402 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



I 



nominal price based upon its agricultural value. Experience proved 

 that no farmer would have the mineral wealth of his property inves- 

 tigated at his own cost. Capitalists invested their wealth in other 

 States wliose lesources were better known. 



For 20 years the legislature had thoroughly appreciated and con- 

 stantly kept in view the advantages which would certainly accrue 

 from the v.'ork, nnd had had many admonitions of tlie necessity of 

 completing it from the different governors; but every bill had been 

 defeated for one reason or another, usually a financial one. The 

 poorest economy that could be practiced was that which strangled ' 

 the best interests of the State while trying with rare shortsiglited- i 

 ness to further them. 



It was thought that no better method could be found to fill the ■ 

 State treasiu\y dex)leted by the war expenses than by developing the ' 

 long-neglected resources of the State. Accordingly Gov. R. B. Hayes 

 in his annual message of November 23, 1868, wrote : 



I submit to your consideration the importance of providing for a thorough 

 and comprehensive geologicnl survey of the State. Many years ago a partial 

 survey was prosecuted under many difficulties and embarrassments, which was 

 fruitful of valuable results. Tt is beyond doubt such that a work as it is now 

 practicable to carry out will by making known the mining, manufacturing, and 

 agricultural resources of the State lead to their development to an extent 

 which will within a few years amply reimburse the State for its cost. 



A resolution was offered by Capt. Alfred E. Lee, member from 

 Delaware County, to refer this portion of the message to a committee 

 of five. 



A short glance at the political situation will reveal what chance 

 there was for enacting any measure to promote the survey. The 

 governor was Republican, the legislature Democratic, The com- 

 mittee had to face these considerations, and to work against 20 

 years of constant failure, although the cause had been championed 

 by such men as Doctor Jewett and General Garfield. Chairman Lee 

 corres]5onded with many influential people throughout the State, but 

 received no encouragement. Col. Charles Whittlesey, E. B. Andrews, 

 J. H. Klippart, and others all agreed as to the importance of the 

 survey and to the impossibility of successfully introducing any 

 measure to complete it. Nevertheless, Captain Lee drafted a bill 

 which he presented with the report of the committee. 



The report set forth the advantnges reaped from the former sur- 

 vey, meager as it w^as, the benefits derived by other States from their « 

 surveys in attracting capital and a good class of immigrants, and the 

 fact that in addition to losing a share of such JDenefits, the best citi- 

 zens were constantly emigrating to the fertile lands of the West. 



As the various geblogical reports have been extensively used by our Goveni- 

 Tiu'nt agents and railroad men in negotiating foreign loans, and are carefully 



