The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-10

cd across 10 The main shore in The District ~ order 10
max The whole permanent, and estimates the additional
amount required At $1,000 ii
This is mole than II supposed the woTk would
coat but the extraordinary rise of labor and materials.
and he unexpected difficulties that constantly existed in
lie progress. have convinced the experimenting engineer
that il cannos be constructed Tor less.
The strict oil Columbia requires and merits the tos
ierinx OF the general government II is irue much
has been expended upon public Improvements within It's
mits but they are inevitable Ia the different depart
nsnls Of The government. There are few who know
their character, exten and u,y that caa regret inc ex
pend,uTs.
There never was q suspicious period Tor erecting
the additional public ednces 50 much needed Fue-pooi
buildings are required for The State, The War; and the
Navy Departments All O! these, together with one Tor
this department. can be constructed, IN coDnexion with
each olhe al all expense not exceeding three millions
Of dollars The present buildings nol proof, and
the destruction OF either OF them BY hro. TO which they
are constantly exposed, and from which there is little TO
protect them would be far greater loss to the govern
inent, even 10 q pecuniafy point Of view.
Much Inconvenience and embarrassment expert
snced BY ibis department. a. web most OF the bureaus
under il charge. in consequence Of their distance from IT,
That freedom oil intercourse which il essentially
say 10 The proper difchar&e Of the duties incumbent
arising. that might b. considered and decided promptly
and without consuming much time, ii the head OF the
department and the CHIEF Of The bureau having charge OF
the maier could readily and conveniently consult to-
Bether This, however is not the most serious objection
70 the present position OF these bureaus The Indian Of
nee y IN the War Department, and occupies rooms which
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 rooms, and has made pressing application
for them.
These looms are too small and too limited ia number
The Commissioner has been compelled, 10 several in
aances 10 crowd eight nine clerks besides the desks
paper cases, and ordinary furniture, into single room,
where than two clerks conveniently be
proper ventilation, the health OF The clerks is impaired,
and their ability 10 labor much diminished. The files
and papers have increased SO rapidly that, for want OF
space, many OF valuable papers placed in the
passages, where there not that security from fire
which is requisite.
The Pension Office is in a better situation. but ii occu-
announcement and uncomfortable quarters belonging
10 the War Department.
The Indian aud Land Bureaus mus, be removed, and
the only question appears 10 be- whether the west wing
porary accommodation OF these bureaus or they be placed
In rented buildings not e-proof thus exposing TO inn
minent peril papers OF immense value to the general gov
eminent, the States, and private individuals.
This building may be 70 finished within year; and,
until suitable structure be erected for this depart
ment it will not be required by The Patent Office Some
opposition has been made heretofore TO somewhat SIM
liar propositions but this, is presumed, was based on
the erroneous superstition that the OF the entire
ture had been betrayed ont OF the patent fund.
The amount thus lar expended and appropriated is ST.,
1885, OF which 04S $50 has been paid out OF the
treasury and only $3 5000 out OF the patent fund Such
being the iact there Is no reason why portion Of i
should not be temporarily used proposed until need
ed by the Patent Office. Ii this should somewhat
incommode that Office, it would be Of small moment in
comparison with the evils that might result from with
holding The use OF it from the bureaus SklfuI artisans
of opinion that the necessary Improvements can be
easily made without interfering with njuring the orig
inal design Uness, therefore, Congess by express
actnent otherwise determines intend TO direct the
peton Of the west wing so as TO accommodate these bu
reaus and secure the public archives.
Within few years the Patent Office will need the
maiu uuildng and the wings for its exclusive use.
In The time structure should be erected for this
department, and as II consumes much time to complete
such building, sound policy should induce its Immedl-
s'e commencement. One sufficiently large and commo-
and entirely separated IRON the other departments,
rin be constructed IN PLAIN, substantial manner for
$4,000 and IN the most approved style, with all the
modern Improvements, for LEES than half million.
Surely this time. there be proper profit
able application oil the pubic money he considerations
urging are strong aud apparent, and. il seems TO me,
cannot fail TO convince every one who reflects upon the
subject OF its absolute necessity.
Applications are made a, almost every session OF Con-
gess Tor repairing the br dyes crossing tue Potomac from
Washington city Although in The aggregate large
amount has been expended them they IN a most
unsafe and insecure condition. Permanent and suos,an-
tal structures required and ought TO be erected In
the end il will prove saving 10 the government, and IN
the time conduce greatly to lis Interests and the
benefits OF all who are IN anywise connected with this
District.
The plan adopted for improving and ornamentng The
public grounds should be vigorously prosecuted II will
conduce 10 the beah As well as greatly add 10 The beau
~ oil the city.
These and other improvements thar nigh, be suggest
ed are required They are not merely for the use and
Deueut Oh peOpIc VI UnistI w Hc
pleasure, comfort and health OF every who visits it,
This il the metropolis OF the Union. and the pride and
ambition Of lis representatives should induce them 10
make il worthy OF great nation In regard TO all such
objects liberal policy should be pursued; al least, all
Improvements should be made which the public service
imperatively demands
The supervisory power possessed by this department
the accounts Of the marsbas clerks and other officers
OF the courts OF the United States should be transferred 10
and be exercised by the Attorney General II is OF the
character OF the powers already in,rused him,
and appropriately 10 appeTtaln TO his ONCE.
The commissions OF officers connected with this de-
patmeat issued by the State and Treasury Depart
ments The laws should be modified TO author Ize
the Secretary OF the Interior make Out and seal the
commissions TO be signed by the President, OF all officers
under the control OF This department IL proper in itself
would be far convenient, and obvaie delays neces
sarly incde 10 the issuing OF such commissions by the
other departments.
In an act Of Congress approved 3ls, August, 1852.
provision made enable the Secretary OF the Int
or, under the direction OF the President TO purchase
site the neighborhood OF Washington Tor the erection,
furnishing, and fitting up OF asylum for the insane OF
theDstict Of Columbia and OF the army and navy OF the
United States The site was purchased and the plan
oil The building adopted prior to my taking charge OF the
department Owing TO the difficulty Of obtaining suitable
mechanics and materials, the work has not progressed
rapidly II e hoped however, that the building will be
completed and prepared for the reception Of patients by
the i oil August next Thus far the work has been well
and faithfully executed
Accompanying this report is general exhibit OF the
estimates oil the appropriations required Tor the service OF
this department, for The mex, hscal year.
would respectfully suggest the expedency OF a revs-
ion OF the salaes oil the judges OF the district courts Of
the United States, which are now unequal, and IN some
cases wholly inadequate to the amount and importance
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