Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-12-08

navy, class or pOWerIul Steah tSsS~'Sl
constituting an Offset TO the vast meets Oh
such craft belonging to loreign
nations running along our coasts,
htod for immediate use as
war vessels with cannon In store at nome
and ready for service at a days notlce as
destrOyers OF our commerce IN waters Win
which their crews are familiar, or as trans
ports for troops 70 our shores
On the subject Of public buildings the
Secretary saws that the expenditures dur
ing the year ended September so last were
Sc, al, 2S6, and the outstanding contract
liabilities &, SS4, 40S, making a total OF
q, 955, 6S4. From present indications ne
says that between this date and the close
of the second session OF the Eltty-seconu
session OF Congress several million dollars
OF the aggregate Of the various balances OF
appropriations now remaining available
and aggregating about sl5,OOO,OOO Will De
covered by contract Liabilities:
He endorses the recommendations made
by the supervising architect, notably 10
secure a permanent foundation Tor puoHc
buildings at Chicago, prescribe limit OF
cost OF new buildings at San Francisco,
modifying legislation relating TO the sale OF
the marine hospital site and the purchase
Of another site at Pitts0urg. Pa. The re-
port charges the delay in commencing
work on many new public buildings TO the
failure Of congress 20 provide necessary
clerical aud expert force and to the elgnt-
hour law. Especial attention IS called 10
securing plans for public buildings; Inc
subject of the worlds fair is briefly
dismissed with the statement that
satisfactory progress has been made
in the preparation Of the departments eX-
hibibits. in the arrangement OF the customs
laws and regulations and on the Govern
ment building. Tue report says the de-
STABILITY, il indeed il be not necessity, OF
a change OF the methods of disbUrsing pub
lie moneys and the examination, adlGS.lca-
ton and settlement Of public accounts has
long been manifest. The whole duty OF
control aud audit sppertaining to the pub
lie expenditure should be under the admin
istrative direction Ola comptroller general
or chief comptroller OF the treasury, With
in whose bureau a board OF audit might be
created for the determination or quasi
judicial questions arising in the eXamins-
ton and settlement Of accounts, II that
mode Of procedure be favored. The Sec
rotary suggests the appointment of non
partisan commission, similar TO the Inter
State Commerce Commission, but limited
10 a period OF three years duration (Which
can be extended temporarily II necessary.
Ha strongly endorses the system Of the
promotion of clerks based on efficiency rec
Ords.
Speaking Of the subject of immigration,
the Secretary is clearly Of opinion that
only by rigid examination made at the
place of departure can the prohibition
features Of tue law be executed with any
considerable degree Of efficiency. The
remedy Of the evils Of immigration, the Sec
ratarY thinks, is under the control of Con-
L. rasnp1rnpnde tho m DOsitiOn Of
head tax. As a measure to determining
what this tax should 90 be suggests that
the sum Shou' d be such as will eQalize the
cost 70 the immigrants to reach South
America or Australia. On the subject CT
alien contract labor laws the Secretary
says. THE vigorous execution Of TIE law
has called a halt n the extensive Importation
OF foreign labOrers under contract. On the
subject of Chinese exclusion the Secretary
says that Notwithstanding the, severity OF
the laws relating thereto many Chinese
persons find their way ipi,o our territory,
chiefly by way Of Ca2ada. Provision is
made for the admission of Chinese exhib-
itors and employees Of exhibitors at the
Worlds Fair, AID it is probable, the Sec
rotary says, tuat large number OF Chi
neSe lab0rers will enter the United States
under this s.uthority. The Secretary says
az the close Of the fiscal year no applica-
'ioas toI' certificates had been made bv res
ldent Chinese laoorers, and that there
seems TO be q determination on the part OF
Chinese not to register.
Recommendations OF the comptroller Of
currency relating to deposits Of bonds by
national banks; limiting withdrawal OF
bonds 10 secure circulation; assessment OF
banks. limiting the amount which may be
loaned 20 person, company, corporation or
Il Of or n
interest TO retire present bonded DEBT, are
approved by the secretary. The secretary
concurs in the recommendation OF the In
specJOr general OF steam vessels that the
officers and employees Of the service below
the office Of supervising inspector be ap-
pointed solely with reference to their mt
ness, and without reference 10 their pohtl-
ca or party Affiliations.
Tae Secretary renews the recommends
ton made in the last annual report, that
early action be taken by Congress toward
such lee. station as will make the use OF
The metric system Of weights and measures
obligatory in transactions at United States
custom houses on and after the first day
of the calendar year, 1895. On the subject
Of the seal fisheries he says: The number
OF seals on the breeding grounds on the
islands was found 20 be smaller this year
than last. He recommends that the appro-
priation Of $4,000 be made for the support
of natives OF the islands Of St. George and
St Paul during the current fiscal year be
renewed. The report gives full details of
changes, loans aud currency, the produc-
ton Of precious metals, the national banks
and internal revenue and endorses gener-
ally the recommendations made by the
officers in charge of those respective
branches.
Tou ching the Marine Hospital, the Sec
retarv calls attention 70 the activity Of the
Marine Hospital bureau during the past
summer and fall threatening invasion OF
cholera in the United States and refers to
the several preventive measures adopted to
keep it out. II is proposed to keep in, force
tho twenty-dgy restriction until Congress
shall have opportunity to express its VIII
in tn matter or until the danger which
10 shall have disappeared. Where
railroads drOss from CanadaintO the United
States no baggage or immigrants is ad-
mitted into the United Strtes without pre-
vious disinfection Reference is made TO
the establishment OF Camp Low
on Sandy Hook and the Secretary
Saws that additions will DC made
20 the camp during the winter view to its
utilization should cholera again appear Ia
the summer. On the subject at quarantine,
the Secretary says state laws cannot
control or direct the management
Of great guarantees where other States
are interested. The whole country should
have 8 voice in their ownership and man
lgement, and this can only be accomplish
ad by such legislative action as will forbid
he collection OF quarantine fees by State
Dr. municipal authority and which shall
iirect the assumption Of all quarantine
iutiCs in the United States. This
iutv rests under the aame au-
shortly as that under which laws
serious epidemic that this country has ever
known has been traced 70 the immigrant,
Ind il must De apparent that the same au-
horitv that controls immigration should
control quarantine Admitting that any