1886.] Editors’ Table. 625 
A bill has been introduced into the House of Representatives by 
Mr. Herbert, of Alabama, which forbids the publication of its 
results by the Geological Survey, which, with other restrictions, 
is almost equivalent to its abolition. 
On the other hand a bill has been introduced by Mr. Reagan, 
of Texas, creating a “ Department of Industries,” to be repre- 
sented in the Cabinet. This bill contemplates combining in the 
new department the following divisions: Agriculture, Labor and 
Commerce, The division Agriculture embraces the subdivisions: 
1. Agricultural products, including botany, entomology and 
chemistry; 2. Animal industry; 3. Lands, including the geo- 
logical survey. 
As regards the intrinsic merits of this proposed new depart- 
ment we have nothing to say, but we think there are better ways 
of disposing of the scientific work of the Government. The 
above plan omits necessarily a number of important scientific 
bureaus, and does not provide for the consolidation of all the 
offices which pursue a given branch of science. Thus there will 
be a chemical commission in the Agricultural Department and 
another in connection with the Navy, as at present, and so on. 
If it can be done properly, the creation of an organization to 
be called the Department or Bureau of Science and Public In- 
struction, to be embraced in the present Department of the Inte- 
nor, might meet the necessities of the case. Such a department 
would embrace the present Naval Observatory, Nautical Almanac, 
Signal Service, Coast Survey, Fish Commission, Geological Sur- 
vey, Agricultural Department, Bureau of Statistics and Bureau of 
Education. The diverse and heterogeneous character of the 
Ove divisions might be remedied by a suitable re classification. 
Each of the divisions should be under a capable expert, who 
should devote his time to promoting the efficiency of the work. 
nancial matters to be under direct management and control of 
the head of the entire bureau. 
But the essential to success of this or of any other plan for pro- 
Moting science at Washington is that its offices be removed from 
the field of political patronage. How this is to be done ‘is the 
uestion. The Smithsonian Institution as a private corporation, 
and the National Museum as under its direction, are happily re- 
Moved from such contingency, and any system which would 
the scientific commissions and bureaus in a position of 
bal security, would be a great benefit to them, Nothing would 
~ §ained in this direction by the creation of the proposed new : 
department, For this reason the commission appointed by Con- - 
Ses to investigate the relations of the scientific bureaus to each 
other and to the Government has decided that no change of 
"ganization should be made at present. a 
