The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-12-28

the Director Mint The Importance Of the subect
cannot be overestimated and hoped that it will re-
ceye the careful consideration of Congress at its present
session.
must again call the attention of Congress to the pro.
visions of the act of March g. 1857 the subject of
posts by dsbursng agents. and repeat the
tions he etOore made for its modification In former
reports have presented the for change of
that act fully that deem it unnecessary more at
this time than to refer those reports and for the
sons therein stated again torequest the action Of Congress
on the subject.
The attention of Congress is particularly called to the
accompanying report from the engineer in charge OF the
Bureau Of Construction. 1t gives full and detailed
count of the operations Of that bureau charged with the
construction oil the various public buildings under the d
rection of this department The principal buildings now
IN process OF construction are the Treasury extension in
this city, and the custom houses Charleston and New
Orleans. These buildings commenced under the dl-
recon of Congress before came into Office Each Of them
was planned on expensive scale, and large amounts
had been expended in their erection before my connection
with this department For this, neither my predecessors
myself responsible. Our duty the premises has
been simply executive Under these circumstances sub
mitted at the last session of Congress- estimates for
tnuing the work up them during the present fiscal
year Having been commenced deemed it sound policy
their completion.
The estimates submitted at the last session were made
under that conviction Congress took different view Of
the subject and reduced the estimates to point which
seemed to look merely to the duty of preserving the
nnshed works from injury and suspendIng FOR the pre-
sent, at least their completion. In accordance with the
policy thus indicated directed the operation all these
buildings to be brought within the means at the disposal
OF the department. and when those were exhausted
tn stop the work The report of the engineer in charge
VIII snow that these directions have been thus far com
Piled with The balances of former appropriations will
soon be exhausted when all further operations will be
suspended In accordance with the policy clearly ind
Gated by the action of the Congress, have only es
mated for sufficient to keep them from injury icr
the fiscal year II Congress should adopt different
policy at the present session. and determine to continue
operations these works, would respectfully refer TO
the report Of the ENGINEER in CHARGE for estimates of the
amounts that will be required during the next fiscal year
would again invite the attention Of Congress to the
SUBJECT Of marine hospitals The facts submitted rs well
as in of 10 rITpnr
charge of the Bureau Of Construction, demand invest
CATION of the subject by Congress The views which
have heretofore strcng by each years
experience, and would again press them upon the
sideration Congress Three hospitals have been
completed and ready to be put in operation. Before
is done the necessity and propriety of the step ud
be considered in the light Of the facts presented in the
ports to which have referred. The refusal of the last
Congress to authorize additional buildings of this
character would indicate concurrence with the views Of
the department the subject 1t only remains to be de
ermned what disposition should be made of those which
have already been erected.
In reference to other public buildings authorized by
previous of Congress- and heretofore suspended for
the want of means steps have been taken to secure the
selection of proper sites Plans and specifications
being prepared with view of commencing their erection
when can be done with due regard to the condition Of
the treasury The policy of the last Congress, in
pending the work upon those already process Of
structon, would indicate that should not he
commenced until provision is made for the completion of
those already begun.
The condition Of the Louisville and Portland canal i5
anomalous ms to require the action Of Congress Under
the amended charter of the State Of Kguucy of Janua
ais has been redeemed from the earnings of the canal
except that single share each held by certain per
qualify them act directors Of the corpora
ton The act Of the State of Kentucky of February %,
1874 provides that when the United States shall become
the sole Of the canal the jurisdiction Of the State
over it shall be yielded to the United States
The amount advanced from the treasury for the
struction s this canal S233 500, and the amount Of
dividends paid into the treasury up 1872 is $255S21s
that in fact the whole of the stock held by the Uni
ted States had been reimbursed previous the amended
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 and whenever the amount has exceeded that
qurement it is understood the tolls have been reduced
No has been received from it since that period
and none is contemplated
Under the laws of Kentucky the United States sub
santaly Of this canal but authority has been
given to supersede the corporation in its management no
action having been had by Congress this subject since
the amended charter by Kentucky. Under these CrCun
stances would refer the whole Snject Congress for
such action as they may deem proper.
The annual report Of the Director Of the Mint here
with transmitted, marked y, also the reports of the
various Bureaus of the Treasury Department, (marEed
from to L.. They contain much interesting informa
ton in conneXon with their respective branches Of the
public service
The report of the Superintendent Of the Coast Survey
will be laid before Congress at an early day.
HOWELL CoEB,
Secretary Of the Treasury.