Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1882-06-30
what Mining Has Done.

The discoveryof the precious met
ais In the western portion Of our conn.
try marked an era in the history Of the
world as important in its Industrial
effects, perhaps, as any other of an
cient or modern times. The acau;si.
ton Of California and adjacent terri
tory, and the subsequent discovery
that the gold belt embraced an area
exceeding 500 by from 40 to so miles.
and Astounding in mineral, brought
within its borders population gath
cred from every part of the globe,
bold, adventurous and hardy, rich in
unceasing energy, earnest purpose,
quick perception. and ability to grasp
and overcome obstacles, that started
an era IN development and progress
which, in magnitude and far.reacbipg
results, was never before equalled.
The industrial, manufacturing, and
other equally important interests Of
the country that during the Mexican
war, had lain nearly dormant, NV
awoke into new lille by the impulse
given them in the immense addition TO
the capital of the country, and there
Immediately ensued long season of
industrial activity and extraordinary
production Within the short space
OF eight years, between l848 and 1856.
the country had been benefited bv the
construction of $4,000 miles of rail-
road and $4,000 miles Of telegraph. an
increase of 33z per cent in the com.
merclal and railway movement of the
country, and the number of banks in
creased from 700 in 1859 to l,4I6 in
1865. having an aggregate capital of
$376,0t 5000. Almost simultaneously
with the discovery of gold in Caifor-
MIA, fabulous reports of the immense
placer fields of Australia were herald
ed to the world, and in the eight wears
that succeeded California and Austria
liza poured into the markets of the
world the sum of 100000, 900 in gold.
The influx of the new capital gave a
new impulse to all branches of indus
try ind commercial transactions which
permeated all Europe. France expen.
ded $l04, 100000 in the construction
OF railroads, making an incl ease f
100 per cent. in the space of two wears
In lo4S, the exports of England com
blned amounted to 5000, 600, 600, but
in 1856 it aggregated the sum of ST.
4OO,OOO,0U0 Following in the train
Of California came Nevada, Arizona.
New Mexico, Montana, Idaho, Utah
and Colorado, which annually paw
tribute in Millions to the energy and
enterprise of the miner. Their noun.
tain peaks are belted and their canons
bridged by railways, their valleys re-
sound with the hum of busy industry,
and the hitherto inaccessible portions
of these territories are being rapidly
peopled by those bearing with them
the accompaniment of the HE hest
civilization and refinement. The prime
motive that actuates men to engage in
any branch of business is The securing
the pecuniary gain, and the success
resulting from such undertakings is
largely dependent upon an acquired
knowledge of the enterprise in which
they engage Exchange.
The Lord Mayor of London has a
telegram from DR.. Mckee, Consular
Surgeon at Alexandria, saying that
| 900 poor Christian families are fee
ing from Egypt. He says they are :
leaving all their possessions, and will
be destitute, and asks the Lord Mayor