The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-10

and employed be disposed Of on the most favorable
terms, and that no new structures be undertaken
except in cases OF the clearest expectancy OF
necessity.
VALUE or TEE COAST SURVEY TESTED.
The great value OF the Coast Survey has been
strikingly attested by recent events. The know
ledge gained by its operations during past years,
the experience and skill of naval and military
officers acquired in its service are available in
the operations of the army and the navy and the
ready aid now afforded by it, in examinations and
surveys Of harbors and nlets TO the forces of the
umon III then movements upon the coast, demon
strate, beyond question, the wisdom Of the policy
which originated and has sustained it. The d.
minished appropriations required for its support
during the fiscal year 1868 will no doubt be
cheerlully made.
THE REVENUE SERVICE.
The number OF vessels in the revenue SER
vice OF the department on the 4th OF March,
1851, was twenty nine. Five had been pre-
viously seized by the insurgents, and one had been
ordered to Norfolk for repairs where, having been
taken to pieces with a view to rebuilding, and
therefore being incapable of removal she was in
yoved in the disasters attendant on the destruction
OF the navy yard.
SEVERAL REVENUE VESSELS CONDEMNED.
Of the vessels connected with the revenue ser
vice not seized by the rebels four were on the Pa
ctc coast, six on the lakes and eighteen on the
: Atlantic coast. OF those on the lakes five have
been ordered to service on the Atlantic coast.
Nearly half OF these vessels are unfit for the pur-
poses OF the revenue, and will be sold under the
Under the same act three steamers have been
purchased and equipped, and have been of essen
tial service in the suppression Of unlawful COM
merce on the Chesapeake, and in aid Of the cNpe.
dition by which the authority OF the Union was re-
Gently restored on the eastern shore OF Virginia
COMPETENT OFFICERS ONLY TO BE APPOINTED TO THE
REVENUE SERVICE.
With view TO the increased efficiency of the SER
vice, the Secretary directed thorough examina
ton TO be made by competent board of officers
OF all candidates Tor appointment, well as OF all
officers except captains, already in the service,
and has made certificate from that board OF en-
tire competency an indispensable condition Of ap-
pointmcnt.
-Four revenue cutters are now engaged in coast
survey duty, in connection with the naval and
military expeditions the coasts OF the insnrgent
States, and the whole of the remaining number
are actively engaged in the enforcement of the
revenue laws, and in the protection OF commerce.
Under advertisements for proposals for the con-
struction of additional revenue steamers, under
the act OF july large number of bids and models
have been received, and contracts will be made
for five, which, when completed, will fully answer
the existing demands of the service.
UNIFORMITY TO BE ESTABLISHED IN WEIGHTS, MEA
suKEs AND COINS ALL OVER TIRE WORLD IF Pos
sIBLE.
The Secretary desires to avail himself Of this OPP
portnnty to invite the attention OF Congress to the
Importance OF a uniform system and uniform
nomenclature OF weights and measures and coins
to the commerce OF the world, in which the United
States already so largely shares. The wisest of
orr statesmen have regarded the attainment of
this end, so desirable in ITSELF as by means i'm
possible. The combination of the decimal system
with appropriate denominations in a scheme of
weights, measures and coins, for the international
use of commerce. leaving, if need be, the separate
systems OF nations untouched, is certainly not be-
You'd the reach of the daring genius and patient
endeayor which gave the steam engine and the
telegraph to the service Of mankind. The Secre-
tary respectfully suggests the expcdency Of a
small appropriation to be used in promoting inter-
change of opinions between intelligent persons Of
our own and foreign countries on this subject
In closing this report, the Secretary takes plea
sure in asking the consideration of Congress for the
various suggestions Of the heads Of the bureaus Of
the department, contained in Their several reports
which are herewith transmitted. II has been his
endeavor since assuming the charge OF the depart
ment to infse into it's action the greatest possible
activity and vigor; and it is of very great
satisfaction to him that his efforts have been in
general. faithfully and zealousy supported by the
gentlemen with whom he has been associated.
The reports from the several bureaus will show
how much has been accomplished during the year,
and how well. The Secretary INDUCES the hope
that continued endeavor, with larger experience
will make the department, in all its working what
department charged with duties and responsible
ties 50 various and important ought to be.
$. r. CHASE.