The San Francisco call., 1896-12-25

AEHE years 1896 closes with the snow
FIX ing of a considerable increase in
cWSS California gold production and an
awakening in the gold-mining industry oil
the State that has filled it with life, hope
and confidence such as has not been
known for many years.
The year 1897 opens with brighter pros
poets for every community and industry
connected with gold-mining than has ap-
peared for a generation and with q
promise that the yeaT will bring a steady
and rapid acceleration of the new devel-
opment ard an increase in the produc-
ton that will far exceed the increase in
1895.
Attempts to estimate the States gold
production for 1896 can at this date be lit
tie better th an fairly intelligent guess
work. The Mint and Wells, Fargo & Co.
are the only agencies that make any at
tempt at an original and careful estimate
of the gold product. The express COM
pany formulates after the, first of the year
a total estimate for the State based on its
treasure shipments: The Mint does not
begin its investigations until after JAM
uary 1. Few mining companies give pub
lie information about their production,
much bullion goes elsewhere than TO the
Mint and the most experienced observers
who are most broadly in touch with this
industry can but formulate opinions at
this time. Ghe figures will be known in
March when long and careful investiga-
tions by the statlstician of the Mint are
ended.
Charles &. Yale. statistician of the Mint
and Mining Bureau, judges that the year
will show an increase of about 81, 800 600
over the $15, ,334, 3l7 for 1895. Other high
authorities place the increase at between
$4,000 COO and 100000. making the total
production for 1886 approximate $19, ,0OO,-
600.
These figures, however, are not an ex-
.ponent of the remarkable development OF
the mining industry in this State during
the year, and they are no criterion for the
production of 1897. These figures of the
product of 1896, whatever they may be, do
not tell of the boom in gold mining that
has thrilled the State, turned millions of
capital in this direction, repopulated
scores of deserted mining towns, awak-
ened prosperity and injected new life into
every industry that depends upon mining.
miners and the money that have prod uced
the activity which began a year and half
ago and marked the year now closing have
been engaged in but developing old and
new mining properties which have not yet
reached the point of prod uction, but whose
output will be felt IN 1897 and more in
1898.
California is just beginning to partake
of a worldwide boom in gold mining.
Never before in the history OF the world
was the search for gold so universal and
intense. Capital the world over is turn
ing to the gold fields of every zone and
continent. O.d fields are becoming new
and new ones are being sought. During
the past two years South Africa has been
the greatest field and London has poured
her millions into it. Australia has found
new life and gives great promises. Lon
don is taking up New Zealand. From
Mexico, Central and South America re-
ports OF mining development and enter
prises come constantly. Experts are
being sent to the undeveloped fields of
Siberia, Korea and China.
The present new mining activity in Cal
ifornia is thus part of an activity that is
universal. Several reasons for 1t might
be given. There are good practical ones,
but perhaps the chief is a psychic one.
The movement is another illustration of
the contagion of ideas, the mental sug-
gestion" which gives universally TO
tendencies in business affairs as
well as in religion, philosophy and So
cial lie at different periods. Large capi-
talists have focked after others into the
gold fields the world over. Small capi-
talists have hocked after their neighbors.
Poor men have focked to prospect be-
cause others were doing it, and they have
gone where the most people were prospect
ing. The spirit of gold-mining has got
abroad, and more and more people banker
for gold mines. a spirit of great enter
prise and boldness marks mining opera
tions more and more.
Special and adequate causes will be
found contributing 10 this widespread