The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-09

that this alone win remove an evx which ~
resisted the earnest efforts OF this department fer
long series Of years II is, however the remedy aug
eested BY our present knowledge Of the case, ana,
further investigation shall develope other Of ~
delays complained of IL viii also indicate the additions
means necessary to complete the reform
The arrangement made by the Treasury Department.
by which dsbursing officers enabled to keep fund
ON deposite with the Assistant easurers Of the Unite
States proves TO be OF great advantage to the
and promises when more perfectly understood and
red into full effect, to obviate most of the inconvs
niences heretofore experienced in transmitting ads
making disbursements in parts Of the country
II the control of the over the puk
lie moneys till the moment Of their expenditure, and
enables IT. in the event Of the death Of ofcer "a
claim its funds without waiting for the appointment
administrator the settlement % his accounts.
also removes, in great measure, those temptations
which the possession of large sums OF money in times
active speculative excitepent cannot fail to present
have again TO invite attention to the necessity q
yolyng titles TO lands and other public interests CEN
mted to the charge of this department and for the set
Element Of accounts for counsel fees costs and other
penses incurred in maintaining the rights OF the United
States in such In the absence Of any provsio
of law the subject this department has been subec
to exorbitant charges and has cxperchced much ea}
barrassment in the conduct of suits.
In pursuance Of the views stated in my last ANNA
report in reference to river and harbor
the department has adhered in the directions IL haz
given to the de ign Of making them complete pos
sibe, without any operation being undertaken which
would be dependent for its completion upon future ap
preparations. Some works have been completed in
formity with these but by reference to the repor
OF the colonies of the two corps OF engineers viii %
seen that large majority are unfinished and that i'd
many cases, the balances OF appropriations appfcabh
thereto are not sufficient to effect results Of much Va
ue As no appropriations were made at the last sessie
OF Congress, have deemed it unnecessary to presen
further estimates at this time.
To the general remarks upon this subject, in my Las
annual report have only to add that experience
firms the opinion, that benefit at all commensurate
with the expense has been obtained or is to be expect
ed from appropriations granted and applied IN the mod
eretofore pursued. Much Of the expenditure has bee
tteriy lost for want of further appropriations to com
la4a that hoc hoor
Jieted have fallen into ruins for Of appropr
atoms to preserve them from deapdation by the VIC
Il natural decay rock or 4 snse removed from M
igabe channel is benefit gained for eyer, but art
fetal structures to protect harbors change the -
increase the velocity, Of currents undergo dc
terror aton which, however small, win be constant and
whatever policy may be hereafter adopted to such works
il will be imperfect unless it embrace not only thei
completion upon the plans selected but their preservn
ton from the operation Of the natural agencies which
tend to destroy them well from injury or occupa
ton by trespassers. No will be adequate fo}
these Objects unless accompanied by cesson Of exclu
sve jurisdiction the site at least ownership 81
| the soil. Questions have already risen which seem I'd
indicate the difficulties which must inevitably occu
from the want of Jurisdiction and title whenever thu
powers necessarily exercised in the protection q
these works shall come in conflict with the rights in
terest of individuals.
The survey of the northern and northwestern lake
has made steady progress, and the documents accom-
pany the report Of the Colonel Of Typographical En-
gineers show unusual progress in this work accom-
| plished during the past season.
The roads in Of construction in the Territory g
Minnesota have been prosecuted with the at th
disposal Of the department. and document in the g
tenn pursued and the progress made In their constrn
ton. With regard to those in Oregon, Utah and New
Mexico special instructions have been given from th
department, of which copies appended, designed,
each case, 10 secure, in the first place. PRACTICABLE
ments afterwards as the balance Of the appropriated
would allow The roads in New Mexico, from Taos
Santa Fe, and from Santa Fe to Dona Ana authorize
menced The location Of these or least Of the latter
will depend in great measure upon the success whic
by wells. for which the act makes provision. tn
cheapest method Of obtaining it WILL it is believed -
boring, for which purpose implements could not be Oh
tanned in that country. Measures have been taken
the necessary tools and apparatus in connects
with the examination and trials to be made for the
q water BY 4tss.n wen. on the rouss: fSr
same apparatus can be economically used for the wen
! on the military roads.
Since the date Of my report Of February g. 1854 cor
muncang to Congress copies of all reports then rece
ed from the engineers and other persons employed in
BILE and economical route for railroad from the No
sipp river to the Pacific Ocean, the six parties engage
in those surveys have completed their field dutes.
ports Of four Of them have been received and printed
der resolution OF tie House of passed
At the last session. The two remaining reports, ii
PEI ted will be ready for the printer in the course
next month. No provision made, by the resolutio
above cited, for engraving the maps-wihout them u
| reports comparatively useless.
In making surveys Of this character the maps and
ors being hastily prepared in the field and generaA
at night after day Of faguing duty, require caref
lminaIy to the elaborate results which finally ii
their place Hence it has been found necessary to etux
ONE Of the reports for revision and in some to
lot the work and make maps.
When all the reports and maps are received. they vi
be laid before Congress, with general report, and
map exhibiting all the routes, and such pro6ies an
other drawings as will be necessary to illustrate u
subject.
for continuing these surveys, party has been osyas
zed to make further explorations between the plains
Los Angeles and the waters Of the Bay of San Francisco
to determine whether there be practicable route for
railroad through the mountain passes Of the Serr
Nevada and coast range which extend to the sea ces
tions for testing the Of procuring water
means Of Artesian wells, upon the arid plains whc
in the several routes The results of the survey
already made will, when assembled compared prs
badly indicate the direction which further expors
lions shall be made by parties organized to take the He
refer to the report Of Captain neTs, Of the earn,
engineers the officer charge of the Capitol extensor
,Sa very s ~ Of the q s
sufficient supply Of marble, but the brick work /. "
sentative hall are finished, and these rooms vil
placed under roof during the present winter is 0,
pected they will be completed by the meeting Of the
Cor gress; but the delay in the supply Of marble My
reard the completion Of the outer walls and the corr
doris depending thereon, to prevent their being occs
The style Of the work. both in finish and strength. h.
been Of higher standard than contempla I'D whe
the esumetes were made, but the administrative
city and professional skin Of the officer ia charge hsy
kept down the expenditure that IL believed the CO.
will not exceed the estimates made for inferior bulls
ing.
The notifications made in the interior plan OF II
structure are now far completed to Dc seen an
easily understood and feel additional assurance a
the successful solution o. the dcult problems Of
ties optics and ventilation presented especially in n
construction Of the Hall Of Representatives.
Operations the work designed to supply this ct
with water have been suspended for want Of fuads
is hoped that appropriations will longer be Withheld
from this important work. I have seen NO reasou
change the opinion that IL judiciousy planned IN
located. Ny confidence is strengthened that Il win
completed At cost within the estimate and will secuI
the object in view with certainty and taking int
view the permanence Of the work. its capacity to suppl
future wants. ana the absence Of machinery cntailin
mode that has been suggested.
BY the civil and diplomatic appropriation act apprsvv
August A. 1854 this department authorized 70 -,
chase for 5000 900 the large FIRE proof building ct C
corner Of and Seventeenth streets, which has lsv
been occupied in common BY bureaus of the Treasur1
Interior, Navy and War Departments The Lease una