Washington sentinel., 1853-12-11

tnc experimenting engineer thht II cannot DC coh-
The District Of Columbia requires and merits
the fostering care Of the general government. Il
Is true, much has been expended upon public
Improvements within its limits; but they are in
valuable TO the different departments OF the gov
ernment. There are few who know their charac-
ter extent and utility, that can regret The expen-
diture.
There never was a more auspicous period for
erecting the additional public edifces SO much
needed. Flre-proof buildings are required for the
State, the War; and the Navy Departments All
OF these, together with one for this department,
can be constructed, in connexion with each other,
at an expense not exceeding three millions Of dol
lars The present buildings are not fre-proof, and
the destruction of either of them by fire. 10 which
they constantly exposed, and from which
there is little 10 protect them, would be a far
greater loss TO the government, even in pecnnia-
ry point of view.
Much inconvenience and embarrassment are
experienced by this department, as well as most
of the bureaus under its charge, in consequence
Of their distance from it, That freedom Of inter-
course which is essentially necessary TO the pro-
per discharge of the duties incumbent on each
cannot exist. Questions of moment are constant
ly arising that might be considered and decided
promptly, and without consuming much time, il
the head of the department and the chief Of the
bureau having charge of the matter could readily
and conveniently consult together. This, how
ever, is not the most serious obs rtion TO the
present position of these bureaus. The Indian
Office is in the War Department, and occupies
rooms which not fre-proof They are also
needed and have been demanded by that depart
mcnt, and should be surrendered.
The General Land Office remains in the Tfea-
sury building, notwithstanding the Secretary OF
the Treasury requires the rooms, and has made
pressing application fer them.
These rooms too small, and too limited in
number. The commissioner has been compelled,
in several instances crowd eight or nine clerks
heSldeS anAp ina f.,p.
niture, into single room, where more than two
clerks cannot conveniently be accommodated. In
consequence of this, and the want Of proper ven
tilation, the health of the clerks is impaired, and
their ability TO labor much diminished. The files
and papers have increased rapidly that for
want OF space many cases of valuable papers
placed in the passages, where there is not that
security from fire which is requisite.
The Pension Office is in a better situation, but
It occupies inconvenient and uncomfortable quar-
ters belonging TO the War Department.
The Indian and Land Bureaus must be removed,
and the only question appears to be, whether the
west wing of the Patent Office building shall be
htted up for the temporary accommodation of
these bureaus, or they be placedn rented buildings
not flre-prooi, thus exposing 10 imminent peril
papers Of immense value to the general govern
ment, the States, and private individuals
This building may be so finished within year;
and until a suitable structure can be erected for
this department, it will not be required by the
Patent Office. Some opposition has been made
heretofore to a somewhat similar proposition; but
this il is presumed, was based on the erroneous
supposition that the cost of the entire structure
had been betrayed out Of the patent fund
The amount thus far expended and appro.
priated is 81 367 $780, of which $104S 750 has been
paid out Of the treasury, and only $4,000 out Of
the patent fund. Such being the fact, there is no
reason why portion Of il should not be Temporal
rly used, as proposed, until needed by the Patent
Office If this should even somewhat incommode
that Office, il would be of small moment in COM
parison with the evils that might result from with
holding the use of it from the bureaus. Skiful
artisans are Of opinion that the necessary i'm
provements can be easily made without interfering
with or injurng the original design. Unless, there
fore, Congress, by express enactment, otherwise
determines, intend to direct the completion of
the west wing so as 10 accommodate these bureaus
and secure the public archives
Within a few years the Patent Office will need
the main building and the two wings for its exclu-
siye use. In the mean time structure should be
erected for this department; and as it consumes
much time to complete such building, sound
policy should induce its immediate commence
ment One sufficiently large and commodious
and entirely separated from the other depart
ments, can be constructed in plain, substantial
manner for $250,000 and in the most approved
style, with all the modern improvements, for. less
than half a million. Surely, at this time, there
can be no more proper or profitable application Of
the public money. The considerations urging il
are strong and apparent and, il seems TO me, can
not fail 10 convince every one who reflects upon
the subject of It's absolute necessity.
Applications are made at almost every session
OF Congress for repairing the bridges crossing The
Potomac from Washington city. Although in the
aggregate large amount has been expended on
them, they are in most unsafe and insecure con-
dtion. Permanent and substantial structures are
required, and ought TO be erected. In the end it
will prove saving to the government, and in the
meantime conduce greatly to its interests and the
benefits of all who are in any wise connected with
this District.
The plan adopted for improving and ornament.
ing the public grounds should be vigorously pro-
secuted II will conduce to the health, as well as
greatly add to the beauty of the city.
These, and other improvements that might be
suggested, are required. They are not merely for
the use and benefit of the people Of the District
but minister TO the pleasure, comfort and health
of every one who visits it, This is the metropo
lis of the Union, and the pride and ambition Of its
representatives should induce them to make it
worthy Of great nation. In regard TO all such
objects liberal policy should be pursued; at least,
all improvements should be made which the pub
lie service imperatively demands.
The supervisory power possessed by this de-
partmcnt over the accounts of the marshals
clerks, and other officers Of the courts of the
United States should be transferred TO and be ex-
ercsed by the Attorney General It is Of the
same character of the powers already ntrusted TO
him, and seems appropriately to appertain TO his
Office.
The commissions Of officers connected with this
department are issued by the State and Treasury
Departments. The laws should be so modified as
TO authorize the Secretary Of the Interior TO make
out and seal the commissions, TO be signed by the
President, Of all officers under the control Of this
department. II is proper in itself, would be far
more convenient, and obviate delays necessarily
incident to the issuing of such commissions by the
other departments
In an act of Congress approved 3lst August,
1852, provision was made to enable the Secretary
ofthe Interior under the direction of the President
to purchase a site in the neighborhood of Wash
ington for the erection, furnishing, and fitting up
of an asylum for the insane of the District of Co
lumbia, and of the army and navy Of the United
States. The site was purchased, and the plan of
the building adopted prior to my taking charge of
the department. Owing TO the, difficulty Of OBJ
tanning suitable mechanics and materials, the work
has not progressed rapidly II is hoped, however,
that the building will be completed and prepared
for the reception of patients by the lst of August
next. Thus far the work has been well and faith
fully executed