DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, INSURANCE, STATISTICS AND HISTORY,
AUSTIN, TEXAS, December 31, 1888.

To His Excellency L. S. Ross, Governor of Texas:

DEAR SIR—

By act of the special session of the Twentieth Legislature, this department was required to have made a geological and mineralogical survey of Texas, empowering the Commissioner with full authority to employ the agents and incur the expenses necessary to execute said law, and appropriating fifteen thousand dollars therefor. The method of organization, plan of work, and all details of the survey were left entirely to the discretion of the Commissioner. The additional responsibility thus placed upon this department was for a time the cause of much apprehension and fear lest I should be unable to secure such agents and effect such an organization of this branch of the office as would inspire public confidence, receive the co-operation of the people, and insure the successful prosecution of the work.

I first adopted a plan of organization, which, briefly stated, was to appoint a chief geologist with power to select his assistants and manage all details of the survey. This much having been done, the delicate and difficult task of selecting a competent person for the position of State Geologist was yet to be performed. There were many applicants for the place, both from within and without the state, the majority of whom were, no doubt, competent geologists. After a patient investigation of the qualifications and claims of each, the appointment was tendered to Mr. E. T. Dumble, of Houston, who accepted the position and entered upon the discharge of his duties September, 21. Mr. Dumble brings to bear in the performance of his duties a ripe scholarship, and several years experience as a geologist acquired on Texas soil in prosecuting investigations for private parties and as secretary of the State Geological Society. I do not feel that I am stating a fact too strongly when I say that Mr. Dumble already possesses a more thorough and scientific knowledge of the geology of Texas than could be acquired by any new man by close application and hard study for several years. All true Texans must feel a commendable state pride in the fact that we have such a man among us, and will rejoice when an opportunity is offered to do him honor.

As to the character and value of the work so far accomplished but little need be said. In the very nature of things in a state of the magnitude of Texas, it was impossible to have done much more than inaugurate the survey in so short a time, but enough has been done to demonstrate the wisdom of the legislature in providing for a geological survey of the state, and to justify appropriations sufficient for its continuation.

For this purpose, and to carry out plans already devised which are deemed essential to the successful prosecution of the work of the survey, an appropriation of $35,000 per annum is respectfully recommended.

The expenditures of this branch of the office up to December 15, 1888, amounted to $3,983.71, divided as follows: