, 1888-03-01

II ~ seldom now that an individual with o
Gift of gab few technical terms and brass
front succeeds in influencing capitalists IN
the investment of mining property. The
series of failures through the more SOUTH
erly districts has had a salutary effect on
mining ventures. The bleaching remains
of misguided enterprises within the
sound OF the busy hum Of the
plants OF skillfully developed mines
attest too plainly the difference be-
tween rash, incompetent superintendent
and skillful, conservative miners. In view
of these facts the first care of mining COM
panies is to secure an experienced and com
petent miner for n superintendent. ana the
result ere long, vii he. that the interesting
public will regard returns ~ commensurate
with the ability and honesty of superinten-
strikes" or sonanxas. Mining companies
are reco ognizing the fact that skill and abil-
ity of no mean order are essential to the
success Of mining enterprises, while super
intendehts Of this class do not regard them
selves US favored ones, or figure heads to "
frivalous concern. but, that Ola them Is de-
volved a great responsibility, and that their
reputation and success in life is at stake. 1t
Is seldom that such men err IN their Judg-
M ent on mining matters, and thss 1t Is that
the risks of this order OF mining, when con-
Quoted with business sagacity and prud-
ence, is no greater than that OF any other
industry,:.whilet the returns are many ioli
greater and the possibilities tnhnite. AL
ready "A wholesome effect is being felt in
money circles from this spirit of things,
capital IL more readily invested, and invest
ors wait with more confidence for proper
Developments and reasonable returns. The
country can congra late itself OH this hap
py turn Of affairs Mining has long labor.
ed under u load OF ignOmy, heaped upon II
y AN unscruplous and u supercillous ele'
~ ent that has done it incalcuable injury;
but in this AS in other matters OF our great
social and commercial fabrication, genus
aud superior intelligence eventually pre-
walls. Now that men OF skill with greater
certainty can estimate the risks assumed
in mining ventures, and :. with
scientific and mechanical appliances
have reduced the cost of reduc'
tion of ore to minimum,an era has begun
of increased activity in mining, and reign
of prosperity and progress Throughout the
entire Inter mountain and Pacific north
west districts.
1t is extremely gratifying to observe the
stream of capital flowing into the South
Fork districts attracted hither solely by
the productiveness OF our mines, and 1t is
still more gratifying to see IL flowing out
again In increased volumns and values IN
the form OF precious metals. 1t is u lso
creditable reflection on the operators AMI
investors, that not share OF stock of those
great mines has been held or handl led Vt fic'
titious values and IL Is indicative in no
nesslike view people generally take of
mining when the efforts in u few isolated
cases, to conduct wildcat stock trans
actions signally failed.
The Northside gold belt, too, is str king
example of the difference In the ability OF
mining men. There probably is not on
the continent camp of more real merit In
gold prospects, nor one where the blight
of failure, brought about entirely by in
competency, has hung 30 heavily. This is
made more palpable by the result of recent
tests, made by gentleman of experience,
and probably nothing greatef> can be said
OF it than that of eighteen mill tess made
from AS many different ledges, all of them
proved to carry gold i'm paying quantities,
some OF them exceedingly rich. The out.
look is that the quartz interests Of the
Northside will be rapidly relieved from the
setback it has suffered, and that protitabic
mining will be conducted on an extensive
scale and an enduring oasis.
II. w. Il.