The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1873-05-31
Speech of Hon. r. G. Mccormick,
OF ARIZONA,
On the Reports Of the United States
Commissioner Of Mining
Statistics.
OF ARIZONA,
Delivered before Congress on Friday,
February 2ist, 1873.

4
this country has been, during the last IS
/ years. one of the most important elements
of national progress and prosperity. This
is particularly true of the great develop
ment which has taken place in tho States
and Territories lying wholly or partly west
| of the Rocky mountains. From the time
| when gold was discovered In California to
the present day, mining in the West has
| been not oHly direct source OF CONNER
cial benefit to the country, but indirectly
factor in all progress. 1t has settled new
| Territories, stimulated the construction of
great public works, extended agriculture
and manufactures in short, built up an
empire on the other side of this continent,
the wealth and capacities of which have as
yet scarcely been realized by the most en-
thusiastic observers Meanwhile, need
hardly add, the mines of iron, copper and
lead in the Atlantic States, supported by
the abundant product of the coal mines,
have nightly strengthened the industrial
and political power of the nation.
Political economy teaches us that the
wisely utilized mineral resources of coun-
try are as potent as its agriculture in main
tanning its commercial Importance. This
fact has been recognized by Congress with
regard to certain classes of mining which
have been protected by tariff Legislation.
Whether this has been wisely done it is
unnecessary for me here to inquire, for it
so happens that the chief mining industries
of the region, a part of which have the
honor to represent, namely, the so-called
Pacific slope and the great inland basin,
are those of gold and silver, which cannot
we'll be protected in such way, and which
have even 10 some extent received extra
burdens from legislation rather than en-
cOuragement or support.
1t is not my present purpose to discuss
this point; but may alIude, in expana-
ton of my meaning, first, to the uncertain
ties of title which for many years increased
the cost aud risk of mining enterprises Sec
Ondly, to the losses Occasioned by changes
in the Indian policy of the Government or
lack of policy; thirdly, to the excessive
coinage and refining charges Of the United
States mints, by which the money value of
bullion has been reduced to the miner and,
finally, to the tariff itself. which, however
it may be shown to benefit the manufac-
turer, the farmer. or the public generally.
has the direct effect of diminishing without
compensation the value, that is to say the
purchasing power, of the products of gold
and silver mining.
Upon this statement of facts alone, it
seems to me, the Government might justly
be asked to assist the mining industry, es-
pecially in the West, at least in the same
way as it assists agriculture through the
reports of q bureau, ur commerce through
the signal service and the COast Survey,
namely, by the procurement and distribu-
ton of valuable information. But the case
is still stronger than this. The problems
and difficulties which have arisen in the de-
velepment Uf the mineral resources of the
West are peculiar, and peculiarly impor-
tant to the whole country as well as TO the
individuals Immediately concerned.
The legal questions involved in the rela-
tiOns of the Government to yast industry
spriDging up, often in advance of surveys
aud regular occupation and sale, upon the
public lands, have not been easy of settle
ment. and are not yet satisfactorily settled.
The difficulty of economically treating re-
fractOry ores, and the comparative absence
until recent period of experience, instruc-
ton, or available literature on that subject
among our people, have led to the fruiIless
expenditure of millions of dollars, and the
loss in the refuse from wasteful methods Of
| millions more loss which may BIZ reduced