The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-05

in Alaskan waters, the illieit selling to the ma
tives of firearms and spirits by the masters OF
lawless trading vessels has much fallen on,
these operations being now confined principally
to the siberian coast
The Secretary recommends that useless Gus
toms districts be consolidated. There are TWEEN
ty-two ports Of entry at which not dollar OF
duties has been collected for years at different
times There are thIrty-twO ports of entry IN
which the years collections from all sources
have not equaed the years expenses These
had Importance when foreign traue was carried
on in sailing vessels, and before the cOncentra-
ton of i'm pOrtations at large ports from regular
lines of ocean steamers, and the present system
of rapid inland transportation. the custom
houses in these districts are, however, kept up,
with all the fOrmaliIles of activity, with depu-
ties, inspectors and clerks, to make Official re-
turns to the accounting officers of the Treasury
and the Bureau OF Statistics. The consolidation
OF districts and dnluntion of ports of entry are
called for by sound business considerations, and
may be accomplished without increasing snug
cling or proper asn recomm~nd
that in lien of present salaries, and all moieties
and peruuisites, and commissions on disburse-
ments, received by collectors, naval officers aud
surveyors, there be an annual salary.
The life-sayiDg service shows an excellent rec
ord for the past year. The number of disasters
| to documented vessels within the field of their
operations was 800. On board these vessels there
| were 8, 1872 persons, of whom 3,777 were saVed
the others were lost. The number OF snip
wrecked persons succored at the stations was
| 65l, and the number of GAYS relief afforded
| them in the aggregate was 1873. The estimated
] value of property Involved was S7,l7654O, of
/ which So, gil 500 was saved; the rest was lost
| The number of vessels totally lost was 69
The lighthouse establishment, the coast and
| geodetic survey, the marine hospital service, the
the National Board of Health, the steamboat
! inspection service, the Bureau of Engraving
| and Printing. public buildings, and expenditures
! in the District of Columbia, are briefly summar-
ICED. The Secretary recommends the eonstruc-
| ton at the capital OF building for the storage
| OF the files aud records of the several depart
ments.
! follows.
Exports of merchadise. ...........S8 1928, s39, 400
| Exports of spscIe- 31S2O.333
1855, 659, 735
Imports of merchandise. .S723 1SO,9 l4
! Imports OF specie 2S,4oS,99l
SOL, $40, 305
| Imports and exports during the
| year ended June 80, 1888 81 ,60733O,O 4O
! Imports and exports during the - 80
year ended June 80, 1SS2.--.-. l,56IOIl,/OO
Increase. . $4O25s, $40
| IMMIGRATION.
| Tho administration of the ''act to regulate i'm
migration" approved Aug 8, 1882, with the
| general supervision of which this department. is
charged, has been attended with reasonable
measure OF success. There are certain restric-
tive features of the law which hinder the full
accomplishment OF its purpose. Some Of these
| were noted in my last report, accompanied by
| recommendations OF LEGISLATION LOT lnetr ror
moval The experience Of another year has con-
| 6rmed the views then expressed. 1t &C.
ours that alien paupers and others i'll INDECENT
i circumstances have arrived from Europe, whose
passage money and other expenses incident tc
the voyage, and but little more, were paid by
| the respective governments or municipalities
from which they came, or by voluntary assocla-
! lions abroad. They are liable to become public
| charge upon the communities IN which they
land unless cared for awhile by the commits
siOners, and az soon as may be sent back where
they belong. Such Of these az were FOUND In
capable of sef-suppOrt have, as far as practical
BILE, been returned. Such practice by foreign
authorities, whether of high low degree, is
discouTteous, If not worse. and this department
suade TO abandonment of III it is feared, With
out full measure OF success. The mum Der returned
| from the date of the immigration act (Aug 3,
| 1922 to the close OF the month of September,
1883, was 1852. The i'm migration act
| is detective in that its execution depends en-
for local interests, and act to protect them. The
| execution of the law should be by federal oil
GERS, under rules and regulations uniform
! throughout the country. The well-being or the
| Immigrant and the protection of the whole pub
lie would be the end sought In all localities. AT
present. there is lack of uniformity in the I33-
| agement and Of the IMMIGRANT. and the
protection of the immediate public is first In
| cOntem nj alton,
| The enactme nt of statute of limitations on
claims against the government Is recommend.
od. The attention of Congress is directed to the
relations of the governme nt to the Pacific rail-
| ways, and legislation looking TO settlement of
report closes with II Recommendation that d
civil government be established in Alaska.