Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-06-03
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FRIDAY MORNING. JUNE 8. 1881.
Local
American Institute of Mining Engineers

American Institute Of Mining Engineers.
| ACCOUNTS OF THE THREE DAYS SESSION
PUBLIC RECEPTIoN-THE ENGINEERS
| DEPARTURE UP THE c. & o. RAILWAY.
| &C., &C., w.
On Monday the larger portion OF the
members of the American Institute OF
Mining Engineers arrived on the afternoon
train, many of them bringing their wives
and daughters with them. The number
that arrived was probably one hundred
but two cars full arrived the next morn
ing, The visitors held their first meeting
at the Opera House on Monday night last.
Prior to going into the business Of the In
stitute. Hon. VIM. L. Balthis introduced
to them Hon. A. H. H. Stuart who tender
ed them
| A WELCOME
Mr.. Stuart said to them that without
enquiring whence they came, whether from
the North, South, East or West, they
were welcome as citizens of our common
country, which we trust is to remain
!
BILE. bound together not merely by the liga-
ments of the constitution but by the clo
ser ties of common interests and mutual
affection. Mr.. Stuart then gave an elO-
quent description of the mineral wealth
of Virginia, and said the people looked to
our visitors as those who qualified by ener
gy and scientific learning should reveal the
mysteries of our mountains. He gave an
interesting description of the advance in
the practical application of science to
further the progress of man which had &C.
CURED even under his own observation in
his own time, and said that when he turned
his thoughts to the retrospect OF the last
half century aud then looked to the future,
his mind was dazzled by the brightness of
the pictures which rose before it, and he
was forced to eXclaim, who can venture
to predict what the next half century may
bring forth? In conclusion he ten dered
them cordial welcome to Staunton.
RESPONSE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE
INSTITUTE.
The President of the Institute, Mr.. VIM.
Metcalf, of Plttsburg, Pa, responded to
Mr.. Stuart's welcome. He said that they
had heard SO much of Virginia hospitality
that they we're prepared for the pleasures
which were in store for them during this
visit. Referring to the business on which
the Institute met, he said that Virginia
lies in the very heart of the richest and
most extensive mineral and agricultural
region of the world.
Beginning in Western Massachusetts
and Northwestern New York, extending
down thorough Northwestern New Jersy,
and spreading over almost all Of Pennsyl-
vania, through Maryland, over all OF the
| Virginias, part Of Kentucky, Tennessee,
North Carolia, and Northern Alabama,
and Georgia, we have succession Of
mountion ranges and valleys. Every
mountain and hill is full of iron, coal, and
other valuable minerals, and nearly every
acre of the surface is capable of growing
the finest timber. Every valley and all of
the surrounding country is unsurpassed in
agricultural wealth and salubrity Of eli
mate.
This great country is capable of sustain
ing population of hundred millions, and
yet, while the whole energy of the nation
seems TO be turned toward the develop
ment of the arid plains and snowy ranges
of the far West, in wild pursuit Of pre-
cious metals and the carrying trade of the
antipodes, this great region of yours aud
ours lies almost neglected and undeveloped.
This ought not so to be, and it is hoped
that this great gathering of Engineers,
Scientists. Manufacturers and leading
| Mechanics from all parts of the country
will lead to the widespread conviction of
the truth, that here IS the greatest source
of wealth and of national power in all our
country. And when idle capital shall have
once become convinced of this; when your
mountains are teeming with thousands of
busy mechanics, who will eat up the sur
plus products of your valleys, then this
great country east of the Mississippi will
supply all of the manufactures that shall be
needed by the millions Of agriculturalists of
the great West, and two hundred millions
of people will be unable to make us feel
crowded in this great country of ours.
Free trade we shall then have between
the different parts of the whole country; a
free welcome for everybody; no pauper
labor for any class, and no poverty for any
who are not too lazy to be we'll off.
BUSINESS OF THE FIRST SESSION.
President Metcalf then read his annual
address. In i. he noted the advance Of
science and the results following there
from. In speaking of the best mode of
self-education for engineers he recon-
mended the continuous study of all the
higher mathematics, and practical obser-
walton. On these two depend the success
of the engineer.
Prof. Eggleston read an interesting pa
per written by j. H. Macintosh on the
"electrolytic'' determination of copper,
and the formation and composition of so
called allatrapic copper. This paper was
discussed by Doctors Eggleston, Sharpless
of Boston, Frazier, Raymond and others.
A paper was read by DR.. Frazier on a
new geological map of Chester county,
| Pa.
| SECOND DAY.
AT the second days session papers were
read by Prof. Eggleston on the ''Ore knob
copper process" from S. H. Williams of
| st. Louis, on ga volumetric method of es-
timating manganese in pig iron and
steel,' and from VIM, Kent Of Pittsburg,
Pa, Richard Akerman of Stockholm.
Sweden, and G. P. Sandberg, of London.
The papers evoked a discussion by Drs.
Brown, Raymond, Sharples, State geolo-
gist of Boston, and Dudley. In the at