Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-01-23
cAlIFoanlA srIll AHEAD.

The California Mines More Profita-
BILE Than Those OF Colorado The
Reason Why--Conservative Action
Experience and Intelligent Labor
and Better Climate Among the
Causes.
The annual yield Of bullion for 1888,
as reported carried by Wells. Fargo L
Co., and published in the HERALD +
the 18th ms ant, gave tie output of
Colorado at S24. 900. and of Cali
forna at SIS. 1873. 900. On this exhibiS,
it may be thought, without investiga-
tion, that mining in Colorado is more
profitable than it is in California, but
such is not the case.
Although Colorado has produced a
larger total product of bullion than Cali
forpia. it appears by an examination of
the dividends raid during the year just
past, that the mines of California have
paid more money in dividends out Of the
sl5, 900, 900 earnings than the Colorado
mines have paid out Of their earnings Of
$24, 200, 900 Such facts should not be
overlooked.
Mining in Southern California is now
mainly in the hands Of careful men.
When they find mine they open it eco
nomically and ship their ore for sale and
reduction to cover expenses TIL the miue
is opened enough TO show its extent. II
the mine proves to be Of large extent, a
small mill Of five or ten stimps is set up,
and the work of reduction goes on sue
cessfully There is no lavish expend,-
ture of half a million for ali S0-stamp
mill; President with an enormous sal
ary; hundreds Of men put into the mine
where seventy-f only eau work to adj
vantage. All this reckless expenditure
finds no favor in this part of the country.
The old custom Of building an enormous
mill before the mine is developed finds
no favor with our miners.
A different plan seems to have been in
vogue in Colorado, where the proprietors
have lived at distance and confiied
their mining operations to lot Of ambi-
tious young fellows, who knew nothing
about economy, but were anxious to make
big show at whatever expense.
A case in. point is before us.
A distinguished metallurgist and
mining engineer visiting this city,
was called on by capitalist Of San
Francisco to go to Colorado at fat sal
ary and take charge of quartz mill, that
he had just erected under the supervis-
ion Of his son, at rich mine; and for its
grading, erection and transportation had
expended the sum of $4,000. 1t was
perfect mill. SIT was daisy" aud
ready to tramp out the great silver ore
body before it, but the metallurgist
looked at the mine and then at the mill,
and lighted no fires and lifted none of
the ponderous stamps.
The son was indignant because the
intelligent mining engineer would not
start the mill, and urged his father to
discharge him, but a few words by tele-
graph TO the proprietor informed him
that his mine was rich smelling ore, and
he had no need Of mill, and the mo-
tionless mill stands there yet amid the
deep mountain SHOWS of the Gunnison
country. while humble smelter melts
the ore into shining silver.
That lavish outlay of SI75,O00 has
seriously interfered with the expected d
dividends. This is specimen Of capi-
tai that has been sent where the wood
bine twineth, by inexperienced mana
gers and high salaried officials. In this
part Of the country different plan pre-
walls. Such men as Lieut.. Governor
Daggett, Col. Markham, Judge Conklin,
Senator Ready, Billy Raymond, R. W.
Waterman, ]. B. Osborne, Charles Has
son and James Noel, are specimens Of
the mining men Of Southern California
who mine for profit and not for show.
In Grass Valley, also, a similar economy
prevails, and the dividends always come
round with regularity and comfort to
the stockholders. With this line of
policy, better weather, and the employ
ment of only experienced labor, has this
part of the country risen to prominence
and helped to demonstrate the PROPOSE
tion stated in the title 10 this article,
that California is still ahead.