112 VAN HISE 



proposed that they should be controlled by special laws. To a 

 large measure the suggestions which he made have been incor- 

 porated into statutes. At the present time it has been recog- 

 nized that these three classes of lands must be handled differ- 

 ently, each having special legislation applicable to it. 



In conclusion, it is clear that Powell, the explorer, was an 

 explorer with a broader and higher motive than that which con- 

 trols many. His purpose was not to perform a difficult feat, 

 and thereby gain personal glor}^ His purpose was not even to 

 find a path. His purpose was to make observations through the 

 whole realm of objective knowledge and to advance the philos- 

 ophy of science. His purpose was to find the way by which 

 the region explored would be of best service to the nation. 

 Through the gauzy mask of the great explorer we see standing 

 out in clear and dominating relief the comprehensive and phil- 

 osophic scientist, the poet, and the statesman. 



The President said : 



The explorations developed into an organized survey, embrac- 

 ing the geography, geology, ethnology, and natural history of 

 the countr}', known as the Geographical and Geological Survey 

 of the Rocky Mountain Region, which existed until 1879, when 

 it and the Hayden and Wheeler surveys were discontinued 

 and the present United States Geological Survey was created. 

 Major Powell was the leading advocate of consolidation. True 

 to his genius for organization, he perceived clearly that the scat- 

 tered forces should be conjoined and correlated. With his 

 hearty support Mr. King was made the first Director of the new 

 Survey ; and when, after a brief incumbency, Mr. King retired. 

 Major Powell was immediately made his successor. This 

 occurred in the spring of 188 1. The Geological Survey was 

 well established under Mr. King, and during the thirteen years 

 of Major Powell's directorate its growth, in functions and cor- 

 relative parts, was remarkable. Mr. G. K. Gilbert, long an 

 associate with Major Powell in geological work, will speak of 

 him as a geologist. 



