Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1880-05-14
COMSTOCK WAGES.

There are many people Of the opinion that
the future Of Virginia City and the prosperity
of the State depends largely upon the ruling
rates Of wages paid the miners of the Com
stock. OF late there has been considerable
discussion upon the subject and the conclusion
seems to have been reached by almost every
body that wages must come down or the time
is not far distant when deep mining upon the
Comstock must be abandoned. The wages of
the miners were fixed when the mines were
pouring forth millions in bullion and stocks
were quoted in the thousands. Now there is
not mine on the ledge whose stock Is selling
at par or within seventy five per cent. Of 1t.
There is another factor in this proposition to
reduce wages, and that is the fall in the price
of household provisions. Breadstutfs are ut
least fifty per cent cheaper than in the flush
times, and nearly everything else in proper
ton. Although the figures are still higher
than in California, it is nevertheless a fact to-
day that two dollars will purchase nearly as
much as four dollars would at the time Savage,
Belcher and Crown Point were paying dlvi-
dends. A miner writing to the Gold Hill
Neps suggests that while there is talk of re
ducing miners wages, it would be we'll to agi-
tate the question of reduction of freight tar
if on the V. & T. railroad. and also the
rates of the Water Company which furnishes
the supply of water for Virginia and Gold
Hill. If the miners are to receive less pay,
1t is certainly no more than fair that other
things were reduced in proportion. The rich
ute to the general prosperity. The V. &. 7.
railroad would soon reap the benefits of the
impetus given to mining by reduction of wa
ges. One cannot blame the Miners Union
railroad and water companies will not also
yield point or two. If the North End should
prove a failure, there IL but one thing to do.
The monopolies and corporations must stand
country and share the reductions with the
working Glasses, or the coyotes will bs burrow-
ing in the lower levels of the Comstock unmo,
Tested. If such lamentable result should be
brought about, the Comstock will not suffer
alone. The property of the railroad com ,,any
would be comparatively worthless, and the
water company could not sell its investment
for ten per cent. of its value. These things
are worth considering from all standpoints
1t would be an excellent idea for the repre-
sentatives Of both capital and labor to meet
and discuss these propositions fairly. If the
managers of the railroad company will but
deal justly with the question, it is not improb
able that the Miners Union will also be will
ing to make reasonable CONCESSIONS; other
wise dead lock results which can only be SUI
icidal to both parties, sand utterly ruinous to
the State. On the other hand it is possible
that the next few weeks will change the en-
tire aspect of affairs and obviate the necessity
of reducing wages at all. The Stock Report
has the following on the situation: "Tbe
North End il a region of great possibilities.
II the ore bodies 60 to the north it catches
them, and who can show any reason why if
there is ore in Sierra Nevada, there should
not be ore to the northward in Utah. The
pitch of the Comstock is to the east. Utah is
far enough east on the pitch of the lode to
catch share of anything good that may turn
up in its neighbor. The season of assess
ments has absorbed coin and hurt the market,
but that season is drawing to close. The nee
essary machinery for deep explorations is sup
piled, expensive connections are nearly com,
pleted, the system contemplated for prospect
ing the deeper levels is nearly accomplished,
the necessity for heavy assessments has
passed, and the cost Of prospecting Will be but
nominal as compared with the cost of prepare.
tion." ~. +- ....