The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-10

bic steamer as revenue cutter and for that purpose the
of hundred and fifty thousand dollars was appo
priaed Under this authority proposals were invited ion
the building of such vessel, and the contract awarded
10 Mr.. VIM II. Webb, of New York. He Is progressing
rapidly with the work and it is believed that the vessel
will be ready for service by the LIST OF February 1905
The character of the contractor and the and energy
which have been displayed far in the construction OF
this steamer justify heopinon that when completed II
will be vessel that will do credit to the service. The
whole expense of building and equpping the steamer VIII
be within the appropriation made by Congress.
The report of the engineer in charge OF the Bureau OF
Construction is herewith submitted, marked H. IL VIII
give detailed statement OF the expenditures In that
branch of the public service. There are interesting ac
set forth in this report which should not tail TO attract
the attention of Congress BY reference TO the tables ae
companying the report the number OF public buildings
erected prior TO 1885, and their cost will be shown also
the number authorized be erected since that time
well as the propositions which have been urged upon
Congress for the s further enlargement OF the system
In view OF these facts 1t is submitted that Congress
should either return TO the practice OF the government
prior TO 1885, else adopt system that would do JUS
tice TO the different sections OF the country III these
public buildings to be erected to the extent indicated
by the legislation of the last few years. not only justice 10
the different sections of the country but economy and
the public interest require that they should be subjected
to system which will guard the public interest against
the unwise expenditures likely to be incurred from the
present mode of legislatng ON the subject No pubic
building should be authorized until an official report has
been made Congress showing the necessity for Its cree
ton and its cost.
The suggestions made in the report of the engineer
the propety of systemang this class of business are
commended to the consideration of Congress Before,
however adopting the late legislation on this subject as
the fixed policy of the government 1t wond be well 10
consider the expense which such system will permanently
entail upon the treasury The number OF custom houses
and post offices which would be called for
can hardly be computed with accuracy but our general
information the subject sufficient to justify the opn-
ion that it would be attended with an expense which
would never be compensated for in any advantages to the
public service My opinion is decidedly against the
system; but, If Congress adopts it, am desrous OF
placing it upon the most just and economical principles
Among the tables accompanying this report, especially
call the attention of Congress to No ID giving detailed
account of the expenditures and receipts of the marine
hospital fund the relief of sick and disabled seamen in
the ports of the United States for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1857.
The relief afforded at the hospitals belonging to and
under the charge of the is greater than
at other points, whilst the expense much larger Ihs
is attributable in great measure to the unwse location
of the hospitals though there are, doubtless
other causes which contribute to that result. The pro-
priety of dispensing with these public hospitals and
turning to the system which still exists at most OF our
ports for the disbursement OF the marne-hopta fund
is commended to the favorable consideration OF Congress
Having called the president of the Louisville and
Portland Canal Company for report OF its condition.
herewith transmit the response of that officer, marked Ia,
from which Congress decide whether further egsa-
ton on that subject is advisable
The report of the Superintendent Of the Coast Survey
will be submitted to Congress at an early day II Will
give statement of the operations OF that branch OF the
public service showing the progress which has been made
in it during the last fiscal year Every reduction in the
expenditures of this service has been made consistent with
| its prosecution the present scale.
The reports of the First Second Third Fourth, Fifth
and Sixth Auditors and of the First and Second Comp
rocrs the Commissioner of Customs, and those of the
Treasurer Solicitor and Register of the Treasury nark
| ed from to H. ncusve,) are herewith submitted They
give detailed account of the business transacted in their
respective Offices
The report Of the supervising inspectors, marked Is,
will be found among the documents accompanying this
report and gives the operations of the law under which
| they are appointed for the past year.
The operations of the Light House Board, with the
condition of the works under their charge, will be found
! in the report from that body, No l6.
disposition on the part of the board to curta sys
tenn which has been extended beyond the wants of com
ierce should recommend it to the favorable consdera
| ton of Congress
The duties devolvng upon those having charge OF this
branch of the public service have been performed with
satisfaction and ability
! All which is respectfully submitted
!. HOWELL COBB,
.... Secretary of the Treasury.
| Hon. JOHN c. BREcKINRIpGE,
Vice President Of the United States and President of the