Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1885-04-01
eureka Dailp Sentinel.
EVIDENT INJUSTICE.

This apathy and indifference OF the
limited States Government to the mag
nifcent mineral resources within Its
borders is one Of the marvellous facts OF
national history. If the time has come
when the most substantial foundations
of industrial activity and permanent
prosperity excite no interest and are re-
earded as unworthy of attention, the
situation is grave and alarming and de-
mands investigation.
Mines, particularly OF precious mineral,
have always been considered OF such
vital Importance that, not only has every
possible encouragement been given to
their development, but no government
except ours has ever yielded its right to
a participation in the direction OF and
benefit from mining operations.
Enough has been done in this country
by private enterprise, hampered in every
possible way, to prove the magnificent
extent and the measureless value OF our
mineral resources. 1t has also been de-
monstrated by the most costly and dis
couraging experiments at the cost OF pri'
vate individuals that, under the most
upfayorable conditions and the disad-
vantage of highest rates for t~ransporta-
ton supplies, labor, and, in fact, OF every
factor entering into the account, our
mineral resources, even in distant fields,
may be pro6tably developed and made
to form the basis Of one of the most i'm
portaut and permanent industries OF the
nation. Annually the scattered camps
from the mountain sides Of a world
practically unknown, which would have
slept for another century in its solitude
but for its precious minerals, have poured
out their millions of treasure into the
channels of the country's enterprise with
out exciting interest or gratitude.
The history of our national legislation
shows each year millions of dollars ap.
propriated for harbor and river improve
ments. The commerce for which these
millions are spent is a private enterprise,
much of it in the hands of foreigners.
Millions of acres of land and other ma
terial assistance has been granted to
private corporations to build railroads to
cities and States the mining industry
has established in the desert and solitary
place. Arctic expeditions, fish commits
sions, astronomical observations have
been fostered in the bosom of the Gov
ernment, but who has ever found the
record of the expenditure of a dollar to
determine the existence of tin, which we
import from England at an expense Of
more than $40, 900, 900 annually? Where
is the national school of mines? Where
has the Government made any provision
for furnishing information concerning q
productive industry which yields an
nually a permanent and indestructible
product reaching into the millions Of dol
lars in value? After the foreign ship
owner has had a harbor prepared at Gov
eminent expense for his private benefit,
how much has been expended to build a
wagon road or a bridge across a river to
some mining city upon a mountain side
where a thousand men are toiling with
busy enterprise, adding daily to the sum
total of national wealth, and establishing
the foundations of wider industry? No,
the record is not creditable for a Govern
ment of the people, for the people, the
cornerstone Of whose strength and per.
manence is industry. ever when com
pared with those nations where the
interest of the privileged few is predomi.
nant and the chief rule of action.