Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-12-16

informed by Senator who had paid some attention
TO this matter, that the actual sum was about three
times that amount 50 a
Mr.. Cowper.: I said it was about 81, 600 Der an
Mr.. Steele. Well there was the cost of printing
common wood-cuts, representing pictures of little
fishes and dead tadpoles. Uaughter.) And Mr.. S.
pictured to the Senate the room formerly consecra-
ted by the eloquence and learning Of our most emf
nent judges, now filled with rocks and Birds which
had no more connection with North Carolina than
with the man in the moon. He did not know where
they came from. But DR.. Emmons had not done
his duty-the objects of his Office were not carried
out. The only way to reach the evil was to strike
at the root and abolish the Office When the proper
man for the Office was found, then the Legislature
could re-enact it. As to the Senator's allusion to
the means of defence in protecting the rights of the
South, all he Qdr S. would say was, if they depen-
ded upon the labors of Dr. Emmons, they rested
| upon weak foundation Mr.. S. denied the conclu-
sion as to the national works being attributed to Dr.
Emmons. The State could buy his books manufac-
tured in his private study much cheaper than it OBJ
| tans them now. And Mr. S. doubted if the State
reaped the sole benefit from those books; for, he
asked can they not be found in every State in the
Union, and the copy right ought to be with us. He
had heard of their being bought in the city of New
York. In conclusion he asserted that the character of
the Egypt coal mines and the capital invested in Them
were attributable to none other than Dr. jackson
| of Boston,
Mr.. Donnell, as one of the committee who had re-
ported on the bill before the Senate felt some inter-
est in this question and had paid patient attention
| to the discussion far. But he felt bound to say
that not one argument pertinent to the subject had
| been urged by the friends of this bill. 1t was pro-
posed by the bill to abolish the office of State Geol-
ogist. Had one single remark from either of the
Senators who had spoken in its support been urged
against the institution? The Senator from Rich
toned the objects of it. If it be properly carried
out that Senator was and would continue to be q
supporter of it. What argument was that, asked
Mr. D., against the institution? Merely because
they had man whom they allege to be unfit for the
office! Mr. Donnell would assume that DR.. EN-
mons was unfit for the Office. Who put him there
Had the Senate not the manlncss to demand his
election by direct vote? The incumbency of such
an officer was no reason for the abolition of the Of
fce If he was unfit for the station, he, Mr.. Don
NELL. called upon the Seuate to have the indepen-
dence to instruct their Governor that he had appon-
ted the wrong man and to demand his removal
That was the real state of the question before the
| Senate When DIR. Emmons was put upon his trial
he, Mr. d., would enter into the Investigation fear
lessly, and if he found him incompetent he would 20
| for instructng the Governor to remove him.
Mr. Edney moved to amend the bill by striking
out all after the enacting clause and inserting an
struction to the Governor to dispense with the fur
ther services of DIR. Emmons, and to obtain COM
petent person. to fill his place. He, Mr.. E., was
ready to meet the question squarely. He believed
|
were too slow to enquire into and examine our min
eral and agricultural resources; and he was willing
to pay any reasonable sum to competent man. All
he had to say relative to Prof Emmons was that he
had fallen short of doing his work. He had nothing
to say OF the Doctors scientific qualifications But
an officer should be found to visit all the counties of
the State and deliver lectures, &c. This was requ
site to stimulate the people to discover their own
minerals by teaching them something of their ma
ture. In conclusion, he said his only object was to
get rid of our present distinguished Professor.
Mr.. Pool conceded with the views of Mr.. Donnell
The alleged facts assigned as reasons did not apply
Not one word had been heard against the policy of
the Office, except that the appointing power had not
done its duty The blows aimed at DR.. Emmons,
struck the appointing power. This complaint was
| an old one-we came within acc, said Mr.. p of
abolshng the Office last session. for the very
assigned here to-day. The Senator from Richmond
(Mr Steee) was opposed to this office, because the
incumbents shortcomings were becoming worse and
| worse. Admit that this was so; what then? The
remedy was, the Governor should have removed the
incumbent and he had not done so. Why are we
called on to arraign the Governor? asked Mr. Pool
The Senator from Richmond says that the labors of
DR.. Emmons would disgrace common school boy
That work is not the act of man who understands
| his business. And again he says Dr. Emmons had
| been a curse to the State
Mr.. Steele l said neither the one nor the other
He explained that he had said portions of the
State had been examined in manner that would not
do credit to mere school boy; and in stating that
if any thing could be deduced from the abors of DR.
Emmons, relative to State credit abroad, it was
that he had been to the State for the
given. But he distinctly stated that he believed Dr.
Emmons' labors had nothing at all to do with our
! character abroad
Mr.. Pool proceeded to argue the same deductions
| from the explanation.
Mr.. Steele If the Senator is DESTROYS of drawing
me into conflict on this floor, shall take no pains
to avoid It, And If my language is not sufficiently
plain am unable to make it more so.
Mr.. Pool persisted in his construction. He charg-
ed Mr.. s. with being opposed to the spirit of the law
but that when the proper officer could be found he
would be in favor of it. But Mr.. Steele's argument
went to show that as times were, the proper officer
could not be got; therefore, he went for the aboli
ton of the office. That was not sufficient reason
for him, Mr.. Pool. There was power in the State
to remove this incompetent mamie who disposes
OF copyrights belonging to the State No competent
man! Where was DR.. jackson, whose competency
had developed the resources of Deep River? These
blows, he repeated, were not aimed at DR.. Emmons
Were they to dictate to the Governor and tell him
he was keeping in Office an incompetent man? He,
Mr. Pool, did not know whether Dr. Ernmons had
done his duty or not. This had been qeoloqicol
survey; but it should have been scientific chemi-
cal, agricultural survey. If DR.. Emmons was in
competent, let us he said, not leave the work I'M
done, but see that the appointing power gets one
who is. He commended in conclusion that the whole
argument struck at the appointing power; that the
amendment went to give that power instruction and
that if he had no other choice he would support the
amendment.
Mr.. Steele, in reply, said that he had no DISPOSE
ton to take offence in any discussion that might be
forced upon him. He did not deem it necessary to
attempt to explain what he had made plain enough
before If the Senator from Pasquotank (Mr Pool, }
chose to put misconstruction upon what he CMr.
Steele did say, it placed that Senator in position
he need not feel proud Of Mr. Steele denied saying he
would be in favor Of reenacting the Office in Ger
tain event He had said the Legislature could. He