New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-05-03
PENNSYLVANIA.


PHILADELPHIA, April D. 1879.
Now, that our Legislature and the Anti-LecOmpton
Convention at Harrisburg have adjourned and the
excitement consequent upon the trial and acqutta Of
the so-called slave Dangerfeld has subsidized, avail
myself of the calm before our pending municipal
election to say word about other interests. And
first of these dearest to all PeInsylvanans mines
and manufactures
A visit to Schuylkill County, a fortnight ago,
brought painfully before the risks of mining ope-
ratiOns and the expenses with which they are some
times suddenly overwhelmed. The fearful flooding Of
the mines by the Spring freshets had occurred nearly
month previously, yet much of the damage was still
nnrepaired. Its extent may be inferred from the fact
that in one mine in which the water forty feet,
an engine of a hundred horse power, working night
and day for a week had reduced the level but two
feet. Many weeks must necessarily eapse before
work can be resumed in those drifts Unless I'M
usually brisk demand for coal springs up next August
this region will not then recover from the depres-
sion under which il aborsa depression which renders
its energetic business men restless and l-dsposed to
brook the criminal neglect which their interests, and
those of American manufacturers generally, have
dured at the hands Of Government.
The copper and lead mines in Montgomery and Ches-
ter Counties, near Pbenixvie, and which have been
hybernating long, begin to show signs of life. At
those of copper, known from their location on the
banks Of that stream, rs the Perkomen Mines opera
tions just confined to the preparation of the
ores for market These ores, mined during the Winter
sorted by the separation of those of copper from
the zinc blende. The former reduced in this
try but the latter is shipped 10 Europe to be smelted
drive of FIVE miles, during which the Schuykill is
crossed at Rawlings Bridge, brings one to the lead
mines. Descending the new and perpendicular shaft
of the Chester County mine twoh hundred and fifteen
feet, found number of miners at work on the vein
getting out the rich gstening galena) which, by
admirably constructed machinery, is elevated to the
u.
being no longer conducted at the mines. In Norris
town the county seat of Montgomery and the most
beautiful as wen of the most enerprsing little
cities in the Schuykl Valley, business is much de-
pressed. So also is real esae-fams in the neighbor
hood for which, eighteen months ago. sl65 an acre was
refused, would not now bring 500.
The iron trade is slowly reviving. AL the smelling
furnaces the Schuylki between this city and Nor
rlstowD, IN blast an event unknown for nearly
two years
The frequently depressed condition Of the above and
other important Industries, the varying success at
tending their prosecution, and more than all the fact
that the materials from mines and soil are
sent to Europe TO be returned TO US in the shape of
manufactured products fruitful texts for political
economists. And daily the inquiry Is made, how tar
the scientific training Of Young men who are Ia direct
these industries will tend TO develop permanently and
economically the vast of this State and the
UniOni Ii perceived several years ago that this
question could be best answered only after exami
nation of schools established for similar purposes on
was undertaken by gentleman of this city at his own
cost resulted in the conviction that such institutions
even more demanded here than they had been IN
Europe the establishment OF a" Polytechnic College
was resolved upon, and it has been accomplished.
The building occupied by the institution il located
Penn square, and is sufficiently cspacous TO accommo
date four technical schools, viz the School Of Mines
designed to imPart thoroughly scientific aud Prac-
teal training IN Nine Engineering, AMI IN the best
methods OF determining the value of mineral lands
and Of snslyzing and manufacturing mine products
the School If Civil Engineering in which taught
the most approved principles and methods involved
in the construction Of roads bridges, buildings and
public works, and in the application of propellng
power: the School of Mechanical Engineering, III
which full course Is given on mechanical philosophy
and the principles OF machinery, the sources of me-
chanca power, the telegraph, the location and con-
stTuctiou Of engines, furnaces, founderes &c. the
School Of Chemistry, in which students Taught the
principles Of the science well a. practced IN testing
the examination ard smelling of ores analysis Of miner
ais soils &c. The expenses range from So 10 - per
annum, and the degree Of Bachelor in any ct the four
industrial professions aforesaid is conferred upon
cessful students who have attended two years. The
engineers pass one day in the week in the field and
the chemists devote much time IN the welleppOinted
laboratory provided for their use. About fifty young
men from this and other States the West Indies and
South America, are pursuing their studies in the Poly
technic College. The influence Of such institution
wisely established il this great mining and naEuiac-
turing center must hong be felt in al the channels
Of industrial art.
The second and last volume of the Report on the
Geological Survey of this state mas just been issued
and distributed 10 the members Of the legislature
The survey vas commenced in 1896 almost quarter
of a century ago and many believed the report To be
indefinitely postponed. Our late Gov. Pollock and hi,
Cabinet BY their determination, called the subject np
and to them We are mainly indebt'd for is appearance
now The work l. in two quart volumes, comprising
about 200 pages ana Is handsomely got up, but IN
fortunately the msps plates cuts even the eterpres
were executed in Europe. The excuse alleged for this
lgr.N
Natural History in the University Of Glasgow, could
not superintend the getting out of the work in this
country. But il the reports of the Surveys of Wis
consin lows and Minnesota and the illustration of the
Survey Of Kentucky published in Philadelphia, in
the absence of the geoogts Of those States and under
the supervision Of an assistant, why might not the
geologist Of Pennsylvania, Of whose assistants
reside in this city, have had ours published here
Politically independent Of Europe we may be- but
when, OH when, shall we, through the eIertions of
yourself and c0atrcres, be able 10 declare indus
frigl H6T.FdeHc,' LOGAN.