Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-12-06

We are surprised to learn that in st
large and important department a
that of the Interior, no appropriation
legers were kept therein, by which th
financial condition of the Department
could be ascertained, until the presen
bead of the Department took charge o
it. We do not see how its affairs coult
have been intelligently managed without
having this information readily at hand.
1t now appears that an admirable
and economical system has been devised
and is in successful operation, (requlrine
but one disbursing clerk instead of three
which the law allows, by which unifor.
nifty and promptitude are secured in the
disbursement Of the public moneys, and
advances to disbursing officers regulated
by the wants of the public service and
the means of the Department to meet
them.
On the 31st March, 1913, the enormous
sum of $94S,475.80 was in the hands Of
agents for paying pensions alone. This
new financial system has enabled the
Secretary Of the Interior to call in this
amount, so that on the 30th of June last,
those agents only had on hand the aggre-
gate sum of $393, ,801 .2O-an amount am
ply sufficient for the prompt payment of
pensions liable to be called for until other
advances are made.
1t was supposed until recently, that
the new line of boundary between the
United States and the Republic of Mexi.
CO would be completed within the time
and amount estimated at the last session.
Recent intelligence, however, indicates
that further appropriation may beneces-
sary, but the Secretary still hopes that if
made, its use may be avoided.
The Secretary recommends the de.
markation of the boundary line between
the United States and the British Pos.
sessions on the Northwest, and particu-
larly that portion of it which forms the
northern boundary of the Territory of
Washington, and also the settlement OF
the claims Of the Hudson's Bay and Pu-
get Sound Companies, before difficulties
grow up between the citizens of the two
nations, aud create greater embarrass-
ments for the future.
He makes some judicious suggestions
respecting the laws and organization of
the Patent Office, so as the better to Sc
cure the rights of inventors, and increase
the efficiency of the office in proportion
to the rapidly increasing business de-
volying upon it.
He also recommends the creation, in
connection with the Office of Attorney
General, of law department of the Gov
ernment, the increase of salaries of the
judges of the district courts of the United
State, and certain notifications of the
fee bill of 1858.
A large amount Of discretion being in
the head of the Department, respecting
judicial expenses of various kinds, the
Secretary deems it best and safest, and
recommends that all such matters, as far
as practicable, be regulated by law.
A thorough examination of the SUBJ
ject has resulted in showing that the ex-
penses incident to the office of coroner of
the District amounting to about $4,000
per annum) are not legally chargeable to
the United States. and the drafts upon
the Treasury On this account have con-
sequently ceased. The Clerk of the
United States Courts in this District has
also been required to conform to the law
in some respects heretofore neglected -
regulating the fees and emoluments of
other clerks of United States courts in
the several States and Territories, and a
considerable saving of public money been
thereby effected. It seems that two hun
dred and twenty-three terms of the courts
are annually held at eighty-eight differ
ent places, and in alluding to the causes
which yearly demand larger appropri.
ations for the support of the judiciary,
the Secretary very pertinently suggests
whether the business transacted in the
courts justifies these numerous terms. 1t
appears that for the western district of
Virginia courts are held at six different
places, in the northern district of New
York at eight, in California at six, in
Louisiana at six, and in Florida at five.
The Secretary seems inclined to the idea
of holding courts at but one or two
places in each State, and of erecting suit.
able buildings at those points for their
accommodation, and with a view OF
making them independent of the State OF
other local authorities.
The Census statistics called for by the
separate resolutions of the two Houses OF
Congress at the last session are now ready
to be laid before Congress, and the work
having been completed, the clerical force
retained for that purpose has been dis
banded. The Secretary, we are glad to
perceive, recommends liberal appropri
ations for improvements of the Federal
metropolis, and also the erection of fire
proof buildings for the accommodation o
the State, War, Navy, and Interior De
partments, and suggests that better
application of a portion of the larg,
amount now in the Treasury cannot b,
made. He also suggests the prophet,
of donating to the city authorities fol
educational purposes all the vacant city
lots which may not be needed for public
purposes.
The work on the Little Falls bridge
and likewise the Insane Asylum, has bee,