The Russellville Democrat., 1878-01-17

This week we have had here q convention of several hundred citi- zens from all parts of the country, discussing a profoundly interesting question, and not one of the dele gates has been disorderly in the streets, has visited bar room, been
 heard to utter an oath, or in any way behaved disreputably. l won
 der if another such convention was ever known in any city in Amerca. We sometimes laugh at these women who get together in conventions and demand suffrage, but, after all, the class of citizens that made np the convention I spoke of must by and by get what it asks for. Right or wrong it is only question of time. The U. $. Geological and Geo graphical survey of the Territories in charge of Prof. +. V. Hayden made an extended tour of explora- ton in the Western Territories dur ing the past spring and summer sea
 son, and returned to this city, the headquarters of the survey, late in the fall, laden with results of a most interesting and important character. The information of chronological character is especially important as this character of investigation was carried on Tn a more systematic and extensive plan than ever before and tho result will prove both interesting and important The typographical work covered an area of about 30,- GOO square miles, and compara- lively unknown region of our waste domain, possessing remarkable ca pacity for mining, grazing and agri- culture will be made known. The explorations of this survey have ex- tended from Arizona to Montana. embracing the territories of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Da- kota. The expedition when in the the field is composed of about 40 persons, including scientists, pack CTS, cooks and laborers.
 The expedition is generally divid- ed into several parties, each fully equipped and prepared to examine a specific area of country, usually about 10000 square miles, more or less, depending upon the character of country to be examined. The field season usually lasts about four months, at the end of which time the parties all return to the starting point where the laborers are dis charged and the scientists of the party return to Washington for office work. This survey has issued a series of annual reports, presenting in a popular manner the subjects treated upon, and which are design ed for general distribution. A series of quarto volumes are also issued, embracing purely scientific matters. These are confined in their distribu- tion to colleges, libraries, and scien- tific specialists. A series of bulle- tins are also issued Tn which sub- jects requiring special and immedi- ate attention may be found. There are in addition what are called mis- cellaneous publications, such as meteorology, distances and attitudes, catalogues, &c. The importance and interests of the work of this or ganization has been fully comment ed upon in all parts of the civilized world; and as an illustration of the esteem and appreciation Tn which it is held abroad Lieut. Gen'l Richard Strachey of the Royal Engineers of England says in communication to man high in the science of this country that s'It is an undertaking in all respects most honorable to your Government and to the men of science who have been their agents in carrying it out. In truth It is, believe, the only really scientific survey of great country ever enter ed upon" The survey has issued 9 large publications within the past year and several important works are nearly ready to emerge from the press. VIRTUE.