Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-12

Congress corrected and passed the other chapters
II was Intended 10 have revised the circulars
issued by the department, and made them con
sistent win The act OF revision. Had this been
done, The revenue laws would have been better
understood by the officers of the customs and by
the importers, with advantage 10 The system and
The revenue: This revision is recommended 10
the iavorable consideration of Congress, with the
nope ihey viii see The propriety of considering
the subject, and passing the act, with such amend.
ments and additions as, in their wisdom NAV be
deemed proper.
The report No. SO, of Captain A. H. Bowman.
engineer in charge OF the construction and repair
OF buildings, under authority 0. the Treasury
Department, gives in detail all necessary informa-
ton 10 place before Congress-lhe progress made
since my last report, and the condition of the
several works up 10 the 30h September, 1858.
The effort is being made TO have all the work
done with the best materials, and in the best
manner the appropriations will allow, and near
fire and thief proof as possible, with provision for
warming and ventilation. Iron beams and Orders
with brick arches for the floors, iron sash-frames
and window blinds for The windows, with galva
nzed iron roofs, constitute part of the plans for
these buildings. The success that has attended
the use OF iron in the construction of fire proof
buildings, has induced its more extended appIica
lion TO building purposes, and might justify Con-
gress in recognising iron one of the materials
TO be used for the exterior of hospitals, custom.
houses, &C., when suitably located. The report
is accompanied with list of the custom houses
purchased and those built, and those appropriated
for by Congress; also, similar list of the marine
hospitals; and there are estimates for construct
ing the custom-houses at New Orleans and
Charleston, under construction, by the days work.
The report Of William Nj. Gouge, who under
the authority of the department, visited the seve-
raj marine hospitals during the past summer
gives much valuable information upon the sub
Ject; and table No. SO, made out from the hospital
returns, exhibits the number of sick sailors who
have received the benefit of the hospital fund, and
the pro rata expense at each. II seems TO be
questionable that hospitals have been, and are to
be constructed, under appropriations now made,
at places where such sailors could have been as
well and more economically provided for under
contracts with local hospitals and individuals, as
now done at the cities of New York, Phadaln ha,
and some other places
The collectors al the several ports where there
are hospitals under the directions of the depart
ment, superintend the hospitals, and their supply,
and the care that is taken of the sick; and, where
the UEited States have no hospitals, make con-
tracts with local hospitals with individuals, and
superintend them in the same way they superin-
tend the marine hospitals of the United States.
The contracts with local hospitals and individuals
are 10 furnish everything necessary for the care,
comfort, support and medical treatment OF the
sick al so much per capita. II Is recommended
10 the consideration Of Congress- whether the con-
tract system might not be advantageousy ex-
tended TO many places where the United States
have hospitals, allowing the contractor the use Of
the hospital, with the right TO The United States
term nate the contract at will, the report of
the collector OF the port, or some other visitor
appointed by the Secretary Of the Treasury. IL
Congress should deem expedent an extension of
the contract system, as recommended there
should be a law providing for it. The table show
ing the expenses of the sick at the several hospi-
tails will point out the places where the contracts
ought 10 be made.
The Coast Survey continues TO progress favor
ably under the management of the Superintendent
in charge, and the appropriations appear 10 be
carefully and economically applied. The work is
again recommended to the continued favorable
consideration of Congress, in order that the fullest
and most reliable information OF our extensive
coasts aud numerous harbors may be Obtained al
the earliest practicable period. The report of the
Superintendent in charge, when made 10 this
department. will, customary be transmitted 10
Congress
The report No. 81, with the accompanying
documents, will give the operations OF the Light
house Board since the last report, with the pre-
sent condition OF the work in their charge, and
affords satisfactory evidence OF the attention and
ability given 10 the service confded 10 it, The
report and documents are more voluminous than
could be desired, but the magnitude Of the service,
and It's great interest 10 the commercial world,
has prevented its ahrdgment. II is again recon-
mended 10 the continued favorable consideration
of Congress- account OF the facilities afforded 10
commerce and navigation.
The report of the supervising inspectors of
steamboats,, under the act of the Goth Of August,
1852. and letter of VIM. M. Gouge, the agent of
the department charged with collecting iniorma-
upon the subject, and attending the meetings
of the board, marked No. SIS, accompany this
report. The attention of Congress is again called
10 the operation othe act, stated in the reports,
and in the report OF the supervisors for the last
year, and the letter of Mr.. Gouge which accom-
panied it. There can be no question but that the
operations OF the act have been beneficial and
might be- made more so, by a more energetic and
uniform enforcement Of it's provisions, and by ex-
tending the same TO the Pacific coast. The law
requires some notifications, amendments and
additions, recommended 10 the last Congress
and should be placed under the direction, and
control of one Of the executive departments; with
out which, the necessary and proper direction and
control cannot be had.
Which is respectfully submitted.
JAMES GUTHRIE,
Secretary of The TreasHry.
The persInENr ,,rn tenl nE tL< .SeunLe