Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1878-11-30
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
THE INTERIOR.

The Secretary OF the Interior In ms
report makes certain representations
and recommendations That are worthy
of general attention. We considered
Yesterday in notice OF the report OF the
Commissioner OF Indian Affairs, the
condition OF our Indian legislation. We
now present several other matters OF IN
terest connected with the Interior De-
partment.
With regard to the destruction OF our
forests, the Secretary makes some OBJ
servatiOns that might well he consld-
cred in connection with our own State:
"The disastrous consequences which
always follow the destruction OF the Tor
ests OF country will inevitably come
upon us in a comparatively short period
OF time, considering the rapldlty with
which the timber growth OF this coun-
try is being swept away, unless leglsla-
ton be enacted to arrest this lndlscrlm-
mate spolation. To that end he earn
estlv renews his recommendation for
the passage OF bill, already introduced
in Congress at his suggestion, which
provides that all timber bearing lands,
chiefly valuable for the timber upon
them, shall be withdrawn from
sale, or other disposition under
existing laws, and be held by the
government with II view to prevent
ing indiscriminate destruction and waste
and to the preservation OF the young
timber and the reproduction OF the for
csts. The bill, he SAYS, provides ample
means bv which settlers on the public
lands and miners can procure timber
and firewood to supply their wants,
with or without the soil, at minimum
rates. 1t also provides for the sale OF
timber at reasonable prices Tor manu-
featuring purposes and for export, and
for the appointment OF number OF
officers To execute its provisions under
the direction OF the Interior Depart
ment.
With regard to railroad matters the
secretary saws that about 1876, 424 800
acres of land have been granted for
railroad purposes, oi which to June 80,
1873, 3l,0l4,496 acres were patented.
The acts of Congress making these large
grants were passed with conditions in
tended in measure To repay the peO-
pie for such valuable donations, but the
Secretary thinks that the government
has had no certain and adequate way OF
ascertaining whether these conditions
were complied with which the Bureau
of the Auditor of Railroad Accounts is
intended to supply.
With regard to the Patent Office the
Secretary recommends liberal aPproprl-
atoms for books of reference TO prepare
complete digests of United States pat
ents. He says:
As the Office yields a handsome reve-
nue. over and above all its eXpendi-
lures, it would appear but simple JUS
tice To the inventors who contribute to
this revenue that a portion OF the sur
plus should be yearly appropriated for
the improvement OF It's scientific library,
and for the appropriation of such Ill
gests of patents a. will facilitate the work
OF examination and make It's results
more accurate and available.
lie recommends the restoration and
reconstruction OF the Interior Depart
ment building at an estimated cost
OF 1918, 1871, in accordance with the ac-
cepted plans of Architect NEYDAGE, OF
Indiana, and expresses the hope that
Congress will, at an early day, make the
needed appropriation to commence the
work.
Among the remaining recommends
tions OF the report is one for the speedy
enactment of the provisions for the con-
tinuance of the Hot Springs Commission,
which passed both houses last session,
but failed to receive the Presidents sig
nature because of clerical error in the
engrossment of the bill.