the county. That such extension is inevitable in the near future is apparent from the present rate of growth. It should be provided for at once by the preparation and adoption of a detailed plan, based upon a careful study of the topographical features of the county. Such an assurance of the permanency of improvements in real estate as would be given by the ratification by Congress of such a plan would probably seenre the investment of much timid capital which the changing grades of the last few years have driven from the District. This is more than probable, because it is difficult to imagine a more desirable place of residence than Washington and its vicinity must eventually become. With a mild, healthful climate, and a picturesque surrounding country, the capital of the nation should be, with the accumulation of wealth, the center of refinement and culture. The gradual extension of public improvements must be resumed in time, and action in the matter of certain projected work of great importance, seriously affecting the health of the District, should not be long deferred. Your attention is again invited to the subject as referred to in my report last year, viz: "In the southern part of Washington the old canal, as yet unfilled, is the principal obstacle to improvement. Sanitary considerations and the proximity of the canal to the Capitol unite with the interests of this section of the city in urging the importance of this work. I have fixed the grades of South Washington with a view to accomplishing this filling as economically as possible, and the work should be continued. "Along the present Potomac front the swash-channel, that now floats a light-draught sand-boat as high as the Seventeenth street wharf, gives a wharf-line of so little value, that squatters have usurped the rights of the General Government unopposed, and occupy the line. Between this and the river-channel a belt of poisonous marshes stretches from Easby's Point to the arsenal grounds; and until these marshes are reclaimed by filling them up they must retard the development of the business part of the city and imperil the health of the inhabitants. The plan of the harbor commission, which has had the attention of Congress, and for which only $50,000 has as yet been appropriated, provides for this work, and its execution is in the hands of the engineer department of the Army." All plans for the future improvement in the District should have the same painstaking study and the same adaptation to the wants of the more remote future than are shown in the original plan of the capital. The execution of such plans, when well digested, may be swift and sure, but the hurried work of imperfect plans is inevitably wasteful and unsatisfactory, and work without plans, awaiting its own destruction in the future, is time and money thrown away. Whatever may be contributed by the General Government toward the expense of the work of improvement within the District, it should be remembered that the control of this work is with Congress, and that the people can hardly be held responsible for a wavering policy or changing plans. This is, in my opinion, a matter of so much importance, that its consideration, with ceaseless care and attention, upon fixed principles of national policy and the requirements of the District, should be insured by appropriate legislation whenever a permanent form of government shall be provided for the District. In conclusion, I have to invite your attention to the testimonial in favor of my assistants and their working force in the record of work performed. Very respectfully, R. L. HOXIE, Lieutenant Engineers U. S. A., Engineer of District of Columbia. To the Honorable the COMMISSIONERS DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. VIII-APPENDIX No. 1.-REPORT OF CHIEF CLERK. ENGINEER'S OFFICE, Washington, D. C., November 30, 1876. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of work done by the clerical force of this office since last annual report, one year ago: Number of communications received, briefed, and recorded ..... Number of copies of contracts prepared. Number of permits (gas, sewer, water, and miscellaneous) issued. Number of sets of vouchers prepared. 7, 133 2,872 87 4,678 313 453 During the months of February and March last a very large amount of work was done by the clerical force of this office in the preparation of tabular statements, showing the total expenditures under all contracts under which work was resumed by the Commissioners and those of a new series. These statements were forwarded by the Engineer to the Commissioners, and formed a part of their answer to interrogatories propounded by Committee on the District of Columbia, House of Rep resentatives. A work of considerable magnitude has been performed by a portion of the force in the revision and correction of accounts in the contractledger. Every account has been thoroughly overhauled and verified with the audit as audited by the late board of audit, and numerous clerical errors and overpayments have been corrected, and the District government has been, in the aggregate, considerably benefited. The work of the office is of such a character as to preclude the possi bility of specifying it in detail to any great extent; sufficient facts are, however, presented to show that it has been by no means inconsiderable, and coupled also with the fact that the clerical force during the year has been about 72 per cent. smaller than it was during the previous year, establishes the faithfulness and efficiency of the present although exceedingly small force. Very respectfully, JOSEPH C. ROCK, Chief Clerk. VIII.-APPENDIX No. 2.-REPORT OF WATER-REGISTRAR. WATER-REGISTRAR'S OFFICE, Washington, D. C., November 15, 1876. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of this department from November 15, 1875, to November 15, 1876: WATER-MAINS. The total length of water-mains laid by the department from organization, July, 1859, to November 15, 1876, is 675,314 linear feet, or 1274754 miles. 5280 By an act of the legislature there were laid, under the direction of the chief engineer of the Washington Aqueduct, for the District of Columbia: Of 36-inch main, 21,998 feet; of 30-inch main, 1,750 feet; of 20-inch main, 4,100 feet; making a total of 27,848 feet, or 51448 miles. 5280 3970 5280 The length of mains laid by the Washington Aqueduct is 93,730 feet, or 17 miles. The late corporation of Georgetown laid in that city 55,000 feet, or 102200 miles. This gives a total length of supply and distributing mains now in use within the District of Columbia to be 851,892 linear feet, or 161812 miles. The length of mains laid since November 1, 5230 5280 1871, to November 1, 1876, is 238,913 feet, or 451313 miles. 5250 From November 15, 1875, to November 15, 1876, there were laid of 8-inch cast-iron pipe, 6,521 feet; of 6-inch pipe, 50,282 feet; and of 4-inch pipe, 542 feet; making a total of 57,345 feet, or 101554 miles; of which the following is a correct list: 5280 |