In regard to this estimate, I have to say that the salaries of the surveyors general are fixed by law, and very low, and the estimate is for amounts so fixed. The estimate for clerical force is, in my opinion, absolutely necessary to enable the several surveyors general to bring up the work in their offices. Insufficient appropriation for this purpose for several years past has caused great arrearages in the work, and consequently great confusion in the offices. 4th. For contingent expenses of the offices of surveyors general. In reference to this estimate, I do not see how it can be reduced. The fact that less has heretofore been appropriated does not prove anything with reference to present wants. 5th. For surveying public lands and private land claims, boundary lines between Territories, appraisement and sale of lands and buildings of abandoned military reservations, examination of public surveys in the field, retracing and reproducing by photolithography, or otherwise, of worn and defaced official township plats, &c. Referring to the above-enumerated estimates, I wish to say that there is no known method of designating the exact sum that should be appropriated for public surveys. The machinery for conducting the public surveys costs as much when idle as when employed. The estimates for the offices of surveyors general amount to more than $200,000, and no less sum than that will suffice to keep these offices in efficient working order. Under these circumstances it would seem but folly not to employ them. The survey of the boundary lines between the Territories seems to be necessary, as does also the appropriation for defraying the expenses of selling abandoned military reservations, and the improvements thereon. In the case of several reservations, the appraisement and sale of which have been provided for by law, all action has been suspended for want of appropriation to defray the expenses. The sale of these reservations would put large sums of money into the Treasury if consummated. Referring to the estimate for appropriation for survey of private land claims, I desire to state that the neglect on the part of the government to provide for the survey and adjudication of said claims in the territory acquired by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and the treaty commonly known as the Gadsden purchase, has cost the government millions of acres of land and very large sums of money, and has been the immediate cause of the loss of many lives and much lawlessness. Every year's and every day's delay makes the settlement of these claims more difficult and expensive. The treaties provided for their settlement, the courts of the United States sustain, and award to the grantees of bona-fide claims the quantity granted according to the laws of the nation making the grant. Why should not the initiative be taken for settling those claims in Arizona, where nothing has been done, and the work which has already been commenced in other States and Territories in regard to these claims consummated at the earliest practicable day? I estimated for the appropriation for that purpose with that end in view. An appropriation of money to enable the surveyors general to examine surveys in the field is necessary beyond all doubt or cavil, and the amount asked for is very small. The importance of reproducing in whole or in part the mutilated records of this office cannot be overestimated. Age and constant ues have rendered the restoration and preservation imperatively necessary. 6th. The estimate for appropriations to cover deficiencies in the years from 1868 to 1878 inclusive is, in my opinion, a proper one to be submitted. In conclusion I would respectfully state that I have carefully examined each item asked for, and if all cannot be appropriated I am unable to say with certainty where the reduction should be made. I would, however, express the opinion that the appropriations most imperatively demanded are those that will enable this office to bring up the arrearages of work now on hand, and also enable the surveyors general to bring up their office-work. Public surveys can be better dispensed with than any other branch of the public land business. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. C. SCHURZ, Secretary of the Interior. J. A. WILLIAMSON, Commissioner. No. 13.-Estimates of appropriations required for the service of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1830, by the General Land Office. Detailed objects of expenditure, and explanations. Estimated amount Total amount to be Amount appropri- | ending June 30, 1879. Salaries: Commissioner of the General Land Office (Rev. Stat., p. 75, sec. NOTE. The chief clerk is required by law to act as Commis sioner in case of vacancy, or of the absence or sickness of that officer, and must be fully competent to take charge and control of the bureau at all times. He should receive the usual salary of a deputy bureau officer. It may be added that the proper duties of this office are unusually intricate, complex, and arduous, and fully deserve the salary herein estimated. Law clerk, per act March 3, 1875 (18 Stat., p. 364, sec. 1)....... NOTE. The law clerk must be thoroughly conversant with land law and practice, as well as with the usages and practice of the department, and be able to grasp and summarize at once the various questions involved in land contests and the construction of statutes, and to present the same in proper form for the consideration and action of the head of the bureau and the chiefs of divisions. The compensation estimated for is very moderate, considering the nature of the work and the qualifications required. Few attorneys competent to perform the duties could be found willing to do so for the amount named. Recorder (Rev. Stat., p. 75, sec. 447), and per act March 3, 1875 (18 Stat., p. 364, sec. 1).. Three principal clerks, as chiefs of divisions, of public lands, of private land claims and of surveys, at $2,000 each (Rev. Stat., p. 75, sec. 448, p. 76, sec. 449), and per act March 3, 1875 (18 Stat., p. 364, sec. 1). Six additional chiefs of divisions, at $2,000 each, per act March 3, 1853 (10 Stat., p. 211, sec. 3); per act March 3, 1875 (18 Stat., p. 364, sec. 1); and per act June 19, 1878 (Public, 135).. NOTE.-The Recorder, in addition to his statutory duties, with the principal clerks and chiefs of divisions occupy the relation of staff officers to the Commissioner. Each has exclusive charge of a particular class of work and of the clerical force employed upon it. They must know the rules of the whole office and the laws governing the whole land system, the relations of the classes being so intermixed as frequently to involve nearly the whole of them in the consideration of a single case. No higher serv ice is performed by the subordinate officers of any department, not excepting the Treasury, where the salaries range from twenty-seven hundred to thirty-five hundred dollars. Until this aid is given to the bureau no Commissioner can perform with satis * Increase submitted. No. 13.-Estimates of appropriations required, &c.—Continued. Twenty-two clerks of class three, per act March 3, 1853 (10 Stat.. Forty clerks of class two, per act March 3, 1853 (10 Stat., p. 211, One hundred and twenty-six clerks of class one, per act March NOTE. The estimates for draughtsmen are based upon the ascertained wants and needs of the office. Heretofore the work has been done by detailed clerks, possessing some qualifications there. for, but not always in the best manner, and usually after great and inconvenient delay. There should be ample provision for this work, and it is believed that the estimate made will be within the absolute requirements of the service. Four messengers at $840 each, and ten assistant messengers at Twelve laborers at $720 each, per act March 3, 1869 (15 Stat., p. NOTE. The estimates for service in the lower grades, messengers and laborers included, are less than the needs of the office require, but are submitted as the very lowest possible to secure proper efficiency and dispatch. The lack of help in these positions has up to this time greatly impaired the morale of the bu rean in compelling clerks and chiefs of divisions to leave their proper work and occupy their time in performing service really pertaining to messengers and copyists. It is hoped the full number herewith estimated for may be authorized. Provided, That the Secretary of the Interior at his discretion shall be, and he is hereby, authorized to use any portion of the said appropriation for piece-work or by the day, month, or year, at such rate or rates as he may deem just and fair, not exceeding a salary of $1,200. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, J. A. WILLIAMSON, Commissioner. General Land Office, September 26, 1878. Estimates of appropriations required for the service of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880, by the General Land Office. Contingent expenses: Stationery, diagrams, parchment paper for land patents, furniture and repairs of the same, miscellaneous items, for the actual expenses of clerks detailed to investigate fraudulent land entries, trespasses on the public lands, and cases of official misconduct, and for advertising and telegraphing, per act May 8, 1872 (17 Stat., p. 75. sec. 1): June 10, 1872 (17 Stat.. p. 364, sec. 1); and June 19, 1878 (Public, sec. 199) Map: For connected and separate United States and other maps prepared in this office, per act June 23, 1874 (18 Stat., p. 213, sec. 1,) and March 3, 1875 (18 Stat., p. 374, sec. 1) Printing, binding, &c.: Land Office reports, circulars, patents, tract books. indexes, records, field notes, abstracts, and other miscellaneous printing and binding required for the use of the office, per act May 8, 1872 (17 Stat., p. 82, sec. 2); June 23, 1874 (18 Stat., p. 204, sec. 1); and March 3, 1875 (18 Stat., p. 371, sec. 1) For rebinding tract books in constant use, which have become damaged by age or by the injury resulting from the late fire, and transcribing the same when necessary.. NOTE. The necessity for this appropriation is very urgent, the books being in danger of complete destruction, and no copies of them being in existence. These tract books constitute the only practicable and accessible record of original entries; and not one of them could be lost without a cost of several hundreds of dollars to replace it. Collecting revenue from sales of public lands: Salaries and commissions of registers and receivers of district Expense of depositing public moneys, per act June 23, 1874 (18) For the protection of timber on the public lands, per act March Total |