Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-20

much less expense than at present II the
law should be amended as to authorize
the Secretary OF the Treasury TO reduce the
number Of customs districts whenever in his
opinion the interests OF the service demand,
and authorizing him to station proper ON
GERS wherever the necessities OF commerce
may require, with the power TO enter ana
ciear vessels and to perform similar 1uties
connected with the navigation service.
since the act OF March 3, 1871, was passed
the custom business has largely increased
not only by the growth OF business at the
principal ports. but by the establishment OF
new ports ana customs districts. The sum
available for collecting the revenue from
customs Is always uncertain. and, the Sec
rotary says, Is insufficient to cover the alb
soiute needs OF the service. The department
Is. therefore, very frequently compelled TO
refuse expenditures necessary TO insure the
proper enforcement OF the revenue laws.
He therefore recommends that at least sew
en- millions be appropriated annually for
this purpose, and that the miscellaneous re-
ceipts now credited to this approximation be
covered into the treasury.
lie also recommends. as suggested by the
superintendent OF immigration. that Con-
gress Will at an early date carefully revise
ana re-enact the laws upon the subject OF
alien contract labor, making them more Ger
tain, explicit and comprehensive. and giving
ment thereof
The Chinese Exclusion Laws.
In a chapter devoted 10 the Chinese ques-
ton he speaks of the difficulty of enforcing
the exclusion laws because OF the practices
resorted to by coolies. and gives IL as his
opinion that so long as our laws prohibit ths
landing Of Chinese laborers the privilege OF
passing through our territory cannot be
safely granted, and IL should be at once re-
voked. II this privilege is continued. he
says, 1t Will be impossible TO secure an ef-
fcient execution of the laws passed by Con-
gress for the exclusion of the Chinese labor
ers. He also suggests the necessity Tor
supplementary legislation, under which the
Secretary OF the Treasury may exact from
the persons holding concessions bonds pro-
viding for the return OF Chinese laborers
admitted participants in the California
mid-winter exposition in the guise OF actors.
exhibitors, etc.
More Vessels Needed.
The Secretary says that a number OF ves-
sells are urgently needed for the proper
maintenance of the revenue marine service,
viz: One cruising cutter OF the first class
on the New England coast, two on the
great lakes. two on the Pacific coast and q
small steam vessel for boarding purposes at
San Francisco; and the necessity for these
new vessels is annually increasing. Many
OF the vessels are old and nearly worn out
the Expense OF keeping them in repair in
creases with their age and the duties re-
CURED of them constantly increasing can
| not be as efficiently performed as with
ADLER vessels.
Light House Service.
The light house board, the Secretary says
is making marked progress In replacing old
methods with new. This is notably shown
in the installation Of electric lights In one
hghtship and in setting UP revolving lights
on two other nghtships. The board has
made some progress in its studies as to the
methods of making electric communication
| between lightships and the shore. and Il has
continued its efforts to use buoys carrying
electric lights
Referring to the great damage by storms
during the past year. the Secretary invites
attention to the necessity for making ade-
quate provision for the light house estab-
hshment. Last year a little more than ST.
SooVoO was appropriated for the purpose.
Live Saving Service.
The Secretary reviews briefly the splendid
work Of this service, and says: The &C.
currence OF several furious storms along the
Atlantic coast during the months of May
and August Of the present year, resulting
in the serious loss of life and great destruc-
ton Of property, has caused considerable
public agitation of the question whether the
period during which the stations are Manu.
ed now beginning the LIST Of September and
ending the LIST of May following should not
/ De EXTENDED TO embrace these two months.
In view OF the frequency and violence OF
the ternpests. which the experience OF sew
eral recent years has shown are liable TO
devastate the Atlantic seaboarc during
season be prolonged to include them would
seem TO be well worthy the consideration Of
Congress.
District OF Columbia.
In a chapter under this head the Secre-
tary says the net expenditures on account
Of the District of Columbia for the fiscal
year 1893 We're S., So, 525.O2 The net rev.
enues deposited in the treasury on this &C
count for the same period We're ST. 49, q.
lie reviews the operations Of the District
sinking fund heretofore published in The
Stan and says:
The duties relative TO District affairs de-
volving upon the treasurer OF the United
States are of varied and diverse character
and attended with great responsibility, ana
they are constantly being increased by con-
gressional enactments. These duties the
treasurer exercises in the capacity Of q
federal officer by means of a separate de-
partmcnt of his Office, known as the sinking
fund once of the District of Columbia but
which is not a branch of the Treasury De-
partment. but is in point OF law legitimate
ly and properly Office of the United
States and a branch OF the treasurer's bu-
reau, for which he is as much responsible
under his bond as for any other division Of
1
alous condition the treasurer recommends
that Congress be asked to make the sinking
fund ONCE a regular division OF the treas
urers orice and incorporate the estimates
for the service thereof I'm the appropriation
bill for the service of the department, plac-
ing the employees upon the rolls upon the
same footing as far as practicable with the
regular employees. II would only be neces-
sary at the end OF each fiscal year TO charge
one-haf OF the expenses OF the Office 10 the
district of Columbia. and would enable the
treasurer 10 detail clerks TO assist In the
duties OF the Office when necessary. ana
make an equitable adjustment OF the az.
penses.
Pacific Raflroads.
IN view or the approaching maturity ~
the bonds issued I'm aid Of Pacific railroas,s
ene Secretary submits that the subject
should receive the early and earnest con-
sioeraaon of Congress, with view to aaop-
tion OF some plan which will more certainly
secure the ultimate payment OF the indebt-
eohess 10 the government, and at the same
.ine permit the companies 10 conduct the
business Tor which they We're created, un-
DER such limitations and restrictions as 20
management and expenditures as may be
CONSIDERED necessary 10 protect the rights
OF all parties interested in the property
IL would be very unfortunate, in his opln-
Ion. III the government should be forced by
any combination OF circumstances 20 take
possession of and operate these lines OF
railway. and every reasonable effort he