Daily Los Angeles herald., 1881-04-28
Efns1G Notes.

Notwithstanding that there has
been considerable development in
mining property in our vicinity,
mining to-day with us is in Its in.
fancy. And why? The want of
capital. The prospector-who Is
ivariably a poor man--Gnds the
mine bat cannot develop. He ap-
plies to the capitalist. The latter
has "no faith in anything near
home.n So to-day hundreds Of good
mines are lying idle, which, were
they worked. would pay we'll, not
fabulously, but an excsllent rate
of interest, say.
Gradually mining has become a
legitimate business, just as much
80 as farming or manufacturing,
and we have already begun to feel
its good effects. Capitalists do not
now build mills on the strength of
ten foot prospect cut. They have
found it cheaper TO ascertain, first,
the deposit, so that, if there is a
"gamble." it is simply in the cost of
sinking just so many shafts in just
40 many places, with their usual
drifts, Slopes, etc.
Within'n radius of two hundred
miles of this city, there are in the
neighborhood of two hundred
mines, all in Southern California.
Now we venture to say, were one
fourth Of these mines properly
managed, and economically y
worked, they would pay-and pay
we'll. We can couut on
the fingers of our left hand
every mine in our immediate
vicinity that is even paying ex.
penses, and upon close inquiry in
variably fnd mismanagement. TIC
make 1t more clear, let US take the
average man-though he has done
nothing In his whole life but meas.
ure tape-give him a chance, and
in less than two weeks of observa.
ton the Oldest of experienced
miners can teach him nothing
Tnen take into consideration that
through influence these men,
whom we call tape-m il
the abstract, are often given the
charge OF mines. IS it q wonder
that SUCCESS does not follow? We
go still further, hazardous as the
statement may appear, and boldly
affirm that we have seen men
whose knowledge of drilling" was
perfect, and yet they have not
proven themselves equal to mine
management. In fact, it appears
to US that mining is as much of a
trade as any mechanical depart.
ment, and so long as mine man,
agement is not left in the hands o
practical miners, so long will il
continue to be unsuccessful. Right
here we would cali attention to the
present management of the Tomb
stone Mill and Mining Company,
At Tombstone, Arizona. They are
falling into the same error, and
through it they have lost man
ager they cannot replace. We refel
to Richard Gird, Esq.
Ourl sister county, San Bercar
dino, has the largest share of oul
mineral wealth, and We fear the
old lady does not fully appreciate
it. We say this advisedly, aside
from her desire to sell "supplies'
she does nothing. In fact she ap.
pears as an obstructionist. IF she
denies it, why does not she remove
that tax on the miners of the toll
road through the Cajon Pass.
Small as it is, II ia hard pull on a
very poor man. And another thing
to her misfortune, should poor
prospec!or get hold of good proper
ty, he Is afraid to do anything
there, for fear of stech nicalities
ofthe law" which always seem to
await him. should he interest some
OF those "truly good" capitalists.
We have the same class here, so
has every city, though fortunately
they are not in the mining interest
very deeply with US.
Our city is called the miners
paradise by old prospectors, and
+ how quickly the fortunate ones
come here and buy what they call
7 little "anchoring spot.', This
class of men are OF great benefit to
our county, they simply invest, and
never take u dollar away. After
years OF hardship and risk of life
on the deserts, they coahe here for
rest and quiet, to see something
growipgs something green. You
have no idea what this last m eans,
unless you are, or have been, ,one ol
them.
The excitement now Is looking
toward Mexico. Old mines that
have not been worked for years are
readily sold at high figures. Cap.
ital is pouring in from all parts of
& the East. Anything can be sold
: that has merit. In fact the "boomn
10 upon our sister Republic. With
In the last few years over $50 OOO..
900 Of American capital has been
invested there. WHAT does this