New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-08-16
THE STATE SEMINARY.

We print elsewhere circular from Colo
mel D. F. Boyd, Superintendent Of the State
Seminary at Alexandria, asking for informa-
ton in reference to the physical features
OF Louisiana, including its topography, ge-
ology, mineralogy, botany, zuOlogy, CHI
mate, agriculture, manufactures, srCheolo-
gy, and whatever else may help to give an
accurate knowledge of its physical state.
This is move in the right direction, and
we trust that every one who has any In
formation of interest bearing upon the
subjects referred to in the circular
will communicate it to Colonel Boyd for
the general veal. The nucleus of State
museum can in this way be established,
which will gradually increase, and become
ere long of great interest and value.
In this connection let us say that there
is great need of geological survey Of
the State. We know but little Of what is
beneath the surface, but that lit
tie is sufficient to wsrran. the ex-
preston OF the opinion that such
survey, if properly made, would
astonish US as to the extent and variety Of
the natural resources of Louisiana. Who
would have supposed, before the war, that
rich mines of salt lie beneath It's soil And
who knows what other mineral productions
there may be, now quite unsupported,
waiting for the hand Of science, skill, and
enterprise to drag them to light and make
them subservient to the wealth and pros
perity of the commonwealth Such work
can not be accomplished in day,
or carried on without labor and expense;
but it may be and ought to be undertaken
during the present year, and steadily prose-
cuted to completion. The riches which it
would be the means of developing would
ere long repay a hundred fold It's cost.
Tnere is a policy which has rightly been
denominated penny wise and pound fool
ish." 1t declines investing penny which,
when thus made to do duty, wonld produce
pound. Every cent spent in eviscerating
the hidden resources Of a community is
money wisely and economically laid out,
and will yield magnificent returns in kind.
Another idea we wish also to express
in this connection. Some years ago the
Congress of the United States made grant
of public lands TO the States for the
purpose of promoting the interests Of
agricultural science and those branches
of knowledge bearing upon it. As Loui-
siana and the other Southern States
had gone off on q wild scent after
the undiscovered and undiscoverabls ben.
efts of secession, she and they did not
of course obtain the advantages of such
grant.
The question recuTs, can not Congress,
at the next session, be induced to extend
its benefits to louisiana The extraor-
binary abuse heaped upon that body by
large portion Of the Southern press, makes
this doubtful, we admit but loyal Senators
and Representatives may possibly be able
to neutralze the effect of such abuse
and secure the boon in question. At any
rate the effort will cost nothing, and we
trust it will be made. If it be backed up
theoretically by our citizens, and espe
cially by the farmers and property holders
Of the State, through the manifestation Of |
proper spirit, we should not be without
hopes of successful appeal in the prem
ises,