The expenditures for the support of the hospital, including needful repairs and improvements, amounted to $167,773.42. The receipts during the year were:

From Treasurer of the United States

From private patients for board, &c

From sundry receipts, including sale of pigs, hides, rags, &c....

$150, 171 00

11, 348 45

6,257 76

167, 777 21

Of the $28,748 appropriated at the second session of the Forty-third Congress for general repairs and improvements all but $3,960 have been expended as originally designed. This latter sum, intended for bringing the water across the river, was found to be insufficient for the purchase and laying of pipe of proper size, and was therefore not drawn from the Treasury. In addition to the reservoir, pump-house, and other improvements connected with the water-supply, an extensive filter has been constructed and the pumping reservoir filled from the river. The board of visitors, in their report, in referring to these improvements, say:

The institution possesses, in duplicate, the most substantial, durable, and reliable facilities for raising to the tanks in the attics of the main edifice an ample supply of pure water, that is essential to the economies, health, and safety of every hour of hospital life.

The board of visitors submit the following estimates for the year ending June 30, 1877:

For the support, clothing, and medical and moral treatment of the insane of the Army and Navy, Marine Corps, and Revenue-Cutter Serv. ice, and of all persons who have become insane since their entrance into the military or naval service of the United States, and who are indigents, and of the indigent insane of the District of Columbia, in the Government Hospital for the Insane, one hundred and sixty thousand four hundred and twenty-six dollars, ($160,426.) This estimate is based upon the support of 710 non-paying patients, or an estimated average cost per week of each patient of $4.33.

If the requirements of the last appropriation act, that "one-half of the expense of the indigent persons who may be hereafter admitted from the District of Columbia shall be paid from the treasury of said District," shall be continued, it is estimated that at least $5,843 will be derived from this source, leaving the amount necessary to be appropriated by Congress $154,583.

For enlarging and improving the gas-works, slaughter-house, drainage, and laundry of the hospital, and for the erection, furnishing, and fitting up of an enlarged and improved bake-house and oven, including store-room for flour and lodging for bakers, fifteen thousand dollars, ($15,000.)

For general repairs and improvements, ten thousand dollars, ($10,000.)

For the erection and fitting up of a separate building for the accommodation and treatment of female patients, three hundred and ninetyfive thousand dollars, ($395,000,) one-half of which is asked for expenditure in the year 1877-'78.

The board of visitors earnestly represent the necessity of these additional facilities.

In view of the fact that the present building and apparatus for providing meats, bread, washing, and baking were designed for an institution accommodating 350 patients and the requisite number of officers and employés for that number, it would appear necessary that greater accommodation should be provided for the present force, which is nearly double that for which provision was made. I therefore recommend the improvements suggested by the board as worthy the favorable consideration of Congress.

In my last report I favored the recommendations of the board of visitors in relation to the erection of a separate building for the care and treatment of female patients. Aside from the propriety of separating the sexes, so as to allow greater freedom to each, the overcrowded condition of the present building renders additional accommodations necessary, and as the proposed extension is urgently recommended by the board of visitors and superintendent, not only for the proper accommodation of the patients, but for the better treatment of both sexes, I renew my former recommendation, and ask for the proposed improvement the favorable consideration of Congress.

There has been no change in the resident officers in the course of the year. They have been diligent and faithful in the discharge of their delicate and responsible duties. As a rule, the attendants have been kind to the patients and have performed their duties in a satisfactory manner. The general management of the institution has been good, and its results commend it to the continued confidence and support of the Government.

DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM.

During the year ending June 30, 1876, 100 pupils-85 males and 15 females-received instruction in the Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. Of this number 53 were in the collegiate and 47 in the primary department.

The general health of the institution has been good, only one death having occurred during the year.

The receipts during the year, including a balance of $3,991.81 on hand at the beginning of the year, were $56,813.76, and the disbursements $54,676.75, leaving an unexpended balance of $2,137.01.

For the extension and fitting up of buildings during the year ending June 30, 1876, the sum of $40,070.96 has been expended.

The estimates submitted for the next fiscal year are as follows: For the support of the institution, including salaries and incidental expenses, and $500 for books and illustrative apparatus, $51,000.

For the completion of the work on the erection, furnishing, and fitting up of the buildings of the institution in accordance with plans heretofore submitted to Congress, $69,524.62.

For the inclosure, improvement, and care of the grounds of the institution, $10,000.

The board of directors present in their report certain valuable suggestions in relation to the higher education of the deaf and dumb of the several States, and the propriety of inviting the States to make provisions for the support of students here. Under its present management the institution has demonstrated the feasibility of imparting a collegiate education to certain of the deaf and dumb of the country, and this should encourage the belief that a greater degree of usefulness would be attainable if the facilities afforded were enjoyed by the more proficient among the deaf and dumb of the several States who are now shut out because of the inability on the part of the institution to support them. The board suggests that the subject of State support to worthy students be brought to the attention of the governors of the several States in some formal manner, so that the necessary steps may be taken to secure the requisite legislation.

FREEDMEN'S HOSPITAL.

During the year ending June 30, 1876, 596 persons were treated in Freedmen's Hospital, of which number 331 were admitted during the year; of this number 203 were males and 113 females. During the year 7 males were born in the hospital and 18 females. Of the total number of patients, 214 were discharged as cured, 30 as relieved, and 89 died; total discharged and died, 333. Remaining in hospital June 30, 1876, 263.

In the dispensary attached to the hospital 1,466 patients have been prescribed for and furnished with medicine.

The orphan asylum, containing about 110 children and attendants, has been furnished with medicines and medical attendance during the year, and subsistence has been furnished to 25 of these orphans.

COLUMBIA HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN.

During the year ending June 30, 1876, 330 patients were under treatment in the Columbia Hospital for Women and Lying-in Asylum; 222 were admitted during the year. There were 80 births during the same time. There were 131 cases cured; 59 relieved; 2 died; 18 incurable; 5 sent to other institutions, and 21 cases the results of which are unknown.

The character of cases treated and the nature of operations performed embrace all the variety of diseases to which women are peculiarly liable, and for the treatment of which this institution was established.

The general health of the hospital has been remarkably good, not a single death occurring among the patients admitted during the year.

The two deaths reported were cases admitted during the preceding year. These pleasing results are due to the excellent management of the institution and the wise sanitary measures adopted.

PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL.

Congress having appropriated $15,000, or so much thereof as might be necessary, for "the care, support, and medical treatment of 75 transient paupers, medical and surgical patients, in some proper medical institution in the city of Washington or in the District of Columbia, under a contract to be formed with such institution, a contract for this purpose was entered into with the sister superior of Providence Hospital for the year ending June 30, 1876.

On the 1st of July, 1875, 117 patients, admitted under a previous contract, remained in the hospital. During the year 561 patients were admitted, of which number 449 were males and 112 females. During the year 539 were discharged and 49 died. The total number treated was 678; 538 being males and 140 females. The number remaining in the hospital July 1, 1876, was 90; 69 males and 21 females.

Under act of Congress, approved July 31, 1876, like provisions were made for the medical treatment of transient paupers in Providence Hospital, and the direction of the same transferred to the SurgeonGeneral of the Army.

CAPITOL EXTENSION.

The architect reports that the Capitol Building has been kept in good repair, and many improvements made to it during the past year. These improvements have been of a substantial character, and include important changes in the method of introducing fresh air in the halls of legislation.

He also reports that the vases, the large lamps, and the balustrades at the eastern grounds have been completed, and that the western grounds are now being improved by planting and by paving roadways and foot walks. He recommends sufficient appropriation to complete the paving of the various roadways, foot-walks, and for the completion of the fountains. The fire engine-house, the construction of which was authorized by the act approved June 23, 1874, has been completed, and is now being used by the District government.

THE NEW JAIL.

In the early part of December, 1875, the new jail was so far completed as to admit of its occupation by prisoners. Since that time the entire building, with a few minor exceptions, has been completed. The Supervising Architect reports the heating, laundry, and kitchen apparatus in excellent working condition. The sewer has been extended to the river, much of the work necessary for the purpose having been performed by the prisoners, under the supervision of the warden.

The architect estimates the following as necessary to complete the

building and its surroundings: Finishing inside of cupola and painting ceiling over guard-room, $1,500; coal-vaults, $5,000; stable and strawhouse, $3,000; four hand-power elevators, $2,000; inclosing wall, (about 1,900 feet,) $60,000.

The estimate contemplates the employment of prison-labor wherever possible.

The architect, in closing his report to the jail commissioners, says: "The character of the work is excellent, and the building being well adapted for a penitentiary as well as a jail, I would call attention to the suggestion contained in the Supervising Architect's report for 1873, and if authority is obtained from Congress for converting it into a penitentiary, an appropriation should be asked for erecting the necessary work-shops."

THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBIT.

The Department, through its several bureaus and offices, has been well represented at the International Exposition held at Philadelphia, Pa. The collections furnished by the Patent, Land, Indian, Educational, and Census Offices, together with the offerings of the Geological Surveys under Messrs. Hayden and Powell, attracted marked attention among the Government exhibits, and in their arrangement and selection reflected credit on those having them in charge. The general management of the Department display was under the direction of Commis sioner John Eaton, jr., appointed by the President to represent the Department at the Centennial, and to his efforts, characterized by energy and fidelity, the success of the Interior exhibit is largely due.

PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.

There were received at the Department for distribution during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, twenty-eight thousand eight hundred and seventy-four bound volumes and seventeen thousand two hundred and eighty-five pamphlets.

I am persuaded that the laws relating to the publication and distribution of public documents should be carefully revised and simplified. In my judgment, provision should be made for supplying gratuitously all the important public libraries of the country with copies of every valuable publication issued by the Government, while individuals should be required to pay cost-price for the same, exception being made of persons in official position, who should be provided with such documents as are essential to the proper discharge of the duties of their office.

The custody and distribution of such documents should be confined to a single agency, so that there might be one source from which the publications of the Government, or accurate information concerning them, could readily be obtained.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. CHANDLER, Secretary of the Interior.

The PRESIDENT.