THE GEOLOGY OF MINNESOTA. 



[Present survey, 1871-82. 



The state geologist, under the head of "plans and recommendations," 

 makes the following statement in the first report. 



The law under which the present survey is being prosecuted appropriates the sum of one 

 thousand dollars per annum. This is too small for various reasons, the chief of which are, (1) It 

 will not pay for the services of a single employe on the survey capable of working under the law. 

 Hence it well-nigh renders the law inoperative. (2) It does not command the respect and con- 

 fidence of the citizens of the state and others, and serves as an excuse for refusing aid and 

 co-operation. The survey should be independent of favors for which it now has to beg, some- 

 times to be scornfully refused. (3) In the survey of those portions of the state inaccessible by 

 public roads, or by railroads, it will be necessary to employ laborers, and incur other expense, for 

 which the sum of one thousand dollars is not sufficient. (4) In order to conduct the survey on 

 one thousand dollars per annum, the state geologist must find some other employment a portion 

 of the year.* (5) The magnitude of the interests involved demands that ample means be allowed 

 for doing the work of the survey thoroughly and without embarrassment. These considerations 

 ought to induce the legislature to increase the amount now appropriated to a sum sufficient at 

 least to keep one man constantly employed, and to pay all expense of field-work and chemical 

 examinations, in connection with the subject of increasing the means provided for a geological 

 survey, it is suggested that the state lands known as salt spring lands may be so sold or appro- 

 priated under the management of the board of regents of the university, as to be available for that 

 purpose. It would be in perfect consonance with the original design, in the reservation of these 

 lands from sale, if they were placed in the custody of the board of regents, conditioned on their 

 use in the prosecutation of the geological and natural history survey of the state, with a view to 

 the early and economical development of the brines of the state. 



This recommendation respecting the use of salt spring lands for the 

 prosecution of the survey, was based on representations made to the writer 

 by Mr. W. D. Hurlbut of Rochester, and Hon. H. B. Wilson, superintendent 

 of public instruction, and on conversations with Hon. 0. P. Whitcomb, 

 state auditor, and subsequently with senator J. S. Pillsbury and president 

 Folwell ; but it was only through the indefatigable and persistent efforts oi 

 senator Pillsbury, that the following law was passed by the legislature 

 of 1873.f It is verbatim as drafted by the present writer, and by its action 

 the survey has been supplied with funds needed for its prosecution. 



Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota : 



SECTION 1. The state lands known as state salt lands, donated by the general government to 

 aid in the development of the brines in the state of Minnesota, shall be transferred to the custody 

 and control of the board of regents of the university of Minnesota. By said board of regents these 

 lands smay be sold in such manner, or in such amounts, consistent with the laws of the state of 

 Minnesota, as they may see fit; the proceeds thereof being held in trust by them, and only dis- 

 bursed in accordance with the law ordering a geological and natural history survey of the state. 



SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of the said board of regents, as soon as practicable, to cause a 

 full and scientific investigation and report on the salt springs of the state, with a view to the early 

 development of such brine deposits as may exist within the state. 



SEC. 3. The board of regents of the university shall cause the immediate survey and inves- 

 tigation of the peat deposits of the state of Minnesota, accompanied by such tests and chemical 

 examinations as may be necessary to show their economical value, and their usefulness for 

 the purpose of common fuel ; a full report thereon to be presented to the legislature as soon as 

 practicable. 



He was employed as instructor in the University of Minnesota daring six months of each year from 1872 to 1(78. 

 tit was introduced by senator Edmund Bice. 



