Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-12-10

W
A club Of forty and upward, copy Of Daily,
The above terms will be adhered to in
all cases
FAIRBANKS, BENEDICT & Co,
u J. STEPHENSON = u L q '10'
Publisher Of Plain Dealer.
Publishers Of Leader.
rhe Mineral Resources Of the Country.
The report Of the Commissioner Of the
Land Office presents some startling facts
to the country as to the amount of its min
eraI resources in the territories of the
West It says thatcoal is found in abun-
dance and variety between the Mississippi
and the Pacific. The extent of the coal
bearing fields in the States eastof the Mis-
sissippi bear but small proportion to the
immense fields west of that river, as it
abounds in Kansas, Dakota, Nebraska,
Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Ore
gOn and Washington. But the yield Ofthe
gold fields is particularly dwelt upon in the
report. The auriferous region embraces
portions Of Dakota, Nebraska, all of New
Mexico, with Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Cal
ifornia, Oregon and Washington. It COM
prises II degrees of latitude, or a breadth
Of 1000 miles from north to south, and an
equsl longitudinal extension, making an
area Of more than million square miles.
This region is divided by ranges of noun
tains running from north to south, which
are themselves connected with each other
BY mountain links, by which the country
is divided into basins, which have agricul-
turaI resources equal to the support not
only Of miners but Of a dense population.
These mountains are richly stocked with
Minerals new discoveries of gold and sill
yer being continually brought to light
Beside The gold, no part of the world is so
rich in silver mines as Nevada and New
Mexico; yet these may be estimated as only
in small proportion to the gold fields which
are in process Of development and which
are holding out inducements to the enter
prise of the world.
Prior to the gold discoveries OF ealifor-
nis in I84s, the annual product Of the
world was only Sl8OOO,OOO. In 1853,
the yield Of California was 100000
which is about the present average for that
state-an amount four times as large as
the previous yield of the world. The re-
port says that if we compare the gold
fields elsewhere in our public domain with
the yield of California, we would have, if
an equal ratio Of labor was applied, an an
nual value Of between S3OOOOO,000 and
S4OO, 600 900. Even in far off Washing
ton, the yield Of the Salmon River mines
is estimated for this year at S20OOO,0OO,
which has been obtained in q season which
presented unusual disadvantages to be
overcome.
The Commissioner then proposes an i'm
portant measure Of revenue, to be obtain
ed BY subjecting the public mines either
to lease under quarterly payments or
quarterly tax upon the actual product un-
der some well regulated system. Assum-
ing the national debt, on the 1st Of July,
1868, to be S778 600, 900, the Commission
er says that tax of some g per cent on
the whole yield Of the mines would, upon
the maturity of a proper mining system,
and when the same shall eventually 60 in
10 full operation, pay off this interest en-
able the Government to reduce, by at least
two-thirds, the existing direct tax, and
from the residue and impOsis, have an an
nual income sufficient to support the Gov
ernment, and provide fund for the grad
ual extinction Of the public debt and re-
store the currency to a metallic basis.
The average size of a mining claim al
lows Of 1900 TO the square mile. suppos-
ing that only one-hundredth part of the
mining surface is occupied by paying
veins. there will be space for s,6OO,-
900 claims. But Governor Evans, Of
Colorado, at the Pacific Railroad meeting
at Chicago said that that Territory alone
affords room for SOC, 600 claims, and stated
that new discoveries were daily increasing
this area. The Territory of Colorado Oc-
.cupies less than one-sixth Of the whole
extent under consideration, which would
be equivalent to 4, 100000 claims upon the
whole, which would give employment TO
100000 men. The yield of these veins
ranges from S12 to $4,000 per ton.
Numerous other minerals and valuables
are found in this region, besides gold and
silver. The yield of the precious metals
alone will not fall short Of 100000 900
the present year, and viii increase with
the increase Of population for centuries to
come.
The report closes with these remarks:
aThe value Of these mines to the coun-
try is absolutely incalculable-to the Gov
ernment they may be made to yield in rev.
enue Just in proportion to the number Of
men employed in working them. This
year they should yield $4,000 600, and
would do SO under the operations Of well
matured system. The experience of mi
uers in those dis riots which have been
successfullv worked, has demonstrated the
prosperity, and, may add, the necessity
Of dividing the mineral lands into small
parcels or claims.
This office cannot recommend any
measure for the sale Of the mineral lands,
but would advise the retention Of the fee
in the United States, and that they be held
open to the free occupation Of all our peo-
pie, subject only 10 a nominal annual Ii
cense, and such monthly, quarterly, or an
nual moderate percentage upon the pro-
duct as shallbs prescribed by law. A lin
itation as 10 the quantity which may be
held By any person is also advised, with
The guaranty that such quantity may be