The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-09


The accounts OF poslra sers Tor small balances were
found to have remained unsettled for several years and
such The general condition OF the business Of the
office 10 render il doubtful whether the annual ex-
nbils required by law could be made N lime Tor the
meeting Of Congress The newly appointed AUDITOR
W. f. Phillips, ny efficient arrangement and perseverlns
action, has restored order the office and sysem 10 the
business, and placed il in condition 10 adjust and
promptly settle all accounts. HIS report. herewith sub
united, exhibits the conduon IA when ne found me
ofce, and that in which lie has placed H. and ehtiles
him TO credit for The manner IN which he has managed
It's duties.
TIE reports from The First, Second Fourth and Filth
Auditors The Fust and Second Compiroers the Com
missioner OF Customs, The Regises OF the Treasury. The
Solicitor OF tbs Treasury and The Treasurer OF the Uni
ted States herewith submitted. These Offices, ex
cep those Of the First aud Fifth Auditors, were no, so
much in the Third and Sixth Auditors offices;
but greater pompltude and despatch have taken place
most oil them. and il is believed that better rules of action
have been introduced The arrearages can be brough,
cured.
The clerks in all the divisions were classified under the
actof Congress Of last session Tor that purpose the
nations bavng been made required by The act The
proper arrangement Of business in the different Offices
qulres that il shall be classified and allotted 10 certain
number Of clerks and competent clerk placed in charge
OF each class, and made responsible for its prompt des
PATCH and that correct rules OF action shall prev IN dis
charging the duties The head clerks Of these classes
should have better salaries than those under them The
third and fourth classes do mol furnish the requisite
Der OF clerks for this purpose in some OF the Offices and
the salary OF the mrs, class is not sufficient compensa
ton Tor any clerk I'll TO be employed in the department
The act Of Congress requiring clerks to be classified and
examined before appointment seems 10 Indicate an nen-
ton fpocung competent clerks. and that the ten
ure Of office should be more permanent Many OF the
clerks have families and large number do not receive
sufficient compensation for their support and the cost
otvng has greatly increased the attention OF Congress
is called 10 this subject with the recommendation that this
class OF mertorious officers shall be better compen.
stated.
There is no limitation 10 the presentation OF claims
against The United States before the accounting Offices
and claims disaowed, in whole in part presented
,,to ell, al
Statements OF facts There pFccedeDis in the depart
ment allowing these determinations, and large sums
have been paid upon claims previously presented adjud
Gated upon, and dsalowed. There other and, is
believed better presidents The department against these
Ie-examnaons, holding the prior examination and dis
allowance Of ne claim IN whole Or IN part conclusive
abshed by The latter pecedens has been adopted, and
examination is allowed except upon the principle
when the application is made sufficient grounds and
within reasonable time The attention of Congress
respectfully called TO this subject.
An abstract OF the Coast Survey operations under the
superintendent of Professor Bache, also accompanies
this report II will be that The work has made good
progress during the past year The means furnished APP
the superintendent, and 10 have produced ample results
The operations in the field afoa and in The Office,
have extended to all the States and Territories Of our
vast coast the Atlantic the Gulf of Mexico, and
the Pacific On the Atlantic the tfangulalon reaches,
with interval of % miles, from the mouth of the
Ksnnebec river, Maine 10 Boyne sound North Carolina.
1t is commenced in South Carolina, Georgia, and Flor
ida, and extends from Mobile nearly New Orleans, and
from the head of Galveston bay to Malagorda bay,
IN Texas. The other operations follow it closely A
photographic reconnaissance of western has
been made from San Diego to Frazes river, and premi-
nary surveys OF most of the habors with charts OF them
have been published, progress Ii is believed
that the history OF such surveys does present paral
lei q tne pomptness with which the execution and pub
lcdnvh OF The work on that important coast has been
nadr Keeping pace with The deveiopmen Tot commerce,
self without parallel. One hundred and forty three
ups and charts have already been Issued from the Coast
sIrvey office, ncndng sketches Of examinations of dam
the coast where The regular surveys have not yet
cached the localities. The report OF the superniend-
eni for the past year accompanied with fyhve maps
and sketches showing the progress Of the work, and
giving information important 10 vgaiion and commerce
The necessity OF Publishing the numerous observations
accumulated in this work. and upon which the results
founded rs respectfully urged upon Congress Besides
the usual sketches map. ordered By Congress, showing
by colos the progress OF the different parts OF The work
is ready Tor Transmission present period OF prosperity
should be used TO furnish all reasonable resources Tor the
completion Of this great work OF science and utility and.
order to facilitate lis inal complexion recommended
thai the estimate presented by the super nlendent be
granted. The department has derived important assist
from the Coast Survey in the survey rel ng to light
houses and in the location OF surf boats la Tue dsn-
button OF ,hs reports papers &c the superintendent, and
his assistant should be vested with the ranking privilege
report and supplement from the Lighthouse Board
accompanies this report exhibiting It's operations for the
past year That board is charged With The duty OF pro-
vidnx and distributing supplies OF all kinds to the differ
ent ghhouses and light vessels; OF making examlna
tons and instructions; OF submitting estimates OF cost OF
repairs oil Tue duefent loWes buildings, seaWas, and
lghvesses, aud OF raising, cleaning, painting, number
ing and replacing all buoys authorized BY Congress, &c
These duties have been discharged with promputude and
efficiency, and IL is believed with economy. vii! be
seen that there in operation 3i7 lighthouses
81 in the OF construction, and Al author
lied, bu. not yet commenced. There IL light
sells operstion and Ave in the OF construction
The estimate Tor this service for the fiscal year ending
June 30 1884, was Ss9oo33 Az and for the year ending
june 3d. 1858, S9o6,6l ~. These light houses and
ligh-vesses, extending over our Atlantic and Pacific
coasts and lakes. add greatly 10 the security OF
commerce, which, as II augmens, calls for additional
light houses and bghtvesses on our extended coasts,
and consequently for increased expenditure These light
houses and ghvesseIs should be sufficiently
sells requires III but lights should not be multiplied
missad and should always be of the best
and most reliable character for their positions The
science and practical oil the Light house Board
aided by that oil the Coast Survey il is believed, will
guard the department against mistakes in the location
OF the lights the best and permanent light
houses with the proper lights, and conhne the expend
necessary economy.
The abstract accompanying this report shows twenty
three custom houses belonging to the government and
IN me alec fifteen for which appropriations have
been made by Congress, and proceedings taken towards
their construction This abstract exhibits the condition
OF the title and jurisdiction TO each far acquired
the progress made under the appropriations the amount
thereof with estimates oil the that will be required
to complete hose under contrac, and the required
TO proceed with the others The appropriations
sufcient complete these buildings OF the materials and
in the style suitable such structures and therefore adj
donal estimates have been submitted
The construction of these buildings conhded to the
department. and almost everything but the amount OF the
approximation left 10 the discretion OF the Secretary No
had hnan sl.v nj