Excerpt from Second Annual Report of the Geological and Agricultural Survey of Texas
I supposed that the importance of geology and geological surveys was so well known and acknowledge that it would not be proper here to say anything about their usefulness. Nor should I allude to these things, had I not a few weeks ago, heard one who was called a leading member of the late Constitutional Convention, state in a public speech to that body, that "Geology is a humbug and he knew it to be so."
It is strange that all the leading universities, colleges and schools of the civilized world have been teaching a humbug for the last 45 years; and still more strange, that all civilized countries, including every one of the United States, excepting Florida, have had or are having geological surveys made of their domains; also, the United States Government, during, the last 15 years or more, has had and still continues to have geological surveys made of its territories. These things nave cost much toil and money. Has the labor been useless and the money wasted?
Far from it. The States where these things have been done are the most prosperous and have the largest incomes in agriculture and manufactures of any in the world.
The State of New York in 1836 appropiated $104,000 for a geological and natural history survey of that State. In 1842 a further sum of $26,000 was appropriated, since which other sums have been appropriated for its geological and natural history survey, making the entire amount given for this purpose about $500,000. The first act for the survey was passed by its House of Representatives unanimously. Last year, 1875, $20,000 was appropriated for its State museum and geological survey.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain, with a territory at home less than that of Texas, has more productive wealth than all the cotton States. This arises from her superior agriculture and manufactures, joined with mineral wealth and sufficient intelligence to make the most of every natural advantage. Her mines are being developed at depths of from a few hundred to more than two thousand feet.
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