Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-01-22


in good repair; and such arrangements are
being perfected as will give certainty and
promptitude to the transmission of the pro-
ductions Of the soil, to northern or south
ern markets.
This Canal is the longest artificial wat
er communication in the United States, and
has always been cherished work Of Indi-
ana. AS check on high and exorbitant
charges. by other and competing modes of
transportation. the people of Indiana have
direct interest in the maintenance of the
Wabash and Erie Canal, and in its success
full results as measure of revenue to those
for whom i. is held in trust. The contract
between the State and her creditors. was
fairly and deliberately made; and it is the
highest duty Of the State to keep, and per-
form, faithfully, all of her obligations, and
to require the same on the part of 9TH
ers.
Agricultural improvement is visible in
every portion of our State. The action of
the General Assembly, in making small
appropriation to aid this cause, is exerting a
most beneficial influence. A lrage majori-
ty of tie counties have well organized ag-
ricultural societies, whose delegates are
now in session with the State Board of Ag-
riculture, and, throughout our State, the
increasing interest that is manifested in
advancing the cause of agriculture, and
other branches of home industry and skill,
is rapidly augmenting the amount and val
ue of our domestic products. 1t is sug-
gcsted, that it would be productive Of good
results to amend the present law, SO as to
make the Presidents of county societies, OF
other delegates appointed by them, consii-
tutc the State Board.
Having, on several former occasions,
urged upon the Legislature the duty ot
providing for thorough scientific SURVEY
Of the geological character of the Safe,
regret that my recommendations npon {
subject of such vital importance to the
prosperity Of the people, have failed to con
vince the proper authority of the propriety
of making the necessary provisions for such
a survey. While the resources of our sis
ter States have thus been developed, and
immigration and wealth thereby attracted
10 them. we have neglected to lay bare the
hidden treasures which Nature has garner.
ed up; and but for accident or individual
enterprise, we should have remained in the
most profound ignorance Of the mineral
resources of our State. Enough has been
ascertained to convince us oftheir existence
and extent; but the hand Of science is need,
ed to show us their value and their locali-
ties.
Within the last year, discoveries have
been made of extensive beds Of ore, in Per
ry county, in the immediate vicinity Of
formations Of coal and limestone and in
dividual explorations, in other portions OF
the State. have been equally productive.
therefore earnestly, renew the recommend
alton for an appropriation for a thorough
geological and typographical survey OF the
State
In consequence Of the excessive drouth
Of the pas. season, extending nearly
throughout the entire year, our citizens, in
common with those Of other States bor-
dering upon the O@ River, have suf-
fered greatly from the obstruction to navi-
CATION on that great national thoroughfare.
In our river towns, business has been par
alyzed. manufacturing has been su pended
commerce has dropped, and thousands
have suffered from the limited supply, and
exhorbitant prices of fuel. The frequent
occurrence of this state of things, has eau
sed public attention to be carried to the ne
ccssity and practicabiliiy of improving the
river either by dams and slack water navi-
cation, or by providing vast reservoirs
of water in tho gorges of The Alleghc-
MES.
However numerous our lines Of Railway,
even were they TO penetrate every county
in our Safe, we could never disperse with
tLis great artery OF commerce. 1t washes
the borders of six sovereign States. with a
population Of near ten millions; and bears
upon its bosom the fruits of their soil, the
products Of their manufactures, and the
mineral produced from reliable sources
it is estimated that the value Of products
annually transported upon this great high
way Of commerce, is not less than one hun
dred millions Of dollars. The most strict
construclionists could scarcely raise a
doubt Of the constilniionaliIy Of appropria-
tons by the General Government for the
improvement of the navigation of the OHIO
river; and earnestly recommend you to
call the attention of Congress, through your
representatives, to the pressing necessity of
this important work