The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-04

like these spirit OF phosophc inquiry may be stimua
tel and great impulse given o to .Ge interests n q agea
the agency OF the Patent Office but the subject is 100
important 10 be lefs in this dependant condition The
last annual report from the department recommended the
bshment of an agricultural bureau, afford to this
great branch OF American industry the encouragement
which il so well deserves This novel suggestion
had the sanction OF Washington, wbo in his last annual
message, referring the propriey OF creating agricul.
urai board said :. This species Of establishment con
tributes donby to the increase OF improvement by stmu
ating to enterprise and experiment, and by drawing TO
common centre the results, everywhere, of individual
skill and observation, and spreading them thence over the
whole nation. Experience accordingly has shown that
they are very cheap instruments oil immense national
benefit" Ai@a z. .A91 XXI
therefore renew the recommendation OF my prede-
Tor the establishment oi separate bureau TO be
ntrused with the duty OF pomoiag the agricultural IN
elests of the country The vasVktent and rapid deve
opmen of The mineral resources OF the country 10
law for the collection and analysis Of The various mineral
substances which have been may be discovered,
that their properties may be understood and their value
correctly appreciated
The purchase OF farm in the vicinity OF the national
metropolis to be titled and managed under the direction
Of the bureau has been suggested important aux
ary IN illustrating the best modes oil culture Ii this
idea should be iavoraby received, would respectfully
add that Mount Vernon, whose soil was TILED by
the hands and is now consecrated by the dust OF the
Father Of his Country should properly belong TO the
ton, and might with great ropriety become, under its
auspices, model farm illustrate the progress OF that
pursuit 10 which he was SO much devoted,
CENSUS.
Shortly after the passage OF the act OF the 23l OF May
1885, for taking the seventh census, and for other pur
poses, superintendent was appointed, and the other
measures deemed necessary to secure the prompt and
faithful performance OF that duty adopted. The returns
which are coming in daily from all parts OF the
Union give gratifying assurances that the census will be
completed within the time limited by law, and in a man
ner highly credilabe to all who have been engaged in
it. In some few instances delays may occur in conse
quence Of casualties which could not have been avoided
and in one or two OF the most remote Territories in the
The OF valuable statistical information collect.
ed and imbodied in these returns will far exceed any
thing Of the kind known in our past history; and i Is
therefore mpotunt that provision should be made nj
early day for printing such abstracts may be deemed of
practical utility, in style and form worthy Of the sub
Iect and OF the country
The report of the superintendent will show that addi-
tona legislation may be necessary to do full justice 10
the marshas OF some Of the more remote and sparsely
populated sections OF the country
MEXICAN BOUNDARY SURVEY.
My predecessor reported to the President on the 18th
Of May last in answer 10 call from the Senate for in
formation relative the progress OF this survey that the
initial point the Pacific, and the point Of junction Of
and fixed that the intervening line OF boundary had
been and marked and temporary erected
thereon for distance OF about thirty miles and that the
operations OF the joint commission had been suspended
about the st of February last by adjournment 10 the
first Monday in November uimo. The temporary mon
umen,s alluded to are now being replaced BY permanent
ones and the joint commission (tha on the part OF the
United States having been recognized prior to my taking
charge of the departmen have doubtless assembled at
FL Paso according 10 the terms of their adjournment for
the purpose Of running and marking the line thence
westward 10 the river ella.
II is the determination Of the department that this work
despatch. that, if possible, the expectations Of Con-
gress indicated in the appropriation act o 18th May
last. may be realized.
| PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
My predecessor, his report which accompanied the
annual message Of the late President to Congress-, took
occasion invite attention to the condition OF the public
buildings. and to show the tendency OF the Capitol Pat
ent Office, and the Treasury Building to dapldaton,
from the pershabe OF the material OF which they
are constructed Personal observation has satisfied me
that his fears that subject are well founded Ex.
perence has demonstrated that the sandstone OF which
they are built when left unprotected from the action Of
the atmosphere, rapidly disintegrafes
The only temporary preventive which has yet been dis
and aes
oi water This expedent has been found to be attended
with partial in the preservation Of the Capitol and
Presidents House. would respectfully recommend,
therefore, that an appropriation be made OF amount
sufficient deray the cost of coating the Treasury Build
ing thoroughly with paint But at the same time II should
be left discretionary to adopt auy improved method oil
etfecting the same end. H
In regard 10 the Patent Office, the wings to be
of white marble and the ends now protected by being
Joined 10 the wings, leaving only the front and rear
posed 10 cay and merely dsntegraiion but ac
tua diapdaton has already commenced, would recon-
mend that the entire exterior facing OF the front be re-.
moved, and its place supplied by veneerng Of white
marble OF the quality as that used in the consrac-
| ton OF the wings The whole building would then
present uniform appearance and be rendered compara
lively ndesuctibe by atmospheric agency. Practical
workmen have expressed the opinion that can be done
a small when compared with its beneficial results,
and without in any degree endangerng the security and
stability OF the walls But should any doubt be enter
tanned on the subject scientific engineers might be con-
suited, and taken to ascertain the actual cost In
time for legislative action before the close OF the ap
preaching session of Congress. Ii the result should be
favorable il would then be time 10 inquire how far the
same system should be pursued reference to the Treas
uty building The extent OF the coonnade IN front OF
that building, however, gives reason TO doubt whether
the same system be readily adopted in regard TO IT,
The only expeden, that left therefore, for the preser
In this connexon, beg leave TO urge the proprety oil
completing with little delay practicable, both wings
OF the Patent Office Until this be done the large sums
already expended will be OF no practical use, and the edit
4 fee will present a mutilated appearance
But there are other considerations OF the most urgent
character which call for their mpeon AT present the
officers attached to the Department OF the Interior
are scattered through different buildings widely sepa
rated from each other, four OF which owned by pri.
yate individuals Three OF these not only unsuited
in their interior arrangements for the purposes Tor which
they are used but OF combustbe materials and
tiguous private dwellings The officers are therefore
subjected to great Inconvenience in communicating with
the head OF the department. and the public archives are
in constant danger from ire
The rent now paid for rooms aIording this imperfect
and insecure accommodation exceeds ss 900 per annum
But the in the War Department occupied by the
Indian bureau needed for the purposes OF that depart
ment and those in the Treasury building occupied o the
General Land Office required BY the Secretary Oh me
Treasury and notice 10 that effect mas been gwen 10 'hs
department
4 III addon.l Yoopos are rented 10 be used instead OF