The Department of State has been prominently before the people during the last two years in consequence of the Pan-American Congress,[1] composed of representatives from all American nations.  This congress met in 1889, under the auspices of the State Department at Washington, to consider subjects of common interest, such as international arbitration, railroad and steamship communication, uniform money and commercial regulations.  Various standing committees and commissions were provided for; and it is believed that through their efforts better commercial and social relations with the South American Republics will be established.  The International Marine Conference, composed of representatives from all marine powers, likewise met at Washington under the auspices of the same department, and adopted a code of marine regulations for the guidance of all nations.

[Footnote 1:  The Proceedings of the Pan American Congress were published by the Department of State, and also in the Tribune Monthly for September, 1890.  Articles upon the subject lay Mr. Romero, the Mexican Minister, appeared in the North American Review, September and October, 1890.]

In foreign relations the department has been chiefly occupied of late in the attempted settlement of the right of the English and Canadians to capture seals in Bering’s Sea and Straits, and of the rights of American and English fishermen[1] in the fishing grounds off the coast of New Foundland; in the conclusion of a new extradition[2] treaty with England, and of various treaties concerning trade with other nations.

[Footnote 1:  See Tribune Monthly entitled “Our Continent, or America for the Americans.”]

[Footnote 2:  An excellent monograph upon the subject of Extradition, by Hon. J.B.  Moore, has been published by the State Department.]

_#The Treasury Department.#_—­This department was created by act of September 2, 1789.  There are two assistant secretaries.  The department is divided into a large number of divisions, with the following chief officers:  (1) The Comptrollers, (2) the Auditors, (3) Treasurer, (4) Register, (5) Commissioner of Customs, (6) Commissioner of Internal Revenue, (7) Comptroller of the Currency, (8) Chief of the Bureau of Statistics, (9) Superintendent of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, (10) Director of the Mint, (11) Superintendent of the Life Saving Service, (12) Supervising-Surgeon-General of the Marine Hospital Service, (13) Supervising-Inspector-General of Steam Vessels.  Other officers are, the Supervising Architect, Commissioner of Navigation, Solicitor of the Treasury, and Chairman of the Light House Board.

The mention of the various divisions indicates the importance and variety of the duties coming under this department.  The Secretary is charged with the entire management of the national finances.  He submits annually to Congress estimates of the probable revenues and disbursements of the Government, prepares plans for the improvement of the revenue and for the support of the public credit, and superintends the collection of the revenue.  Two comptrollers pass upon all claims against the government and accounts received from the auditors.  Six auditors examine and adjust accounts relating to the expenditures of the various branches of the government.