The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1861-01-15

the great body of these lands will revert. 1t
is, important TO the interests of Michigan that
these roads should be completed, and that
these lands should all be used in their con-
structiop. Your policy towards them should
be liberal. Their construction would add
millions of dollars to the wealth Of our State,
and open to settlement great part Of our
northern wilderness.
MILITARY DEPARTMENT..
The annual report Of the Adjutant General
to the Commander.in Chief shows that the
enrolled militia o the State number one hun
dred and ten thousand able bodied men. The
Legislature Of 1850, appropriated $4,000
per annum, for the encouragement OF volun
teer uniformed companies. This law has had
good effect. We now have forty Of these
companies under an excellent state Of disci
pline. recommend that you increase the
appropriation to ten thousand dollars per an
mum. 1t is upon the "citizen soldiery" that
We must rely for onr protection, should re.
sort to arms ever become necessary. These
independent companies, in the hour Of dan
ger, would form a Nucleus around which the
enrolled militia could gather. Tho history of
the world teaches us that that nation is most
respected which is able and ready to protect
her citizens and maintain her rights, even at
/ the cannon's mouth, if necessary. We live
upon the borders Of the most powerful nation
on the Globe. A thousand miles OF our coast
form the boundary line between Great Brit
ian and the United States. We are at peace
with the whole world, but this peace may
/ laet N .;olo N
put onr military department upon a firmer
basis. An appropriation Of ten thousand dol
lars per annnm 10 aid of these uniformed com
panies, would enable them to defray portion
Of the onerons expenses that they are now
subject to. No company can long maintain
its discipline without frequent drills and en-
campments which draw heavily upon their
time and means.
GEOLOGY.
The Legislature. at its last biennial session,
authorized the Governor to appoint a compe-
tent person whose duty it shoul d be to finish
the geological survey OF the state. Inc act
further authorized the appointment, from time
to time, as the exigences Of the case might
require, competent persons TO act as assistants
under the direction of tho Geologist. For
the purpose of defraying the expenses that
might be incurred under the act, two thou
sand dollars was appropriated for the year
1859, and three thousand dollars for the year
1850. A joint resolution was also passed
placing at the disposal Of the Governor a sum
not exceeding one thousand dollars, for the
purpose ef securing to the use Of the State.
and preparing for Publication, the notes and
papers relating to the geological survey Of the
State made by the late DR.. loughton, and
for the collection and preservation of any pro
pcrty or specimens belonging to the State in
the possession of his heirs. For the pnrpose
of carrying into effect the foregoing act and
resolution, on the 9th of March, 1850, ap-
pointed Alexander Winchel professor Of Ge
ology, Zoology and Botany, in the State Uni
versity) State Geologst, at yearly compen.
saion Of ono thousand dollars during the per-
formancc Of field labor, and Dr. Manly Niles
to act ms his assistant at seven hundred and
fifty dollars per annum for like services.
The sum thus appropriated was too small to
carry on very extensive geological survey
Of the State, and after consultation upon the
subject with Prof. Winchel it was thought ad-
visabe to unite the two funds, as most eco.
nomical and effective in carrying into effect
both the act and resolution. The Geologist
and his assistant Immediately entered upon
the discharge Of their duties, and have prose-
cutcd the survey to the extent Of the appro-
pratlon with ability and untiring industry.
The full amount Of the fund has been drawn
from the Treasury and placed at the disposal
of Prof. Wuchel, and you are respectfully
referred to his report for the extent and sue
cess Of his labors. / have fled in the office
Of the Secretary OF State, for your inspection,
my vouchers showing the disposition that has
been made Of the appropriation.
1t is Of Importance to the State that this
geological survey stould bo prosecuted to
completion as soon as possible. The suevey
already made, incomplete ms it is, proves to
u' that Michigan is fully equal to, and exceeds
many OF her sister States, in natural resources.
Her coal beds cover an area Of nearly seven
thousand square miles, lying in the centre of
the State, and crossed by two Of the principal
railways. Her saline basin is ono hundred
miles in diameter, showing quality Of water
that for purity and strength is uncqualed in
the United States.
Gypsum is found in different parts Of tho
State Of the purest quality. and in inexhausti
bic quantities. The iron and copper beds of
Like Superior are unsurpassed, and have al.
ready attained a celebrity throughout the
United States and Europe. Load, mari, fire.
clay and marble, all of superior qualities, have
been discovered in great abundance. These
are some Of the fruits Of our geological sur
vey. You shodld lcgislate for the develop
ment Of these great natural resources. The
God Of Heaven has filled the bowels Of the
earth with these, his richest gifts, and science
has brought knowlcgde of them to you.
Tho people have a right 10 expect such leg
islation as will tend to make these great nat
ural resources most available.
| recommend that you appropriate eight
thousand dollars per annum for the next two
years, for the prosecution of tho geological
survey. The compensation at present paid
the Geologist is mere pittaucc in compari.
son to the value Of bis services. | believe
that the principle, 'the laborer is worthy his
hire" is as applicable to public officer as
to private citizen. His compensation sho'd
be doubled, and il tho sum placed at my dis
posal by the act Of 1859 had been sufficient,
would have doubled his salary. and be
lieve that the people would have sustained