Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-12-09


coin, such other alterations were adopted by the
Director OF the Mint as the lew permitted, and
as were calculated to aid the community in rea
div discriminating between them.
After the next year begins, the new date
alone will enable the public to distinguish the
new coins; and such notifications only will be
made in the former emblemS as taste and conve-
nience NAV in the opinion Of the Director, and
without an omission of any thing required by
Congress, appear to demand. His reports,
which il is expected vii, soon be received and
presented, will, probably furnish every further
particular connected with the concerns OF Inc
mint that may be interesting. But 1t Is consid-
cred proper to invite the attention OF congress
TO change in the law respecting the organlZa-
ton of the Mint establishment, so as hereafter
TO prevent its operations in refining and coming
for Others from being tax on the treasury,
and any longer swelling the large amount OF
our annual expenditures. This could easily nc
effected by imposing a duty or selgnorage OIL
about one per cent on the prompt coinage OF
silver and one fourth per cent. on that OF gold;
the present coinage Of copper now defraying It's
own expense This would be no more burthen-
some to the persons holding bullion. than the de-
Law now ao ed for the reconage, and which
DELAY Of forty days or half per cent discount II
delivered in five days, and consequent loss of
interest could with such seniora9e, and the ad-
vartages now authorised from the Treasury, be,
without inconvenience. reduced to eight or
ten DAYS. and the whole establishment be thus
sustained by its own earnings, without much. II
anv, increased cost to either individuals or the
public.
But, in such case if the cost should ever be in
creased to individuals, some additional induce
ment will be held out to prevent either the ex.
portation or melting of our coin, which have
been so great hitherto before the late change in
the law, as to have left in deposite and crcnla-
ton in this country an amount of it not exceed
ing that struck in two or three out Of the forty
years during which the Mint has been in opera
tion. The expenses and labOrs of the Mint
euuang, on an average, about 10000 dollars
a year. or 900 dollars in all, excluding build
inps have thus, except for about two years. been
entirely lost to the country.
Ithas been deemed desirable to attempt some
improvements in the Revenue Cutter Service.
With such view. all its regulations have been
revised and republished BY those, it has been
endeavored to promote the cause oftemperance,
and thereby to increase the health and efficiency
Of the crews, and the safety Of the public prope!
ty and the public interests in this branch OF SER
vice by holding out similar inducement to that
now existing in the Navy, to discontinue the use
of spirits on ship-board. Greater security has
been provided for the prompt payment of their
wages. and for official accountability. 1t has
further been deemed eXpedient, not only to stop
any contemplated increase in the Cutters, but
TO reduce the number Of them, and Of the per-
sons employed in this service, as rapidly as the
diminished temptation to smuggling will safely
permit.
By veralresolutiOns appropriations and acts
of Congress- at the last and previous sessions
variety of other sub jects, not yet reported on,
has been confidei to the attention of this Depart
ment such as the erection of a number OF CTS
tom houses, the building of q bridge over the
Potomac river in this District, compromise of
the suits pentng against the firm Of Thomas
II. smith e. Son, an opinion on the validity of
some private land titles in NJ ssouli, report on
certain provisions in the tariff act of July l4th.
1892 some statements as TO the marine hospital
money, a re organization Of Treasury Depart
ment. and a revision Of the subjec of salaries
and fees to custom-house officers.
These have received careful attention. and
will form the subjects of separate reports to Con.
gress early in the present session.
In the report on the last Of them, it is contem-
plated to offer such suggestions, by way of ad-
dition to this communication, as are appropri- |
ately connected with that inquiry, as would
otherwise have been mentioned here in reSpeCt
to some changes deemed suitable in the whole
amount of compensation to various custom !
house officers, and in the number of such off |
GERS, at various ports, and in relation to other |
changes in the system, which the great altera- |
tons in the existing duties seem to indicate as
required by sound economy and the public con-
venence.
few remarks concerning hospital monty
will also be postponed, and annexed to the state |
ments requested in relation to that subject.
In the preparation of new weights and mea-
sures, on the authority given in the act of I'd |
March, 1899 and on the principles set forth in |
report from this department., of June Goth, 1882 |
coupled with the provision on this subject in the
constitution, some progress has been made since
the date that report. But the difficulty in pro-
curing the most suitable materials from abroad
has retarded the completion of the work, and
the present engagements OF the distinguished
gentleman specially employed to superintend
this business, and which engross most of his
time, in survey OF the coast, may, with the cir
cumstance before named, prevent the final ac-
complishment of this desirable object another
year But is hoped that then, either at the arse
nal in this city or at the mint the most natural
and appropriate place, the new weights and
measures will be satisfactorily finished, and
greater uniformity and accuracy attained on
subject in which, both as to revenue and COM
merce, it is much needed, and will prove emf
nently useful to the public.
The survey of the coast before alluded TO- has