New-York daily tribune., 1856-08-14
FROM flashing TON.

If any simple minded citizen should happen 10
be in doubt about the value Of the public printog
here, he has only to csst his Eyes north from the
Capitol, in the neighborhood OF Judge Douglass
villa, to see huge pile ri,iDg, destined for future
operations. Mr. Wendell is erecting building
fve stories high, two hundred srd forty feet long
by seventy vide. This printing Office will consist
of FIVE grand rooms, t1e macbilery being Intended
fvr the lowest There ia 10 other edifce il the
United States devoted to similar purposes that will
compare in graz deur of scale with the one now
progressing. II is really comfortable 70 b, public
printer in these days, especially when one can az
ford TO direct bis plans with view to perpe.uat-
ing the profits. Some Of our public patriots who
have thus far unprof-sbly directed ther efforts
and ambition to the Presidency, may be found will
ing now I, seek other and more advantageous op-
pOrtunities Of reward.
II is pretty We'll ascertaned, II Congress viii
continue the publication Of the books slready or
dered, that the Japan Expedition, Pacific Railroad
Report, and Gils's Exploration, viii run into five
or six volumes each. By this process few more
millions will be drained from tte Treasury, aud the
responsibilities OF Secretary Guthrie correspond
ngly igh'ened.
The complaints and censures in regard to the
depredstions Of pubic documents from the mails,
DO not in any way affect the city Post Office here.
Col Berret. the Postms ster is universally esteemed
as lie Of the bee. officers in the public serSice,
VITO by bis diligence fidelity, and ability, has sue
ceeded in stablishng system of great value to
the public. and in sffording facilities never
heretofore enjoyed. By his directions the
documents are distributed with the same prompt
tude and care as letters, and the rule OF the
Office is that the clerks shsll not put
duty, Until every parcel is mailed. 1t is possible
that distractions may have occurred wailc the
documents were 10 transit. But the fact that tae
packages are accumulated at the boarding houses
and hotels, and{intrusted TO careless servants to
be mailed in connection with the other well kno gn
fact that while the books are only published for
the use of Congress such as are valuable are on
sale here nav explain many Of the alleged errors.
Tie Postmast.r has taken unusual pains to inquire
into every particular case brought 20 his notice,
and the resul, thus far does not tend to criminie
the department at all. Take one Illustration:
Dr. Law-on's MeteorolO ycal Report sent
IL every army station and literary society aud in
stituton ia the United States. From othcisl re-
turns made it was found that al but four copies
reached their destination, and these were subse-
autntly traced 70 the Post Offices where they
were directed, remaining uncaned for One
other explanation may be made. Large pub
lie documents cannot be pu. into the general de-
livery or private boxes Of Poet Office, and unless
specially claimed may very easily be laSl aside 10
the pressure OF business
Great efforts will be made in the Senate to re-
ipstate the Military Superin,endence over the pub.
lie buildings which the House abolished very
iudiciously In order that the country may ex-
acily appreciate the working Of this system, few
facts are worthy of remark which have HSt been
officially communicated by The Secretary OF War,
III answer to al iDqury made several months ago.
When the plan of the extension of the Capitol was
adopted, which Mr.. Walter, the architect pre-
rared after consultation, S2,61o,O 900 were estl-
mated 10 be the entire cost for its completion. As
soon as Gen. Pierce came into office The charge OF
tbi. work was removed from the Department OF
the Interior, to the War Department and
then the Military regime was established.
according 10 the admission Of Capt. Nelgs,
wpo superinfends the extension, the whole Of the
o sinal estimate is already expended, and two
millions eight hundred and thir. five Thousand
dollars more are coolly ashcd for the completion.
81 tie sane ratio of progress four rouad millions
would be nearer the mark. This is sample OF
military rule. II the des n originally agreed
u ,on lad been carried out, and contracts made,
d, they could h5ve been, With reliable parties, the
fr.t estimate might have covered the cost. A
change in the plans aud il the sy stem of purchases
las augmented the necessary outlay by millions.
The Pacific r Rlilroad had fair shake in the
House this morning, snd stood its ground pretty
Vel. The bill came up from the Committee on
Public Lands, and was resisted by the Southern
Chyalry. led by Mr. Orr, in various parliamentary
forms The attemp, To kill it BY side blows failed
md finally AZ the expiration Of the morning hour,
tte contest stood adjourned, with motion to
commit
Through the earnest efforts of Mr.. Giddings the
House took up the Calendar Of Private Claims,
spsinst which no objection was u ,de, aud pro-
e. t,led in good temper to their consideration
Mr.. KnOwltOn. who so creditably represents the
I bird District in Maine, has written letter de-
cliLips to be a candidate for reelection. de takes
H. ground that clergy man should not interfere
IL political contests, except in some peculiar emer-
otrcy ~ that which induced him, when the Ne
braska iDiquity was committed, 70 yield his per-
g pal objections. il is doubtful, however, whether
his cons ituents will consent to part With so faith
FIJI representative.
The Senate returned the Civil bill to the House,
n mus the Kansas amendments, and then took up
tie Navy bill, wsst-g the whole day in discussing
the ezra poy for officers on the La Plate an1
e'.ewtere. lNDEX.