The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-23

In summing up the objections to the
SeoIocical survey some months ago this
iournal dwelt with emphasis upon the fact
that the national government bad taken
mon itself the work of geological investi-
ration. and that, since this was the fact.
and admitting flor the purposes OF discus
sionl that the work was of practical util-
ity, there was no occasion for the state to
spend It's money in making surveys.
TJpon his return from California Governor
Ferry presented the argument with great
force, and made It the chief point in
his criticism Of the project. That this
argument was strong one and that those
who put 1t forth were justified in their
assertions, is proved by the fact that the
government has actually taken up the
matter Of geological investigation in this
state and has ordered the work to be begun
during the current season. The secretary
Of the Chamber of Commerce is in receipt
Of the following letter from Major Powell,
the director of the United States Geologi-
cal Survey:
Aas lust approved my recommendation for the
Inauguration OF geological survey Of the state
81 Warrington, and the work will soon be CON-
usnced nudsr the provisions of the act making
appropriations for the survey for the current
nscal year beginning July l. Mr.. A. II. Thomp-
SON viii have charge OF the work He will in
lew days visit the stats for the purpose OF con-
fsrring with the governor. IL gives me great
pleasure at last to Be able to give an Affirmative
"a 49, -. II 49,
nsrcs Of Seattle.
It II understood that this has been
brought about through an application
made by Governor Ferry and urged by our
congressional delegation at Washington
City.
Aside from the actual money saving to
the State by leaving this survey to the gen.
srai government we shall have q very
much better survey. The enterprise will
now BE- carried on In the scientific spirit
and under men qualified for and accus-
tomsd to the work: it win have no connec-
ton with Questionable private interests,
aid no relationship to the political aspira-
lions Of IN unworthy and discredited man
and bis little gang Of disreputable follow
en-.
The Pos1-IsrKIlIeKxcER has no great
opinion Of the prscticality of geological
surveys, state or national. 1t has yet TO
learn Of the discovery of y single import
ant mine a. the result of such survey
Excepting. Of course, that nameless $780,
600 property referred TO by Mr.. Riecker).
and it doubts IL the national survey will
yield any more important consequence
than miscellaneous lot of pretty pic
lures, Of no value to anybody. 1t
cannot bat bear in mind the
fact that all the great mining
discoveries Of the United States were made
BY the old-fsshioned method of prospect
Inc, and that the elaborate geological sur
veys came after these discoveries and as a
result of them. 1t cannot but bear in
mind that practical mining men on the
lookout for new properties, and there
are many of them able to prose-
cute any method Of search deemed
practical, always proceed on the old plan.
leaving the work of geological surveying
70 the government or TO anybody else who
may care to take it up.
But II the government wants to do this
work We have no objection. And we are
profoundly pleased that il is government
and not state money that is TO paw the
hills.