The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-04-06
MINERAL LANDS AND THEIR
DEVELOPMENT.

MINERAL LANDS AND THEIR
DEvELOPMENT.
Commissioner Walsh suggests
that the state adopt the mineral
laws in force in most countries. These
laws, known as mining laws, hold
the mineral in all lands, the fee
simple to which has not already
passed from the state, for the bene-
| fit of the discoverer of mineral and
for the state. The prospector makes
discovery, and by the mining laws
OF most states and countries he be-
comes entitled to a mining claim,
not a right in the soil, but to the
mineral in the earth. Such laws
have proven most beneficial else
where, and certainly they may be
adopted by Texas with profit.
What the process of remuneration
to the prospector should be is matter
for the lawmakers brain; whether
it should be bonus in acres or a
right to the mineral, the state hold
ing a per cent. of it, is yet to be con-
sidered and decided upon. The
simplest plan would be to sell min
eral lands, reserving to the state the
right to minerals to be allowed.
prospectors and operators on cer-s
tain conditions advantageous to the
state. Certainly there is a great
deal of mineral in Texas. The state
abounds in iron and coal and fine
marble and GRANTEES, and other
valuable stones; in states
and clays, among the latter
kaolin; IN lands from which,
it is said, the finest plate glass in the
world may be produced. 1t has
salt, gypsum, sulphur, and a great
variety of soluble minerals, valuable
to commence and to science, and
there can be no doubt that petro-
leum will be found. Lead, copper,
silver, gold, platinum and Other
precious metals exist, and in the ex-
treme west, were it not for the alb
sence of mining laws, it is believed
some Ell Dorado would long since
have been brought to light. There
are two things which have COM
bined to retard the minerali
development of Texas-the absence
of mining laws, and the lack of a
complete geological survey of the
state. Some years ago the state
maintained a geological depart
ment, but it was nothing more than
school for the study of geology on
the part of some one styled estate |
geologist." Such official had an Of d
flee in the capitol, and collected
specimens in the best manner he
could, and read his books, grew
wise, and learned more and more of
geology himself, while the state was
not benefited. This was not the
fault of the official, but it was
because governors and legislators
have never realized the Importance
of perfect geological surveys, and,
therefore, appropriations for the
specific purpose of making geologi-
cal surveys were not made. Two or
three surveying expeditions have
been inaugurated, and competent
men have been placed at the head of
one or more, but they were left to
paddle their canoes in a perfect sea
of troubles, and the expeditions
were failures. But because there
has been bungling administration
as to this important matter
heretofore, is no reason why
the state should neglect a
most important requirement. We
want geological survey tor many
reasons; it will inform the people of
the world where the valuable min
eral deposits are; prospectors will
pour into the state from the mineral
regions of the world, and they will
develop the mineral wealth of the
state. New York and Pennsylvania
have spent over half million dol
lars in geological surveys. All the
New England states, and Indiana,
Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Min
nesota, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennes-
see, Arkansas, Kansas, California
and Oregon, and Mississippi, Ala
bama, Georgia, North and
South Carolina and the Virginias
have their geological surveys, and
the records of these works are in
great volumes through which they
may be properly understood in all
properly informed circles, while the
greatest benefits are derived from
them. There have been many OBJ
stacles in the way of securing
complete geological survey of the
state in times past. Professor Buck
ley was sent out a few years ago,
but a short appropriation and in
competent assistants were forced
upon him, while money was with
held, and he had to abandon the
field in consequence. Had he had
proper aid and intelligent sup.
port at the seat of government he
could have done the state invaluable
service, but he was victim to per-
sonal government. Now, a new day
having dawned upon Texas, with
railways all over the state, why may
we not have perfect geological
survey of the state There are
millions in it and we expect Gov.
Roberts knows it.