The true Democrat., 1857-05-19
The Geological Survey---AppOintment Of
 David Dale Owen State GeOiogist--.Iiis


 The Geological Survey---Appointment of
 David Dale Owen State GeOiogist---His
 Acceptance.
 By letter from Gov Conway, of date the 9th of May, to Gov J. R. Hampton, we learn that Dr. David Dale Owen, State Geologst of Kentucky, has accepted the appointment oi State Geologist of Arkansas, his commission Q take effect on or before the 10th ot October next, and his salary to commence with the date of his qualification upon entering upon the discharge of lis duties as State Geologist, which will be as soon as his present engage ments in Kentucky will permit. hecommis- sion was rendered him by Gov. Conway pre- vious to his excellency's departure from Little Rock, and was accepted on the 25th of April
 Dr. Owen thinks he will get through with his present engagements in Kentucky by the 18th of October, at farthest. h the meantime he will prepare himself with the necessary outfit so as to commence the survey in Afkau- sas without delay. He will have ample time, we presume, to prepare report for the next General Assembly. He owns a laboratory, 1t is said, as complete and extensive as any other in the United States, located at New Harmony, Indiana.
 This news will be welcomed with egned delight for since the passage of tho act to pro- vide for geological survey of the State no subject has commanded greater interest with the considerate portion of our citizens. Dr. Owen is geologist of superior attachments, and has truly an snviable reputation both m this country and in Europe His report on the soils of Kentucky, but lately made, has devel- oped important facts calculated to result in great good to the prominent and all-important interest of agriculture in that State. And what must be the effect of such a report, based upon a full and thorough exploration of the agricutu- raj and mineral resources of Arkansas, with which the Almighty has so liberally endowed her, and which are known to be inexhaustble and unsurpassed in quality? The advantages are unquestouable and incalculable. II was said by distinguished and scientific gentleman, a few years ago, that if the legislature of Ar kansas would order geological survey of the State by Dr. David Dale Owen, certainly one of the most eminent geologsts and mnerao- gists now living, it would be more enriched than by all the grants of land ever made by Con- gress."
 In word, the appointment of D. D Owen as State GeoIogist of Arkansas is the best that coul possibly have been made.
 Tho e7,ll and ;lI;l,or,l ,,,.,,,,,r , f-,, l.. made will suffice te commence the work and prosecute it, until more adequate provision eau be made for its continuance and consummat.on. That this will be done by our next Legislature we cannot for moment doubt, for we think they will have abundant and ,nmistakable evidence of the mag .itude and importance of the project
 This survey, wheR completed, we believe, will prove to be the most important step for our State that has ever been taker Besides de- ! veloping, as it will cur real and unknown nine ral sources, !! not thwarted or checked by the parsimony of future legislatures, it will be the means of clevating and improving in all incal cuIable degree the agricultural and other re- sources of the State. The subject is one of ! pleasing interest Arkansas is yet in her in- fancy. Her wonderful treasures are yet buried iG the earth. She has but just commenced her bright career Her soil is just beginning to be redeemed from the primeval wilderness in which the untutored savage leftit. Her capa- cious bosom has never been made to yield a mOietv from its inexhaustible fountain of agri- cultural and mineral wealth. Thus far these have remained part of the grand orcana of nature But thanks to the sagacty of the executive and the wisdom of the General As sembly of our State, they are soon to be ex plor- 1 ed and published to the world