Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-01-11
UEPARTNENT OF THE INTERIOR,
United STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
"A

W NS}iINGTON ID. e., Jan. y, 1885.
GENTLENEN-I have the honor to acknOwl-
edge the receipt OF your letter Of January
III, relating 70 the extension of the geOlO.
g!cal survey over the State of West Nir-
ginIa, and TO reply thereto as follows:
The present and prospective importance
Ul the mining industries of West Virginia
: fully recognized, aud already plans have
been made Tor q geological survey 50 thor
OUgh rs 10 properly delineate the great
mineral wealth of that region. 4 geOlOgi-
cal survey must be preceded by a tOpO-
graphic survey in order that the geological
structure OF the country NAV be apprOpri-
ateiy represented, and the initiatOry work
OF the topographic survey has already been
commenced IN the establishment oil certain
geOdc;ic points and the compilation of the
railroad and river surveys OF the State. 1t
IS proposed 10 push this work in the field
With sIl possible vigOr during the coming
season, and 10 continue the sur
yey, topographic and geological, until an
atlas OF West Virginia shall be constructed
accurately representing its geographic tea-
cures geologic structure and mineral
wealth. The atlas vii. be accompanied by
descriptive reports. | an glad 20 be aOle
10 respond to your letter in this manner,
sppreCiatiug rs DO the deep interest and
efficient part YOU have taken in ,he eIteu-
,.on Of the geological survey over the
Southern Appalachian region. You ex-
press wish for me 10 take charge, in per
son Of the field parties making the surveys
Il West Virginia. This hope TO do.
Thanking you tOr the confidence implied
IN your request, | remain, very respect
Tally, Your obedient servant,
J. W. POWELL, Director.
TO MessrS. II. G. DAVIS and J. y. CAMDEN,
u. S. Senate, Washington City.
This is Of great importance to our State.
Il willsave US the expense that would at
hnd an effort of the State to make such a
survey. and besides would be far more i'm.
rrtant, a, the men who have charge of the
National surveys are better qualified to dis
charge such duties than any men we could
afford, as State, to employ. and their re-
port will have weight abroad As we'll as at
home. because it will BE- national and not
local.
NJ Davis in closing his speech in the
Senate on geological surveys, said:
Il hope to see and intend to aid our whole
country, and especially the South, to take
An advanced position in agriculture, COM
merce and manufacturing; also in deyel.
oplnG their mineral resources.
The country or man whe stands still while
the world moves on will be lett behind, or,
q, the railroad men say, standing upon the
side track, while the gO.ahead or express
train, with live, active men and freight
upon II, moves on and takes the prize.
II is believed good careful and com
piete geological survey Of Virginia and
West Virginia will show more mineral re.
sources than all Europe. | feel sure this
great country Of ours, especially Virginia
ard West Virginia, has -est future; in,
Io7mstion, enterprise and capital are es,
>'H,'al to development and prosperity. \
uCtry or State, like a corporation, 4 firm
rr an Individual, TO prosper must be pro
sres'Iye. | would respect and protect with
equal care State and national government
cannot believe with some Democrats il
extreme State rights, nor can foIloE
many Republicans in centering near
s.l power in the nationa
Government. am for letting the deaC
issues rest and Cor cultiyating the livini
ones. favor fair, just, and living tariff
that will protect equally the people anC
anT.acturing interests. am for an effor
20 regain our ocean carrying trade; ",
:"Emerly had IS, now Il per cent. l an
;or proper degree OF economy in all ex
Pentitures OF public money, and for pro
gress and prosperity Of our entire countr,
snd people. would encourage and foSte
education, agriculture. manufactures AM
commerce. and do whatever else will max
cur whole people and country intelligent
ITusperous. rich, happy, and great.