Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-11-20
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The Geological and MineralogicaI Survey
What was Its Ohject2

-.......- For the Standard.
The Geological and MineralogicaI survey
What was Its Ohjects
MEssRs EDrroRs: The Legislature of North Caro-
lima at its session in 1851, directed geological and
neurological survey of the State to be made under
the supervision of the Governor and the Literary
Board. The Governor was directed as soon prac-
hcable to employ some suitable person to conduct
the survey.
In obedience thereof Gov Reid employed Profess
sor Emmons, who, since his appointment, has been
diigent in making an examination of the various
geological formations and neurological deposits in
different parts of the State and has reported from
time to time the result of his Investigations ap
pears from his reports that North Carolina is rich in
ane'ats-that her coal iron, copper and black lead
are not surpassed an U0lue quantity, scarcely
by any other State in the Union; that beyond all,
her coal deposit on Deep River alone, is mine of
tth-that it lies nearer the Atlantic coast than
any other KNOWN and all that is wanted to make it
available, and prove immense and inerh0ustible
source Of revenue to the State is certain and direct
outlet to the ocean.
The survey has cost the State some forty thousand
dollars, and for one, say the money has been pro-
htably expended 1t has established the tact beyond
doubt, by the testimony of man of science that
within our borders we possess all the elements to
constitute us great State creditor State in the
way of exchange.
Now. what was the object of this survey? Was
it merely to crafty an idle curiosity, or to make
known to the world that within our State these in-
mense treasures lie buried? trust not but if so,
enough has been done in all conscience and we
might now discharge the able Professor and quietly
fold our arms and relapse into old Rip Van Win
kle slumber again but suppose such not the
object of the wise legislature of 1851 they doubt
less thought that, if after thorough examination
it should prove true that North Carolina really pos
sessed the minerals of which much had been heard
that some subsequent legislature would devise the
70 s,I;x
development. This ought now to be done; official
information has been had From the report of Pro-
fessor Emmons, it appears the half not told of
the erten the richness and ealue of the minerals of
the State,-and wise legislators, the body now
assembled ought at once to foster and encourage any
and all practicable schemes to bring into market the
coal and iron lying Deep River, that being the
nearest to the Atlantic coast and most likely to be
soonest developed.
The western Railroad Company" Composed of
citizens of the town of Fayetteville and of the
ty of Cumberland have projected an enterprise to
reach this rich Deposit they have manifested their
.tnih in the matter by expenditure of some three
hundred and fifty thousand dollars in the construc
ton of a permanent railray more than third of
the distance and by the grading of the road bed
nearly to the coal-feds this Company will want the
aid of the State to go with their work will it be
denied them? can it be- when the State is to be so
much benefited by the completion of this road?
1t is estimated that over single track there can
be transported at least flee hundred thousand tons of
coal year, and with double track, one million
tire hundred thousand tons! Now, consider for a
moment, the great benefit to the State the pouring
out of this immense quantity of coal will it be to her.
In the first place, the lands on Deep River will be
more than quadrupled in value and the from
the same proportionably increased the vast amount
of Northern exchange brought into the State, will
enable the Public Treasurer at any time to command
what may be required to meet any Indebtedness of
he nj he ZOSs Of
for premium; our banks in which the State is more
or less interested, will be greatly benefited, and
North Carolina money, by reason of this superabun-
dance of exchange will be current erery ahere and
its value equal to gold The development of these
mines will in addition bring large amount of for
eign capital into the State to be expended among
our labOrers mechanics and others, and will open
source Of taxation, without any additional bur-
then the people, from which the State will derive
for all time to come, certain and large amount
of rerenue.
understand the Western Railroad Company pro-
pose simply exchange Of bonds with the State
that is they propose that the State issue to them
six hundred thousand dollars of the bonds of the
State-and for the repayment, the Company give
to the State like amount of their 6onds and agree
to meet the payment of the interest the same $50
that additional tor will have to be levied the
people) and the Public Treasurer will thus be
bled to meet the payments on the State bonds as
they become due. In addition to this, and as fur
ther security, the Company propose to mortgage
the entire road to the State in order fully to nde
Nifty it. What risk, then can the State of North
Carolina run in aiding the Railroad Company, when
such abundant security is offered? None in the
world; and it is but common justice that the State
should grant the asked for aid. The representatives
in former Legislatures from Cumberland hare uni
.tormly coted for all works of public improvement
although some of those works directly against
the interest of their constituents but they consult
ed the public good and ask for the public good
that the work projected by them, and which is de-
signed to carry out of the principal objects Of
the Geological Survey, may receive that aid to which
it is entitled from the State.
CLINTON