259

W. J. McGee,
Farley, Iowa, U. S. A.

Dec. 7th, 1881.

Prof. C. E. Bessey,
Ames, Iowa.

Dear Sir:–

I mail you herewith a copy of a proposed
bill for a Geological Survey of Iowa and
a petition for its passage. You will observe that
I have thought it desirable to provide for a
Geological Commission of somewhat less exclusively
political character than those which have
been generally created. I hope that such a
commission as that contemplated in the
bill will meet with your approval. I
transmit a copy to President Welch by
this mail. Dr. Pickard has already approved
the bill, though suggetsing one or two slight
literary alterations. I may add that it has
been approved by the American Association
Committee on State Geological Surveys,
and by all the scientific men of the
state who have seen it. Prof. [Culain?] has
expressed himself as quite satisfied with it,
and has volunteered to support it in Johnson
and several other countries. Any suggestions
that you may make will, however, be most