The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-06-11

| Congressional Project % Establish Assay
Omces-Acsual Cenaitioa or the Various
Mining Rsgioas-The Proper Way to
Locate Assay O2oes-Opintens OF . Prac-
teal Explorsr-Letter From y. Ross
Browne.
WASHINGTON, D. O., June q 1895.
Hon. HuaH McCuILoM, Secretary Of the Treasury
sR-I have the honor 70 acknowledge the receipt Of
your letter Of the 3lst u and In reply bog leave
say that in my opinion the development Of the mines
throughout tho States and Territories of the Rocky
Mountains would be greatly promoted by the establish
ment Of assay Offices proposed in the bill for that
purpose pending before Congress- Doubtless the
effect would be equally beneficial In the mineral regions
east Of that range but having travelled extensively
during the past three years through the districts border
ing on the Pacific SLOPE better prepared to speak
OF their resources and necessities from practical OK
pcrience.
calities for these assay Offices in act Of Congress-
Several Of the points mentioned in the BILL as reported
as the character OF the country tho development
Of It's mineral resources. Among these ] need only
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY.
There are rich mineral lodges in that vicinity but they
have not yet been worked TO any considerable extent
owing the dscouragng condition of affairs existing
between the Mormon and the Gentle population. The
laws of the United states are imperative there and must
continue so until the government deems expedent to
enforce them 1t would be useless therefore, to estab
lsh an assay Office that point under existing
stances.
AUBREY AND TUCSON, ARIZONA.
The town Of Aubrey, socaled Ia situated the banks
Of the Colorado river at the mouth Of Bill Williams
Fork, and consists OF few mud hovels now for the
most part abandoned No mining OF any consequence is
carried in that vicinity, and no bullion is produced.
copper mining company has some interests there but
1t Is questionable whether they have yet discovered
ledge. Their present dependence Is chiefly upon
groupings Tucson is the centre Of rich mineral region
but some Of the mines are progress development and
but little, II any, bullion is produced The Cerro Colo
RADIO mines south 81 ducs9n nave ,t oeen practically &c,
worked. In short, the depredatons OF the Apaches
have arrested nearly all the mining operations in the
Territory. II may become expedent at some future
time establish assay office at Prescott the capital,
which is the centre Of rich mineral region; but even
that part of the country is not now In progress OF de-
There other points mentioned in the bill where
offices really needed and where they would be
Of great benefit TO the miners viz
AUSTIN. NEVADA.
This is one OF the most prosperous mineral regions
$500 600 per month"; and will probably produce double
that year At least fifteen quartz mills
districts Of Yankee Blade Smoky Valley Bunker Hill,
lone, Turn River &C., are all IN prosperous condition
and yield more or less bullion, which finds Its way into
Austin as the central point OF trade.
BOISE CITY, IDAHO
The Territory Of Idaho has already attracted large
mining population and Ii justly regarded one Of the
richest mineral countries yet discovered within our
borders An assay Office at this or some other con-
venlent point, would greatly promote the development
VIRGINIA CITY, MONTANA.
The same may be said OF this Territory. Here active
operations gong on, and the mines are yielding
abundanty.
have thus hastily and in general terms referred TO
few points suggested TO by perusal OF the bill
Much might be said the subject but presume your
time 10 limited and am now prepared TO SO into
details.
great drawback to the miners operating in remote
frontier the insecurity Of the routes to the
central points of trade This Is especially felt In Mon
and Idaho Within the past Two many cases
of robbery aud murder have occurred the roads lead
Ing salt Lake City and Oregon and California the
could receive certificates OF deposit for their bull
hon. payable at Portland SAN Francisco, would DO
great convenience them we'll source Of proec-
ton
Another advantage 70 be derived from the establish
assay Offices would be the prevention Of fraad
No reliance be placed upon the certificates OF asay
issued by many OF the private assay Offices indeed they
made the basis Of OF those gigantic swndles
which have much within the past two TO
discourage the investment Of capital IN mining opcras
tons IL purchasers could bs assured OF the true value
Of what they purchased far at least correct assays
could determine IT, greater confidence would prevail
In view Of tho fluctuations incident 70 the pursuit Of
mining the necessity Of having these Offices at such
points experience may demonstrate 10 be tho psr0a
nent centres Of business and population, am clearly Of
opinion that would best accomplish The object desired
TO authorize the Secretary Of the Treasury 10 select the
localities and order the erection OF the buildings upon
satisfactory data furnished him by the people Of the
respective states and Territories when they shall have
settled al local disputes among themselves and arrived
at some equitable conclusion.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
I ROSS RpOVNE