Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1886-10-09
MINING.


10y %-AA1AuS softtW.l
As the. business of mining becomes
better understood, and the true pur-
pose OF all investment in this direc-
ton is comprehended. it shows i'm.
provement in favor Of mining as a
safe and practical industry, and as a
most profitable field for the invest
ment of capital.
One OF the chief causes of the pres,
ent too prevalent unfavorable impress
SION that exists has been produced
from a false basis of observation. and
attributing the consequences Of ignor.
ance and dishonesty to mining as its
offspring. Almost every new line of
business has been compelled to pass
through this trying period, in which a
class of unprincipled men have taken
advantage of the cupidity OF invest
ors, regardless of the consequences.
Following this there has always been
a season OF reaction, in which MANY
enterprises have been submerged to
never again reappear.
The same thing has been found true
in regard to the different branches of
mining, and the records will show
that, in the beginning even of such a
prosaic business as coal-mining, there
was season of speculative excite
ment in which loss, misfortune and a
total mlsconception of the true place
and work of this important industry
existed. The excitement and the I'M
real condition has remained longer
with the business of mining for pre-
cious metals than other branches, from
the fact that its locations were chiefly
if not entirely at a distance from the
borders of civilization, where reports
could not be readily verified, and it
was difficult to ascertain the exact
facts in regard to the real status of
affairs.
A review of the history OF agricul-
ture in one direction and another
during the past century will show
periodic seasons of excitement, of
over-crowding in certain localities, of
highly colored andvinhammable re-
ports, which have resulted in creating
an eager tide and rushsof parties anx-
ious to be first to possess the une-
qualed treasure offered; to be fol
lowed often, and in the majority OF
such instances, by returning train OF
deluded victims, who had been de
ceived and disappointed.
The mining industry of this country
has suffered largely from two promi-
nent causes, even where the attempt
had been made to honestly conduct
operations. The first and chief came
from an almost total ignorance con-
corning not only the methods to be
used, but in the legitimate object Of
the expenditure of labor and capital
managers being unable to compre.
bend the only justifable purpose in
conducting mining business, that ol
profit. Millions of dollars have been
spent in useless experiments which
have brought no satisfactory results.
! Not only We're mining methods
widely at fault, but one of the chief
stumbling blocks in the way of sue
cess has been want Of proper knowl.
edge concerning weh-adapfed ma
cbinery, and the best methods oil
treating ores after they have been OBJ
tanned. A large part of this inexpe
rience and lack of wisdom has now
been removed from the field, and
need not necessarily be in the future
so prominent a monument of loss
Valuable wisdom and ability is now
obtainable, and there is no reason fol
repetition Of the history of the pas
unless parties choose to follow blindly
in the disastrous pathway wherein SC
many enterprises have been wrecked
and choose to pay the price Of tuition
10 the school of experience instead o
employing the practical skill ant
talent which may now be secured
AS a consequence, legitimate invest
ment in properly selected fields o
operation must continue, to show |
large and increasing portion of profit