Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-12-03

only possible remedy, the estabis ment q,
some central point, west OF the Rocky M oun-
taine, OF nauonal mining scnool, organized
y, upon conn nensiye Principis :. -, saslosens in
Ing schools of Europe.
The operations OF the Coast Survey have
been continued dur ing the past year with ac
In all portions Of the coast heretofore provided
for by appropriations. The estimates for the
next fiscal year have been Prepared with a
the scale 10 which IL has been developed by
the demands Of navigation, and accompany
this report
toms in the territory recently acquired from
Russ q, until permanent arrangements shall
have been made by Congress, a special agent
Of the Department was dispatched in August
la to Sitka, in company with the agent desig-
mated by the State Department, TO receive the
formal transfer OF the territory aud for the
further protection Of the revenue. as we'll as
10 obtain in formation Il guide In the estiblIsh-
ment OF ports and collection districts, the steam
cutter "Lincoln" was ordered 10 extend her
cruising limits to these possessions. An officer
OF the service, familiar with the coast, accompa-
MED by several officers OF the Coast Survey
was sent from the Department with deta led IN
structions, to take charge of the vessel for the
cruise general reconnaissance of the coast
was ordered, including soundipgs, location Of
lights, and ascertainment or available chan
neis of commerce. Attention was also espe-
cially directed to subjects Of scientific quiry
The steamer sailed late in July, and full
report of her operations Is expected WITHIN
brief period When received 1t will be
promptly communicated to Congress, with
such Information as the Department has been
able 10 collect from other sources, and sugges-
tons as to the creation OF collection districts
for customs and internal revenue.
The Revenue Marine consists at present Of
forty. three vessels, comprising twenty five
steamers and eighteen sailing vessels, of which
seventeen of the former and sixteen Of the lat
ter are employed on the Atlantic coast, two of
each description on the Pacific, snd six steam
ers, each Of over five hundred tons burden, on
the Great Lakes.
The expenses of the Marine Hospital estab-
lishment continue quite large, notwithstand :
ing persistent efforts TO secure economy. The
receipts from the tax are still found INSULT
cient to meet them, and ii will be necessary to
provide Tor the deficiency, as heretofore, from
. the pu bile treasury. II Is suggested that in
/ accordance with the example afforded by the
military establishment, authority may be given
for the annual appropriation OF SO much of the
proceeds Of fines, penalties. and forfeItures
under the customs laws as may suffice TO meet
the deficiency unprovided for by the tax.
Efforts for the prevention and detection OF
ring the year, with considerable success at q
comparatively moderate expense, and with l..
out any charge upon the public treasury, the
proceeds of fines, penalties and forfeitures
having proved sufficient TO sustain the charge
and pay into the Treasury surplus OF more
than 81 0,0GO.
Unite q large amount OF STOCK OF private cor
poratioEs is held by the United States, in the
custody of the department, which is a con
! slant source OF embarrassment TO the Govern
ment aEd to the respective companies. 1t will
| be observed that they were acquired by sub.
scription under special authority of Ia W ia aid
| of projects Of internal Improvement How
1 ever proper and beneficial. such Meas q res may
! have been a. the time Of their inception, uc
! good purpose can now be subseryed by longer
/ retaining the interests thus acquired, and 10 is
! recommended that authority be conferred by
/ Law tor the sale OF them.
From the report of the Third Auditor. is
/ apparent that a change should he made in re.
/ gard 10 the adjustment and settlement OF the
war Claims that come befors his Bureau: til II
/ period should be liked within which claims
sheuld be presented. and that measures sbou "a
/ be adopted 10 peTPetuate the testimony in
/ cases OF claims that are disaIlowed. Even
now, W hIe all the facts are fresh and attain
: able, fraudulent CLAIMS are frequently pre-
s7nted; and when, by lapse of time, II Will
be difiic ult. if rot impossible, 70 obtain testi
! mony IL regard 10 their tfue character fraud.
! ulent CLAIMS Will be quite likely 10 increase
! III hunters and amounts
! The Department OF Stat has referred TO
this Department, for consideration, the Off cia
report Of the proceed ines of"The InterGau J.
/ al Monetary Conference" held al Paris in IA lie
/ ana July of the present year, and also the re-
/ port of Dir. Samuel Il. Ruggies, the delegate
/ in that Conference from the United States OF
/ America. This Conference was diplomatic IN
/ It's constitution, have been formally called by
! the Government of France, by Off cial invita
tons 10 most Of the civilized nations. LIS oh.
/ Ieot, as stated by the Minister OF France
I az washington, was general inter-
change Of views, and also ''seek for a basis for
ulterior negotiations" on the subject OF q
unified coinage for the use of the world II
appears by the Official report that tn, Con-
ference, on full elaboration, has agreed on
such basis, which Is now transmitted to the
different nations for their cons Iteration and
decision respectively. The matters thus pre-
sentsd are of high monetary interest TO the
United States, and merit the attentive and
careful examination OF its public authorities
executive and legislative.