Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-08-07


S7,046 So
This increase of more than one thousand dollars over
the receipts of the preceding year.
The business of the tobacco inspection has fallen off during
the last year to sos.
The reports of the and inspectors of lumber fuel
&C. furnish the following aggregate quantities OF the various
articles measured and inspected by them during the year
Lumber ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS a, $50, 796 feet.
Wood ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 80, 81 cords.
Coal .......................3,S 500 bushels.
nay ana straw. .....-.....-... -, I44 tons.
Flour ~. $50 barrels
Whlskey, &c. ...................l4, $50 gallons.
proper state, in explanation of the above returns
that great part of the lumber brought TO the city pur
chased from the vessels the previous Port Opposite
suement and Is not inspected and remeasued here al
though the law requires that it should be.
There return of anthracite coal weighed by authorized
weighers the coal merchants dispense with their services
regret TO have to state that the encouraging pros
poets under which the Councils by the ordinance of the 18th
April last authorized the purchase of $780, 900 of the Che
sapeake and Ohio Canal Companys bonds for the purpose
Of assisting in the resumption and completion of that import
ant work, have been overcast by unancpaed difficulties
and it is still uncertain when arrangements will be effected
for raising the requisite funds for the work The affair is
however, in the hands of energetic and influential friends in
the North who hope to succeed long in pecuniary
engagements sufficient for the object.
Congress, at the last session, made appropriation for
completing the paving of Pennsylvania avenue and the work
already not only nearly finished TO its terminus the
Capitol square, but surplus of the appropriation will be left
sufficient is believed make considerable progress in sub
shutting stone pavement for the dapdated gravel centre
strip which lies between 9th and 9th sreets-a change ne
cessay TO give completeness this great thoroughfare
An appropriation also made for rebuilding that portion
of the Potomac bridge destroyed by the great flood Of last
SUMMER but the appropriation has been found by the Com
missioner of the Public Buildings to be insufficient recon-
stuct the bridge upon the plan which he deems safety and
durability TO require The assistance Of the Corporation
necessary therefore, to effect the present completion of the
work without which assistance be suspended until
l..
would keep the bridge in impossible for another year.
This subject however, having been already brought your
notice by special communication from the Commissioner, it
is not necessary to enlarge upon il here.
An application made through the proper committee for
appropriation purchase the toll bridges the Eastern
Branch Of the Potomac, and make them ree and the pro-
prety Of the fully admitted but in considera-
ton Of the pressure of the public exgences many of the
friends of the city both houses advised posponement Of
the subject to the next session. and it accordingly
urged.
The joint committee appointed by the two Boards in con-
junction with the Mayor during the last winter urge upon
Congress the adoption Of the amendments to the city charter
proposed by the Convention Of Delegates March, ls44 IN
discharge Of the duty assigned them appeared several times
before the committee OF the Senate charged with affairs Of
the District and 10 which had been referred bill from the
other House alter and amend the charter Your committee
submitted copy Of the Convention charter together with
statement Of the origin Of the Convention which framed it
the universally of suffrage by which its members elect
ed the formal in which the election held; and
the unanmiy with which the provisions Of the amendatoy
charter agreed upon by that body and recommended
Congress for enactment. In fulfilling this duty, your Com
mttee encountered the opposition of several respectable c
zens, who claiming to represent other citizens appeared also
before the Senaes Committee and urged the passage of the
House bill above alluded in preference the bill
ded by the Convention, which latter they denied the pos
session of the general and appreciation Of citizens
and claimed that appreciation for the other scheme The
suit of these conflicting representations that nothing
conumnated and my object introducing the subject here
is suggest the propey Of submitting the question the
people during the present year, with all the omaes
Of regular elections be provided for by ordinance
and public expense and include all resident citizens
without exception of full age The popular will thus cot
leced would be ndsputab and Congress would not hesitate
to yield TO wishes thus expressed The great importance
the city Of Of the provisions OF the charter recommended
by the Convention induces to suggest which APP
pears the likely the prompt and favorable action
OF Congress on the subject.
One Of the most interesting objects which claims the foster
ing Of the corporate authority free school education
and the why the public schools have found an ear
ier place in this communication is that waited the period OF
their annual examination in order that might speak OF them
from personal observation. That period has passed. and
examination Of then condition and the progress of the pu
pills has been than ordinarily careful and proacted on
the part OF the Trustees and ysei have the pleasure to
state the result this Jny has been entirely atsac
tory, both in regard 10 the proficiency Of the pupils and the
general management and police of the schools showing that the
several teachers have been faithful their trusts. In
respect however the new system does fulfil exl
pectatons The number OF scholars insufficient de-
ay the expense of assistant teachers and popularity
the schools hos much enlarged the number Of free pupils
as To make impossible dispense with the services Of nsss
tan unless the number of children admitted be arbitrarily lin
tied and reduced am led to believe therefore and think
will find from the annual report VI the Trustees about to
be laid before you, that further legislation wanted on
YOU part give these institutions all the efficiency Of which
the, may be rendered capable.
As anticipated in my last annual communication, |
have congratulate YOU that law having been enacted
by Congress establish the Smithsonian Institution structure
designed carry into effect the noble bequest Of Mr. Smthson
has been commenced scale worthy Of the benevolent in
of the founder need not repeat that the erection
Of such edcc and the establishment Of such an institution
midst destined to add largely to the interest the
dignity and the prosperity of the national metropolis
Very respectfully, yours,
... w. w. SEAToN.
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