For the House of Representatives.

For printing..

......

$18,000 00

For paper...

24,600 00

For illustrations, exclusive of the volume of charts..

7,738 00

For binding....

41,000 00

91,338 00

For printing the volume of charts and maps, paper for

same

43,000 00

For binding the same......

10,236 00

144,574 00

If the foregoing reports are to be completed in accordance with the original orders, the cost will be about as follows:

1. Report of the United States Astronomical Expedition to Chili..

Remarks.

Thus it will be seen that the aggregate amount required to pay for the work already executed, and to complete these reports, is about $550,000. There are no funds applicable either for printing, paper, engraving, or binding of these reports for the Senate; though I am informed there are very considerable amounts for lithographing and binding for the House yet unexpended and applicable to these pur

poses.

It appears to me that the printing of these reports has progressed so far as to render it inexpedient to discontinue either of them. Four volumes of the Astronomical Report have been printed, three of which have been bound; two remain to be printed, and three are yet to be bound; the aggregate cost for which will be about $57,000.

Emory's Mexican Boundary Report, proper, has been printed and paid for; but there remains a volume of appendix, a few pages only of which have been printed. The order of the Senate is for 3,400 copies of the appendix, at a cost of about $25,000; and of the House for 11,530 copies, at a cost of about $82,000-making a total of about $107,000. The numbers of this volume ordered by both Houses of Congress might probably be reduced one-half, or more, thus making a saving of about $50,000.

A very large portion of the estimated cost of the Pacific Railroad Reports (with the exception of the volume of charts) has already been incurred, and little more than the binding of two or three volumes could be saved by now stopping the work. All the illustrations have either been printed or are now in the printer's hands, all the volumes, except the 9th, 10th, and 11th, are bound, or ready for binding, and a large portion of the 9th and 10th volumes are printed.

It seems to me, however, that a very considerable curtailment in the numbers ordered to be printed of the volume of charts might be made without detriment to the public interests, and certainly at a great saving of money. The number ordered by the Senate is 12,400 copies, and by the House 11,520, at a cost of about $106,000. This volume, being composed almost, if not entirely, of maps, possesses no interest to the general reader; and it may, therefore, be worthy of consideration, whether the number ordered may not be reduced onehalf, and thus a saving of $50,000 effected.

I regret that my information will not enable me to promise the completion of these reports before the assembling of the next session of Congress. Could this office be furnished with the copy in time, there would be no difficulty in having the work printed, bound, and delivered before the expiration of the year.

In conclusion, I would recommend that appropriations be inserted in the general appropriation bill for the completion of these reports. The appropriations for engraving and lithographing, and for binding, for the Senate, having been entirely exhausted, it will be necessary also to provide for these expenses for the present session. The H. Rep. Com. 378-2

usual appropriation of $45,000 for the former and $50,000 for the latter purpose, it is believed, will be sufficient.

GEO. W. BOWMAN,

OFFICE SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC PRINTING,

April 6, 1858.

Superintendent.

P. S. Since the foregoing statement has been prepared, the chairman of the House Committee on Printing has requested that an approximate estimate be made of the saving of expense that would be effected by printing the regular or usual numbers only of the documents mentioned, (1,420 for the Senate and 1,520 for the House,) and rescinding the several orders for extra copies. I have caused this estimate to be made with the following results:

Lieutenant Gilliss' Report.-By rescinding the order for extra copies of the two volumes of this report yet to be printed, (1,000 for the Senate and 2,000 for the House,) a saving in the cost of paper, printing, and binding may be effected of about $10,000.

Pacific Railroad Reports.-All the volumes of these reports, as has been heretofore stated, are printed, with the exception of the 9th, 10th, and 11th. A very large portion of the text and all the illustrations for the 9th and 10th volumes have either been printed or are now in the contractor's hands; and, therefore, to stop these volumes now with the completion of the regular numbers only, a saving of but little more than the binding of two volumes could be effected, and all the illustrations and other matter which have been printed for them, at very great expense, would be utterly useless. The only saving that can now be made with propriety, it seems to me, is in the volume of charts, as herein before suggested. This volume is estimated to cost about $4 50 per volume, in addition to the expense already incurred for engraving the plates. The number of copies ordered is 12,400 for the Senate and 11,520 for the House. These numbers can be reduced at the pleasure of Congress, at a saving of about $4 50 per volume.

Emory's Mexican Boundary Report.-The second volume of this report, and six charts not to be bound in either volume, yet remain to be printed. If the orders for extra copies are rescinded, a saving will be effected of about $70,000, the estimated cost of the whole number ordered being $107,000. It has been hereinbefore suggested that the number of extra copies for each House be considerably reduced.

CASE OF R. B. HACKNEY.

MAY 13, 1858.-Ordered to be printed, and its further consideration postponed till Monday

next.

Mr. JACOB M. KUNKEL, from the Committee on Accounts, made the following REPORT.

The undersigned, Committee on Accounts, being required by its 102d rule to "superintend and control the expenditures of the contingent fund of the House of Representatives," and "to audit and settle all accounts which may be charged thereon," &c., having had under consideration the accounts of persons said to be employed by the Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives, report:

That prior to the commencement of the present session of Congress the Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives was authorized, by resolutions of the House, passed from time to time, to make the following appointments, viz: one superintendent of the folding room; one superintendent, and one assistant superintendent of the document room; one messenger in charge of the Hall of Representatives, with salaries ranging from $1,700 to $1,800 per annum, and thirteen other messengers, with salaries ranging from $1,200 to $1,500 a year. On the 23d of December last, on the motion of a member from Virginia, (Mr. Faulkner,) six additional messengers were allowed him, as it was very properly supposed that the comfort of the members required an increase in these assistant officers, after the House had removed its sittings to the present hall. The total number of this class of officers to be appointed by the Doorkeeper is therefore limited by law to twenty-three. Notwithstanding this express limitation of his authority and power, the Doorkeeper, it is believed, has issued his appointments to thirty or more persons, who claim compensation for their services as messengers of the House. Twenty-three of these messengers, as above stated, are returned by the Doorkeeper on his pay-rolls, monthly, with the receipts of the parties named therein attached, are regularly paid the proportions of annual salaries due each of them, respectively. It is known, however, to the undersigned that some of them are not performing the customary duties belonging to the nature of their employment, and for which they are paid. Three of them are detached and constantly engaged as book-keepers and assistant clerks

who