The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-01-13
THE GALAXY.
MIDDLEBURY. VT.
Tuesday, Jan. Is, 1916.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.

mistake. He may be good Geologist, but
il is certain that he is not generally known to
be so-that he has not had the practical
knowledge, nor acquired the reputation Of
such man for instance as DR.. Jackson
The consequences are, that the public gen.
orally. are not inspired with confidence thai
the survey will be such as they had right
to expect" 1--WE were originally for geo.
logical survey Of the State. hoping that il
would be entrusted TO Geologist of large ex-
perience, and so well known as TO secure
general confidence, and make the measure
strong in public opinion. We are still for
his assistants will show, when another annu-
al report is made, that they are abundautly
qualified for the task, and entitled TO the con-
fdeuce and good will Of the people of this
State"
This article, written, evidently, without a
knowledge Of the facts connected with the
appointment of the Geologist. and tending to
impair public confidence both in the Govern
or and the Geologist appointed by him, has
drawn forth the following communication TO
the Watchman, which has appeared in late
number of that paper. 1t is evidently writ
ten by some one who understands tho sub
ject, and we therefore publish it foi the infoi-
nation of those who may, from a want of
knowledge of the case. have fallen into the
error Of the Editor of the Waterman. We
are glad to perceive in his remarks upon the
communication. that he is sat isiied with The
explanation it gives Of the matter, excepting
that he thinks the Governor ought TO have
appointed DIR. Jackson, and relied upon an
increased appropriation to meet his demand
OF $4,000 per annum for the conducting of
the survey. He admits the inadequacy of
5000 per annum. but says, in note TO the
communicalion.-"Ifwe had been Governor
we should have appointed DR.. Jackson and
recommended The Legislature to correct its
mistake"
For ourselves we think the Governor arted
properly in keeping within the limits Of the
actual appropriation, and avoiding an arrange
ment which would have given TO an unau-
thorized executive acr. the effect Of commit
ting The State to compensation TO the Ge
ologist hich the Legislature had not thought
proper to authorize,-for such would have
BEEN the practical effect Of accepting the Of
fer of DR.. Jackson, as stated in the communi-
cation.
Mr.. Walton says-"We thought that the
Governor erred in not appointing DR.. Jack
son; and we think so now. In saying this
we intend no reflection upon Governor Slade;
he PROFESSIONALLY acted from the convictions
of his own judgment, and the result may
prove that he was right. Indeed. his endeav-
or to get DR.. Jackson in the first instance.
and the subsequent appointment of President
Hitchcock, are sufficient evidences that he
was anxious TO take the hest course. In all
but taking the responsibility Of appointing
DIR. Jackson, under bis offer. The Governor
seems to have entertained views very much
like our own We intend no reflection upon
The qualifications Of the State Geologisr; he
may be quite as well fitted for the place as
DR. Jackson; he may make as thorough and
valuable survey, and we hope he WILL
ing the appropriation is $1,000 per aDnum
less than the sum required by DR.. Jackson
while onr Geologist will be q resident Of FER
mont. which, on many accounts. we deem TO
be matter of no small importance in the per-
fecting Of the survey.
From the Waterman & Journal.
profession in regard TO the appointment Of
the Geologist, which l am sure you will be
glad to have corrected. You are not aware.
and very few are aware Of the difficulties the
Governor had TO encounter in making the ap
poiniment. They arose from the inadequa-
cy Of the appropriation. DR.. Jackson WAS an
early applicant for The appointment. but wan
ted $4,000 per annum, to cover the expense
Of the survey. The Governors reply tU him
was, that he was restricted to $4,000. He
said. and insisted, that there would he no DIFF
6culty in obtaining an additional appropria-
ton Of $1,000 per snnum for The entire three
years. The reply was, that the Governor un-
derstood the difficulty of obtaining such adj
ditiona appropriation better than he did, and
that he could not proceed upon the assump-
ton that an additional appropriation, 10 that
posed 10 carry on The survey for the first year
Tor $1,000, but gaveihe Governor 10 under
stand that he should press for an additional
appropriation for the remaining two years,
and gave no assurance that he would go on
with the work without il. The Gov. could
not make an appointment under such circum-
stances, then correspondent with Dr. Hitch
cock-who. you know. is distinguished for
his practical as well as his scientific dcquain- !
lance with geoIogy-forthep purpose ofascer-
tanning his views as to The practicability of
completing the survey with The expenditure
authorized by the appropriation. He thought
it might be done, with rigid economy, and Of |
fered TO undertake the work. On the day
after Governor Slade had accepted his propo |
siion by letter, it was ascerrained that he had
been appointed President OF Amherst Col
lese; and soon after, the Governor was in
formed by him, that his duties as President
would interfere with the performance of his
duties as State Geologist. He. at the same