Samuel Franklin Emmons 



March 3, 1879, a ^ aw was P ass ed 

 establishing the United States Ge- 

 ological Survey as a bureau of 

 the Interior Department. President 

 Hayes, after consultation with the 

 best scientists of the country, ap- 

 pointed Clarence King as the first 

 director of the new Bureau. King 

 accepted the appointment with the 

 distinct understanding that he should 

 remain at its head only long enough 

 to appoint its staff, organize its work, 

 and guide its forces into full activity. 

 At the close of Hayes's term, he 

 offered his resignation, but at the 

 President's request, he held over until 

 after the inauguration of Garfield. 

 The latter accepted it, on March 1 2th, 

 1 88 1, in an autograph letter, express- 

 ing in the warmest terms his apprecia- 

 tion of the efficiency of King's service 

 and his regret that he did not find it 

 possible to remain longer in charge 



of the Geological Bureau. 



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