Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-06-24
ABOUT THE DULL TIMES.


ing the direction of the wind that was
scattering and dissipating the great Washoe
humbug. If those disappointed, footsore
men were heading towards some land OF
plenty, where large field of remunera-
tive labor lay awaiting the arrival of their
willing hands, it would indeed be a matter
of congratulation, and we should join
cheerfully in the bright picture it presented
both for the traveller and our neighboring
State. But when we view the matter in
its true light, and see the disheartened
throng returning sadly to the country
from which they had been driven by sheer
poverty, and the absolute despair Of ever
lettering themselves in the mines and fields
of California; going back to take up their
old tools and delve away for grub and
water money" we regard the emigration
with anything but glee. The departure
of these men is not Of itself a calamity to
this Territory. \ large population of idle
men is no blessing to any community. So
long as there is no demand for their labor,
the sooner they make their way out of the
country the better for themselves and for
those who remain. The great trouble has
been, with the great mass of the idle men
now in the Territory, and those who have
gone away disheartened, that they misun-
derstood the character of the resources of
this Territory, and failed to sufficiently in
form themselves as to facts. The past few
wears have witnessed q gradual decrease
in the yield of the gold mines of Califor-
| MIA, that. in vast districts Of that State,
has almost amounted to exhaustion. 1t
is idle to deny this plain but unpleasant
assertion. We have personally emigrated
within the year from county in Calitor-
MIA, second to none other in that State in
mining Importance, and know that where
of we speak. That county is an exam
pie of the exhaustion spoken of. 4 win
ter unusually dry, has caused, an almost
utter suspension of mining operations and
as an inevitable consequence n correSpon-
ding prostration of all other species Of bu-
sineSS. The Californian is constitution
ally migratory in his habits, his foothold
upon any soil is but loose. and his tent
stakes are up and he is off for new spot
in the swapping of 4 fint-lock, whenever
his present occupation grows slack or
mkSome. He is prone above all other
men to see in the distance some inviting
spot, some glorious prospect. On the
eastern slope of the mountains was a
country fabulouSly rich in its mineral
wealth; the distance was comparatively
short, and the rush was tremendous
The great mass Of those composing this
emigration were men without any capital
whatsoever, and it is within bounds to
say that majority of them arrive here
without the wherewith to pay month $
board and lodging. The character of
mining carried on here, by which the
enormous amounts of wealth, of which
they had heard, were realized, they seem
to have known nothing OF, nor to have
taken at all into consideration. They ar
rive here III condition requiring EN-
| plovment which must be Immediately re-
munerative. They must live, and they
cannot live upon expectation. They find
the fact TO be that the mines of Washoe
only yield remuneratively after long
months, and perhaps years, of patient
toll. They are willing to work, the mines
are before their eyes, but they are worth
less to them for they have not the means
to support them during the months and
years that are necessary to their develop
ment. They find those mines which are
paying for the labor expended upon them
fully supplied with laborers, and labor
drug in the market. They are
hat-broke, there is nothing for them
to do, they are strangers in q
strange land. They wander about for
time, till heart-sick and hopeless, they
turn their faces once more toward the set
ting sun. California is miserable pros
pect, but they "can make grub money
there" The above is fair statement Of
the history and condition of the men
whom our California exchanges rejoice to
see vending their sorrowful way home
ward. We hope they will welcome them
back with as fat calf as the short grass
of that State will furnish this season. The
big rush over to this Territory was great
mistake, having its origin in an Ignorance
inexcusable in people less incautious and
impetuous than Californians. The least
pains taken to inform themselves Of the
| peculiar character of the resources and
wants of the Territory, would have shown
them that there could possibly be no de-
mand for such rush of laborers. They
have found it out now, and maYhap may
have little enough of the bob-tail fox
about their disposition to inform theil
California neighbors of the true state Of
things in Washoe. The silver mines Of
Nevada Territory are turning out NOR.
bullion than ever before; that the daily
shipments show beyond question. The
number of men that can be employed by
those paying mines is limited. In thu
other mines-those that are prospecting
the amount Of labor being done is but
slight, at present, owing to the scarcity o.
money to hire labor, and in many instan'
ces labor is suspended entirely, or is being
carried on the owners who have little
capital to maintain themselves upon. Fol
those who have surplus money, or outside
revenue sufficient to pursue this course
| chic Terr;+orr nff;ars ,,nnara1leled induna