The New York herald., 1878-12-30
WASHINGTON.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

wAsHISGToS. Dec. 90. 1873.
THE PUBLIC sUEvEys-PEoposITIoN FOR con-
soILDATIoN INTO BUREAUS OF THE INTERIOR
DEPARTMENT.
proposition to consolidate all the public surveys
in two bureaus of the Interior Department is under
consideration by the Appropriations Committee and
will most likely be incorporated il the Legislative Ap-
preparation bill now being matured by that COM
mttee. The subject comprises about eight sections
of the bill. far the proposition has taken
shape. The two bureaus will be known re-
spectively as the Bureau of the Coast and
Interior Survey and the Bureau OF Geological Survey
The present Coast Survey will be transferred from
the Treasury Department and merged in the former
of these. All the survey work done by the engineer
corps Of the War Department. either in the rivers
and harbors the interior will also be under the
supervision of this bureau. The Geological Bureau
will have supervision of such work as is done by the
Hayden and Powell expeditions but aprovison OF the
bill will require and direct the surveys to be SO con-
Quoted and restricted in the beginning to plat and
exhibit the public lands that available for
immediate occupation by emigrants and settlers.
The duties Of the Land Office will in future be
fined to the deciding and selling of public lands. and
the Office of Surveyor General will be abolished.
THE BLAINE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE DIF-
FERENCE OF OPINION REGARDING THE FIELD
OF OPERATIONS
Senator Teller. tho chairman of the special COM
mittee the investigation of election frauds. ex-
poets to receive tomorrow official notification that
there funds to the credit of the Senate which may
be used by the committee. Anticipating such de-
csion it is understood that at the meeting
it will DC proposed by Senator Cameron that a sub
committee of five be designated to proceed to New
nrloa x,s<h~ 1a1axy and 1ov; tl,a yrrf
Of examining witnesses in that city. The
names Of the Senators to be appointed
according to the republican programme. Messrs.
Teller, Krkwood and Cameron, republicans and
Senators Bailey and Garland. democrats. The demo-
cratic members OF the committee are not agreed to-
night whether they will accept this proposition. 1t
will be remembered that at the first meeting of the
committee resolution to define the proposed action
Of the committee was not acted upon. and the
democratic Senators say that they not
willing that majority of the members
shall be sent to New Orleans and leave
no plan for action looking to thorough prosecution
Of inquiries at other points. Senator Wallace is
anxious that New York and Philadelphia shall be
visited and it is also urged that Cincinnati and Pitts
burg would be good fields for investigation. 1t is
said tonight that Comptroller Porter is not alto
gether clear the opinion Of the acting Attorney
General upon the construction of the law appropri
atng the $4,000, and that the money under that ap
preparation may not be available.
EN-pREsIDENT GRANTS REAL ESTATE TRANS
ACTIONS.
recent real estate transaction here involving the
name of General Grant created impression in
quarters that the exPresdent was investing in real
estate, fact inconsistent it suggested. with his
reported claims of having left the White House the
possessor of only slender means. The truth Of the
matter is that General Grant has parted with
and not possessed himself Of real estate.
He bought house two years ago on Iowa Circle
for $25,OOO. but recorded the deed until
Gently when he sold the house to lady for SIT 500.
AS tho house tcnantless meantime. and the
lady assumed the taxes and assessments part Of
tho consideration she paid for the property, the in
vestment has occasioned General Grant . loss of
about $4,000.