The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-11-04

il a. , premium in the town because no
Cttu.m en are admitted on any p~retcxt.
IL. .,ery instance where they have
sncahed in they have been expelled with
out any formalities. 1t is a strictly
anti Chinese town, and any white person
who is willing to work can find employ
ment here at good pay.
The entire state is in need of immi-
grafton. Thousands of fine farms. now
wild land. can be had for the taking,
and it is really on agricultural develop
ment that the future importance and
prosperity of the state must rest. BY
this it is not intended to deprecate the
mining industry, but it is a well known
fact to those who are informed on the
subject that every dollar of gold or sill
yer taken from the ground costs from 81
to 81. This calculation does not refer to
a paying mine. which is taking out $780,
600 ounces of silver at a cost Of $4,000.
1t refers to the mining industry as a
whole. The time and labor and money
spent for prospecting, in exploring and
developing prospects which turn out to
be useless, and the machinery that is
purchased for the working of the mines
which are exhausted before they reach a
paying basis. Great Falls, being situat-
ed in one of the richest agricultural re-
gions of the west, a country of bOundless
possibilities. will never be entirely de-
pendent upon the ups and downs OF
mines, and its growth will therefore be
entirely independent of the rise or fall
of the metals. As a smelling and man
u~facturing center it will receive all the
benefits when the mining industry is
prosperous without feeling to any mark
ed extent the embarrassments of a min
ing town when mining is depressed.
Being surrounded as it is by many rich
districts that are open to settlement. the
town presents extraordinary advantages
to settlers, investors. capitalists and bus.
mess men.
1t is pre.eminently an American town
being composed largely of New England
men OF education and refinement who
are determined to make 1t a credit to
themselves and their posterity.
Men and families who contemplate
settling in the west will look far before
finding such opportunities as are pre-
sented in this region The climate is
one of the finest in the world. the win
tiers being generally short and not severe.
n the presenting every
charm of the temperate zone without
the drawback OF excessive and sWclter-
ing heat. New corners with a little cap
ital who know how to invest il wisely
are soon able TO place themselves in
positions of independence. because
every product Of the farm and garden
has a ready sale at good prices, and the
value Of property in the towns and
country increase rapidly With improve
mant, and IN account Of the surround
ing development. The land is extremely
productive. growing the cereals and DOT
vegetables in the greatest perfection,
and in quantities which often seem al
most fabulous. In d subsequent letter !
will some figures on this subject which
will be a revelation to people who have
been wrestling with the earth in other
sections.
II is to be said at this time that I'D
and silver mining were never before 50
depressed in Montana. Where gold is
found alone if pays to mine. but where
the principal product Of ore is siivu'. IT
does not pay TO take 1t out of the ground
at the present price. This great industry
is being killed by the shOrtslghted pol
icy of the government. starting with de-
mOnetizatiOn Of silver in 1873, and cul-
minating in the defeat of every measure
which has looked to the reinstatement
Of silver as a money metal. No one who
has not been in the mining regions can
realize how strongly the people feel on
this question. They are aware that mid
die men ia Europe are receiving Sl:}O
to Sl.3J for the silver that we are selling
to them for - or 50 cents. and they real
iZe that the day Is not far distant when
our silver mines will be exhausted and
when we shall have to pay the coinage
price for the silver We purchase back
from European holders. The degrade
ton Of this metal is regarded as "a per
sonal atfront 10y every man in the far
west.
There is imminent danger that the big
silver mines will ue entirely shut down
in the neal future. as the owners feel
that their product is being sacrificed as
things 10Y are. There IL no prospect Of
relief. and many mine owners are today
keeping up their pro' critics 10y revenues
from sheep, catt." or other enterprises.