National Republican., 1883-06-04

In 1882 $9,939,975 were paid in dividends
by incorporated companies This was slight
falling Off from the preceding year
One hundred and seventy-fve companies
made assessments upon their stockholders for
the purpose of carrying OH mining operations,
amounting to about $9,000,000.
During the year there was a greater decline
in the amount deposited Mt the mints and
assay offices than the difference between the
gold production of 1881 and 1882, but there
was large amount of gold consumed by the
mechanical industries of the country.
The amount of silver deposited at the
mints aud assay offices increased by about
$3,500,0O0, which correspond closely to the
increased production of the year. The excess
of production over consumption of the year,
added to the net imports of gold, resulted in
n net gain to the circulation of less than
$500, 900 in gold, but by coinage and net i'm
port of coin the metallic circulation gained
nearly 500, 100000 in gold, and about $27, ,600,-
600 in silver coin.
California still maintains the second place
in the list Of gold and silver producing states
and territories, and is likely to do so for
some time to come. The suits brought to
prevent the deposit of debris from placer and
hydraulic mines have been virtually settled.
More attention is also being paid to the de-
velopment Of quartz mines in California and
their low grade ores by improved amalgs-
mating processes, which promise to yield in
the future steady if not large profits. Its
gold fields show no evidences of exhaustion.
On the contrary the magnitude of the de-
posits in the ancient river beds, the number
and permanence of quartz lodes, as we'll as
the virgin ground yet undeveloped insure
golden harvest for many years to come.
Nevada shows decrease in gold and silver
Of about $1,500,000, which is chiefly due to
the rapid decline in the yield of the Comstock
lode, which reduced 1t from first to third
rank. This state has suffered probably more
than other mining section from stock specu-
lations and mismanagement in mining, but
reaction seems to be setting in, and mining in
Nevada is being conducted on more substan-
tial basis.
In Idaho the production of gold was slightly
less than in the preceding year, but there
was notable increase in silver, due to the
development of the mines of the portion of
Alturas county known as the Wood river
country.
This is one of the latest discovered mining
sections OF this country. The mines of this
section are favorably located and the ores
yield readily to proper treatment. 1t has
railway communications which greatly facil-
itate the transportation of machinery and
supplies and at a reduced cost. Tho expense
of carrying ores to eastern smelters is also
greatly oheapened.
In Montana as in Idaho, the mining in
creased yield having been in silver, which
from 1850, 900 in 1881, Is in 1882, $4,370,000.
The opening of the territory by the Utah and
Northern railway has largely added to its
prosperity.
Utah shows an increased production of
100000 in silver The yield of its great
mines, the Ontario and Horn Silver, has
largely contributed to this, and tho advan-
tages furnished to miners in all localities by
the large, effective, and we'll managed smelt-
ing plants about Salt Lake City insures per-
manency to the mining industry Of the terri
tory.
Arizona has maintained her large produc-
tion of nearly $s,500000. Tho miners of
Cachise county, in which the principal min
ing district, Tombstone, is situated, yielded
over 81 900, ,000more than in the previous year
but in Pinra county the yield fell of
100000 from reduced production of
the Harshaw mine, and in Pinal
county there was less yield by $3.50, 900.
New Mexico, the Oldest mining section OF
the country, has not hitherto appeared as a
largo producer of bullion, but during the last
two years rich discoveries have been made in
the Black Range and Lake Valley regions,
which have increased the annual production
to 81 100000.
In Colorado It has been claimed that there
was large oXcess of production In 1882 over
that of 1882, but from an examination of the
reports of shipments of ore and bullion and
of tho smelling works, shows that the in
crease has been in the value Of the base
metals. The principal gain was in Lake
county and the San Juan region, the latter re-
sulting from the opening Of new mines and
improved facilities for shipping ore and
bullion.