Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-17

That freedom Of intercourse which is essentially necesss
fy to the proper discharge Of the duties incumbent on
each cannot exist Questions Of moment constantly
arising that might be considered and decided promptly
and without consuming much time If the head OF the
and the chief of the bureau having charge OF
the matter could readily and conveniently consult toge
her This however is not the most serious oectlon 10
the present position of these bureaus.
The Indian office is in the War Department ana occu-
pies which not freproo They are also need
ed and have been demanded by that Department, and
should be surrendered The General Land Office remains
in the Treasury building notwithstanding the Secretary
OF the Treasury requires the and has made press
ing application for them These too small and
too limited in namber The Commissioner has been com
PEELED IN several instances crowd eight nine CLERKS
besides the desks, papercases and ordinary furniture
into single room where than two clerks cannot
conveniently be accommodated In consequence OF this
and the want Of proper ventilation the health of the
clerks is impaired and their ability to labor much dmin
shed The files aad papers have increased rapidly
that for want Of space, many of valuable papers
placed in the passages where there is that
rity from fire which y requisite.
The Pension Office is in better situation but it occu-
pies nconyenent and uncomfortable Quarters belonging
to the War Department..
The Indian and Land Bureaus must be removed and
the only question appears to be whether tho wing
of the Patent Office badfng shall be fitted up for the
temporary accommodation these bureaus they be
placed in rented buildings freproo thus exposing
imminent peril papers of immense value to the General
Government the States and private individuals. This
building may be so hnSceV within year: and until
suitable structure be erected for this Department it
will rot be required by the Patent Office. Some oppo-
sition has been made heretofore to somewhat sini
lar proposition; but this, il s presumed based
the supposion that the of the entire
ture had been betrayed out of the patent fund.
The amount thus far expended and appropriated is
sieeT,7eo' of which ST. 0ss,75o has been paid oat Of
the treasury, and only S3ls out Of patent fund
Such being the fact there is why portion of
it should not be temporarily used, proposed, until
needed by the Patent Office II this should even
what incommode that Office, it would be of small moment
IN comparison with the evils that might result from with
holding the of it from the bureaus Skilful artisans
are OF opinion that the necessary improvements be
easily made without interfering with or inurng the orr
ginal design Unless, therefore, Congress- by express
enactment, otherwise determines, intend to direct the
completion Of the west wing to accommodate these
bureaus and secure the public archives. -
Within few years the Patent Office wiFheed the main
building and the two wings for its exclusive la the
time structure should be erected for this Depart
ment and as it much time to complete such
building sound policy should induce its Immediate COM
mencement One sufficiently large and commodious and
entirely separated from the other Departments be
constructed in plain substantial for 900,
and in the most approved STYLE with all the modern i'm
provements for less than half million. Surely at this
time, there can be more proper profitable applca
ton of the public money The considerations urging it
strong and apparent and it to me, cannot fail
to convince every who reflects upon the subject OF its
absolute necessity.
Applications made at almost every session Of Con-
gress for repairing the bridges crossing the Potomac from
Washington city. Although in the aggregate large
amount has been expended them, they in most
unsafe and insecure condition Permanent and substan-
ta structures required and ought to be erected In
the end it will prove saving to the Government and IN
the time conduce greatly to its interests and the
benefits of all who in any wise connected with this
District
The plan adopted for improving and ornamenting the
public grounds should be vigorously prosecuted IL will
conduce to the health well greatly add to the beauty
Of the city.
These and other improvements that might be suggest
ed are required They not merely for the use and
benefit of the people of the District but minister to the
pleasure comfort and health Of every who visits it.
This is the Metropolis of the Union and the pride and
ambition Of its Representatives should induce them TO
make worthy of great nation In regard to all such
objects liberal policy should be pursued; at least all
improvements should be made which the public service
imperatively demands.
The supervisory power possessed by this Department
the of the marshals clerks and other Off
Of the courts of the United States should be transfer
red to and be exercised by the Attorney General 1t is
Of the same character of the powers already entrusted to
him, and seems appropriately to appertan to his office
The commissions of officers connected with this Depart
issued by the State and Treasury Departments
The laws should be modified authorize the Secre
Of the Interior 10 make cut and seal the commissions,
to be signed by the President of all officers under the
control of this Department 1t is proper in ITSELF would
be far convenient and obvae delays necessarily in
cdent TO the issuing Of such commissions by the other
Departments.
In of Congress approved 3lst August 1852 pro-
vision made enable the Secretary of the Interior,
under the direction Of the President purchase site in
the neghbohood Of Washington for the erection furnish
ing and fitting Of asylum for the insane of the Dis
trc Of Columbia and of the army and navy of the Unit
ed States The site purchased and the plan Of the
building adopted prior my taking charge of the Depart
ment Owing to the difficulty Of obtaining suitable me-
chancs and materials the work has not progressed rapid
~. 1t is hoped, however, that the Building will be
peted and prepared FOX the reception Of patients by the
lst Of August Thus far the work has been well and
faithfully executed.
Accompanying this report is general exhibit Of the
estimates OF the appropriations required for the service Of
this Department for the next fiscal year
would respectfully suggest the e1pediency Of revi
sion Of the salaries Of the judges of the district Of
the United States, which unequal and in
cases wholly inadequate the amount and importance Of
the duties to be performed and the professional know
ledge and ability required.
have the honor be, with great respect your obedi
ent servant,
L. McCLELLAND, Secretary.
To the PRESIDENT.