Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-12-14
WATCHMAN d STATE JOURNAL.
MONDAY, DEC. IA, 1910.
LEGISLATIVE REPORTS. Is4O.
REPORT ON GEOLOGICAL SUR.
.. VEY OF THE STATE.

The committee Education, to whom was re-
ferred the bill for authorizing geological and
meteorological survey of this state and so much of
the message OF the Governor relates to that sub
lect, submit the following report. The subject of
such survey has been brought before the iegisla-
ture for four successive years previous to the pres
ent one, and opinions strongly favorable to the
measure have been expressed by all the commit
tees charged with the examination of it. In sew
eral OF these reports which appear the journals
me OBJECTS diSneG al in such surveys, and the BEN
ehts to be expected from such one in this state,
have been set forth with such plainness and force
as to ren6ler it unnecessary to occupy time in re-
peating what has been already said so well and so
MANY times.
If it be important to make known to our inhabit-
ants the fertility of soils, the valuable rocks
which form our mountains, and the rich ores which
are believed to abound in them if it will be of
use TO have brought to light important mineral ma
nures, serving to make more productive our good
soils and to give value to Indifferent ones IF IT be
worth our while to lessen the cost and add to the
value of our buildings by pointing out materials
for such purposes which beyond doubt are in ma
ny cases unknown If it be of consequence to
spread abroad through our towns information where
by not only judicious efforts may be made in search
ing for valuable substances, but fruitess expendit-
for such purposes may be avoided IF, in fine,
it be for the interest of the people of this state to
have shown up not only to our own citizens but to
others, all these and such like means of increased
enjoyment and wealth, then is geological and
meteorological survey of the state measure of the
greatest importance to them; for to accomplish Just
such objects are such surveys made, and just such
practical benefits have been seen to follow from
their being made in the other states of the Union.
Though the measure has been deferred from
year to year, we can see no just reason for defer
ING it any longer All our sister states 1--WE believe
without exception) have either had such surveys
1o,oIp hato tbaI1 1nXu in nTnp nrn pN
repeating them. In no case has the expenditure
been disapproved of by the people of those states
but always has it been justified most usefu
and profitable one. In fact, so far can learn
every agricultural and manufacturing people in Eu
rope as well as our country have applied mon
ey for such purposes and always with a useful re-
suit.
The great mass of the people of this state ge
their livelihood and their wealth from their labor Il:
farmers and manufacturers-from the surface of the
earth or from what may lie beneath it; and they
glory in it. and expect their children after them tC
do IN this respect as they and their fathers have
done. We do not believe they are or will be will
lingy debarred from pursuing their occupations un
der as advantageous conditions the citizens o
other states do when that can be done for an out
lay which, considering the magnitude and import
ance of the returns to be expected from it. will be
of a very triflng amount
While from all we can learn, we are justified il
such an examination in this state than in any othe
state in the Union, there are as good grounds 70
believing that the proportional cost of it will also b.
far less here than in most other cases. Weare con
fdent that the entire ,Corh-done well too as il
other states-need not cost the people of this stat
the average amount of three cents for each indivdu
al in it Though we would be the last to recon
mend the improper expenditure of solitary dolla
from the public treasury, yet if any believe that
judicious appropriation for this end will be dsaI
proved by the citizens of Vermont, they estmat
their intelligence and good senseat much lowe
rate than we do.
The measure we consider to be one of undoub
ed utility-one which will prove to be SO to ever
man in the state. We well know that wish fc
such survey has been expressed in all parts of tn
statewe believe it to be looked for from this leg
islature, and we are not willing to incur the re
proaches Of our discerning fellow citizens by faiin
to do all in power to have it begun without an
longer delay.
The committee therefore recommend that tn
blank in the bill be filled with two thousand do
lars, and when so amended that it ought to pass.
d. II. BEARD, for Committee.