that the season was well advanced before these officers could be appointed under the legislation of the last session of Congress. The experience of the past season having demonstrated the necessity for an increase in the number of these assistants and for shelter and equipment essential to their comfort and efficiency, a reasonable amount to cover these expenses has been included in the estimates relating to the Park.

It is believed that better results in the direction of the perfect protection of the Park could be attained if the imposition of penalties for violations of the established regulations of the Department was specially authorized by law. It would also seem to be necessary that more convenient and practicable means should be provided for the protection of the person and property within the Park. The superintendent is clothed with no authority in such matters. The greater portion of the Park is within the jurisdiction, for legal purposes, of Wyoming, the remainder within that of Montana and Idaho, respectively. The nearest law officers of these Territories are so remote that recourse to them for the prevention of crime is practically useless, and the necessary delay in communication affords ample opportunity for the escape of persons charged with violation of law.

HOT SPRINGS.

A plan has been adopted for the improvement of the Hot Springs Creek throughout the extent of the reservation, embracing the straightening of the creek and confining its waters within arched and covered walls of masonry, and the laying of iron pipes for the collection of the hot water from springs found along the course of the creek. A contract has been made for the work, which is being prosecuted with reasonable diligence. An additional appropriation will probably be required for its completion. The execution of the plan will result in great improvement to the reservation, in an increased supply of hot water for bathing purposes, and will also add to the healthfulness of the city of Hot Springs by the covering of the creek, which has heretofore been an open sewer for the refuse of the city. A portion of the reservation has been assigned for the erection thereon of a hospital for the Army and Navy.

TENTH CENSUS.

During the last session of Congress considerable impatience was experienced at the delay in the publication of the result of the census of 1880. It is quite evident that the delay is not the result of inattention on the part of the officers of the Census Office, but that such delay has arisen from the magnitude and variety of the investigations undertaken. It is confidently expected that the Tenth Census will be speedily completed, and in a manner that will be entirely satisfactory to the people.

The Superintendent of the Census reports the following as showing the present condition of the work:

The Compendium was published in February of this year in two octavo volumes, aggrgating 1,845 pages, and comprising every class of statistics to be embraced in the full reports of the Census, except those relating to churches, libraries, and schools. A great deal has been done toward preparing the large quarto reports for publication, though not so much as was anticipated at the date of my last report. There were then reported 1,951 pages as stereotyped. The number of stereotyped pages is now 8,686, and 544 pages more are in type.

The population volume is entirely printed, and is now binding. It comprises 1,050 pages, with 41 colored maps, and large numbers of maps and charts in black.

Printing is now in progress on the volume of manufactures, and the maps to illustrate this volume are promised during the present month. The volume on agriculture is only detained by the delay in engraving and printing the maps which exhibit the range of cultivation of the several crops.

A large number of comprehensive and valuable special reports are completely finished, and some of them are in the hands of the Public Printer, who has dealt with the difficulties incident to so vast a work with great zeal, energy, and courtesy toward this Department.

RECONSTRUCTION OF SOUTH WING.

The work of reconstruction of the south wing and main portico of the building occupied by the Interior Department was commenced early in the spring, and since that time has been vigorously prosecuted. As soon as the clerical force stationed in the upper story of this wing was provided with other quarters, the removal of the old work was begun, care being taken to avoid interfering with or disturbing the office work in the lower stories. To secure this result, the rubbish was removed after office hours and at night, the removal being completed about the 15th of September.

As soon as any considerable portion of the wing was cleared, brickwork was commenced and pushed forward as rapidly as possible, the design being to have the walls of the new construction in place by the time the iron-work was received. Considerable progress has been made, and at present the new fire-proof roof over the portico is being constructed. It is hoped that, when the delivery of the iron-work is completed, the roofs over the main building can be promptly put in place. Congress, at its last session, appropriated $60,000 for this work. Already about $27,000 of this sum has been expended. With the funds remaining on hand the building will be brought under a water-tight roof, overlaid with Portland cement concrete, and this again will be covered with a copper roof of the most approved modern construction. In the interest of economy and the early reoccupation of the building, it is greatly to be regretted that the limited funds at the disposal will not allow the work to be pushed forward during the approaching winter and early spring, when it is likely employment at moderate rates will be eagerly sought by skilled mechanics.

It is estimated that, for the fire-proof reconstruction of the building,

$91,000 will be required during the next fiscal year. For the steamheating apparatus $18,000 will be required.

The reconstruction of the south wing will add greatly to the space for the clerical force, and, in a measure, lessen the overcrowded condition of the building.

FIRE-ESCAPES, ETC., FOR GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE AND GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.

The Commission designated by the act of August 7, 1882, to supervise the erection of suitable fire-escapes, stand-pipes, and other facili ties for extinguishing fire in the Government Printing Office and the Government Hospital for the Insane, have submitted a report giving the details of the execution of the work intrusted to their charge, from which it appears that suitable appliances of the nature contemplated have been provided for these buildings. The Commission deem it of importance that the attention of Congress should be directed to the insecure condition of the old portion of the Government Printing Office building. They state, "Its floors are of ordinary wooden construction, and are in places saturated with oil, and it is the opinion of the undersigned that these floors ought to be constructed of iron beams and brick arches, like the floors of the newer portion of this building." They also recommend, as a further protection against loss by fire, the construction of fire-proof stairways in the interior of the building and the inclosing of all the interior stairways and elevator shafts within brick walls.

In view of the special difficulties in the way of removing the insane in case of fire and the possible great loss of life that might therefore ensue in such event, the Commission consider it desirable that the main thoroughfares of the hospital should be made as nearly fire proof as possible, and that in renewing the corridor floors from time to time, as necessary, iron beams and brick arches for these floors should be introduced.

BENEFICIARY INSTITUTIONS.

Section 3709 of the Statutes directs that all purchases and contracts for supplies or services in any Department of the Government, except for personal services, shall be made by advertising and contract. It was therefore deemed advisable that such institutions as remain allied to this Department, namely, the Government Hospital for the Insane, the Freedmen's Hospital, and the Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, should procure their supplies in accordance with this section. The superintendent of the Hospital for the Insane and the surgeonin-chief of the Freedmen's Hospital readily assented; and, accordingly, proposals were invited and contracts entered into under the same,

The president of the Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb held that, under the provisions of sections 4859 and 4862 Revised Statutes, that institution was not subject to the general laws regarding proposals and contracts, and that it was not within the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior to enforce the provisions of section 3709, above quoted. It would seem advisable that Congress should provide by proper legislation that this institution either be made entirely independent of this Department, or that the law be so amended as to provide that the appropriations made by Congress for its support should be subject to the provisions applicable to expenditures for like purposes for similar institutions.

A comparison of the prices paid for articles in open market for the Columbia Institution during the months of September and October, with contract rates for like articles for the Insane Asylum, shows a difference of about 33 per cent. in favor of the contract system.

HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.

The annual report of the Board of Visitors for the Government Hospital for the Insane, for the year 1883, shows that the total number of patients was 1,207, of which 910 were males and 297 females. This is the largest number of patients under treatment in any one year since the close of the late war, and is partially accounted for by the number of patients received from the Home of Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. The number of patients remaining in the hospital June 30, 1883, was males, 755; females, 239; total, 944.

Of these, 446 are from the Army, 56 from the Navy, and 475 from civil life. Those from civil life are classed as follows: District of Columbia (transient), 24 males and 7 females; District of Columbia (residents indigent), 197 males, 223 females; District of Columbia convicts, 8 males; United States convicts, 5 males; private patients, 5 males and 6 females.

To provide for the influx from the soldier's homes, extensive additions to the hospital have been commenced, and will be completed during the year.

The total expenditure for the year has been $350,719.72.

FREEDMEN'S HOSPITAL.

The surgeon in charge of the Freedmen's Hospital reports that the whole number of patients admitted during the year was 1,601

About two hundred persons were admitted and treated upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Pensions and chief of police.

In the dispensary attached, 2,095 persons were treated. The surgeon in-chief recommends certain improvements in and about the buildings, for which estimates have been submitted.

COLUMBIA INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB.

The number of pupils instructed during the year was 106: males, 89; females, 17. Of these 41 were in the collegiate department, representing 18 States and the District of Columbia.

The work of instruction has gone on successfully in the several departments, especial attention having been paid to articulation and physical training.

Four students of the college were graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and the degree of M. A. was conferred on two persons, one of whom was a graduate of the college.

A memorial of the late President Garfield, in the form of a portrait bust in marble, has been presented to the institution by deaf mutes and their friends, representing twenty-six States of the Union and the Federal District. This memorial is to commemorate the important aid rendered to the cause of the higher education of the deaf by General Garfield while he was a member of Congress.

The funds for this purpose, amounting to more than $1,400, were raised by contributions from more than two thousand individuals.

The current expenses of the institution for the year amounted to $60,956.42, of which sum $55,000 were appropriated by Congress; $5,500 were expended in the construction of a farm, barn, and on the improvement of the grounds.

The amounts asked by the directors for the next fiscal year are: For current expenses, $55,000; for improvement of grounds and repairs of buildings, $5,000.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

HENRY M. TELLER,

The PRESIDENT.

Secretary.