The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-08

lOIH anu surveyors anu VIZ SSsHSa.s4A
ment OF fixed salary; the consolida-
ton OF customs districts and the cloth
ing OF the secretary with powers to
abolish districts and discontinue minor
ports; .he revision and codiiicahon Of
the navigation laws, which is especially
urged, with such notifications and
new provisions "a are required for the
efficiency Of the service. The work, tho
secretary says, could hardly be done by
a committee Of Congress engaged on
other duties, and he recommends the
appointment OF q commission for the
purpose Of codifying and revising these
laws.
A MERCHANT MARINE.
He gives table showing the value
Of imports and exports of the United
states during the fiscal years from 1857
TO 1872. On this subject he says:
"These figures indicate a lamentable
condition OF affairs. 1t would seem that
we were we'll hemmed in by subsidized
steamship companies and subsidized
railroads of the British government,
monopolizing trade legitimately belong
ing to our own people. The step
toward such prevention by the pro-
vision statutes for payments to Ameri.
eau built, American owned vessels OF
certain classes in the foreign trade is in
the right direction. 1t is very deslra-
BILE that there shall be continuance or
extension Of the present policy OF pro-
tecting our vessels in the foreign trade
against the subsidized lines OF foreign
governments, so that We may retain Tor
those directly or indirectly interested
q fair portion OF the money now e4-
pended in foreign countries for ships
and the navigation thereof; so that EN-.
ployment and nautical knowledge and
experience may be given to officers and
men, who in case of war could be util-
lied in our navy, and so that we may
be enabled to build up as auxiliary to
the navy class OF powerful steam YES
sells, constituting an offset to the vast
fleets OF such craft steam vessels belong
ing to foreign nations now swarming
along our coasts, fitted for immediate
use as war vessels, with cannon in store
at homo and ready for service at days
notice as destroyers OF our commerce in
waters with which their crews are IA
miliar, or as transports for troops to
our shores or in our vicinity.
On the subject OF public buildings
the secretary says that tho expenditures
during the year ended September 80,
last were 1914, 2S6, and the outstand-
ing contract liabilities 1884, 40S, max
ing total Of S5,905,6S4. From present
indications he says that between this
date and the close OF the second session
of the Fifty-second Congress several
million dollars OF the aggregate OF the
various balances OF appropriations now
remaining available, and aggregating
about $40 ,00O, 900 will be covered by con-
tract liabilities. The report charges
the delay in commencing work on many
now public buildings to the failure OF
Congress to provide necessary clerical
and expert force, and to the eight hour
law. Especial attention is called to
securing plans for public buildings.
AUDITING ACCOUNTS.
The report says the desirability Of a
change OF the methods of disbursing
public moneys and the examination, adj
Indication and settlement of public ac-
counts has long been manifest. The
whole OF control and audit appertaining
to the public expenditure should be
under tho administrative direction OF n
comptrollergeneral or chief comptroller
of the treasury, within whose bureau
board of audit might be created for the
determination of quasi.judicial ques.:
tions arising in the examination and
settlement Of accounts, ii that mode OF
procedure be regarded with favor.
The secretary suggests the appointment
OF a non-partisan commission similar to
the interstate commerce commission,
but limited 10 a period OF three years
duration (Which can be extended tenn
porarily If necessary.
IMMIGRATION.
Speaking of the subject OF immigra-
ton the secretary is clearly Of opinion
that only by rigid examination made
at the place of departure can the pro-
hibition feature OF tho law be executed
with considerable degree of efficiency.
The remedy of tho evil Of immigration
is within control OF Congress. The Sec
rotary recommends head tax. AS
measure to determining what this tax
should be he suggests that the sum
should be such as will equalize the cost
to the immigrants to reach South Amer
lea or Australia.
On the subject OF alien contract labor
laws, the secretary says: "The vlgor-
GUS execution Of the law has called q
halt in tho 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
into our territory chiefly by way OF
Canada. Provision is made for the ad-
mission OF Chinese exhibitors and en-
ployes OF exhibitors at the worlds fair
and it is probable, the secretary says,
that large number of Chinese laborers
will enter the United States under this
authority. Tho secretary says at the
close Of the fiscal year no applications
for certificates had boon made to resident
Chinese laborers and that there seems
to be determination on the part oil
Chinese not TO register.
Recommendation OF the comptroller
of currency relating to deposits OF
bonds by the national banks; bank is
sues OF circulating notes; limiting with
drawal OF bonds to secure circulation;
assessment Of banks; limiting the
amount which may be loaned to per.
son, company, corporation or firm, and
government issue OF bonds at low inter
est to retire presentbonded debt are APP
proved by the secretary. The secre:
tary concurs in the recommendation OF
the inspector general OF steam vessels