Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-07

1t was soon discovered that other valu-
aDle minerals and metals extended over
large area Of the northern portion of our
state from the Alabama line to North
carolina. The trend OF these belts or
VEINS Is northeast and southwest, prin-
clpally across the counties of Carroll,
Cobb, Milton, Forsyth, Cherokee, Daw-
son, Gilmer, FAnniu, Union, Towns, Ra-
nun, Habersham, White, Lumpkin, Hall,
folk, Pauldlng, Gordon, Whitfield, MUIR
ray, Walker, ChattOoga, Dade, Floyd,
Barlow and Pickens.
II Is well assured that gold, silver, cop
per, nickel, mica, corundum, marble,
granite, soapstOne, slate, manganese and
stone coal exist in paying quantities in
many localities. In The middle and south
ern portions OF our State are Buhr stone,
granite, kaolin, asbestos, heloysite, phos-
pilates and mari.
Iron, coal and marble are being extern
| slNelY mined in the northern portion of
our State. twenty-five thousand dollars
worth OF machinery are now being used
IN working the marble quarries in Pick
ems county. We believe that the granite
ana marble quarries of our State are eX-
tenslYe and of excellent quality, and will,
IN the near future, be much used in the
construction OF many of our public and
private buildings, and for monumental
and statuary purposes.
The great copper and nickel belt lead
ing from North Carolina through the
| ripper part OF our State into Alabama
has been partially developed in Paulding,
Cherokee, Fannin and Lumpkin counties.
Gold veins and deposits have been found
principally in the northeastern part OF
our state, and are worked extensively in
the counties of Union, White, Lumpkin,
Dawson and Cherokee. Many hundred
inv fnh in
mines, mining machinery and fixtures,
and while we do not know the amount Of
gold produced, yet we are assured that
| many OF the mines are yielding large
per centum of profit on the capital in
vested.
Within a radius of seven miles around
Dahlonega, in Lumpkin county, there
are now in running order twenty
gold quartz crushing mills, with an ag-
gregate number of 400 stamps, with a
capital invested in mining land, mining
machinery and apparatus of over 5000, 900.
When these mining enterprises are in
full blast they afford employment for sew
eral hundred laborers. Many of these
mills are yielding large profits on the
capital invested, as is shown by the re-
cent increase of their crushing capacity.
Anterior to the close of the late war the
system OF mining for gold was crude and
pliances which were then used were in
eticient4or successful mining. Since that
period the construction of canals, bitches
and aqueducts for conveying water to the
mines, and the superior improved con-
structiOn of mills and machinery for
washing down aud crushing ore, have
added largely to the yield of gold. These
improved methods have made mining one
OF the leading and profitable industries of
our State.
In the year 1887 the Congress of the
United States established a branch mint
at DahlOnega for the assay and coinage
of gold which continued in operation
until the war between the States in 1861,
at which time it was suspended. During
the existence of the mint many millions
of dollars in gold were coined, as is
shown by the record. A large
portion Of the gold came from
the Georgia mines. The re-es-
Enlistment of ali assay office, or mint, at
the same place would be means OF Civ
ing encouragement to mining in that Sec
ton of the State and would save to the
producer per cent. on the value of the
gold as taken from the mines in dust or
amalgam, which be loses in the transmits
sion OF the gold to some other mint.
The establishment of such an assay
Office or mint and completion of the rail-
AOdus NilNohy pltJSObCu W
would give greater impetus to the mining
interests of the State and would react IA
vOrably on the agricultural and other in
dustries of our people.
We believe no State in the Union pos
! sesses in a larger degree the natural ele-
ments of strength than ours. Its genial
climate, variety of soil, timber, water,
water power, minerals and metals are
unsurpassed. These elements of power
properly utilized and developed by an en-
terprising and intelligent population will
soon make Georgia not only the Empire
State of the South, but of the Union.
Resolution requesting the establish
ment of an assay office or branch mint at
DahlOnega, in Lumpkin county:
ResoEgsd, by the General assembly ofthe State
! of Georgia, That our Senators and Repre-
sentatives in the Congress of the United States
be and they are hereby requested to exert
their influence IN securing the establishment
of an assay Office or branch mint at DahlOnega,
in Lumpkin county, for the assay and coinage
Of gold.
Rcs0loed FURTHER, That the Governor OF the
State be requested to forward as soon as prac-
ticable. copies OF the foregoing report and
resolution to our Senators and Representa-
tives. SMITH,
Thirty-second district, Chairman of Senate
Committee. WEIR BOYD,
Chairman House Committee.