The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-12-03
r & p o r T

DEPARTMENT or THE INTERIOR, !
na.apuhar y 1Stn

December 2, 1850.
SR:-The duties which have been devolved by
Law on the Department of the Interior of the
most varied and important character. As the
Lame OF the department would imply, they relate
TO most OF the interests of the country which are OF
a domestic nature They embrace moi only a
variety Of subjects, but the duties 10 be performed
are widely dissmsr, and parrake, in some degree,
Of legislative and judicial as we'll as OF an exc
cutve character.
: To this departing nj is entrusted the general SUI
pervision and m mage nent OF ali matters Connected
with the Public Domain, Indian Affairs, Pensions,
Patents, Public Bulidiu Is, the Census, the Peni-
tentisry, and the expenditures OF u Judiciary
TO the faithful administra "a ~ the laws relating
20 these several branches ot the public service, and
90 prescribe such regulations IS my be necess iy
to give full effect To the legislative will. AID ia
addition to these functions OF N executive aud le-
isative character he IL required by law TO act in
y judicial capacity, aud To decide all cases OF ap
peal which may be brought before hun Tor adJudl-
carlon from any Of the oureaux IN his department.
Macy OF these appeals espe clallg from the Pension,
Land, and Indian ohces, are Of great importance
In pecuniary point OF view, aud involve the exa'
nination OF vOuniDous recOfds, and the inYesig l.
zion and decision OF intricate questions of law and
cquiiy.
rnent was drawn up, probably by design, In very
general terms. May OF i1s PROVISIONS are exceed
sngly vogue, and there seems 10 nave been no at
tempt 10 define win precision the bouRdAries OF us
jurlsdieiion, or tn, exteut or us powers la the
as experence geae rally tue n.st guide In the l.
iustnIent Of such matters. But it would seem to
be proper now that thvre saoaid he more definite
3eQlsaon pre- scTihinE the duties and powers OF the
Department 90 that th-re may be cootict with
other departments, aud little or nothing left 10 the
mere discretion OF the incumbent
Ny predecessor, 10 his apousi report. cillef your
ats nion to the lDcongtuity the law ia refereace
10 the designation Of the drJnnms nj In The uue
OF the act II Is styled " Home Department, bat
the body Of the law provides tast y shall b. cilled
r h -
.cumbeDf, under whose auspi ;-s The department
was organized, felt himself hound, by the m inda-
tory terms of the law, TO adopt The later designa-
lion la all his official acts mt il ia ohvou y pro-
Ter that Congress should, Nv supplemental egisla-
lion, remove the ambiguity and uncertainty on
ahis subject.
nv predecessor also recommended, for reasons
very clearly and forciby stated hy him Ia his re-
rort 10 which re spectiuliy refer, the creation o.
The ,fce of Solicitor OF the department Of the Ia
terror To be filled by lawyer competent TO inves-
tiqau aud decise MANY of the important questions
oi law aud fact arising upon the numerous appeals
which are tak'n nom the bureaux My bref ex-
rerience in the administration ~ the department
enables me TO eppteci tie the VISION OF that re
CONNIE ndauon, and To urge i've speedy adoption BY
Congress In ell cases, however, the action OF the
Solicitor should BE- subject 10 the revision OF the
head of The department, for ohing should be done
TO dim,nish, in the slightest degree, his Official re-
sponsibiluy.
AZ the reports Of the heads OF the several bu
reaux will give full inform ttiDn ia regard TO theii
-condinon and wants respectively, and as nave nO
been IoTg enough in office to make myself tho
roughly acquainted with all the details OF their or
sgsnlZation and functions, | do not deem II etthe
necessary or prcper at this time, 10 give more thar
general review Of their operations, with ssch ex
plantations and suggestions the public Interests
seem TO require.
As preliminary to this review, respectfully sub
init, IN tabular form, yiof the estimates To-
each branch of The public service within the juris
sJtction OF this Office. la disnnct colu mn, anC
Opposite TO each Item, Is statement OF the estimate
for the presen bscal year for similar services Th
comparison seems TO be proper, as IL will exhibit Il
rhe representatives. OF the people at single glanc,
a view Of the whole subject and at the same ii
afford me the opportunity 1T presenting. by a sue
cinct commentary on each item, such explanation
Se desire TO efier.
DEPARTMENT or the INTERIOR.
rsnaiss for the fiscal year eadfng Boa June 1882 com
"A D.. a.