Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1873.djvu/90

770 The ordinary salary of the Superintendent has not been drawn since the 1st of December, 1871. From that date till January 31, 1873, the Superintendent of Census was also Commissioner of Indian Affairs, receiving only the compensation affixed to the latter office. On my resignation as Commissioner of Indian Affairs, January 1, to take effect January 31, 1873, I received the following communication from the honorable Secretary: , Washington, D. C, January 31, 1873.


 * I transmit herewith a commission appointing you to be Superintendent of the Census.

You will observe that the word "emoluments" is erased from the commission, as at your express request the appointment is made "without compensation" for your services.

If you accept the appointment, be pleased to signify the same, take and subscribe the inclosed oath of office, and transmit it to this Department.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. DELANO, Secretary of the Interior.

Hon., of Massachusetts.

Under this letter of appointment I at once duly qualified, and have discharged the duties of the Office during the remaining portion of the year to the best of my ability, so far as was consistent with professional duties involving a residence in a city somewhat remote from the seat of Government. The work of the Superintendent of Census does not cease abruptly with the publication of the statistical reports. The remains of office-work are by no means trifling, while the publication of the reports of itself gives rise to an extensive correspondence. Where no positive objection exists, it is of course desirable that the person who has organized and administered the service to the point of the publication of the reports should conduct this correspondence and Supervise the remaining details of administration, in order to secure the highest degree of continuity and consistency of plan and operation. It was in this view, as I understood it, that the honorable Secretary issued the appointment above recited, and it was for this reason that I cheerfully accepted the position. I shall be fully satisfied if I can believe that the public service has been in any, even the smallest, degree advantaged thereby.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, FEANCIS A. WALKER, Superintendent. Hon. , Secretary of the Interior.

, Washington, D. C, November 1,1873.
 * I have the honor to submit the following report relative to the Capitol building and grounds, and other public works under my supervision.

Since the date of the last annual report from this office various improvements have been made. Large coal vaults, each capable of