Retiring board, 369. In case of an officer of the Marine Corps, the retir composition. 42, s. 17, v. 12, p. 289. Aug. 3, 1861, c. ing board shall be selected by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President. Two-fifths of the Sec. 1623, B. S. board shall be selected from the Medical Corps of the Navy and the remainder shall be selected from officers of the Marine Corps, senior in rank, so far as may be, to the officer whose disability is to be inquired of. Transfers from military to naval service. 342. Sec. 1421, R. S. TRANSFERS. 370. Any person enlisted in the military service of the United States may, on application to the Navy Department, July 1, 1864, c. 201, s. 1, v. 13, p. approved by the President, be transferred to the Navy or Marine Corps, to serve therein the residue of his term of enlistment, subject to the laws and regulations for the gov ernment of the Navy. But such transfer shall not release him from any indebtedness to the Government, nor, without the consent of the President, from any penalty incurred for a breach of the military law. Officers of the Navy may be de tailed for service DETAILS OF NAVAL OFFICERS. 371. The President may detail, temporarily, three compeof the War De- tent naval officers for the service of the War Department Feb. 12, 1862, c. in the inspection of transport vessels, and for such other Sec. 1437, R. s. services as may be designated by the Secretary of War. partment. 21, v. 12, p. 333. Establishment of Department of 372. There shall be at the seat of Government an Executive Department to be known as the Department of the Interior. the Interior, and a Secretary of the Interior, who shall be 108, s. 1, v. 9, p. the head thereof. 373. The Secretary of the Interior is charged with the supervision of public business relating to the following subjects: First. The census; when directed by law. Fourth. Pensions and bounty lands. Fifth. Patents for inventions. Sixth. The custody and distribution of publications. Mar. 3, 1849, c. 395. Sec. 437, R. S. Duties of Sec- retary. 108, ss. 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, v. 9, p. 395; July 8, 1870, c.230, s. 1, v. 16, p. 198; Feb. 5, 1859, c. 22, 8. 1, v. 11, p. 379; July 20, 1868, c. 176, s. 1, v. 15, pp. 92, 106. Sec. 441, R. S. Eighth. Government Hospital for the Insane. Ninth. Columbia Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb. 374. The Secretary of the Interior shall hereafter exercise Powers of Secall the powers and perform all the duties in relation to the Territories of the United States that were, prior to March first, eighteen hundred and seventy-three, by law or by custom exercised and performed by the Secretary of State. THE GENERAL LAND-OFFICE. retary. Sec. 442, R. S. 375. Commissioner of the General 378. Returns and accounts relative to lands. Land-Office. 376. Secretary to the President to 379. Warrants for military lands. 380. Issue of patents for lands. sign land patents. 377. Duties of Commissioner. Commissioner of the General Land-Office. Apr. 25, 1812, c. 375. There shall be in the Department of the Interior a Commissioner of the General Land-Office, who shall be 68, s. 11, v. 2, p. appointed by the President, by and with the advice and 717; July 4, 1836, c. 352, s. 1, v. 5, consent of the Senate, and shall be entitled to a salary of p. 107; Mar. 3, four thousand dollars a year. 1873, c. 226, s. 3, v. 17, p. 508. Sec. 446, R. S. the President to ents. 352, s. 6, v. 5, p. Secretary to 376. The President is authorized to appoint, from time to sign land pat- time, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a July 4, 1836, c. secretary, at a salary of one thousand five hundred dollars a year, whose duty it shall be, under the direction of the Sec. 450, R. S. President, to sign in his name, and for him, all patents for land sold or granted under the authority of the United States. 111. Duties of Commissioner. c. 68, s. 1, v. 2, p. c. 352, s. 1, v. 5. 377. The Commissioner of the General Land-Office shall Apr. 25, 1812, perform, under the direction of the Secretary of the In716; July 4, 1836, terior, all executive duties appertaining to the surveying L., p. 313. p. 107: 18 Stat. and sale of the public lands of the United States, or in anywise respecting such public lands, and, also, such as Sec. 453, R. S. relate to private claims of land, and the issuing of patents for all grants of land under the authority of the Government.1 Returns and accounts relative to lands. 378. All returns relative to the public lands shall be made to the Commissioner of the General Land-Office, and he Apr. 25, 1812, c. 68, s. 9, v. 2, p. 717. shall have power to audit and settle all public accounts Sec. 456, R. S. relative to the public lands; and upon the settlement of any such account, he shall certify the balance, and transmit the account with the vouchers and certificate to the First Comptroller of the Treasury, for his examination and decision thereon. Warrants for 68, s. 7, v. 2, p. 717. 379. In all cases in which land has heretofore or shall military lands. Apr. 25, 1812, c. hereafter be given by the United States for military services, warrants shall be granted to the parties entitled to Sec. 457, R. S. such land by the Secretary of the Interior; and such warrants shall be recorded in the General Land-Office, in books to be kept for the purpose, and shall be located as is or may be provided by law; and patents shall afterwards be issued accordingly. Issue of pat. ents for lands. 380. All patents issuing from the General Land-Office Apr. 25, 1812, c. shall be issued in the name of the United States, and be 68, s. 8, v. 2, p. 717; Mar. 3, 1841, c. 26, signed by the President and countersigned by the Recorder 8. 2, v. 5, p. 417. of the General Land-Office; and shall be recorded in the Sec. 458, R. S. Office, in books to be kept for the purpose.2 The Court of Private Land Claims, established by the act of March 3, 1891 (26 Stat. L., 854-862), has been given jurisdiction to hear and determine controversies as to titles to lands situated in the territory acquired from Mexico, by virtue of Spanish and Mexican grants; and to issue decrees which shall finally settle and determine the validity of such titles and the boundaries of claims presented for adjudication. The powers of the court are to cease and determine on December 31, 1897. Act March 2, 1895 (18 Stat. L., 805). See also Barnard's Heirs v. Ashley's Heirs et al., 18 How., 43; Bell v. Hearne et al., 19 How., 252; Maguire v. Tyler, 1 Black, 195. 2 Section 3 of the act of March 2, 1895, authorizes the patents for public lands to be engrossed and recorded by means of typewriters or other machines, under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior, with the approval of the President. (28 Stat. L., 807.) 383. Accounts for claims and dis- 386. Sale of arms, etc., to Indians 384. Regulations relating to In- 387. Commissioner to report annu- Commissioner of Indian Affairs. 174, s. 1, v. 4, p. 564. 381. There shall be in the Department of the Interior a Commissioner of Indian Affairs, who shall be appointed by July 9, 1832, c. the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and who shall be entitled to a salary of three thousand dollars a year.1 Sec. 462, R. S. Duties of Com missioner. July 9, 1832, c. 564; July 27, 1868, c. 259, s. 1, v. 15, p. 174, s. 1, v. 4, p. 382. The Commissioner of Indian Affairs shall, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, and agreeably to such regulations as the President may prescribe, have the management of all Indian affairs, and of all matters arising 228. out of Indian relations. Sec. 463, R. S. Accounts for claims and dis July 9, 1832, c. 383. All accounts and vouchers for claims and disbursements connected with Indian affairs shall be transmitted bursements. to the Commissioner for administrative examination, and 174, s. 3, v. 4, p. by him passed to the proper accounting officer of the Department of the Treasury for settlement. 564. Sec. 464, R. S. June 30, 1834, c. 384. The President may prescribe such regulations as he, Regulations relating to Indian may think fit for carrying into effect the various provisions affairs. of any act relating to Indian affairs, and for the settle- 162, s. 17, v. 4, p. ment of the accounts of Indian affairs. 738. Sec. 465, R. S. Presentation and payment of claims for Indian depredations. May 29, 1872, c. 233, s. 7, v. 17, p. 190. 385. The Secretary of the Interior shall prepare and cause to be published such regulations as he may deem proper, prescribing the manner of presenting claims arising under laws or treaty stipulations, for compensation for depredations committed by the Indians, and the degree Sec. 466, R. S. and character of the evidence necessary to support such claims; he shall carefully investigate all such claims as may be presented, subject to the regulations prepared by him; and no payment on account of any such claims shail be made without a specific appropriation therefor by Congress. etc., to Indians Feb. 14, 1873, c. 386. The Secretary of the Interior shall adopt such rules Sale of arms, as may be necessary to prohibit the sale of arms or ammu- prohibited. nition within any district or country occupied by uncivil- 138, s. 1, v. 17, p. ized or hostile Indians, and shall enforce the same. For other statutory provisions respecting Indians, Indian affairs, and the Indian country see the chapter entitled INDIANS, INDIAN AGENTS, ETC. 457. Sec. 467, B. S. Commissioner to report annual Mar. 2, 1867, c. 515. Sec. 468, R. S. 387. The Commissioner of Indian Affairs shall annually ly to Congress. report, separately, to Congress, a tabular statement show173, s. 3, v. 14, p. ing distinctly the separate objects of expenditure under his supervision, and how much disbursed for each object, describing the articles and the quantity of each, and giving the name of each person to whom any part was paid, and how much was paid to him, and for what objects, so far as they relate to the disbursement of the funds appropriated for the incidental, contingent, or miscellaneous expenses of the Indian service, during the fiscal year next preceding each report. (See secs. 195, 196, R. S.) Reports of In dian supplies. 138, s. 7, v. 17, p. 463. 388. The Commissioner of Indian Affairs shall embody Feb. 14, 1873, c. in his annual report the reports of all agents or commissioners issuing food, clothing, or supplies of any kind to See. 469, R. S. Indians, stating the number of Indians present and actually receiving the same. Commissioner of Pensions. Par. THE COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS.1 389. Commissioner of Pensions. Par. 390. Duties of the Commissioner. 389. There shall be in the Department of the Interior a Commissioner of Pensions, who shall be appointed by the 019, 622; Mar President, by and with the advice and consent of the Sen Mar. 2, 1833, c. 3, 1835, c. 46, ss. 1, 2, ate, and shall be entitled to receive a salary of four thou p. 187; Mar. 4, 1840, c. 4. ss. 1, 2, 3, v. 5, p. 369; Mar. 4, 1840, e. 4, s. 4, v. 5, p. 370; Jan. 20, 1843, c. 4, v.5, p. 597; Jan. 14, 1846, c. 4, s. 1, v. 9, p. 3; Jan. 19, 1849, c. 20, s. 1, v. 9, p. 341; Mar. 3, 1873, c. 226, s. 3, v. 17, p. 508. Sec. 470, R. S. Commissioner. Duties of the 390. The Commissioner of Pensions shall perform, under Mar. 2, 1833, c. the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, such duties 54, 8. 1. v. 4, pp. in the execution of the various pension and bounty-land 619, 622; Mar. 3, 1835, c. 46, s. 2, laws as may be prescribed by the President. 4. p. 779; Mar. 3. 1837, c. 43, 8. 2, v. 5, p. 187; Mar. 4, 1840, c. 4, s. 2, v. 5, p. 369; Mar. 4, 1840, c. 4, s. 4, v. 5. p. 370; Jan. 20,1843, c. 4, s. 2, v. 5, p. 597; Jan. 19, 1877, c. 27, v. 19, p. 391. The Secretary of the Interior shall from time to 93, s. 4, v. 2, p. 412. time provide a proper apartment, to be called the Returns Sec. 512, R. S. Office, in which he shall cause to be filed the returns of contracts made by the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Secretary of the Interior, and shall appoint a clerk of the first class to attend to the same. (See secs. 3744-3747, R. S., paragraphs 1189-1192 post.) 1 See chapter entitled PENSIONS for laws regulating the granting of pensions. See chapter entitled CONTRACTS AND PURCHASES for other statutes relating to the filing of contracts and other papers in the Returns Office. |