The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-11

uFt1xntus
and in detail prepared oy Mr. Thomas
w. Walter thu architect Of the extension OF the CAPITOL
and tfe execution Of them was entrusted to hsssrs
Beebe x Co., OF New York When completed t viii pre-
tent the first specimen III constructed entirely OF
iron. and think may add that for conveniencs And
beauty of arrangement II will be without rival The
worn hip Is az the admirable quality and when
we look at 1t s stands aud Reflect that II consists
CT more than ten thousand separate pieces Of an aggre
gate weight Of four and that nc paoned
in Washington and executed IN New York. more than
two hundred miles from the hall In which II was 20 be
placed and when that part oft stosetAer
WIN the precision OF cabinet work. We are at loss
whether TO ascrbe praise the genius
and taste CT the architect and marked out
the degn or 10 the sk and ndety u the soatractsrD
who performed tn. work
The damage outside Of the westsnf front Of
tho Capitol, by the nrs of December, 1851. shch
extensive than at suppos ed has besn re-
paired and the building rendered aud free
from blemish ~ before the acct at occurred.
VICE PRESIDENT cABIspr
Before closing this, my last annual report, fesl in
PEELED by ssnfe Of public ddty to invite your sttsoo
to another subject. to which under different circna
stances, would not have .liuded.
refer the propriety of appropriation BY Consrsi
Of sufficient to erect and furnish suitable housa
for the accommodation Of the Vice President Of tho
United States and the members Of the Cabinet. At the
time government vent into operation and the sala
res Of those officers fixed by law they adequate
for their comfortable support Bat In Of the
great increase Of the supply Of tho precious metals and
the expansion Of the currency the
atlve value Of money has much reduced that six
thousand dollars not worth much than three
thouesnd was ct that time The oost OF house rent pre
visions fuel and indeed Of all the Of life in
Washington has risen such degree to require the
most rigid economy to enable tbs members Of tbs Cabinet
and the Vice President 10 live within their income.
As far my observation hes extended fs~. II any Of
them, have been able to do This evil Is increasing
every year and Measures are not adopted 70 arrest IT,
the day ID not far distant when Of moderate means,
bat In all respects tca to the public In high and
responsible places win be dsterred from accepting them
by the heavy ptcunisry loss to which they must neva
bly, be subjected am far from Wishing sxtrava-
CANT salaries psd 70 public officers; but think the
boyey Is worthy Of his hire AN sure the American
NOT I
Impoverished In their service They willing that they
ihsll receive such compensation - will enable them to
live In style becoming their position without invading
their private Inc high Offices Of the country
should be open the poor we'll to the RICH but the
practical effect OF the present. rate q compensation WIN
be to exclude from the executive councils all who
have not ample independently Of their official
salaries.
After much reflection have come to the conclusion
that the best emedypg the evil will be to erect
suitable houses for Vice PredeDt and the members
OF the cabinet and provide them with the necessary fur
niture fuel and lights There many reasons which
might be urged in favor Of this messuse, but It will an
swer my purpose barely to a'lude TO few Of them.
Upon every change Of In OF the
death resignation Of members OF the cabinet their
often from remote parts OF the country ind
themselves embarrassed In obtaining at IN exor
btsnt price suitable residence for themselves and their
families
They are then compelled to expsnd at least years
salary in furnishing their and
queny obliged to draw upon their private resources for
the means subsstescs Much Of their time and atten
ton is occupied by these domestic which might
be more protably devoted to the public interests At
the Of their terms they forced to dispose OF thsx
household effects at ruinous sscrdse and return y
gracious reflection that while they have devoted theh
time and talents to the public service their country hsA
refused them the means Of support
Il may be raid in reply that there Obligation
any accept these positions and II they DO s0 they
must asas sbs Inc oo sas obason
any one to ept official position. But there Ii .
high moral and patriotic obligation every citizen TO
contribute his service to his country when may be
aured and there Is q reciprocal obligation the eoun-
try to allow him to suffer in his private fortune By
by furpishing the heads OF departments and Vice
President with houses their present salaries will be ads
quate for their support They will be freed from the
car es and cost OF fitting up establishment for mere
temporary and be enabled to devote their whole time
to the duties of their Offices They will be placed In
from the prospect heavy sacrifice by the sale Of their
effects upon the termination Of their official connection
Of being scattered the city will be brought -
each other and to the President and be enabled to con-
fer together without inconvenience And at the close Of
their they will leave the seat OF government WITH
the that IL they have not added to they have
least not been obliged to subtract from their private
resources.
satisfied that could be bought and eight substantial
plain and tasteful houses erected furnished AID ntted
up for occupation for the Of 100000 And rs tbs
approach Of the close OF official term
all supcion of being influenced by personal OF
notice earnestly recommend to your favorable regard
DISTRICT COLUMBIA
invited
ton to the interests OF the District OF Coumbs and ar
deavorcd to explain the peculiar claims which 1t has
the fostering case Of Congress Without repestingh
the subject to your favorable notice and to specify
Of the particular objects in regard to which Iegsso
The introduction Of ample supply Of pure wateroh
the city Of Washington and Georgetown Is Q measured
great public interest At the last session OF Congress
appropriation made TO deay the cost Of the
ny surveys &c TO the bet mode Of
ing this object An officer Of tn engineer corps De-
made in the work but not enough ex
opinion to the plan which should be adopted full
in time for its action during the approaching session.
hope the necessary appropriation will be made to
mense the work withe ut delay Traditional arguments
to those heretofore submitted deemed necessary
might refer to the recent in the library Of
the Capitol emphatic sdmontion OF the urity
Of the public buildings and archives in the absence Of
deem it my dsty, alss to eau your attention to the
urgent necessity which exists for the erection Of suitable
bridges the Potomac to supply the place OF those
which were destroyed BY the floods In the early part Of
the present year.
with the opposite side Of the river has proved
serious evil to the residents Of the district the public
senersy ana duing the winter wnso nav, may
augmented. therefore recommend tnAt appropria-
en be atked for 80 make the necessary surveys snd
pare suitable plans estimates for the construction Of
oBe permanent bridges which may be adapted
not only for the accommodation Of the ordinary travel
and trade but the conve passage
railway trains The rapid extension Of the system Of
throughout the whole country forbds the idea
that the intercourse by mail between the North and the
South should continue longer TO be delayed and inta
rupted 1t has hitherto been particular
the year by the difficulty Of crossing the Potomac
/ The Commissioner OF Public Lands in his report,
suggested the proprety Of grant by Congress Of poi
ton Of the public lands in aid Of public schools inihc
District Of Columbia This proposition commands III
cordial appreciation and would be happy 70
adopted. with amendment extending It's beneftst,
the charitable institutions Of the district The popula
ton Of the district Is composed Of citizens Of every
In the Union This fct creates general interest In its
ospsrity and welfare and know OF disposition Of
portion Of the public domain which would be strictly
IN accordance with the spirit ofthe trusts r-posed in Con
gress. useful In itsef than appropriation Of
enable portion to instruct the ignorant Ysform
vicious, and relieve the distress inhabitants Of the
metropolis Of the nation
In former reports have brought to your notice many
ether subjects which regarded Of public interest
Among thefe the establishment OF Agricultural
and Statistical Bureau; revision OF the laws Resting
the fees OF msrss attorneys and clerks Of the Giro ut
and district Of the United States Increase Of
the salaries Of the judges Of the district courts Of thu
United States. the enargs msnt Of the functions Of the