Daily national Democrat., 1858-12-28
A Geological survey of California.

EDIToR DEMOCRAT 1T is fondly hoped the
present Legislature will lay aside political
considerations, and devote their attention to
matters of interest to the people and benef-
cal to the State. The resources of this State,
beyond the fact that we ship a certain amount
Of treasure, are but little known at the East
or in Europe; hence the Importance of our
Legislature adopting a basis of action, where
by the desired information may be attained,
must he apparent to the most superficial oh
server. A State must, to become populous,
make known her wealth, mineral or agricul-
tural, or both. There is only one way by
which this can be done and that is by hay
ing a survey made, emhodying all the mate
rial facts, and giving it to the world by OIL
cal sanction. The expense involved would
be amply repaid 10y an influx of population,
having settled ideas as to where they would
apply their labor. The migratory tendency
of a portion of our people would disappear
under the influence of knowledge, and indus
try would assume the place of idleness and
discomfort. Our riches would be developed;
and, as a consequence, taxes would be re-
duced. Families desiring to emigrate to this
State would become acquainted with the par
ticular spot whereon to reside, and the gold
seeker, by "the language of the rocks" as
sisted by the research of scientific men, would
have assurance that certain conditions of soil
and conformation of land are absolutely re-
quired to ensure success. Time, the great
element of wealth, would be saved. Even if
it amounted to only few hours to each in
dividual, it would, in the aggregate, be years;
and it is unnecessary to state that the few or
more years thus gained from time would add
immensely to the importance ofa State which,
in one single product, gives in one year cir
cuation to over fifty millions of dollars To
the agrcuturist, an official survey would be
of incalculable benefit, for he would be ena-
bled to Judge soils, and the best manures
adapted to them without having recourse to
experiments. Time is money to the farmer.
To him proper survey would act and react
1t would act, by introducing a vast multi
tude to a comparatively new region-thus
enhancing the value of his possessions; and
it would react, by making market for his
produce. AS population increased, manufac
lures would find an abiding place among us
and the gold, which now yanishes from our
shores, would, in very many cases, be re
tanned for the support of our own citizens.
The prosperity of country is governed by
the individual prosperity of its inhabitants;
and, if they can by concert of action keep
their wealth within themselves, nothing can
prevent their happiness but "a violation of Ma
lures laws. Suppose thorough survey had
beel made of this State several years age,
what might we net have expected? ? Instead
of epidemics, such as the Frazer river and
other violent excitements, almost depopula-
ting portions of the State-instead of fritter
ing away our existence pandering to afi1u
ence in Europe and to build cities at the
East, we would now have the farmer, the |
miner, and the manufacturer, united in a
common cause for common interest. That
they are not bound by ties of brotherhood at
present, needs no prophet to declare; and
that they will ever become so in California
depends upon our Legislature. PLUMAs.