Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-05-12
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

The Cauldron Boiling Z. Sickles,
Rsq., late U. S. Secretary Of Legation to Lon
don, and just now one Of the most active gem
tlemsn engaged in the work of securing the
nomination of the Cincinnati Conv Ell ton for
Mr.. Buchanan, according to the newspapers,
Is credited in Warrington with / wing been
on political mission when rec II Rich
mond. He Is now here. He % and
acute. So, Mr.. Bucbanan's that
city could not have been in m, feetive
hands, if the Virginians stake to- his
peculiar school of politicians. Where Mr.
Saunders, the late U. 8. Consul at London. is
Just now prosecuting his labors in behalf Of
the nomination of Mr.. Buchanan, wo do not
know, having failed to see his name in the
newspapers since the New York Herald chron-
icled the things said and done at the late
psver-to-be- forgotten New York Hotel dinner
By the by, among the most ardent advocates
for Mr.. Buchanan's nomination we hear of,
IL no other than Ex-Governor Reeder, of Kan
sas, who, on his way back to the Territory,
lot long since, devoted himself earnestly,
while in Pittsburg, to the work of talking
up" Mr.. b.
The District before Congress. surren.
der much Of our space to-day to the following
interesting communication, which is most
apropos for the times:
Mr.. EpIToR Having recently been looking
over the documents sent to Congress by the
Executive Departments under the present
Administration, and being struck with the
just and truly liberal views of the honorable
Secretary Of the Interior respecting the inter.
ests and claims of the District Of Columbia
upon the fostering care Of the Federal Gov
eminent, L have concluded to make appro-
pirate extracts from the annual reports of the
Interior Department, and to suggest to YOU
the propriety Of their republication. As do
not desire, however, to occupy too much space
In your always interesting and valu able Jour
nal, / only send you to-day an extract from the
hrst annual report made by Mr. McClelland
In December, 1853, and will let the others fol-
low so as not to be burdensome to your COL
umns. The public documents from which
these extracts are taken are massy and not
within the reach Of tina reading public gener.
ally and to place them before the numerous
readers Of your paper, who are all more or
less directly interested in the prosperity and
hsalthfulnsss Of the city, would not only be
highly acceptable to them, but an act Of sheer
justice 70 the honorable Secretary Of the Inte-
nor, whose appreciation Of the interests and
rights OF this District could scarcely have been
more Just and equitable had he been reared in
ouf mio"- x*x
Extract from the annual Report of the See.
rstGry Of the Interior, dated Dec. 5, 1853
Under the appropriation of $50 900, the con-
struction Of . bridge across the Potomac, at
the Little Falls, was placed under the man
agement and supervision Of an officer of the
Corps Of Typographical Engineers. The plan
OF an iron suspension truss-br;dge was adopt
cd a. the most suitable fer the locality and
the permanent wants of the public. Two
spans OF one hundred and sixty feet each. with
stone piers will be completed, 50 as to psr.
NIT the passage Of vehicles early the coming
winter.
The engineer recommends that this struc
ture be extended across to the lain shore. in
the District, in order to make the whole per.
msnsnt, and estimate the additional amount
required at $4,000.
Inns ID more than it was supposed the work
would cost; but the extraordinary Iise of labor
and materials, and the unexpected difficulties
mat constantly existed in it's progress, have
convinced the experimenting engineer that il
cannot be constructed for less.
4, Inc instinct OF Columbia requires aud 10 erits
Ine fostering care Of the General Government
IL Hue, much has been expended upon pub
" -f' nohs Nltnln Its limits: but thew
are invaluable to the di6ersnt J.n.,,, nv.
the Government. There are few who Lnow
their character, extent, and utility. that con
regret the expenditure '"i
There never was more auspioion. n.r;oa
for erecting the additional public ed;ses. ~
much needed. Fire-proof buildings are rs'
quired for the State, the War, and the Nav
Departments All Of these, together with one
for this Department, can be constructed, in
connection with each other, at an expense not
exceeding SO, 000, 900. The present building,
are not hrs-proof, and the destruction Of either
OF them by IRE, to which they are constantly
exposed, and from which there II little to pro-
tsct tnsm, would be g far greater loss to the
o1yernment, even In pecuniary point of view
Much inconvenience and embarrassment are
experienced by this Department. as Well A,
most Of the bureaus under its charge. in con
sequence Of their distance from it That free
dom Of intercourse which is essentially neces
sary to the proper discharge Of the duties in
eambent on each, cannot exist. Questions o,
moment are constantly arising, that might b,