The first of these amendments would protect the public against the
many abuses and waste of public moneys which creep into appropriation
bills and other important measures passing during the expiring hours of
Congress, to which otherwise due consideration can not be given.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
The receipts of the Government from all sources for the last fiscal
year were $333,738,204, and expenditures on all accounts $290,345,245,
thus showing an excess of receipts over expenditures of $43,392,959.
But it is not probable that this favorable exhibit will be shown for the
present fiscal year. Indeed, it is very doubtful whether, except with
great economy on the part of Congress in making appropriations and the
same economy in administering the various Departments of Government,
the revenues will not fall short of meeting actual expenses, including
interest on the public debt.
I commend to Congress such economy, and point out two sources where it
seems to me it might commence, to wit, in the appropriations for public
buildings in the many cities where work has not yet been commenced; in
the appropriations for river and harbor improvement in those localities
where the improvements are of but little benefit to general commerce,
and for fortifications.
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