The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-10-30

giving the elements OF LABOR ana Weaitn u
the mechanic and manufacturers. BY the
analysis of our soils the farmer obtains
sure guide by which to direct his labor and
make it more productive, and his lands more
valuable. On the prosperity of the mechan-
ic and farmer, the success of the merchant
depends, and from the labors and success of
these active classes, the, capitalists derives
his interest ON his money, and the rents on
his houses, shops and grounds. The OPEN
ing of mine-the establishment of a fur
mace or factory-that produces something
from the earth that it never yielded before,
makes an addition of its whole yield, to the
wealth of the State every year. If by an
mode to make them produce three bushels
more of corn to the acre than they now do,
the lessee of them could afford to pay near
ly double rent and the purchaser double
price for the them.
Almost every English and American ag-
ricultural paper is filled with the wonders
which have been accomplished by agricul-
tural chersistry-by first analyzing a barren
soil and learning the clements of fertility
which were wanting in it, and then supply
ing the needed eleIsents as manure.
But the first and most important benefit
of a geological survey, would be to point
out our immense beds of minerals, and teach
us where to look for them and how to reach
them. Southern Indiana lies upon an inn
mense coal field, and iron ore is scattered
over its surface in every direction. There
may be other minerals as valuable, whose
presence is as little suspected now, by those
who tread the surface, as the existence OF
coal was thirty years ago. Single discover
les would undoubtedly be made that would
be worth more to individual owners than the
whole cost of the survey to the State. The
whole expense of critical examination
would not exceed $4,000; and if appro-
priated in sums of $4,000 annually, from
the revenues of five years, would not be felt
surprised if the survey did not reveal sever
al hundred fortunes to the owners of lands
containing valuable minerals, worth more to
each one than the cost of the survey of the
whole State. We might say there is at least
200 prizes of more than $50, 900 in value to
be distributed by the survey to that number
of citizens. No one knows who may draw
them Every holder of forty acre tract
has ticket in the lottery and has chance
for prize; and every one should insist up
on having the lottery drawn, in order to
know whether he has a blank or prize.
A few weeks ago the Washington papers
contained an advertisement enquiring for an
industrious Irish laborer, who was well
known about the levee in New Orleans in
years past, as shelter of corn for fatboat-
men. On applying to the advertiser to
know what he wanted of him, the Irishman
: able mineral deposit on a forty acre tract OF
land that the Irishman had bought few
f years ago for fifty dollars. A company ten
dered him $40, 600 for his land, for which he
, would have gladly taken $500 before the
geological discovery.
The barren hills in the South part of Mis-
souri,, around Pitts Knob, have been deemed
worthless, and though subject to entry for
years at bit an acre, have found no pur-
chasers. Within a few weeks, long ranges
:, of the hills are discovered to be masses OF
, the richest hermatete iron ore; others have
rich veins of lead, and all, by the population
and industry these discoveries will draw, nre
made prospectively very valuable.
Discoveries equally important are I'M
doubtedly to be made for the benefit OF
many individuals in this State Those who
least expect it, may share in the benefit
Even if the survey results in no direct bene-
fit to the greatest portion of the citizens
the expenditure would be an act of judiciou.
! financial policy for the State. Estimating
the cost of the survey at $4,000, the an.
nual interest on the outlay would be So 600
Let us suppose the survey should result in
no other benefit than developing a few Goa,
mines, and pointing out suitable loca-
tons for half a dozen iron furnaces
the finding some further deposits of Martin
county ochres, and few deposits of potter
clay suitable for earthern ware it would
. not fail to do less than this in the most in
: competent hands and these discoveries
II poor and limited as we should deem them
if but slightly improved would add certain
IL ly as much as FIVE millions to the taxable
. property of the State. Suppose the Stat
levies State tax of 80 cents on the $1,000
this increased property would contribute Il
the State Treasury annually, $3.50 which
would be five times the interest on tn
sum expended. 1t would repay the who'll
> cost of the surrey in three years and fou
months, and after that the $4,000 woul,
:. become a clear profit to the treasury
u There can be no one so blind and stupid a
: to resist these arguments.
:. We have Legislature elected containin,
larger number of intelligent, practica
business men, and those who are capable @
comprehending the Importance of this sub