The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-28

doubtless be completed, which win mako the pcrma
nent pubic debt s46, i66,s77 3d.
ne puoc oes a. S ~ x 0s Ss 40
In treasury notes. there were outstanding on the LIST July
1865 as shown by my last report $40 164, 500 On IN
Seth June 1882 the close OF the last fiscal year, tn
amount OF these notes ousta adng was SIS 046 500 tn
details of the various descriptions OF the public debt
the S0th June, 1850, are shown by the stasemea
In the estimated o. the Treasury TO- hs presen
and next fiscal years. IL will be seen that no provision u
made for the permanent redemption OF any portion OF tn
twenty millions OF Treasury notes The authority for
Issuing these notes will expire on the 3Oh June hext aad
will therefore, be necessary for Congress to extend tho
law for that purpose for another period.
On the 2lst Of January last, submitted 10 the
House Of Representatives, in answer TO resolutions
OF that body, report in reference to the ex-
port and import trade 81 the United States with Great
Britain and France The investigation which was re-
CURED TO make for that purpose brought 10 my attention
the variant systems adopted by dereat countries Of OBJ
tanning and keeping commercial statistics. These systems
various that found impracticabe 10 institute
any compaI son Of the facts exhibited IN the tables Of
the different governments, which could be regarded
accurate and reliable. Every commercial man will pro
nounce such state OF things an evil OF great magnitude,
anu one which demands prompt remedy, II II can be
found.
To avoid reorganization Of the views presented In that
report, and Tor the purpose of bringing the subject 10
the attention Of the present Congress- append to this
report copy Of that communication (marked IL aud
would ask for il consideration at this time DO not
know greater benefit that could be conferred upon
the commercial interest OF the country, small
expense than the adoption by the eaing commercial
mercal Statistical uniform unit currency nnd uni
form weights and measures. Upon one branch Of the
subject, valuable suggestions will be found in tho
panyiDg report OF the Director Of the Mint The mpor
lance OF the subject cannot be estimated, and It is
hoped that will receive the careful consideration OF
Congress ut It's present session.
again Call the attention OF Congress the proy
sions Of the act OF March B. 1851 tho subject OF dcpo
sits by dsbursipg agents. repeat the recommended
tons heretofore made its modification In my former
reports have presented the for some change OF
that act SO fully that deem unnecessary a,
therein stated again to request the action oil Congress on
the subject.
The attention Of Congress is particularly called to the
accompany ing report from the engineer In charge of the
Bureau Of Construction. II gives fu and detailed &C
count OF the operations OF that Bureau charged with tho
construction OF the various public buildings under the drec
Of this department The principal buildings in
process Of construction are the treasury exenson IN ts
city, and the custom houses at Charleston New Or
leans. These buildings were commenced under the d.
rection OF Congress before came into office Each OF
them was planned on an expensive scale, and large
had been expended in their erection before my
connection with this department For this neither my
predecessors nor myself are responsible. Our duty
the premises has been simply executive. Under these
circumstances submitted at the last session OF Congress-
estimates for continuing tho work upon them during the
present fiscal year. Having been commenced, deemed
sound policy and true economy 10 prosecute the works
with energy to their completion. The estimates submit.
ted at the last session made under that convic
ton. Congress took different view OF the subject,
and reduced the estimates to point which seemed
to look merely 10 the duty of preserving the unfinished
works from injury and suspendng, for tho present,
at least, their complexion In accordance with the
policy thus indicated directed the operation all these
buildings to be brought within the the disposal
OF the and when those means were exhausted
to stop the work The report Of the engineer in charge
will show that these directions have been thus far
piled with The balances Of former appropriations will
be exhausted, when all further operations will be
suspended IN accordance with the policy clearly midi
Gated by the action OF the last Congress- have only es
mated for sufficient sum TO Keep them from injury
for the next fiscal year. If Congress should adopt
different policy at the present session. and determine to
continue operations on these works, would respectfully
roier to the report of the engineer ia charge for est
mates Of the amounts that will be required during the
] would again invite the attention Of Congressl TO
the subest of marine hospitals The facts submitted
as well IN the last as IL the present. report Of the
engineer charge Of the Bureau of Construction,
demand an investigation OF the subject by Congress.
The views which have heretofore presented strength
ened by each years experience and would again press
them upon the consideration Of Congress. Three
hospitals have been completed and ready to be put
operation Before is done, the necessity aud propriey
OF the step should be considered the light Of the facts
presented in the reports to which nave referred The
refusal of the last Congress 70 authorize any additional
buildings Of this character would indicate
with the views Of the department the subject 1t only
remains to be determined what disposition should be made
Of these which have already been ereced
In reference to other public buildings authorized by
previous acts Copgress and suspended for the
want OF means steps have been taken 10 the seec
ton Of proper sites. Plans and specifications being
prepared with view Of commenting their erection when
it can be done with due regard to the condition Of
inc saspsnas the Of pan the .
in process Of construction, would indicate that
made for the completion Of those already begun.
The condition Of the Louisville and Portland canal
anomalous to require the action OF Congress Under
the amended charter Of the State Of Kentucky Of January
81 1872 the stock previously belonging individuals
has been redeemed from the earnings Of the canal except
that single share each Is held by certain persons to
qualify them to act directors Of the corporation The
act Of the State Of Kentucky of February g. 1874 pro-
vides that when the United States shalt become the sole
Of the canal the jurisdiction Of the State over 1t
shall be yielded 10 the United States.
The amount advanced from the treasury for the con-
sructon Of this canal 1888 800, and the amount Of
dividends paid into the treasury 1912 $255 s2 49,
in fact the whole cost Of the stock held by the
United States had been reimbursed previous to the amend
cd charter. Since that charter and the redemption Of
the stock Of individuals under its provisions the earnings
OF the canal have been applied TO its Improvement by
the directors the amount has exceeded that
requirement IL is understood the tolls have been reduced
No has been received from since that PERIOD
and none is contemplated
Under the laws Of Kentucky the United States sub
substantially owners Of this canal but authority has
been given TO supersede the corporation ia its manage
men, action having been had by Congress this sub
these circumstances would refer the whole subject to
Congress for such action as they may deem proper
The annual report Of the Director Of the Mint Is bore
with transmitted (marked 80 also the reports Of the
various Bureaus OF the Treasury Department marked
from TO ~. They contain much interesting ialorma-
ton in connection with their respective branches Of the
pabhcrEervice.
The report OF the Superintendent OF the Coast Survey
will be laid before Congress at early day.
HOWELL cUBB, Secretary Of the Treasury.