o r the fiscal year e n d i n g J u n e 3 0 t h , 1 8 7 0 , i t is es t imate that the receipts will a m o u n t to $ 3 2 7 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , and v,he expenditures * o $ 3 0 3 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , l eav ing an estimated surplus of $ 2 4 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 .
PUBLIC INDEBTEDNESS.
I t b e c o m e s proper in this connect ion to m a k e a brief reference to our public indebtedness , which has accumnlated With 8UCll a larming rapidity unci nssittned such colossal proportions. l u 1789 , w h e n tho G o v e r n m e n t c o m m e u c e d op-erations under tho Federal Const i tut ion, it w a s burdened with an indebtedness o f $ 7 5 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 created dur ing the war o f the Revo lut ion . T h i s a m o u n t had been reduced to $ 4 4 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 w h e n in 1 8 1 2 war w a s declared against Great Britain. T h e three years' s trugg le that fo l lowed largely increased the national ob l igat ions and in 1 8 1 7 , there had attained the sum o f $ 1 2 7 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 . W i s e and economical legis lat ion, however , enabled tho G o v e r n m e n t t o pay the entire amount within a period o f t w e n t y years, and t h e e x t ingui shment of the national d e b t filled the land w i t h rejoicing, and w a s one of the g r e a t event s o f Pres ident Jacksou's administration. After its redemption, a large fund remained in t h e treasury, w h i c h w a s d e p o s i t e d ' for safe k e e p i n g w i t h several States o n condit ion t h a t i t should b e returned w h e n required b y publio wants . In 1 8 4 9 , the year after the termination o f the e x p e n s i v e war w i t h Mexico , w e found ourselves involved in a debt o f $ 0 4 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , and this w a s the amount o w e d by the Governm e n t in 1 8 6 9 , jus t prior to the outbroke o f the rebell ion. I n the spr ing of 1 8 6 1 , our civil war c o m m e n c e d . E a c h year of its cont inuance m a d e an e n o r m o u s addit ion to the debt, and w h e n in the spr ing o f 1 8 6 5 the nation successfully e m e r g e d from the conflict, the obl igat ion of the G o v e r n m e n t had reached the i m m e n s e sum of $ 2 , 8 7 3 , 0 9 2 , 9 0 9 . T h e Secretary of the Treasury s h o w s that o n the first day o f N o v e m b e r , 1 8 6 7 , this a m o u n t had been reduced t o $ 2 , 4 9 1 , -5 4 0 , 4 5 0 , but at the s a m e t ime his report exhib i t s an increase dur ing the past year o f $ 3 5 , 0 2 5 , 1 0 2 . for the debt on the'first day o f N o v e m b e r last is s tated t o have been $ 2 , 5 2 7 , 1 2 9 , 5 5 2 , I t is es t imated by the Secretary that the return for the past month will add to our liabilities t h e further sum of $ 1 1 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , m a k i n g a total increase d u r i n g thirteen m o n t h s o f $ 4 6 , 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 .
In m y message to Congress o f D e c e m ber 4 , 1 8 0 5 . it was sugges t ed that a polios should be dev ised which wi thout b e i n g oppress ive t o the people, w o u l d at once beg in to affect a reduct ion o f the debt , and i f persisted in, d ischarge i t fully w i th in a definite number o f years . T h e Secretary o f the Treasury forcibly r e c o m m e n d s legislation o f th i s character and just ly u r g e s that the longer it is deterred the m o r e difficult m u s t b e c o m e its accompl i shments . W e should fol low the wise precedents established in 1 7 8 9 and 1 8 1 6 , and wi thout further delay make provisions for the p a y m e n t of our obl igat ions at a s early a period as m a y bo practicable. T h e fruits of their labors should be enjoyed b y our cit izens, rather than used t o build up a n d sustained m o n e y e d monopol ies , in our o w n and other lands, in our foreign debt—already computed by the Secretary of the Treasury at $ 8 5 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 . Cit izens of fore i g n countries rece ive interest upon a large portion o f our securities, and Amer ican tax-payers are m a d e t o contribute large s u m s for their support. T h e idea that such a debt is to become permanent should b e a t all t imes discarded as i n v o l v i n g taxation too h e a v y to be borne, and p a y m e n t in e v e r y s ixteen years , a t l b e present rate o f interest, o f an a m o u n t equal t o the original sum. T h i s vast -debt, i f permitted to become permanent and increasing, must eventually b e gathered into the hands of a l e w and enable them to exert a dangerous and control l ing power in the affairs o f t h e Government . T h e borrowers would b e c o m e servants to the lenders masters o f the people. W e n o w pride ourselves u p o n hav ing g i v e n freedom to four mill ions of the colored race. I t wi l l then b e our s h a m e that forty mil l ions o f people, by their o w n toleration of usupation and profligacy, have suffered themselve-t to b e c o m e enslaved, and merely ex c h a n g e d s lave-owners for n e w task-masters in the shape o f bondholers and tax gatherers. B e s i d e s permanent debts pertain to monarchial g o v e r n m e n t s , and t e n d i n g to monopol ies , perpetuit ies and class legis lat ion, are totally irreconcilable w i t h free institutions. Introduced into our republican sys tem, they would gradually, but surely, s a p i ts foundations, eventfully subvert our governmenta l fabric, and erect upon its ruins a m o n e y e d aristocraey. I t i s our sacred duty to transmit unimpaired to posterity tho b less ings of l iberty w h i c h w e r e bequeathed t o us by our example , teach those w h o are to follow us carefully to a v o i d the dangers which threaten a free and independent people .
RATES OP INTEREST.
Var ious plans h a v e been proposed for the p a y m e n t o f tho publio dobt. H o w ever they may have varied as to the t ime and m o d e iu which it should b e redeemed, there s e e m s to be a general concurrence as t o the propriety and j u s t n e s s o f a reduction in the present rates of interest. T h o Secretary o f the Treasury, in his report, r e c o m m e n d s five per cent . Congress, in a bill passed prior to adjournm e n t o n the 2 7 t h . o f J u l y last, agreed upon four, and four and a half per c e t i t , whi l e b y many, three per cent, has boon held to be an amply sufficient return for the investment . T h o general impress ion as t o Ihe exhorbi tancy o f t h e existing rato of intorest, has led to an inquiry iu the publio m i n d respect ing the consideration wbioh t h e G o v e r n m e n t has actually received for its bonds, and the
conclusion is b e c o m i n g prevalent that the a m o u n t which it obtained was, iu real m o n e y , 3 0 or 4 0 per cent, less than the obl igat ions which it rece ived in return. I t can not b e den ied that wa are p a y i n g an extravagant per centage for the u s e of the m o n e y borrowed, which w a s paper currency, great ly depreciated b e l o w the value o f coin. . T h i s fact is m a d e apparent w h e n w o cons ider that tho bondholders receive from t h e Treas ury upon each dollar they o w n in gove r n m e n t securities s i x per cent, in gold , w h i c h is nearly or quite equal to nine per • cent, in currency; that t h e bonds arc then converted into capital for tho national banks, upon which those institut ions i ssue their circulation, bearing s ix percent , interest, and that they are e x e m p t from taxat ion b y the g o v e r n m e n t and the States , and thereby enhanced t w o per cent, in the hands o f the holders. W e thus h a v e an a g g r e g a t e of s e v e n t e e n pet-taint, which ^figjyjbfl re-o<sived o n each dollar b y t%™ow'nefs o f g o v e r n m e n t securities. A s y s t e m that, produces such results is just ly regarded: as favoring a f e w at the expense of the many, and has led to the further inquiry w h e t h e r our bondholders , in v i e w of the large profits which they have enjoyed, w o u l d themse lves b e averse t o a settlem e n t o f our indebtedness upon a plan w h i e h would y ie ld them a fair remunerat ion, and at the s a m e t ime b e jus t t o the taxpayers o f the nation. Our national credit should b e sacredly observed but in m a k i n g provision for our creditors w e should not forget what is duo to the masses of the people . I t may b e assumed that the holders o f our securities have already rece ived u p o n their b o n d s a larg e r amount than their original investment , measured b y a g o l d standard. U p o n this s ta tement o f facts, i t w o u l d s e e m but jus t and equitable that tho s ix per cent, interest n o w paid b y t h e g o v e r n m e n t should be applied to tho reduction o f the principal in semi-annual instal lments, which, in s ixteen years and e i g h t months would liquidate the entire national debt. S i x per cent, in go ld would at present rates, be equal to nine per oent. in currency, and equivalent to the p a y m e n t o f the debt o n e and a half t imes in a fraction less than seventeen years , T h i s in connect ion with all the other advantages derived from their inves tment , would afford t o t h e public creditors a fair and liberal compensat ion tor the use of their capital, and with this t h e y should b e satisfied. T h e lessons o f the past admonish the lender that i t is no t wel l t o b e over anx ious in e x a c t i n g fromJ,he borrower rigid c o m pliance with the letter of the bond. I f provision b e m a d e for t h e p a y m e n t of the indebtedness of the g o v e r n m e n t in the manner s u g g e s t e d , our nat ion will rapidly recover its w o n t e d prosperity. I t s interests require, that s o m e measure should be taken to release t h e large amount o f capital invested in the securit ies o f the g o v e r n m e n t . I t »» n o i n o w mere ly unproduct ive , but in taxation annual ly c o n s u m e s $ 1 5 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 which w o u l d o therwise be used by our euter-prising people in a d d i n g t o the wealth o f t h e nation. Our commerce , which at o n e t ime successfully riva'ed that o f t h e great marit ime powers , has rapidly d iminished, and our industrial interests are in a depressed and langui sh ing condit ion. T h e d e v e l o p m e n t of our inex-haqstile resources is checked, and tho fertile fields o f the South are b e c o m i n g w a s t e for want o f means to till them. W i t h the release o f capital, n e w life w o u l d b e infused into the paralyzed energ i e s o f our people , and act ivi ty and v ig or imparted to every branch o f our industry. Our people need encouragem e n t in their efforts to recover from the effects o f the rebell ion and o f injudicious legis lat ion, and it should b e the a im o f the G o v e r n m e n t t o stimulate t h e m by the prospect o f an early release from the burdens which impedo their prosperity. I f w e cannot take the burdens from their shoulders, w e should at least manifest a wi l l ingness t o help to bear them.
THE CURRENCY AND ITS LAWS.
I n referring t o the condi t ion o f the circulating m e d i u m , I shall merely reiterate substantially that portion o f m y last annual m e s s a g e w h i c h relates to that subject.
T h e proportion, w h i c h the currency o f any country should bear to t h e who le value o f the annual produce circulated by its means , is a quest ion upon which political economis t s have no t agreed. N o r can it be controlled by legis lat ion, but must b e left to the irrevocable l a w s which e v e r y w h e r e regulate c o m m e r c e and trade. T h e circulating m e d i u m will ever irresistibly f low l o those points w h e r e it is iu t b e greatest d e m a n d . T h e law of d e m a n d and supply is as unerring as that which regulates the t ides o f the ocean, and indeed currency, like the tides, has its ebbs and flows throughout the commercial world. A t the b e g i n n i n g o f the rebellion, the bank note circulat ion o f the country amounted to no t much more than t w o hundred mill ions of dollars. N o w the circulation of N a tional B a n k n o t e s and those k n o w n as legal tenders is nearly s e v e n hundred mill ions. W h i l e i t is urged by s o m e that this amount should be increased, others contend that a dec ided reduction i s absolutely essential t o the best interests of the country. In v i e w of these diverse opinions , i t m a y b e well t o ascertain the real value o f our paper issues w h e n compared with a metall ic or convertible currency. F o r this purpose le t us inquire h o w much go ld and silver could b e purchased b y t h e s e v e n hundred mil l ions o f paper n o w in circulation. Probably not more than haM the amount o f the latter; s h o w i n g that w h e n our paper currency is compared with go ld a n d si lver its commerc ia l va lue i s compressed into three hundred and fifty mill ions. T h i s s tr iking fact m a k e s it the obv ious duty o f the G o v e r n m e n t as early as may be consistent with the principles o f sound political economy, to take such measures as will enable the holder of its notes , and those o f the national banks, t o conver t t h e m w i t h o u t loss into speoie or its equivalent. A reduct ion o f our paper oiroulating m e d i u m n e e d n o t necessarily follow. T h i s , however , w o u l d depend upon tho law of demand and supply, though it should be borne in mind tbat by making legal tender ind
bank n o t e s convert ible in co in or its equivalent , their present specie value in the hands o f their holders w o n l d be e n -chanced one hundred por cent . L e g i s lation for the accompl i shment o f a result so desirable is d e m a n d e d by tbe h ighes t publio considerations. T h e Const i tut ion contemplates that the circulating m e d i u m of t h e country shall be uniform in quality a n d value. A t t h e t i m e o f the formation o f that instrument, the country had jus t e m e r g e d from the war o f tho revolut ion, a n d w a s suffering from t h e effects o f a redundant and worth le s s paper currency. T h e s a g e s of that period w e r e anx ious to protect their poster i ty from the evi ls w h i c h t h e y themse lves had experienced. H e n c e , in prov id ing a circulating mediu m , they conferred upon C o n g r e s s the p o w e r to coin m o n e y and regulate tho value thereof, at t h e s a m e t i m e prohibiti n g t h e States from m a k i n g a n y t h i n g but g o l d and silver a tender in p a y m e n t of debts, _. T h e anomalous condit ion of, our currency is in s tr ik ing contrast wi th that which w a s originally des igned . Our circulation n o w embrdoes—first, notes o f the national banks, w h i c h aro m a d e receivable for all dues t o the g o v ernment , e x c l u d i n g imports , and b y all its creditors, e x c e p t i n g in p a y m e n t o f interest u p o n its b o n d s and t h e securities t h e m s e l v e s ; second , legal tender notes issued by the U n i t e d S lates , and which t h e l a w requires shall bo rece ived as well in p a y m e n t o f all debts b e t w e e n cit izens as of all g o v e r n m e n t dues , e x c e p t i n g imposts ; and third, g o l d and si lver coin. B y the operations o f o u : present sys tem of finance, however , the metallic currency , w h e n col lected, is reserved o n l y for o n e class of g o v e r n m e n t creditors, w h o ho ld ing i ts bonds , semi-annually rece ive their interest in co in from tbe Nat iona l Treasury. T h e r e is no reason w h i c h will b e accepted as satisfactory b y tho people , w b y t h o s e w h o defend us o n the land and protect us on the sea, tho pensioner upon t h e grati tude o l the nation bearing tho scars and w o u n d s received whi le in its service, the publio servants in t h e various depar tments o f the g o v ernment , the farmer w h o supplies the soldiers o f the a r m y and the sailors o f the navy , the artisan w h o toils in the nation's work shops; or the mechanics and laborers w h o build its* edifices and construct its forts and vessels o f war, should in p a y m e n t o f jus t and hard earned dues , receive depreciated paper, whi l e another olass o f their countrymen, n o m o r e d e serving, are paid in co in o f g o l d and sil ver. Equa l a n d exact just ice requires that all t h e creditors o f t h e G o v e r n m e n t should be paid in a currency possess ing a uniform value. T h i s can o n l y b e accompl i shed by the restoration o f the currency t o the standard establ ished b y the constitution, and b y this m e a n s w e w o u l d remove a discrimination w h i c h may, if it has n o t already d o n e so , create a prejudice that may b e c o m e deep-rooted and wide-spread, and impair the national
nvm-V.t- T i m fpiisibility o f mol-t"£j nm-currency correspond with the const i tutional standard m a y b e seen b y reference to a f ew facts der ived from our comrner cial statistics.
T h e a g g r e g a t e product o f precious metals in the U n i t e d States , from 1 8 4 9 t o 1 8 6 7 , a m o u n t e d t o $ 1 , 1 0 4 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , whi l e for the s a m e period the ne t e x ports o f specie were $ 7 4 1 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 T h i s s h o w s an e x c e s s o f product over net exports of $ 4 3 3 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 . T h e r e are in t h e Treasury, $ 1 0 3 , 4 0 7 , 9 8 5 in c o i n ; in circulation in t h e States o n the Pac i fic coast about $ 4 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , and a f e w mill ione in the national and other banks; in all less than $ 1 6 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 . T a k i n g in to cons iderat ion the specie in t h e country prior to 1 8 4 9 , and that produced since 1 8 6 7 , and w e h a v e more than £ 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 n o t accounted for b y exportation or by the returns o f the Treas ury, and therefore mos t probably remaini n g in the country.
T h e s e are important faels, and show h o w complete ly the inferior currency wil l supersede the better, forcing it from circulation a m o n g the masses, and causi n g i t t o be exported as a mere article of trade, t o add t o the m o n e y capital o f foreign lands. T h e y s h o w the necess i ty o f retiring our paper m o n e y , that the return o f g o l d and si lver to the a v e n u e of trade may be invi ted , and a d e m a n d created w h i c h will cause the retention at h o m e o f at least s o much of the product i o n s o f our rich and inexhaust ible gold-bear ing fields as m a y b e sulficient for purposes o f circulation. It is unreasonable to expect a return o f a sound currency s o l o n g a s the G o v e r n m e n t and banks , by cont inu ing to issue irredeemable note- , fill t h e channels o f circulation with depreciated paper.
N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g a _ c o i n a g e b y our mints, s ince 1 8 4 9 , o f e i g h t hundred and seventy-four mil l ions of dollars, the people are n o w strangers t o the currency which w a s d e s i g n e d for their use and benefit, and spec imens o f the precious metals, bear ing t h e national device , are seldom seen, e x c e p t when purchased! to gratify th'e interest exc i t ed b y their n o v elty. I f depreciated paper is t o be Continued as the p e r m a n e n t currency o f the country, and all our coin i s to b e c o m e a mere article o f traffic and speculat ion, to tho e n h a n c e m e n t in price o f all that is indispensible to the comfort o f the people, i t would b e wise e c o n o m y to abolish our mint, thus s a v i n g the nat ion the care and e x p e n s e incident to such establ ishments, and let all our precious metals be exported in bullion.
T h e t i m e has c o m e , h o w e v e r , w h e n tbe G o v e r n m e n t and na t iona l b a n k s s h o u l d b e r e q u i r e d t o tako t h e m o s t efficient s t e p s a n d m a k e all n e c e s s a r y a r r a n g e m e n t s for a r e s u m p t i o n o f pre-cie p a y m e n t s . L e t speoie p a y m e n t s o n c e b e i n a u g u r a t e d b y t h e G o v e r n m e n t an1 , b a n k s , and the v a l u e o f the paper c i rcu la t ion w o u l d d i r e c t l y app r o x i m a t e a s p e o i e s t a n d a r d . S p e c i e p a y m e n t s h a v i n g b e e n r e s u m e d b y t h e G o v e r n m e r ' a n d b a n k s , all n o t e s or bi l l s o f pn| , r i s s u e d b y e i t h e r o f « l e s s d e n o m i n a t i o n than t w e n t y do l lars shou ld by l a w bo e x c l u d e d from c i r c u l a t i o n , s o t h a t the p e o p l e m a y h a v e t h o b e n e fit and c o n v e n i e n c e o f a g o l d a n d silv e r c u r r e n c y , w h i c h in all the ir busin e s s t r a n s a c t i o n s w i l l b o u n i f o r m in va lue a t h o m e and Abroad, E v e r y mnn of p r o p e r t y o r i n d t n t r y , e v e r y man w h o d e s i r e s t o p r e w r v e w h a t h e hori« o s t l y p o s e s s e s , or t o o b t a i n w h i t b
can h o n e s t l y earn , lias a*direct i n t e r e s t in m a i n t a i n i n g a safe c i r c u l a t i n g m e d i u m — s u c h m e d i u m BB shall bo rual and s u b s t a n t i a l , n o t l iable t o v i b r a t e w i t h op in ions , n o t subjac t l o be b l o w n up or b l o w n d o w n b y the breath of s p e c u l a t i o n , b u t t o be m a d e s t a p l e -and s e c u r e . A d i sordered c u r r e n c y is o n e of t h e g r e a t e s t pol ical ev i l s . It under-minoB t h e v i r tues neces sary for t b e s u p port o f tho social s y s t e m , anil encourag e s p r o p e n s i t i e s d e s t r u c t i v e o f i t s hap-pine . - s j i t Wars a g a i n s t i n d u s t r y , frug a l i t y and e o o n o n i y , and it fos ters t h e evi l sp ir i t s of p x i r a v a g n n o j nnd s p e c u l a t i o n . I t has been as ser ted b y o n e of o u r profoundest , a n d m o s t g i l t e d saatas-men t h a t i " O f all other c o n t r i v a n c e s lor c h e a t i n g the l a b o r i n g chiMea of m a n k i n d , n o t h i n g has been d o n e m o r e effectual than t h a t w h i c h d e l u d e s t h e m with p a p e r m o n e y . " T h i s M the m o s t effectual of i n v e n t i o n s t o l'eriiltae t h e r ich m a n ' s fields b y t h e s w e a t o f the p o o r man's b r o w . O r d i n a r y t y a n n i u s '•ear l i g h t l y on the h:ippines« uf the m a s s of t h e c o i n m u n i i y , w m | « i w , l with a fraudulent curri-nuy and the robber ie s c o m m i t t e d b y d e p r e c i a t e d paper . O u r o w n h i s t o r y lias r e c o r d e d , tor our ins t r u c t i o n , e n o u g h and m o r e than e n o u g h ot tho d e m o r a l i z i n g t e n d e n c y , t h e in jus t i ce and t h e to l erab le oppres s i o n on t h e v i r t u o u s and we l l d i s p o n e d , o f a d e g r a d e d p a p e r currency authorized b y l a w or in any w a y c o u n t e n a n c ed b y g o v e r n m e n t . I t is o n e o f the m o s t success fu l d e v i c e s in limed ol p e n c e or w a r ; o f e x p a n s i o n * or revo lution-!, t o a c c o m p l i s h the transfer ol nil t h e p r e c i o u s m e t a l s from tho g r e a t m a s s of t h e peop le i n t o t h e h a n d s of the f e w , w h e r e t h e y are. hoar l e d in s e c r e t p l a c e s or d e p o s i t e d n n d e r b o l t s and bars , w h i l e tho p e o p l e are left to end u r e all t h e i n c o n v e n i e n c e , sacr i f ice and demora l i za t ion r e s u l t i n g from t h e u s e o f d o p i c u i a t e d and w o r t h l e s s paper .
DEPABTIIE.XT REPOUTS.
T h e Secretary o f the Inter ior , in his r e p o r t , g i v e s vnltrihlu in format ion in reference to t h e i n t e r e s t s conf ided to t h e s u p e r v i s i o n o f h is D e p a r t m e n t , and r e v i e w s t h o o p e r a t i o n s o f t h e Land of tice, P e n s i o n office, P a t e n t offiee, and tho Indian B u r e a u . D u r i n g t h e fiscal y e a r e n d i n g J u n e 30 , 1 8 0 8 , 6 , 0 5 5 , 7 0 0 a c r e s o f publ ic land were d i s p o s e d of.
T h e ent i re ci ish rece ip t s o f t h e G e n eral L a n d office for the s a m e period were ^1,032,74-3 , bid ' g g r e a t e r by $ 2 8 4 , 8 9 2 than tho a m o u n t real ized from the s a m e period d u r i n g the p r e v i o u s year . T h e entr ies u n d e r the. h nnestead law c o v e r t w o mi l l i ons t h r e e h u n d r e d and t w e n t y - e i g h t t h o u s a n d n ine h u n dred and t w e n t y - t h r o e a c r e s , n u s ' l y one- fourth o f w h i c h w a s taken under the a c t o f J u n e 2 1 s t , 1 8 0 8 , w h i c h appl ies o n l y t o t h e S t a t e s o l A l a b a m a , Miss i s s ippi , L o u i s i a n a , A i k a n s a s and F l o r i d a .
On the 3 0 t h of J u n e , 1 8 S 8 , cno hun'-dren and s i x t y n i n e thousand s ix hun-divil a im torty-Uiroe nairn'S w o r e on pension rolls , and duriiiiT the y e a r e n d ing oh t h a t d a y , tho total a m o u n t paid for p e n s i o n s , i n c l u d i n g t h e e x p e n s e s o f d i s b u r s e m e n t s , w e e $ 2 4 , 0 1 0 , 9 8 2 , b e i n g § 5 , 3 0 1 , 0 6 5 g r e a t e r than that e x p e n d e d for tho s a m e p u r p o s e d u r i n g t h e pie-c e d i n g y e a r .
D u r i n g the y e a r 6'nding On t h e 30th of S e p t e m b e r lust , the e x p e n s e * of the P a t e n t office cxeeiU'd t h e rece ip t s b y f l . 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 , and inc luding r e i s s u e s and d e s i g n s , fourteen tl ousat id, o n e hund r e d and fifty-three p a t e n t s w e r e issue.! .
ISDIAN AFFAtns.
T r . at ies w i t h v n r i o m Indian t r ibes h i v e been c o n c l u d e d , and will bo s u b m i t t e d to t h e S e n a t e for i t s cons iderat ion and a c t i o n . 1 cord ia l ly sanc t ion the s t ipu la t ion w h i c h p r o v i d e s for res e r v i n g l a n d s for t h o v a r i o u s t r ibes , w h e r e t h e y m a y b e e n c o u r a g e d t o a b a n d o n the ir n o m a d i c hab i t s , and eng a g e in agr icu l tura l and industr ia l purs u i t s . T h e p o l i c y , I n a u g u r a t e d m a n y y e a r s s ince , has m e t w i t h s igna l s u c cess , w h e n e v e r i t has been p u r s u e d in g o o d faith and w i t h b e c o m i n g liberali t y by the U n i t e d S ta te s . T h e n e c e s s i ty for e x t e n d i n g it as far a s practicable in our r e l a t i o n s w i t h t h e abor ig ina l populat ion is g r e a t e r n o w than at any p r e c e d i n g p e r i o d . W h i l s t w e furnish s u b s i s t e n c e and ins t ruc t ion t o t h e Indians , and g u a r a n t e e t h e u n d i s t u r b e d e n j o y m e n t o f t h e i r trca'ty r i g h t s , w e s h o u l d hab i tua l ly rn*?st t'i'p'on lh6'fai thful obscrvai ico of the ir a g r e e m e n t t o remain wi th in the ir respect ive reservat ions . Thi s is tho on ly m o d e b y w h i c h co l l i s ions wi th other t i i b o s and w i t h tho w h i l e s can bo a v o i d e d , and the s a f e t y o f our frontier s e t t l e m e n t s secured.
TI1K NATIO'NAT, ftlomYAY.
T h o c o m p a n i e s c o n s t r u c t i n g t h e railw a y from O m a h a to S a c r a m e n t o , hnvo been m o s t e n e r g e t i c a l l y e n g a g e d in p r o s e c u t i n g the w o r k , and ft i s be l i eved t h a t the lino will be c o m p l e t e d before t h e e x p i r a t i o n o f tho n e x t fiscal year . T h e s i s per cent , b o n d s i s sued to these cornftnnU'S n i n n u n ' e d , on t h e fifth inst . , t o $ 4 4 , 8 3 7 , 0 0 0 , and addi t ional w o r k lmd b e e n performed, t o t h e e x t e n t o f fc3,2'00,000. T h e S e c r e t a r y of t h e I n t e r i o r , in A u g u s t l a s t , i n v i t e d m y a t t e n t i o n t o tho r e p o r t o f a g o v e r n m e n t d i r e c t o r o f t l .o U n i o n Pacif ic Rai l road C o m p a n y , w h o had boon spec ia l ly i n s t r u c t e d t o e x a m i n e tho locat ion , cons truct ion and e q u i p m e n t o f the ir road . I submi t t ed , tor tho opinion o f the A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l , certa in ques t ions in r e g a r d t o t h e author i ty o f tho E x e c u t i v e , w h i c h a r o s e u p o n "this r e p o r t and t h o s e w h i c h had from t i m e t o t i m e b e e n p r e s e n t e d b y t h o c o m m i s s i o n e r s a p p o i n t e d t o i n s p e c t each sue-cess lvn session o f t h e w o r k . A f t e r carefu l ly c o n s i d e r i n g t h e law o f t h e oase , ho affirmed the r i g h t Of t h e E x e c u t i v e to o r d e r , i f n e c e s s a r y , a t h o r o u g h rev i s ion o f t h o en t i re road . C o m m i s s ioners w o r e t h e r e u p o n a p p o i n t e d . t o e x a m i n o t h i s nnd other l i n e s , nm? h a v e recontly s u b m i t t e d a s t a t e m e n t o f the ir i n v e s t i g a t i o n s o f w h i c h t h e r e p o r t o f t h o S e c r e t a r y o f the Interior furn i shes speaif io in format ion .
TUB ARMT. ,
T h e report o f t h e S e o r o t a r y o f W a r c o n t a i n s Informat ion of intermit uud lmfjortnnoe r e s p o q t l n g -(.he f a v u r a l b n . m u » <6f t h e W a r D e p i r t m e t i t and t b e
4 8 , 0 0 0 ^ f l t is the o p i n i o n o f t b * l t a r y o f w s r t h a t w i t h i n t h e n« idN»»M a c o n s i d e r a b l e d i m i n u t i o n o f t b e infantry force may b e i n n d e w i t h o u t de tr i m e n t to the" interes t s o f t h o c o u n t r y a n d in v i e w of t h e g r e a t e t p e n a e a a t t e n d i n g t b e m i l i t a r y p e a o « e s t a b l i s h ment and t h e a b s o l u t e n e c e s s i t y o f r«. t r e n c h m e n t w h e r e v e r i t c a n b o a p p l i e d , i t is h o p e d t h a t C o n g r e s s wi l l Banotionl t h e r e d u c t i o n w h i c h his r e p o r t r e c o m m e n d s . W h i l a in 1 8 8 0 W , 8 0 Q m e n o o s t the n a t i o n $lf l ,472,OOQ; t h e tttm o f $ 6 6 , 0 8 2 , 0 0 0 i s e x l i m a t e d M o e o w s a -ry for t h e s u p p o r t o f t h < w r m y - , d u r j n g the fiscal y e a r ending; J u n o 8 0 , )Ql0i T h e e s t i m a t e s o f t h e W a r D e p a r t m e n t for t h e t w o fiUcal yoara w e r e — f o r I |j(W, ^ 3 3 , 8 1 4 , 4 6 1 , and for 1 3 6 8 , #95,9O&,00O; T h e actual e x p e n d i t u r e s d i n i n g , the s a m e per iod* w e r e , r e s p e c t i v e l y , ( 9 5 t -22.4 ,415 and $ 1 5 3 , 2 4 6 , 0 4 8 . T.ho e e i i ' m a t e s u b m i t t e d i n D e c e m b e r l a s t f o * t h o fiscal y e a r e n d i n g J u n o J u n o 1 0 , 1 9 6 0 , was * 7 7 , l i i 4 , 7 0 7 . T h e ©xpaodU l u r e s for the f l ist q u a r t e r , e n d i n g 8Qlh o f S e p t e m b e r I U M , w e r e t 2 , 7 , ? > 9 , l l t •» nnd the S e c r e t a r y o f the T r e a s u r y giyoB* 1 6 6 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 a s t h e a m o u n t w h i c h wj l l probab ly be requ ired d u r i n g t h o re , manning, three-quarters , i f t h e r e a b o u l d b V i i o - reduct ion o f the a r m y , m a k i n g i t s rtggreguo c o s t for t h e visar conaja-' erstbly in e x c e s s — $ 0 3 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 . T h e dif ference b e t w e e n t h e esliuvaic-s a n d e x p e n d i t u r e s far the' throe fiscal years* w h i c h h a v e boon n a m e d , i s t h u s s h o w * t o b e $ 1 7 5 , 5 4 5 , 3 4 8 fer-4liw s i n g l e b r a n c h of tho p u b l i c s e r v i c e .
THE NA.VT. .'
T h e report o f t h e S e c r e t a r y o f t h e N a v y e x h i b i t s t h e o p e r a t i o n s o f - t h u t d e p a r t m e n t and of t h o n a v y duri irg t h e year . C o n s i d e r a b l e r e d u c t i o n o f t h » force has been ef fected. T h e r e are fort y - t w o v e s s e l s c a r r y i n g four h u n d r e d a n d e l even g u n s in tho s i x s q u a d r o n s which are e s t a b l i s h e d in different parte o f tho w o r l d . T l u v ? o f th'ese v e s s e l * are re turn ing t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , n n d four are used for utore s h i p s , l e a v i n g t h e actual c r u i s i n g force t h i r t y fivo v e s s e l s , c a r r y i n g t i m e hundroi t and fifty-s i x g u n s . Tlid to ia l nttmbor d( vcsftel* in t h e navy is t w o h u n d r e d and nt, m o u n t i n g s e v e n t e e n h u n d r e d and th ir t y - s i x g u n s . E i g h t y - > n u vessel.s of ev ery descr ip t ion are in the and Hi'ined w i t h s i x h u n d r e d a n d t h i r t y s i x gmiP; T h e n u m b e r of enl i s ted m e n in tho serv i ce , i n c l u d i n g a p p r e n t i c e s , h a s b e e n reduced t o 8 , 5 0 0 . An i n c r e a s e o f nav y yard facilities i* r e c o m m e n d e d «f» a measure which wil l , in tl iu e v e n t o t war, b e p r o m o t i v e of e c o n o m y and se c u r i t y . A m o i e t h o r o u g h and s y s t e m * a l io s u r v e y o f the N o r t h Pncif io o c e a n is n d \ i ? e d , in v i e w of o u r r e c e n t acqui s i t ions , our (.•xpanditig c o m m e r c e and tho i n c r e a s i n g i n t e r c o u r s e b e t w e e n t h e Paci f ic State* .
T h e naval pon>ion fund, w h i c h c o n s i s t s of a n i o i t y ol tho p r o c e e d s ' o t p r i z e s , c a p t u r e d d u r i n g the wai1, a m o u n t s t o 8 1 4 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 . E x c e p t i o n is tjiken t o t h o net o f tho 2 8 d of J u l y last, which reduced the i n t e r e s t on t h e fund l o a n e d t o the g o v e r n m e n t b y t h e Secre tary as t r u s t e e s to 3 p e r cent . , ins t e a d o f 0 pfer cent . , w h i c h w a s or ig i -na l ly s t i p u l a t e d , w h e n the i n v e s t m e n t w a s made . A n a m e n d m e n t o f t h e pens i o n l a w s is s u g g e s t e d to r e m e d y o m i s s i o n s and pffrcts in e x i s t i n g enaclin>ii)ts. T h e e x p e n d i t u r e s of* t h o d e p a r t m e n t , d u r i n g t h e la s t fiscal y e a r , w e r e $ 2 0 , - ' 1 2 0 , 3 9 1 , ami vhu e s t i m a t e s tor tho c o m i n g year a m o u n t t o $ 2 0 , 9 9 3 , 4 1 1 .
POST OFFICE AFFAIB9.
T h o P o s t m a s t e r G e n e r a l ' s r e p o r l furnishes a full and c lear e x h i b i t o f t h e oporat ion and c o n d i t i o n o f t h o p o s t n l s e r v i c e . T h o ordinary pos ta l r e v e n u e e n d i n g J u n e 3 0 , 1868 , w a s 1 1 6 , 2 9 2 , 6 0 0 , and the total e x p e n d i t u r e * , e m b r a c i n g all tho serv ice for w h i c h spec ia l a p p r o pr ia t ions have b e e n m a d e b y C o n g r e s s , a m o u n t e d to $ 2 2 7 , 7 3 0 , 5 9 2 , s h o w i n g an e x c e s s o f e x p e n d i t u r e s o f $ 6 , 4 3 7 , 0 * 1 . D e d u c t i n g from' t h o e x p e n d i t u r e s t h e s u m of $ 1 , 8 9 6 , 6 2 5 , t h o a m o u n t o f ap-1
propr ia t ions for o c e a u s t e a m s h i p s a n d o ther specia l serv ice , t h e e x c e s s uf e x p e n d i t u r e s w a s §4 ,541 ,5 f f0 , B y u s i n g an u n e x p e n d e d b a l a n c e in the T/ieasitrV of § 3 , 8 0 0 , 0 0 0 , the actual s u m for w h i c h a special apropr ia t ion i s required t o m o o t t h e deficiency, is 8 7 4 1 , 4 0 « . T h e c a u s e s w h i c h p r o d u c e d t h i s l a r g e e x c e s s of e x p e n d i t u r e over r e v e n u e , w e r e t h e res torat ion o f s e r v i c e in tho lato ins u r g e n t S t a t e s , and t h e p u t t i n g i n t o t h e o p e r a t i o n of n e w s e r v i c e , e s t a b l i s h e d b y ac t s o f Congres-s , w h i c h a m o u n t e d , w i th in t h e las t t w o y e a r s nnd a half, t o about. 4 8 , 7 0 9 m i l e s — e q u a l t o m o r e t h a n one-third of the w h o l e a m o u n t o f t h o s e r v i c e at tho c l o s e o f t h e w a r .
N o w posta l c o n v e n t i o n s w i t h G r e a t B r i t a i n , F o r t h G e i m a n y , B e l g i u m , t h e N e t h e r l a n d s , S w i t z e r l a n d a n d I ta ly res p e c t i v e l y h a v e been c a r r i e d i n t o effect t inder t h e prov i s ions . I m p o r t a n t i m p r o v e m e n t s h a v e r e s u l t e d in r e d u c e d rates of in ternat iona l p o s t a g e , a n d e n l a r g e d mai l faci l i t ies w i t h E u r o p e a n countr ies . T h e c o s t o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s t r a n s At lant io O c e a n mai l ser -vice.simae J a n u a r y 1st , 1 8 6 8 , h a s b e e n l arge ly l e s s e n e d u n d e r t h e o p e r a t i o n s o f t h e s e n e w c o n v e n t i o n s , a r e d u c t i o n o f o v e r one-ha l f h a v i n g been ef fected under the n e w a r r a n g e m e n t s for o c e a n mail s t e a m s h i p service, ' w h i c h w e n t i n t o effect on t h a t d a t e . T h o a t t e n t i o n o f C o n g r e s s is i n v i t e d t o t h e pract ica l s u g g e s t i o n s and r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s m a d e in h i s report b y t h o P o s t m a s t e r G e n e r a l .
FOREIGN- RKtATIONS.
N o i m p o r t a n t q u e s t i o n h a s o c c u r r e d d u r i n g the last year in o u r a c c u s t o m e d cordial and fr iendly i n t e r c o u r s e with C o s t a R i c a , G n a t a m a l a , H o n d u r a s , 8 a n S a l v a d o r , F r a n c o , A u s t r i a , B e l g i u m , S w i t z e r l a n d , P o r t u g a l , t h e "Netherlands , D e n m a r k , S w e f d e n , N o r w a y , f i o m e , Greece , T u r k e y , P e r s i a , E g y p t , S iber ia , M o r o c c o , Tr ipo l i , T u n i s , M u s c a t , S i a m , B o r n e o , and M a d a g a s c a r . C o r d i a l rela t ions h a v e a l so b e e n m a i n t a i n e d w i t h the A r g e n t i n e and Orienta l R e p u b l ics .
FAnAGUAYAN AND BRAZILIAN AFTAIIW.
T h e e x p r e s s e d wi sh o f C o n g r e s s t h a t our nat iona l g o o d offices m i g h t bo tori... derod t o t h o s e R e p u b l i c s , and a l so id ' Brazi l and P a r a g u a y , for b r i n g i n g t o an e n d t h e c a l a m i t o u s w a r w h i c h Ira* s o I o n ? been r a g i n g in t h e val'le^ o f t h e •La P l a t a , h?<« b e e n ass idivonJly c o m p l i ed w i t h and k i n d l y a c k n o w l e d g e d b y nil tho b e l i g c r o n l s . T h a t i m p o r t a n t n e g o t i a t i o n , h o w e v e r , h a s t h u s far b e e n • w i t h o u t r e s u l t . Char le s A . W a s h , b u r n e , late U n i t e d S t a t e e Minister t o P a r a g u a y , h a v i n g roKigned, and b e i n g d e s i r o u s t o return t o tho U n i t e d S t o l e n , t h e I ioar A d m i r a l c o m m a n d i n g t h e Sout l i • A t l a n t i c S q e a d r o n , w a s ear ly d i -.Taoted t o s e n d a sh ip o f -wnr t o A s u n c i o n , t h e o a p i t a l o f P a r a g u a y , t o r e c e i v e
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