The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-09
this and other like matters will aid in the ac-
complishment of proper legislation on this sub

this and other like matters will aid in the ac-
complishment of proper legislation on this sub
ject
LIFE-sAvING SERVICE.
The most gratifying results have attended the
operations of the Life-saving Service during the
last fiscal year. The observance of the provis-
ion of law requiring the appointment of the
force employed in the service to be made 'solely
with reference to their fitness, and without refer
ence to their political party affiliation," has
secured the result which may confidently be
expected in any branch of public employment
where such a rule is applied. AS a consequence,
this service is composed of well qualified
for the performance Of their dangerous and
exceptionally important duties. The number OF
stations in commission at the close of the year
was 203 The number of disasters to vessels and
craft of all kind within their field of action was
81. The number of persons endangered in such
disasters was 2.439, of whom 2 42S were saved,
and only eleven lost Other lives which were
imperiled, though not by disasters to shipping
were also rescued, and a large amount of prop
erty was saved through the aid of this service
The cost of its maintenance during the year was
1928, 474. 49,
CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY.
1t is a source of considerable and not unnat-
ural discomfort that no adequate provision has
yet been made for accommodating the principal
library of the government Of the vast colec-
ton of books and pamphlets gathered at the
| sand, exclusive of manuscripts, maps, and the
products of the graphic arts, also of great vol
ume and value, only about three hundred thou
sand volumes, or less than half the collection
are provided with shelf room; the others, which
are increasing at the rate of from % 900 to 3d.
GOO volumes year, are not only inaccessible to
the public, but subject to serious
| damage and deterioration from other causes in
their present situation A consideration of the
fact that the library of the Capitol has twice
been destroyed or damaged by fire; its daily in
creaslng value and It's Importance as a place OF
deposit of books under the law relating to copy
right, make manifest the necessity of prompt
action to insure its proper accommodation and
protection.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
My attention has been called to a controversy
which has arisen from the condition of the law
relating to railroad facilities in the city of Wash>
ington, which has involved the Commissioners
of the District in much annoyance and trouble
l hope the difficulty will be promptly settled by
appropriate legislation.
The Commissioners represent that enough of
the revenues of the District now deposit
| in the Treasury of the United States to repay
the sum advanced by the government for sewer
! improvements under the act of June 80, 1884.
| They desire now an advance of the share which
ultimately should be borne by the District of the
| cost Of extensive improvements to the streets
of the city. The total expense of these contem-
plated improvements is estimated at 81, 600, 900,
and they are Of the opinion that a considerable
sum could be saved if they had the money
in hand, SO that contracts for the whole
work could be made at the time.
They express confidence that if the advance
asked for should be made, the government
would be reimbursed the same within reason
able time have no doubt that these improve
ments could be made much cheaper if under
taken together and prosecuted according to a
general plan.
The license law now in force within the Dis
trict is deficient and uncertain in some of its
provisions, and ought to be amended.
The Commissioners urge. with good reason,
the necessity of providing building for the use
of the District government, which shall better
secure the safety and preservation of its valuable
books and records.
MINOR MATTERS.
Under section 1863 Of the Revised Statutes all
funds held in trust by the United States, and
| the annual interest accruing thereon when not
otherwise required by treaty, are to be invested
IN stocks of the United States bearing rate of
| interest not less than per centum per annum.
There being no procurable stocks bearing so
high rate of interest, the letter of the statute
| is at present inapplicable, but its spirit is sub
| served by continuing to make investments of
| this nature in current stocks bearing the high
| est interest now paid. The statute, however
| makes no provision for the disposal of such ac-
erection. 1t being contrary to the general rule
| of this government to allow interest on claims,
| l recommend the repeal of the provision in ques-
| ton and the disposition under uniform rule.
| of the present accumulations from invest
ment of trust funds.
| Past Congresses have had under consideration
| the advisability of abolishng the discrimination
made by the tariff laws in favor of the works of
| American artists. The odium of the policy
which subjects to a high rate of duty the paint
| ings of foreign artists, and exempts the pro-
| auctions of American artists residing abroad
| and who receive, gratuitiously, advantages and
inst ia Wis od oft
| in art culture in Europe, aud has caused them,
| with practical unanimty, to favor the abolition
! of such ungracious distinction, and in their
interest and for other obvious reasons, strongly
| recommend it.
| The steamboat inspection service, on the Both
| day of June. 1885, composed of 40 persons,
| including officers, clerks and messengers. The
expenses of the service over the receipts were
! $l38, $50 % during the fiscal year. The special
| inspection of foreign steam vessels, organized
| under the law passed In 1882 was maintained
! during the year at an expense OF $50, 64l. 63.
Since the close Of the fiscal year reductions have
| been made in the force employed which will re-
suit in a saving, during the current year, of ST.,
600, without affecting the efficiency of the serv-
| ice.
The supervising Surgeon-general reports that
| during the fiscal year Al, ia patients have re-
| ceiyed relief through the Marine Hospital Sery
| ice of whom II, S03 treated in hospitals
and 26, Gil at dispensares Active and effective
efforts have been made, through the medium of
| this service, to protect the country against
| invasion of cholera. which has prevailed in Spain
and France, and the smallpox, which recently
| broke out in Canada.
! The worlds industrial exposition, held at
| New Orleans last winter with the assistance OF
| the federal government attracted large num-
Der of foreign exhibits, and proved of great
value in spreading among the concourse of visit
! ors from Mexico and Central and South America
a wider knowledge of the various manufacturers
and productions Of this country. and their avail
ability in exchange for the productions of those
| regions
| PRESIDENTIAL Observation-Disclosures
The present condition of the law relating to
the succession to the presidency, in the event of
the death, disability or removal of both the