The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-06

ing, substantially upon plans duly authorized and
within the estimates. L am satisfied that much
waste OF public money occurs, and much complaint
the part OF citizens arises from small appropria 4
tions which are made from year to year: The In
eytable consequence OF the policy Is that the pub
lie works injured in the process of construction
and the expenses are largely increased.
in his report that the expenditure authorized by
law for the construction of the Post Office in the
city OF New York will be inadequate, unless the
character of the work is changed from the original
design IL seems to be due to the city of New YORK,
for general and apparent reasons, and in considera
ton of the fact that most eligible site has been
secured by the cooper alton, and in some degree at
not only be fire proof structure. but also Of such
design and Workmanship as to rank among the
best public buildings OF the country.
At the present time there are twenty-four steam
and ten sailing vessels attached to the
marine service, the number having been reduced
this year by the sale of two vessels OF the lat
ter class AT the third session of the Fortieth
Congress an appropriation of three hundred thou
sand dollars was made for the construction OF four
steam revenue cutters After proposals had been
issued, and bids received hich were rejected un.
rests did not require vessels of as large size as those
for which proposals had been issued, appointed
consisting of Captain C. T. Patterson, Of the Coast
Survey. Captain Douglas Ottinger and Captain u.
a. nam 9 the ed marine and tb m
character of the vessels best adapted to the service
Final action in reference to the construction OF the
vessels authorized was delayed for the report OF
the commission. That port was made on the first
day of May, 1870 Executive document No. 50. SEN
Upon the completion of the work OF the commits
sion, proposals were again issued for the construc
ton OF the four vessels authorized by law. Salts
factory bids were received, and on the 22d of July
and 22d OF August last contracts were made The
construction given by the Controller to the fifth
section oil the act making appropriations Tor the
legislative, executive and judicial expenditures of
the government for the year ending the 30th OF
June, 1871 rendered the appropriation unavailable,
and it therefore became necessary to notify the
parties to the contracts that they must be con
sideTed as null and void. One OF the parties has
asked have
recommend the renewal of the appropriation of
three hundred thousand dollars for the construc-
tion of steam revenue cutters, without limitation
as to the number or specification as to the size OF
the vessels to be built. The report OF the CommiS
sion shows that thirteen of the vessels now in use
are either old or not adapted to the service. The
opinion entertained by me that the vessels in use
were larger than the nature OF the service required
! is confirmed by the report of the Commission.
| They recommend that the humber be reduced 10
! thrty-two and the aggregate tonnage reduced
from 9ZOS tons to 7l15 tons They also state thatt
VIII be practicable upon the proposed basis to
! officers and men from 1866, the number then in
service to l061, and the actual expense OF main
tanning the system, not including appropriations ms
for the construction Of vessels from 81 446 400
! to $9i3,6S9, making saving OF more than hall
The report OF the Commission is the result of a
careful and comprehensive examination OF the sub
purpose of the department to act upon it, am of
opinion that it should receive legislative sanction.
| aminers, who were charged among other things,
with the examination of the officers of the revenue
marine. The board is composed OF Captains
| Faunce and Slicer, OF the revenue marine, and
Captain Patterson, of the coast survey. The ex
animation has not yet been completed, as only
! small number of officers could be detailed Tor eX
animation at the same time.
One hundred and ten lieutenants have been exa
| mned-ten first lieutenantS, nine second lieu
tenants, and six third leutenants were reported
| for removal,and have been removed; the vacancies
created @ in the first ana S second grades were
lowest grades will be filled 10y qualified persons
selected at large. The examination OF the remain:
ing officers will be continued. The condition Of
the marine hospitals have been improved during
the past year, The result is largely due to DR.. J.
| s. Billings, of the SurgeonGeneraS Office, who
has visited nearly all of them, and through whose
advice many important changes have been made.
No appointment has yet been made of a Superin-
tendent under the act OF the last session.
The authority therein granted to appoint q
superintendent is desirable, although the salary
mend such an alteration OF the law as will permit
the President to detail surgeon OF the army OF
navy to perform the duty of superintendent with
Sary travelling expenses With such authority the
department could have the benefit of the services
OF Doctor Billings or some other competent sun
geon, with less expense than would be involved in
regular appointment M Even ven with IL tn. the present
New York, New Orleans, san Francisco, Baltimore
and Philadelphia are without hospital accommoda-
contract with hospitals or private parties.
The War DeparTmentis in possession OF very
Sedgwick Hospital, and | earnestly recon mend
the passage of am act by which the building may
be transferred 10 the Treasury Department. for a
Marine Hospital, and an appropriation made for
the purchase of the lane on which it stands.
At the last sessi ion the attention Of Congress was
called to the subject of transferring DayidS Island
at New YORK, from the War Department to the
Treasury Department. for the establishment OF d
Marine Hospital. This recommendation is now
respectfully renewed. In compliance with the act
of July ], 1870, in reference TO the seal ishere:
proposals were issued and bids received for the
exclusive right To the fisheries for the term o
twenty years.
| the Interpretation that the contract should be
awarded 10 the Alaska Commercial Company, il
their proposition was as favorable 70 the Govern
ment as that OF any other party, and upon that
basis the contract was awarded to that company
copy of the contract and OF the papers connected
Herewith Will be transmitted TO Congress. About
$1,000 seal skins have arrived at San Fran
cisco as the product of 1862 on which the owner.
have paid 81 each, as required by the sixth section
OF said act
L consider it my duty 10 call the attention o.
Congress to the inadequacy aud inequality of the
salaries of the officers III the Treasury Department
as liked by law.
The offices recently established are supported by
proper salaries, but the salaries attached TO many
of those created at the organization OF the gov
ernment are insufficient. As a temporary means
OF alleYatlng admitted evil Congress has from
time TO time and for many years, annually made
appropriations, 10 be used at the discretion of The
Secretary Tor additions To salaries of officers IL
the department. In the nature OF the case, this il
a disagreeabe duty for the Secretary 10 perform
, is usually unsatisfactory to the parties interested
and the result has not the sanction aud suppor
incident to Il system Of specific salaries established
by law. At the present time the sum OF 81 800 Il
distributed by the Secretary in mis- discretion
, After careful examination of the subject | mud
that an additional appropriation not exceeding
Sl6 OOO year VIII be suinclent 10 provide adequate
salaries 1Or the officers Ot The treasury Depart
, ment.
The act OF 1858 in regard to the examination o
clerks has been observed by this department, ant
with beneficial results 1t is worthy of cOnsdera
r tOn, however, whether il Mould not be wise [,