The Clifton clarion., 1888-05-23
Narrow Policy.

there has been observable ten dency on the part of prospectors and miners, who adopt 'dog in the manager" policy, to locate dozen claims when one was more than could be profitably worked,
 and to consistently misrepresent
 the facts in regard to every other locality in which they were not
 personally interested. Much loss
 of capital has resulted from thls
 policy, but more than all, the in
 jury in form of a reaction, and an
 unjust estimate in the minds of
 the people generally has been
 established, and will continue for
 some time to work great injury
 to the best interests of mining,
 hindering the investment of capi-
 tai, and delaying the advancement
 and development of the mining
 country. Others have been short
 sighted in placing extravagant
 estimates of value upon their
 property, and even accepting a
 price far beyond its real worth,
 when there could be other result
 than disappointment, loss and con sequent ill feeling, not only to the
 special localities, but to the busi-
 ness of mining as whole. It
 would be difficult indeed, to esti-
 mate the vast loss which has re- suited from this narrow and sell
 fish line of action, which has, in
 the end, brought loss instead of
 benefit, and ruin in the place of
 prosperity. We justly say short
 sighted and narrow, in speaking
 of such methods, because, when
 the real magnitude of the re- sources of this country is even dimly comprehended, the foolish ort-sightedness of such a mode of operation becomes, at once, ap- parent. Ii all the mineral in this country was confined to narrow limits, there would be more reason in endeavoriIg to gain possession, and hold the same, and also, to insist upon high prices, because it could be reasonably assumed that the demand would increase and with it prices advance, but, with mineral belt thousands of miles wide, stretching from the northern to the southern extremity of the continent, the plan too much in vogue can not be consid cred in u very favorable light, as regards wisdom and good judg- ment.
 An attempt in the same direc- ton in connection with agricul- tural lands, would be considered the height of folly, but the truth is beginning to be comprehended in stronger light than ever be- fore, that mining is very closely related to, and may be correctly classified with agriculture. That both are productive industries and that production is the measure of their worth and value. A tract of agricultural land may possess vast possibilities. It may be capable of yielding, under certain condi- lions, and with certain appliances, 50 many thousands of bushels of | corn or wheat, but, in estimating ;hese possibilities, there is no | ,peclal exhibition of excitement or | speculation. The cost of prepar- ng the ground, of cultivating if, 'f harvesting the crop, of prepar- ng and transporting it to market md the probable price to be re- ,eived are all taken into consider .tion, and plans are made accord ngly for permanent and regular work. The same IS beginning to ,e true, as stated, in regard to the development of the mineral re- sources of the different localities n this country and, as this spirit prevails, and this basis becomes established and general, in such a legree does its value and perma- lence as great industry assume ts just and true proportions Jhlcago Mining Review. |
 If they really know for a cer- ainty about it, preachers should