The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-01-18
A eY-PRoDucT.
Much of the Silver Output Comes from
the Lead Mines.

Much of the Silver Output Comes from
the Lead Mines.
G. ID. Dennis, who is largely interested
in western mining and who is regarded
asah authority on the subject, is quoted
as saying that the rich silver mines of
America can be counted upon the fin
gers OF one hand. There are plenty of
mines producing silver, but only few
that may be called silver mines strictly
speaking.
1.-THE term silver mines is a mis-
nomer," he says. THAT Is, what Is
termed in. this country, a silver mine is
in reality a lead mine, or, in other words,
a lead ore carrying silver, and instead
of silver mine it is lead NINE" He
adds. that the low price of lead has had
the effect to diminish it's production
and with it the production of silver.
This is not strictly news. 1t has been
pretty we'll known that silver was ex-
tensively produced in this country in
connection with lead ore. Yet Mr.. Dem
mis- statement is interesting as an adj
mission by one who is supposed to know
the facts that most of our silver is pro-
duced in connection with lead and that,
in fact. silver may always be regarded
as by-product. 1t has paid to work
the lead mines for the lead, and the sill
yer. at almost any price, has been clear
gain.
This was not the case 20 years ago.
The lead mines yielding silver-bearing
ore have been. developed within that
time. This will go far to account for
the great fall in the price of silver since
1873. If there had been no demoneti-
zation by Germany, France or any other
country there would have been the same
enormous increase in the output of sill
yer and there would have been almost
| if not quite as great decrease in the
price,.
Mr.. Dennis looks for revival in sill
yer-lead mining. One reason is because
the demand for silver for use in the arts
is sending up the price. Another rea-
son is because " the coming republican
administration will put an adequate
tariff" on lead, so that it will again pay
to mine that metal, with silver as q by
product.
AS to the price of silver, that was at
its lowest last February, when it was
a fraction below 60 cents per ounce. 1t
had risen to 81 cents by May, and since
then it has changed very little and is
now lowering around 6s cents. This
does not indicate a decided upward ten
dency.
AS to the adequate duty" on lead, if
that should be imposed within four
months after the 4th of March. 1897,
in accordance with Congressman Can
mons prediction, and if it should have
the effect on the price Of that metal
anticipated by Mr.. Dennis, the output
of silver would soon reach its former
dimensions and the price would prob
ably drop again.
But the facts do not quite sustain his
view in regard to duties and prices of
lead. During the nine months ending
with September we imported 1i7,777,-
ORG pounds of lead, against 92.606,699
during the same months last year under
the Mckinley tariff, except in Septem-
Der. But the import price has been
higher this year and the domestic price
about the game or only small fraction
lower. Since the lowering of the duty
did not materially affect the price Mr..
Dennis might easily be disappointed in
his expectation that increasing the
duty would affect the price.
Mr.. Dennis adds his testimony TO that
Of others who are supposed to be famil-
lar with the subject that gold mining
has received great impetus and that it
will attract still more attention during
the next 1e months. This industry does
not depend upon any artificial stimulus.
1t is taking care of itself and iniproy-
ing the fortunes of many who have suf-
fered from the decline of silver.-Chi.
cago Chronicle.
= r.