Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-02

ne was now nappy 10 congratulate them on
their being established in such comfortable
quarters. He stated that he thought the coun-
try had reason to be proud Of the work that the
bureau was doing, and added that when stran-
gers In the city made inquiries of him as to the
objects OF interest to be visited, he always took
pleasure in mentioning, as among the most
prominent, the Bureau or Engraving and Print
Ing.
Annual Report Of the First Con-
trOller.
The annual report of the First Controller OF
the Treasury, Judge Lawrence, has been made
to Secretary Sherman. He gives tabulated
statements OF the work Of the Office. the war
rants received and acted on, the accounts made.
compared and transmitted.
IN REGARD TO THE INVESTIGATIONS
OF the Official transactions and accounts OF
onicers IN the public service, tt i5 believed that
tt would contribute to the efficiency of the
public service, and aid in securing fidelity and
economy, II the Secretary should be authorized
to require any officer OF the government whom
be might designate to make the requisite in
Vestigations especially If the officers so de-
puted could be invested with power in some
form to secure the presence Of Witnesses EVIL
dence under oath. and the production OF books
and papers Investigations could thus be made
by officers not now subject to the direction of
The Secretary OF the Treasury, and in the vicin-
ity OF the transactions requiring examination
This would be attended with advantage In the
means of local knowledge. and In facilities for
acquiring information, by affording ample
with the least possible expense. 1t has some
times been found necessary to ascertain facts
and procure information on questions
e aw in DonSs r1esn Thus
citizens or subjects OF foreign governments
and upon the death of the owners, contrCverted
questions OF fact and OF law, as to the proper
parties entitled to the bonds, have arisen, re
quiIiDg determination in this Office. II the
secretary Of the Treasury should be invested
WIN power to call upon any representative Or
INVESTIGATIONS and report the result, and ii
such representatives and agents should be
given ample authority to require evidence and
1ne production Of papers by citizens of the
zens or subjects OF foreign governments, so far
as by them permitted, 1t is believed it would be
found salutary means OF securing justice, OF
facilitating. the operations Of the Treasury
Department, and protection 60 the Treasury.
IN REGARD TO LOST AND DESTROYED BONDS,
the Controller says that the greatest danger of
that the suret1es upon the bonds OF indemnity
may prove to be worthless in the event of a
suit against them. The regulations OF the de-
partment provide that the sufficency OF the
eral prescribed officers. Most OF these officers
have performed the duties imposed upon them
with the utmost fidelity. but In many clses sucn
approval is made without any knowledge what
ever of the parties, the officers feeling tnat such
duties are extra judicial, and that they are NOT
required to MARE an examination into the co.,
n
dictate that the Secretary be empowered to le-
quire each officer to make a thorough examina
ZION into the financial status OF the parties to
bonds before appending his approval OF the
same, ahd that such officers beinvested with
authority to require evidence under oath.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS.
A law clerk and stenograpner are deemed
necessary for the efficiency of the service in this
Office. There may be some doubt whether the
existing statute defining perjury is sufficiently
ofoad 10 include all cases OF corrupt false
CaTif f0r lrin
IN the Treasury department. Affidayits are
necessarily used for great variety OF purposes.
and lt Is OF the utmost Importance that all who
make them should be amenable TO punishment
In cases deserving 1t. The subject Is worthy Of
consideration by Congress. In the adjustment
OF the accounts OF receivers OF public moneys
revenue OF the government, In many cases
officers have deposited by mistake more money
than they have collected thus creating a bal
ance In their favor: It would be great con-
Ven1ence II means for the payment or such ac-
counts should be provided
THE CAPITOL FIRE.-The fire that destroyed
the barber-shop and fixtures in one Of the
House cloak-rooms Of the Capitol, it is now
learned, was burning all through Monday night
without being discovered. The room was
closed up and the fire burnt itself out, after
having consumed everything that would burn.
Fortunately the flames did not work through
to the floor of the hall of Representatives. That
floor Is OF wood and had the fire caught 1t, the
NEWSPAPER CHANGE-The National Rapu1rf-
can, after negotiations that have been pending
for a long time recently changed hands The
new company has appointed Hallet Kllbourn as
general manager. He Is understood to be a
large stockholder. Second Assistant Postmas-
ter General ThoS. J. Brady has the largest
pecuniary interest In the paper. The change of
management will take place some time before
the first OF January.
THE UNHAPPY REPUBLICANS OVER THE
RIvER.-The republicans of the Alexandra, Va
congressional district are in an unhappy frame
OF mind. One faction claims that the L. S.
officers did not assist Major Bayly In his candi-
dacy, but rather worked against him. This
this ground. The otber faction is 81 against sS "a
change. For the last three days there have
been delegations here from one side or the
who want no change and by those who do. To-
day another delegation put In an appearance.
1t was composed entirely Of colored men and
xrnson THIS caea on Fso comas near
sloner Raum and urged a change In the officers
10 me district under him. It Is not thought
dia district will be disturbed.
THE PRESIDENT APPOINTED to day A. P. X.
Stafford, OF Arizona territory. to be delegate to
Barr to be collector Of customs for the district
OF Erie, Pa.
PERsoNAL.-Mr. William Henry Smith, agent
OF the Western Associated Press, is at the Riggs
He came to washington at the invitation of
rTeoioeht Hayes to consult with the latter
t0uchlng the distribution to the press Of his
annual message to CongreSs.-Ar. Wendell
PMlllpS was sixty-nine years Old on Monday
HIS friends showed that they remembered tC BY
sending him Quantities OF hoWera-Repre-
sentative Wilson Is at the NatiOnaL-Mr. Ed
WaId LaDgtry, the husband OF the Jersey
Lily" arrived In New York yesterday. He was
greatly surprised. on walking out In the afser-
noon, 10 meet scores OF women much more
beautiful than his wife-Senator JONES' of
iI rIIorlda. Is In town, and will be quartered for
Inc winter at the corner of G and 18th stS-
representative Calkins and Representatives
eject Gunther. Of Wisconsin, Robinson, of Ohio,
an0 Wise, OF Virginia. are at the Ebbitt.-Bar.
num-P. T., not the other one,-is improving
somewhat In health, but he Ia still too ILL to give
antenuon to business of any knd.-Dr c. H.
Nlcn0ls, formerly In charge OF the Insane Asy.
lum In this District, arrived here yesterday to
attend the funeral OF his brother.in. lay, Mr
Jonn w. Maury.-Nr. Horner, OF the Atlanta
constitution: Mr.. McMichAei, postmaster of the
senate; James E. BurroW and wife OF IaedS
England, and Thos Higgins, Of Liverpool are
at the Metropolitan.
THE COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION which has
been In progress for several days to MI several
vacancies IN the grade OF third assistant exam.
fnefS In the Patent Office has closed n viii 10