The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-12-05

The discrimination between boats and barges,
not propelled by sail or steam, which atises from
the operation of the act OF April is, 1874, stiil
continues to exist, TO tile great embarrassment Of
the Department. Under the construction which 1t
has been considered necessary to give to this stat
ute, one class OF barges, that are partially employed
In the Internal waters of n State, is exempt from
enrolment and license, while other vessels Of simt-
lsr structure, employed exclusively on the naviga-
enrolled ana licti,sed.
9g.:s discrimination is pernicious, and should not
be permitted 70 exist. But / see no practical REM
edy for it other than by restricting the issue OF en-
r0llmelits and licenses to VESSELS propelled by sail
or steam. A bill to that effect has already re-
ceiyed the favorable consideration Of one branch
Of Congress.
The total number Of entries % vessels into ports
Of the United states from foreign countries. rs re-
turned by the Bureau Of Statistics during the year
ended June 80, 1878. was 30,796; OF these entries.
1854 were OF American vessels; the total
nnmber OF cleafances foreign, during
the same time, was 81 1854; Of this number. 10,s72
were cleafances Of American vessels. OF the total
tonnage thus entered, about 25 per cent. was
american and o 80 per cent d forIslSn; o Of the Sc total
cent. was American, ana IA per cent. foreign.
STEAMBOAT INSPECTION.
During tile past year, there have been inspected
4,l37 steam vessels, OF an aggregate tonnage. Of
1,0l7. 432 03 tons, and licenses have been issued 10
Tie total receipts from the inspection Of vessels
and lieeDsing Of officers amounted to $272,703 So,
and the total disbursements for salaries and trav-
cling and other expenses were &216,2i9 65, leav-
ing d surplus unexpended OF $56,454 20.
OFFICIAL SERVICE.
In closing his annual report, the Secretary
deems IL proper TO call attention to the great va
riety Of Jurisdiction imposed by law upon tho
Treasury Department.. Since Its organization, by
act approved september 2, 1880, II has been
placed In charge OF the c6mlmerce and navigation
Of the country; OF a revenue marine, consisting OF
thirty-seven steam and sailing vessels, engaged in
the prevention of smuggling md the assistance OF
distressed and wrecked vessels; OF the engraving,
printing, and redemption Of United States notes;
Of the collection Of Commercial and other statistics,
aud Of the construction and custody Of public build
ings. Ithas also the exclusive supervision Of the Ma
ti6nnl banks, I. the Lighthouse Fstablishnlent,
the Const Survey, the Iife-saying Service, ANA tho
Marine Hospital s-ervice-tOgethcr constituting n
diversity Of duties requiring the highest skin,
learning, fidelity and enterprise on the part OF its
officers. The laws relative to these matters have
been supplemented by regulations and decisions,
and all combined form an admirable system for tho
administration OF the business OF the Department..
disbursement OF public revenues, aud tho settle
ment Of the accounts therefor, arc n
small part OF the work OF the Depart
ment, and IL would Aeem proper that the persons
performing duties 80 varied and important should
have q tenure OF Office termInable only for cpusc,
az is the case In the army and navy, and that pro-
vision be made for increased pay as o reward FOR
long continued and faithful service,
The general conduct OF the officers Of this Depart
ment has been exemplary, and probably no service
presents a better record OF responsible trusts faith
fnlly and honestly discharged,
The several reports Of the hends OF bureaus and
divisions are herewith respectfully sy9!Ilttedl
.-s. ~secretory Of the Treasury.