Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1858-11-24
For the Standard.
For the Standard.
The Geological and Neurological Survey
What was its Object3

For the Standard.
The Geological and Neurological Survey
What was its Objects
MEssRs. EDrToRs: The Legislature of North Caro-
lima at its session in 1851, directed geological and
meteorological survey of the State to be made under
the supervision Of the Governor and the Literary
Board. The Governor was directed soon prac-
ticabe to employ some suitable person to conduct
the survey.
In obedience thereof Gov. Reid employed Profes-
sor Emmons who since his appointment, has been
diligent 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. 1t ap-
pears from his reports that North Carolina is rich an
minerals-tha her coal iron, copper and black lead
not surpassed in ralue in quantity scarcely.
by any other State in the Union; that beyond all,
her coal deposit on Deep River alone is mine of
aoeaHh,-that it lies the Atlantic coast than
any other known, and all that is wanted to make it
available, and prove immense and iaerhdustble
Of rerenue 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-
fitably 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 great State-a creditor State in the
way of exchange
Now, what was the object of this survey? Was
it merely to crafty an idle curiosity, to make
known to the world that within our State these i'm
treasures lie buried? trust not but if so.
enough has been done in all conscience and VIC
might now discharge the able Professor and quietly
fold our arms and relapse into old Rip Van Win
ke sumber again; but suppose such was 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
ways and means to aid individual enterprise in their
development. This ought to be done; official
information has been had From the report of Pro-
fessor Emmons, it appears tile ha. cas not told of
the ertent the richness and ralue of the minerals of
the State.-and wise legislators, the body now
assembled ought at to foster and encourage any
and all practicable schemes to bring into market the
coal and iron lying on Deep River, that being the
nearest to the Atlantic coast, and most likely to be
soonest developed
The "Wcstern Railroad Company" Composed of
citizens of the town of Fayetteville and of the
ty of Cumberand) have projected an enterprise to
reach this rich deposit; they have manifested their
tath in the matter by an 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-feldS, this Company will want the
aid of the State 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 a single track there
be transported at least tire hundred thousand of
! coal year, and with double track, one million
! Jfre hundred thousand tons! Now, consider for
!
out of this immense quantity of coal will it be 10 her.
In the first place, the lands Deep River will be
than quadrupicd in value, and the rereRue from
the same proportonably 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
the State at any point without the loss Of dollar
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 supcrabun-
1np,n IF will l,n ,ul
its-value equal to gold. The development of these
mines will i'll addition bring large amount of for
eign capital into the State to be expended among
our laborcrS mechanics, and others and will open a
ner source Of tdrutioa without any additional bur-
then on the people, from which the State Will derive
for all time to come, a certain and larye an.ount
| ofrerenue.
understand the Western Railroad Company pro-
pose simply exchange Of Jondswith 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 bonds and agree
to meet the payment of the interest the same, $50
that no addiiDnal tar will have to he 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 rosd to the State in order fully to nden-
nifty it. What risk, tlen 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 roted for all works Of public improvement
although of those works aeere directly aganis
the interest of their constituents but they consult
ed the public good and now ask for tie public good
that the work projected by them, and which Is dc
signed to carry out one of the principal objects o.
the Geological Survey, may receive that aid to which
it is entitled from the State. -
CLINTON.