The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-05-24
THE GOLD OUTPUT.
Cessation of Silver Mining Will
Stimulate Gold Productions.
But the Gold Supply Will Still
Prove Inadequate.
GOLD In WASHINGTON.
1t Doesn't Rank High in That
States Products.
In WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, May 24.- Especial. -
The department officials who deal with
figures on the precious metals are making
diligent efforts to get at the exact facts to
supply the ever increasing demand of con-
Gressional resolutions and individual con
gresslnen for knowledge. They are inclined
to optimistic views on gold production,
and it may be said generally that just at
present there is an apparently concerted
attempt to convince mankind that there is
a lavish abundance of gold, and that with
in reach The views of every one from the
mining regions are sought and congress
men from those regions, as might be ex-
pected, give somewhat contradictory
though very interesting accounts
Congressman Sweets Opinion.
Mr.. Sweet of Idaho, in a brief talk on
the subject, said: "Idaho's gold output
has been about So, 900, 600 per year, and
undoubtedly the cessation of silver mining
will stimulate the production Of gold for
little while. The men thrown out of work
in silver will prospect thoroughly, and
many will work talings and low grade
placers which they would not have worked
a few years ago, because they must do
something and can at least make living
at that till a better prospect opens But
on point well satisfied-that all
the increase of gold thus caused will not
make up, at any rate more than make
up, for the loss caused by stopping the
mining in those silver ores which contain
both silver and gold. 1t is too often for
gotten that very large part of our gold
comes out of nominally silver ore. Stop
producing the silver and you stop produc-
ing the gold Such is the opinion of tho
best posted men in Idaho and I am salts
fed it is true. Tt is very plain to me that
there can be no great increase in the
worlds supply of gold, and that in few
years the entire annual output viii be con-
stunned in arts and ornaments. Gold is
steadily growing more valuable, and as it
does so the wealthy will still more for
ornaments. know that wonderful stories
are told about South Africa, and every few
days we see it announced in the papers
that there is a wonderful revival in gold
mining, and that the product is to be rap
idly increased, but it is all rot When you
take the yearly report, at the end you find
about the same old amount produced
Gold In Washington.
Mr.. Hartman of Montana Endorses all
this and adds a few more suggestions. He
is satisfied that in his state also there will
be a considerable revival of placer mining,
and that some lodes will be worked which
would not have paid a few years ago be-
cause machinery is cheaper now and the
men must work at something, but the in
crease thereby in the long run will no
more than make up for the decrease due to
the cessation of silver mining. Mr.. Doc
little of Washington says: Gold does not
rank high among the productions of our
state. We have such enormous resources
in grain lumber, fish, coal, almost every
thing, in fact, that the amount of gold pro-
duced in some mining states would seem
to US too small an item to think much of,
and so do not remember the amount. 1t
is a fact, however, that in many sections
Of Washington there is great activity in
gold mining OF late. They are putting in
all sorts of new and ingenious appliances
on the river bars for collecting the fine
gold, and the new processes of reduction
1 am satisfied that the encouragement of
silver mining viii not permanently aid
gold mining The two pursuits must be
harmonious. The gold supply will in
crease of course, but have no facts lead
ing me to think that the increase will be
very great nor do just now remem Der
any one in Washington who thinks that
the demonstration of silver can be made
up by an increase in the gold product. 1t
seems to me that the depression in agri-
culture and the general decline in prices
must go on for some time yet"
Senator Jones' View.
The views of MessrS. Pence of Colorado
and Newlands of Nevada are much more
radical in favor of silver, but neither pro-
fesses to have any special knowledge as to
a possible increase in the gold supply.
Senator Teller, however, has some rather
hopeful views on the prospect and gives
specifications to show that the increase in
Colorado will be considerable this year.
At the mint the opinion is entertained that
the yield of that state may even reach $780,
600. 600 per annurn before long. Senator
Jones has nothing to add to his speech on
the repeal bill last October, which is the
great cyclope6lia from which stlverites now
draw their statistics and arguments He
saws however, that as practical man he
is trying to exploit gold mines because the
world is now willing to pay high for gold.
The committee rooms where the f1nan-
cia1 question is chiefly discussed are pretty
well supplied with documents from for
eian sources in which much is made of the
wonderful prospects in South Africa, one
report going so far as to say that in the
great Witt<atersrand district there are riS-
ing above each other eight blanket beds of
gold bearing quartz, as shown by govern
ment borings, and that there is certainly
gold enough there and easily obtainable to
supply the civilized world with 81, 900 per
CAPITA At all this Senator Jones shifts
conte1nptuously and says it is simply the
work of London and South African papers,
which are booming the stock of the min
ing companies. As matter of fact, the
Weld of all Africa south of the equator has
not yet exceeded SIS, OOO 600 per year The
figures are tediOus-too tedious perhaps
for a dispatch like this-but the subject
excites so much interest here, that the
whole country will soon be invited to con-
slider it, and every scrap Of information,
as well as the views of those best in
formed, is eagerly sought for.
The Bribery Charges.
So far as there is any expression of feel
ing on the wholesale charges of bribery
against senators it is Of disgust and con-
tempt No one believes that either Sena-
tor Kyle, Hunton or anybody else would
listen to a proposition to sell a vote for
money, but back of this there is a real
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