New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-26
SCOPE OF THE CENSUS.

SCOPE OF THE CENSUS.
THR INFORMATION SOUGHT FOR TO BE COMPILED
UNDER TwENTY-sIx DIFFERENT HEADs-wHAT
THR PLANS OF THE BUREAU ARE.
IrRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRTBUEE1
WAsHINGToN, April 25.-Mining for the precious
metals Is an industry whose future no prophet can
foretell Almost q whole generation has passed
away since the discovery of gold in California, and
more than twenty years have flown by since that
most wonderful of all silver deposits, the COmstock
lode was found at Washoe; yet important opera
tions in gold and silver mining have thus far been
confined to comparatively few districts. There Is
every reason to believe that the entire Rocky Noun
tain and Siens Nevada regions, extending from the
British Possessions to Old Mexico and from
Colorado and Dakota to the Pacific Ocean. abound
In rich deposits of gold and silver, which, with the
extension of railroads the influx of capital and the
introduction of new and improved machinery,
will certainly be opened and prOntably
worked. The development Of this vast field
of industry has already begun. Thou
sands of men and millions of capital have been
attracted not only to the richer and better known
districts but to the entire Pacific slope from Mon
tana to Arizona Hundreds of new mining COM
panies have been formed within the past year, and
New-York is rapidly becoming the financial centre
for operations in mining properties The conditions
are now such that in spite of the failure OF some in
dividual enterprises, the general and rapid growth
of mining industry is certain. To what magnitude
IL will attain ia the next decade one can predict
but that it will exert great and stimulating In
fuence on every other branch of business in this
country is absolutely certain.
Appreciating the Importance of possessing the
fullest and most trustworthy information in regard
to mining in this country, General F. A. Walker,
the Superintendent of the Census, incorporated in
the bin under which statistics for the next census
are to be gathered provision for the most thorough
and comprehensive inquiry In regard to mining that
has ever been made in any country. The subject OF
the precious metals he has assigned to Mr.. Clarence
King chief of the Geological Survey. That of coal
and iron be has assigned to Mr.. Pumpelly. Both are
gentlemen whose names are guarantee of thor
oughness and excellence IN any work that they un-
dertake.
In gathering statistics In regard to the mining
and reduction of gold and silver ores Mr.. King will
employ the excellent machinery of the Geological
Survey and will be assisted by Messrs. s. f. En-
mons and G. F. Becker of his present staff MIR. EN-
mons performed excellent service On the survey OF
the fortieth parallel. He will have his head
quarters at Denver, and will superintend the work
in Colorado. Montana, Dakota, Wyoming and
New-Mexico. The remainder of the Pacific slope
will comprise the field of Mr. Becker. whose head
quarters will be at San Francisco and whose assist
ants will make the Investigations IN California,
Oregon. Nevada, Idaho. Washington Territory,
Utah and Arizona. An equally competent man will
conduct the inquiries in the States east OF the Mis-
sissippi River.
The actual work of gathering the statistics will
be performed by twelve or more trained experts,
who are expected to be able to complete their abOrs
IN the field in four or five months. The material
which they gather will probably be ready for pub
Mcation early next Summer, and will make one OF
the volumes of the census report The scope Of the
Investigation will be broad. Mr.. King In his In
structions to experts says Of 1t that its purpose
ito elucidate as far as practicable the character,
extent and total influence of the mining industry"
He adds that no industry has ever been examined
throughout an extensive region 80 fundamentally
and minutely as 1t is intended this shall be.
Mr.. KINGS PLANS.
In presenting the statistics OF mining for the
precious metals to the public Mr. King will intro
duce them with a general description of the geo.
logical formation of the Western country, with re-
marks upon its topography, water supply, climate
and tho sources from which 1t must draw its food
and clothing. This will be followed by twenty-six
schedules and sub-schedules, giving the fullest
statistics under the following named headss
!. Metallic mines. 2. Coal mineR
q Petroleum, 4 Charcoal burning,
5. Hydraulic mines. 9. Hydraulic ditchcs:
A. Ore dressing works 8. AmalRamating mills
o. Stamp batteries. 10. Pan amalgamaton.
IL. Roasting furnaces in 12. Alternate amalgana-
amagamatiDg works. ton nand concentration
49, Alternate concentration OF battery sands
and amaRamation or IA. Afteastr2s,
battery sands. 10. Quicksilver reduction
Is. Smelling works In gen. 1n general. A, Reduc-
D.nli ffOni In ftrun n