Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-12-02
RECOMMENDATIONS

during the present year, prior to November %.
is 800, 27o, 900, OF which ss4 10000 were sold
under the refunding act, approved July II,
1870. Six per cent. bonds, commonly known as
fiye-twentieS. have been redeemed, or Will be
redeemed as calls mature. In reference to the
public notice required for called bonds, the
Secretary recommends that 1t be at his diScre-
ton. not less than ten days nor more than three
months.
To popularize the public loans and to bring
them within easy reach of every citizen, the
Secretary recommends the prompt passage OF a
law authorizing the departments to issue Ger
tificateS of deposit of the United States OF the
denomination OF ten dollars, bearing interest at
the rate OF 800 per cent. per annum. and con-
yertibie at any time within one year after their
issue into the four per cent. bonds authorized
by the refunding act, and TO be issued only in
exchange for United States notes sent 10 the
Treasury by mail or otherwise
lt is recommended that the section Of the act
which provides for the disbursement of public
moneys be so amended that disbursements may
be made under regulations to be prescribed b.
the Secretary of the Treasury.
The advantages OF the national bank system
are briefly set forth. On the question of the
PermaDency CT the system it is submit ted that
as the banks Of this system are each organized
them expire until June. 1888, 1t is good policy to
continue the experiment until that date, when
the public mind viii be better prepared to con-
slider the questions involved.
Under tie head of coins and coinage the Sec
letary gives reasons why the trade dollar should
ret be given any value or attribute at the eX-
other silver bullion. 1t is recommended that
tie Department be authorized to redeem frac-
tiOnal coins in United States notes when pre-
sented in sums of one hundred dollars. or any
multiple thereof. at the mint at PHILADELPHIA
where they can be recoinad, If necessary, and
distributed
Under the head OF the Bureau of Engraving
ana Printing, the Secretary refers to the salts
factory progress made il the work on the new
hre-pToOf building; states that he has directed
that the engraving and printing of all public
ipt n Gfp
shall b done by the bureau: and says that rs
Il has been ascertained thai the prices paid for
the paper used for the public securities are
greatly III excess of its cost, proposals have been
invited for the manufacture of a suitable paper
of distinctive character, for this purpose, no
action upon which has yet been taken.
DISBURSEMENTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE
DISTRICT Or COLUMBIA.
The act OF congress of last session providing
permanent form of government for the Dis
triCt OF columbia, committed Congress to an
appropriation for the fiscal year ending June
81. 1912 and for future Years, so long as said act
should remain in force, OF one-half OF the eX-
peISeS for the government OF said District, as
estimates therefor should be approved by Con-
gress. 1t also provided that all taxes collected
should he paid lRtO the Treasury OF the United
states. and that they, as well as the appropria-
tons to be made by congress. should be dis
bulSed for the expenses OF said District on
ltcmHed vouchers, audited and approved
10y the auditor OF the District, and certi-
fed by said commissioners, or a ma jority OF
them; and that the accounts of said COM
miSSlOnerS, and the taX-COlectOTS and all other
officers required 10 account, should be settled
and adjusted by the accounting officers OF the
Treasury Department OF the United States
provision was. however enacted that the
interest on the 500 bonds OF the District should
be paid by the Secretary OF the Treasury and
credited as part OF the appropriation for the
year by the United states towards the Districts
expenses.
Tie act was approved June II. 1875 and the
approval was consequently too near the end Of
To hly ffUN9 tac1
pared for the fiscal year ending June 50. 1879,
in conformity TO the provisions Of said act.
The commissioners of the District, however,
On the 2lSt OF January, 1878, submitted e5ti-
mates TO Congress, amended afterwards By
them on the 4th of June of that year. for the
general expenses OF the District for the fiscal
Sundry civil act, approved June 90, 1873, appro-
priated for the general expenses OF the District
s. .250GO0. to be disbursed by the commissioners
for the p IrpOseS set forth in said laSt-namei
estimates; and the Secretary of the Treasury
was authorized to advance, from time to time
TO said commissioners, from the money thu.
appropriated. such sums as. in his Judgment,
might be necessary to carry on the government
or the District, including accruing interest on
bonds.
1t has been held by the accounting officers
that these acts are to be construed together as
parts OF one scheme of legislation. 1t will be
perceived that the disbursements made by the
commissioners are to be regulated and limited
by estimates approved by Congress; that ac-
counts are TO be kept by the commissioners OF
the District, Independent of those kept by the
1aN-cOilectOr and other officers.
1t has also been held that all disbursements
for the expenses of the District. except where
otherwise particularly specified, are to be made
by the commissioners that these disbursements
are to De regulated and limited by estimates aI-
proved by Congress; that an accurate account
Is TO be kept by the commissioners of receipts
ard disbursements; that they are to be made
upon vouchers, audited and approved by the
auditor OF the District, and certified by at least
two commissioners; that the accounts OF the
commissioners, with the original vouchers for
are TO be submitted TO the ac-
counting officers of the Treasury Department of
the United States for settlement and adjust
ment: and that advances for the payment OF
the current expenses Of the District are to be
made to the commissioners from time TO time,
by the secretary OF the Treasury. as he shall
approve acquisitions made by them.
This construction has been adopted after a
Careful examination OF the acts, and viii be
continued unless Congress shall signify its dis
approval by additional legislation.
THE REMAINDER OF THE REPORT
treats OF claims, duties on imports, the extent
and value OF exports and imports, Alaska, in
ternal revenue, commerce and navigation,
steamboat inspection, the revenue. marine life
saving service, lighthouse establishment, coast
survey, marine hospital service, and public
buildings. In closing his report the Secretary
ton imposed upon the Department, and says:
1T would seem proper that the persons per-
forming duties so varied and important, should
have tenure Of Office terminable only for cause
as is the case in the army and navy, and that
provision be made for increased pay as a reward
for long continued and faithful service"