M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1857-03-26
GeOIogicaI Survey OF the state.

0ugh GeologicapS Survey seems to us
unnecessary +; for to our mind it is self
evident. Yet there are many who do
not understand the objects and utility
of such q survey, and to whom some
information may be interesting. The
value of a Geological Survey is pre-
cisely that of any other useful infor-
nation. 1t is precisely the same as
superior knowledge to the merchant,
as skill. to the mechanic, or intelligence
10 the farmer. 1t is known, for exam
pie, that the East part Of Ohio is full
of coal, iron, salt water, and fine brick
clay. But there are but few localities
where these materials have been work
ed, or are really known. Then, again,
veins often disappear several hundred
feet under ground, but may be worked
proftably by a little extra machinery.
Such a case as this occurs at SYRIA
cuse, above Pomeroy, where a compa-
ny is engaged in digging coal eighty
feet under ground. The cost ofrais.
ing is very little, and the coal very
good. Again, the Indians actually
found lead in the Valley of the Hook
ing river. But was the vein worth
workings And where is It'll Salt
water has been found within twenty.
miles of Cincinnati, and salt actually
made. AT that time it was very weak,
but may there be no stronger veins in
the neighborhood Thus, it will be.
seen, that a Geological Survey, which
would ascertain all these facts, will be.
very valuable to the State, both in ex-
tending its resources and increasing
the aggregate value Of property
Gov. Chase has recommended such a
survey, and it has received the favor
able consideration Of q Committee Of
the Legislature, composed Of Messrs.
Jewett, Egly and Mendenhall. The
Report made by the Committee pre-
sents some curious facts. The Com
mittee prove conclusively, that the
former imperfect survey increased the
annual revenue of the State more
than twenty-fold. After proving this
fact conclusively, the Committed give
the following very interesting Stats
tics ia relation to the development
of the resources, manufactures, and
wealth of the particular region, which
was then surveyed
But there is another view of the
benefits of the survey, and that is the
enhancement of the value Of the land
ofthe counties where the survey was
partly executed. In. the Is counties
las now existing) in which examina-
lions, more or less complete were made,
there were 4,909, 996 acres returned
for taxation in the equalization assess.
ment of 1853, at an average value OF
S14 26 per acre. 1t may be consid-
cred entirely within the truth if we al
low SO per acre as tho average in
crease of value consequent on the
, resources made known by that survey.
and the consequent construction Of
railroads, the building and working Of
furnaces, and manufactures, the open
ing and working Of mines, the manu-.
featuring of salt, and the general
development of the mineral resources,
more than would have been in the reg.
ulor ;ncrease of the business of the
country.
The 1905, 996 acres at an increase
of So per acre would add to the grand
| duplicate for taxation $14,729,9 8S
! If we add to this 5000, 900 acres Of
land in other mineral counties not &C
!, infinitely examined (some - or IA il
! number) the same amount per acre
($3,) would make $9,000,0 900 more
: for taxation. The amount of $4,000,
, 900 has been invested in the counties
Of Lawrence, Scioto, Jackson, VintOn
Athens, Moigs, Gallia, and Hooking
: in 8 railroads, 16 new furnaces, Z roll
ing mills, Q rail mills, 8 founderiea, !
salt works, 2 fire brick works, and il
. the coal mines, train roads, Steam-tugs
9 barges, fiat. boats, and appliances TO
$ mining and marketing coal. OfthiI
e amount at least 100000 appears OF
the grand duplicate for taxation, no
as landed estate. Most ofthe 10000,
q 900 investment may be attributed II
, the geological survey.
The production under this invest
q ment amount in four railroads Of "a
n miles $4,654 ,5oS, which, deducte
s from 10000, 900, leaves $5,345,41S
e which is about the amount invested j
new furnaces, coal mining, &c. In
products of seven counties, is:
= Iron, in 7 co.'s, $4,000 tons, value 81 ,Ol9 90
Q Salt, in 8 do. 100000 bushels, 464 90
9 Coalin 10 do. 81, 1905 0 do. l,4S6,0O
It Fire brick in l county, do. 10000
Pottery in 3 counties, do. $4,000
u Slo.2l9,OC
In other mineral counties there
1t coal mined to an estimated amount
!, 1855, of 5 1880, 900 bushels and va
h ned at near a million of dollars b
sides a half million dollars worth
Of iron