Mr. BUCKALEW. Mr. President, from my examination of this subject in committee I am induced to vote for the amendment which has been offered. I am not at all disposed to waste the public money upon speculative projects; but from an examination of the report of the gentleman who was selected for the discharge of the duty contemplated by the appropriation of last year I am induced to think that this work is in proper hands. I consider his report to be not only elaborate but valua ble, one of these few productions of an official character issued by this Government which possess a practical value as promotive of the interests of this country. Mr. J. Ross Browne, who was selected by the SecyTreasury, devoted himself with great diligence to the performance of the duties assigned him; and the report which he has prepared, and which is now in print and accessible to members of Congress, is one of great value. It contains information of the 1st importance with reference to the mining interest of this country, a new interest. I think that a small amount of money devoted to the prosecution of investigations upon this subject and to their publication is much better devoted than duties such as we find in the tariff bill to protect domestic industry or any other outlays or burdens imposed upon the people contemplating the development of the resources of this country. The appropriation was reduced by the committee very considerably below the amount which the proper officers of the Treasury thought appropriate to this, object. We were all convinced that this work was in good hands. Now, sir, if it was to run a bureau at Washington, if it was merely to accumulate certain figures here, if it was to give certain individuals a place and a salary, I should be the last member of this body to vote for it; but I believe that the gentleman who has charge of this work is competent to the duties which have been charged upon him, and that we shall get val uable results, and I speak with reference to the work which he has already accomplished. He has traveled extensively; he has organized this great work; he has assts in different Territories and States of this country. The work is going on, and in my judgment it will be a public misfortune, a public calamity, to arrest it at this stage. Why, sir, this mining interest is growing to be one of the leading interests of this country; it is magnificent in the Present extent; it is still more magnificent in its promise of the future. So far as the increase of wealth in our country is concerned we must rely upon it to assist us in bearing the burdens of our public indebtedness. We must rely upon it in the future as one of those interests which the Government ought to have under its fostering care and its fostering protection. This small appropriation, therefore, in my judgment is devoted to a most useful object; it will pass into proper hands; we shall get valuable results from it. It is not open to question or doubt such as attend many enter prises which are Pressed upon our attention.