Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-12-18
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
December 2, 1850.


IR:-The duties which have been devoved by
law on the Department Of the Interior are oi Inc mos
varied and important character. AS The name ol the
Department would imply, they relate to most OF the
or the country which are of domestic
mre. They embrace not only variety OF subjects,
bnt the duties to be performed are widely dissimar
and partake in some degree OF Legislative and Judl-
cial, as well as of an executive character
To this Department is entrusted the general super
vision and management of all matters connected with
the Public Domain Indian Affairs, Pension, Patents,
Public Buildings the Census, the Penllenlary, ana
the expenditures Of the Judiciary.
Il is the duty of the person in charge OF to see
to the faithful administration of the laws relating 10
these several branches ofthe public servceand to pre-
scribe such regulations as may be necessary to give
full effect to the legislative will. And in addition to
these functions of an executive and legislative charac-
ter he is required by law to act in judicial capaci-
ty aud to decide all cases Of appeal which may he
brought before him Tor adjudication from any OF me
bureauX IN his Department Many ot these appea's'
esnecally from the Pension, Land and Indian oIceS'
are of great importance in PecunIary point oi 'eW'
and involve the examination OF VoIumhouS records
and tine investigation ana decision OF Intricate ques-
tions of law and equity.
The act ofCongress which created the Department
was drawn upprobaby by design, in very general
terms. Many of its provisions are exceedingly vague
and there seems TO have been no attempt to define
,;,h precision the boundaries of lis jurisdiction or
the extent of It's powers In the outset tins Sas pro-
baby the most udicous course, experience is gen.
orally the hes, guide in the adjustment of such matters
Bu, twould seem TO be proper now that there should
be more definite legislation prescribing the duties and
mowers of the Department, so that there may be no
conflict with other Departments, and little ornothng
left TO the mere discretion Of the incumbent.
NV Predecessor, in his annual report, called your
attention to the ncongruIty III the law IN reference
10 the designation of the Department In The title OF
the act it is stied "Iome Department" but the
bodv Of the law provides that it shall be called
sPhe Department of the neror.n The late incum-
bent. under whose auspices the Department was Or
ganized, fell himself bound by the mandatory terms
of the law to adopt the latter designation III all MS
official acts, but it is obviously proper that Congress
should by supplemental legislation remove the ambl-
guilty. and uncertainty on this subject
Nv predecessor also recommended, Tor reasons
very clearly and orcibly stated by him IN his report
~ which respectfully refer, the creation of the Of
fee ofSocitoro of the Department of the neror,to be
filed by lawyer competent TO investigate and de-
ride manv of the important questions of law and lacl
arising upon the numerous appeals which are taken
from the bureaux Ny brief experience IN the al
nrinistration of the Department enables me 10 zap
precate the wisdom of that recommendation, ana 10
moe its speedy adoption by Congress. In all cases
however the action of the Solicitor should be subject
to the revision of the head Of the Department, tor
nothing should be done to dimins.i IN the slightest
degree his official responsibility
As the reports of the heads Of the several 0ureaux
will give full information in regard to their condi-
ton and wants respectively, and as have not been
long enough in office to make myself thoroughly
acquainted with all the details OF their organl-
za,ion and functions, DO not deem il either necessa
~ or proper at this time, TO give more than gener
al review of their operations, with such explanations
and SUGGESTIONS as the public interests seem 10 re-
quire. 80.
As preliminary to this review,l respectfully submit
in tabular form summary Of the estimates for each
branch of the public service within the jurisdiction
OF this office In distinct column,and opposite to eacl
item is statement of the estimate for the presen
fiscal year for similar services. This compa rlso!
seems to be proper as will exhibit to the represen
tatives of the people at a single glance view OF INT
whole subject, and at the same time afford me tn
opportunity of presenting by succln:t commentary
on each item, such explanations as desire 10 oiier'
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
Estimates for the fiscal gear ending 3OM JOne 1872
compared 1cih those for Tie present fiscal gear